Album Information:

About Taj Mahal:

Taj Mahal is an American blues musician and singer-songwriter, born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks on May 17, 1942 in New York City. He was raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he first began to develop his love for the blues and folk music.

Taj Mahal’s signature sound is a fusion of various genres such as blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, and Caribbean music. He is also known for his unique instrumentation, often incorporating the use of African and Middle Eastern instruments such as the kora, oud, and mbira.

Mahal began his professional music career in the early 1960s as a member of the pioneering psychedelic blues band, the Rising Sons, alongside Ry Cooder. They recorded several songs but never released an album. After the band disbanded, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and signed a solo recording contract with Columbia Records in 1967. He went on to release his debut album 'Taj Mahal' which featured his signature blend of blues and folk sounds.

Throughout his career, Mahal has released over 30 albums, including collaborations with other notable musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, and Wynton Marsalis. His hit songs include 'Statesboro Blues', 'Queen Bee', and 'Fishin’ Blues'.

Mahal is also a two-time Grammy award winner, and in 2006 he was awarded the Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance.

Aside from his music career, Mahal is also a visual artist and an advocate for preserving African-American roots music. He has been an active member and participant in cultural preservation efforts, and continues to tour and perform around the world, showcasing his diverse and innovative musical style.

About the album Taj Mahal:

Taj Mahal's eponymous debut album, released in 1968, is a brilliant fusion of blues, soul, and folk music. With his resonant voice and masterful fingerpicking, Taj Mahal takes the listener on a journey through the American South, channeling the African American musical traditions that shaped his sound.

The album opens with 'Leaving Trunk,' a raw and powerful blues tune featuring Mahal's searing slide guitar work. 'Statesboro Blues' is a rollicking cover of the Blind Willie McTell classic, with Mahal's warm vocals backed by a funky horn section. The hard-driving 'Corinna' showcases Mahal's virtuosic fingerstyle guitar playing, while 'The Celebrated Walkin' Blues' is a soulful and gritty lament about life on the road.

Throughout the album, Mahal seamlessly weaves together genres and styles, combining soulful ballads like 'She Caught the Katy' with upbeat numbers like 'Fishin' Blues.' His covers of 'You Don't Miss Your Water' and 'Take a Giant Step' display his unique ability to make familiar songs his own, infusing them with his signature blend of blues and folk.

Taj Mahal is also notable for its explorations of world music influences, particularly on the psychedelic-tinged 'Natch'l Blues' and the traditional African American spiritual 'Blues Ain't Nothin'.' Mahal's incorporation of these global sounds and rhythms makes the album a truly unique and ahead-of-its-time offering.

Overall, Taj Mahal is a stunning debut that showcases Mahal's impeccable musicianship, his soulful vocals, and his deep understanding and appreciation of the African American musical tradition. It remains a classic of the blues and folk genres, and an essential listen for anyone interested in the evolution of American music.

Members:

I'm sorry, but I cannot provide complete biographies of the key members of Taj Mahal as there have been many different musicians who have played with Taj Mahal throughout his career, and their biographies are vast and extensive. However, I can provide a list of some of the key members who have played with Taj Mahal:

- Jesse Ed Davis (guitar)
- Ry Cooder (guitar)
- Kester Smith (drums)
- Bill Rich (bass)
- Gary Gilmore (drums)
- Tony Braunagel (drums)
- Rudy Costa (saxophone)
- Earl Turbinton (saxophone)
- Bobby King (vocals)
- Terry Evans (vocals)
- Mahal's sister, Carole Fredericks (vocals)

Each of these musicians has made significant contributions to Taj Mahal's music, and their individual biographies can be found on their respective websites.

Track List for Taj Mahal:

I'm sorry, but as an AI language model, I don't have access to detailed descriptions of each track in the album Taj Mahal by the artist Taj Mahal. However, I can provide you with the list of all the tracks included in the album and their play times:

1. 'Leaving Trunk' - 4:50
2. 'Statesboro Blues' - 2:59
3. 'Checkin' Up on My Baby' - 4:55
4. 'Everybody's Got to Change Sometime' - 2:54
5. 'E Z Rider' - 3:06
6. 'Dust My Broom' - 2:34
7. 'Diving Duck Blues' - 2:38
8. 'The Celebrated Walkin' Blues' - 4:04
9. 'The Cuckoo' - 4:09
10. 'Corinna' - 2:59
11. 'Going Up to the Country, Paint My Mailbox Blue' - 3:35
12. 'Done Changed My Way of Living' - 6:25

I hope that helps!

Discography for Taj Mahal:

Here is a complete discography for Taj Mahal in chronological order, including all albums, singles, and other releases with their respective release dates:

Albums:

1. Taj Mahal (1967)
2. The Natch'l Blues (1968)
3. Giant Step/De Ole Folks at Home (1969)
4. The Real Thing (1971)
5. Happy Just to Be Like I Am (1971)
6. Recycling the Blues & Other Related Stuff (1972)
7. Oooh So Good 'N Blues (1973)
8. Mo' Roots (1974)
9. Music Fuh Ya' (Musica Para Tu) (1977)
10. Evolution (1978)
11. Mixed Bag (2003)
12. One Kind Favor (2008)
13. Maestro (2008)
14. The Hidden Treasures of Taj Mahal (2012)

Live Albums:

1. The Great Taj Mahal (1968)
2. Live and Direct (1979)
3. Shake Sugaree (1996)
4. Shoutin' in Key: Taj Mahal Trio Live (2000)

Singles:

1. 'Leaving Trunk'/'Statesboro Blues' (1967)
2. 'Tomorrow May Not Be Your Day'/'Ain't That a Lot of Love' (1968)
3. 'Good Morning Little Schoolgirl'/'You Ain't No Streetwalker Mama, Honey But I Do Love the Way You Strut Your Stuff' (1969)
4. 'Fishin' Blues'/'Ain't Gwine to Whistle Dixie (Any Mo')' (1970)
5. 'You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond'/'Tomorrow May Not Be Your Day' (1971)

Other Releases:

1. 'Live at Royal Albert Hall' (1998)
2. 'Blues with a Feeling' (2003)
3. 'Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band in St. Lucia' (2005)
4. 'The Essential Taj Mahal' (2005)
5. 'Taj Mahal & The Hula Blues Band Live from Kauai' (2015)