Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 1942) is an American Grammy Award-winning blues musician who incorporates elements of world music into his music. A self-taught singer, songwriter, and film composer who plays the guitar, banjo and harmonica (among many other instruments), Mahal has done much to reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his 50 year career by fusing it with non-traditional forms, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific.
After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.
He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.
After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.
He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.
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In Progress & In Motion (1965-1998)
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Ain't it Funky Now I was born in New York City, raised in a…
Ain't That a Lot of Love You gotta dig it baby Yes, yes, yes know the deserts…
Blues With A Feeling Blues with a feelin', That's what I have today Blues…
Built For Comfort Some folk built like this, some folk built like that But…
Cakewalk into Town I had the blues, so bad one time it put…
Checkin' up on My Baby Checkin' on my baby, see what she puttin' down So…
Corrina Corrine Corrina, where you been so long? Corrine Corrina, wh…
Do I Love Her Do I love her? Yes I love her, and she…
Eighteen Hammers I wish that I was eighteen, To do all the things, You…
Fishin' Blues Betcha' goin' fishing, all the time Baby goin' fishing too B…
Follow The Drinking Gourd When the Sun comes back And the first quail calls Follow the…
Frankie And Albert Frankie and Albert were sweet hearts Lord how they could lov…
Freight Train This country has a great history of railroads You know, goin…
Going Up to the Country, Paint My Mailbox Blue Gonna move up to the country Paint my mailbox blue Gonna mov…
Johnny Too Bad Walking down the road with a pistol in your waist Johnny…
Leaving Trunk I went upstairs to pack my leavin' trunk I ain't…
Little Brown Dog Oh, I buyed myself a little dog, and his color…
Natural Man Now you know I change with seasons, baby And I roll…
Nobody's Business But My Own This next song is a funny little song About snow in…
Señor Blues Senor Blues is what they call him, way down Mexicali…
She Caught the Katy and Left Me a Mule to Ride She caught the Katy, and left me a mule to…
Six Days on the Road Well I pulled out of Pittsburgh, rolling down the eastern s…
Slave Driver Ooh-ooh-oo-ooh. Oo-oo-ooh! Oo-oo-ooh. Slave driver, the tab…
Stagger Lee The night was clear and the moon was yellow And the…
Statesboro Blues Yes now, wake up mama, turn your lamp down low. Wake…
Sweet Home Chicago Come on, baby do you wanna go? Well, come on, baby…
Take a Giant Step Though you failed at love and lost And sorrow's turned your…
Texas Woman Blues Far below the northern lights Far below the northern lights…
West Indian Revelation I spent last summer on an island In the Mediterranean Sea Th…
You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond You're gonna need somebody on your bond child You're gonna n…