The Natch'l Blues

Taking it to another place...Following his self-titled 1968 debut by only a couple of months, The Natch'l Blues is the logical extension of Taj Mahal. A riveting blend of superb musicianship and songwriting, this album cements Taj's reputation as an artist determined to explore new musical terrain without losing sight of, or compromising, the integrity of its foundation. This album is the music of four musical men and their musical friends (close friends), some of whom do not use musical instruments to make their song. Men who love one another, men who are always in love with lovely ladies, children, dogs, cats; with Old Ma Nature at her best and at her worst, men who can still laugh and cry, men who have paid their dues to the unknown cashier, men who can accept their own mistakes and the mistakes of others. Its all living, you know. Be Well - Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal's second album, recorded in the spring and fall of 1968, opens with more stripped-down Delta-style blues in the manner of his debut, but adds a little more amplification (partly courtesy of Al Kooper on organ) before moving into wholly bigger sound on numbers like "She Caught the Katy and Left Me a Mule to Ride" and "The Cuckoo" -- the latter, in particular, features crunchy electric and acoustic guitars and Gary Gilmore playing his bass almost like a lead instrument, like a bluesman's answer to John Entwistle.