The Real Thing
Taj Mahal followed up Giant Step/De Ole Folks at Home (1969) with another double-disc concert platter whose title pretty much sums up the contents. The Real Thing (1971) is drawn from a mid-February run of shows at the Fillmore East in New York City where he, Spencer Davis the Chambers Brothers and Roberta Flack among others, shared the bill. Mahal (vocals/banjo/guitar/harmonica/arranger/fife harp/steel guitar/ harmonica) is supported by an interesting extended aggregate with a brass section consisting of Joseph Daley (tuba/horn/trombone), Bob Stewart (horn), and a pair of former Charles Mingus bandmembers, Earl McIntyre (horn) and Howard Johnson (horn). While at times they tend to overpower the usually intimate nature of the performances, that is certainly not the case for the majority of the arrangements. The opener, "Fishin' Blues," is a solo with Mahal accompanying himself on banjo. "Ain't Gwine to Whistle Dixie (Any Mo')" is significantly lengthened from the form found on Giant Step (1968) as it stretches nearly nine minutes and allows plenty of room for interaction, offering up a spirited fife interlude from Mahal In addition to providing an overview from his back catalog, The Real Thing contains a few new compositions. The full ensemble gets a workout on the funky "Sweet Mama Janisse" and the toe-tappin' rural flavor of the instrumental "Tom and Sally Drake" is lightly augmented by a sole tuba -- presumably that of Johnson Sleepy John Estes "Diving Duck Blues" arguably submits the most successful incorporation of brass, sporting a driving, full-throttle rhythm and soulful interpretation. The 2000 CD reissue was extended to fit the entire live set, adding the previously unavailable "She Caught the Katy and Left Me a Mule to Ride," matching the intensity of the sizeable bluesy, closing jam "You Ain't No Street Walker Mama, Honey But I Do Love They Way You Strut." ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
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The Real Thing
- UPC:
- 074646585924
- Label:
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Columbia/Legacy
- Released:
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9/5/2000
- Rating:
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0
- Disc:
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1
- Genre:
-
Music
| | Title | Time |
Preview
|
| 1 | Fishin' Blues (Live) | 4:15 |
|
| 2 | Ain't Gwine To Whistle Dixie (Any Mo') | 9:11 |
|
| 3 | Sweet Mama Janisse | 3:33 |
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| 4 | Going Up To The Country And Paint My Mailbox Blue | 3:24 |
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| 5 | Big Kneed Gal | 5:34 |
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| 6 | You're Going To Need Somebody On Your Bond | 6:14 |
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| 7 | Tom And Sally Drake | 3:39 |
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| 8 | Diving Duck Blues | 3:46 |
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| 9 | John, Ain't It Hard | 5:30 |
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| 10 | She Caught The Katy And Left Me A Mule To Ride | 4:08 |
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| 11 | You Ain't No Street Walker Mama, Honey But I Do Love The Way You Strut Your Stuff (Live) | 30:56 |
 
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Credits »
Taj Mahal - Arranger
Taj Mahal - Main Performer
Stanley Crouch - Liner Notes
David Rubinson - Producer
Bruce Steinberg - Photography
Bruce Steinberg - Cover Design
Bob Irwin - Producer
Howard Fritzson - Art Direction
Vic Anesini - Mastering
Fred Lombardi - Photography
Jen Wyler - Mixing
Don Peterson - Photography
Lily Lew - Packaging Manager
Related Artists »
Robert Johnson
Mississippi John Hurt
Blind Willie McTell
Sleepy John Estes
