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Here’s one of those rare moments, a relatively cheerful blues song. But then, Taj Mahal’s blues songs are not your average blues songs:

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“You can listen to my music from front to back, and you don’t ever hear me moaning and crying about how bad you done treated me. I think that style of blues and that type of tone was something that happened as a result of many white people feeling very, very guilty about what went down.”

- Taj Mahal, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Though he began by studying the more traditional blues styles, over his career he began to draw influences from other roots music too, incorporating elements of reggae, gospel, rhythm & blues and country. ‘Lovin’ In My Baby’s Eyes’ draws more from the end of that list, certainly with a very clear folk music styling too. Maybe it’s this folkiness, combined with his slightly (dare I say it) “grampa” voice that always makes me picture a happy old couple like this when I hear the song:

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Err, anyway.

The Essential Taj Mahal compilation brought together recordings from a whole bunch of different labels and finally drew together a better picture of the music and styles he’s explored throughout his four decade-long career. In 2006 it even won Historical Album of the Year at the Blues Music Awards, dontchaknow, which I think is a slightly more “worthy” way to talk about catalogue music. Regardless, they’re right. It’s excellent and it’s a brilliant place to start at with his music. To be honest, my knowledge pretty much stops after this song and the brilliantly ballsy ‘Leaving Trunk’ so I can vouch for The Essential being a great way to explore a bit more.

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I’m just going to leave you with this quote about why Taj loves playing festivals so much. Blues dancing is one of my favourite things in the world so I hereby award him major awesomeness points for this:

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“The music was designed for people to move, and it’s a bit difficult after a while to have people sitting like they’re watching television. That’s why I like to play outdoor festivals-because people will just dance”

Hurrah! I agree.

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KS