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In less than 24 months, Taj Mahal (guitars/vocals/banjo/harmonica) had issued the equivalent of four respective long-players. The electric Giant Step (1968) was released alongside the acoustic and decidedly rural De Ole Folks at Home (1968). The nine cuts on Giant Step feature support from the instrumental trio of Jesse Ed Davis (guitar/keyboards), Gary Gilmore (bass), and Chuck Blackwell (drums). They back Taj Mahal on a wide selection of covers ranging from Carole King and Gerry Goffin's "Take a Giant Step" to the upbeat and soulful reading of the Huddie Ledbetter blues staple "Keep Your Hands Off Her." The arrangements are unique and offer the artist's distinctive approach. Nowhere is this more evident than the practically jovial midtempo "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" or the freewheeling abandon brought to the 18-wheeler anthem "Six Days on the Road"." Similarly, it recalls the version of "Ain't That a Lot of Love" from Taj Mahal's preceding LP Natch'l Blues (1968). Additionally, Blind Willie Johnson's "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond" stands out with a strong and soaring gospel-flavored arrangement. The project concludes with "Bacon Fat," a number attributed here via Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson of the Band. That said, it may be better-known from the man they called Mr. Rhythm, Andre Williams, whose scattered down-home spoken interludes punctuate his February 1957 Top Ten R&B hit -- which incidentally was created under the working title "Diddle, Diddle Womp, Womp." Parties searching for an apt introduction when discovering Taj Mahal's voluminous catalog are encouraged to consider Giant Step as a highly recommended reference point.
© Lindsay Planer /TiVo
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Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - E. Davis, Composer - E. Davis, Lyricist - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - T. Mahal, Composer - T. Mahal, Lyricist - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Carole King, Composer - Carole King, Lyricist - Gerry Goffin, Composer - Gerry Goffin, Lyricist - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - David Rubinson, Producer
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - T. Mahal, Composer - T. Mahal, Lyricist - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass - J. Hirschhorn, Composer - J. Hirschhorn, Lyricist
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - B. LEVEL, Composer - B. LEVEL, Lyricist - B. Love, Composer - B. Love, Lyricist - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Blind Willie Johnson, Composer - Blind Willie Johnson, Lyricist - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Carl Montgomery, Composer - Carl Montgomery, Lyricist - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Taj Mahal, Performer - Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Earl Greene, Composer - Earl Greene, Lyricist - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - David Rubinson, Producer
Originally Recorded 1969. All rights reserved by Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Composer - Taj Mahal, Lyricist - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - Jesse E. Davis III, Composer - Jesse E. Davis III, Lyricist - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass - H. Ledbetter, Composer - H. Ledbetter, Lyricist
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - G. HUDSON, Composer - G. HUDSON, Lyricist - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass - J. ROBBIE ROBERTSON, Composer - J. ROBBIE ROBERTSON, Lyricist
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass - H. Ledbetter, Composer - H. Ledbetter, Lyricist
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Not Documented, Composer - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Taj Mahal, Performer - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - V. HALL, Composer - V. HALL, Lyricist - R. TARTT, Composer - R. TARTT, Lyricist - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - T. Mahal, Composer - T. Mahal, Lyricist - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Taj Mahal, Performer - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - T. Mahal, Composer - T. Mahal, Lyricist - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally Recorded 1969. All rights reserved by SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Taj Mahal, Performer - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass - G. Davis, Composer - G. Davis, Lyricist
Originally Recorded 1969. All rights reserved by SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Taj Mahal, Performer - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - T. Mahal, Composer - T. Mahal, Lyricist - T. Mahal, Arranger - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally Recorded 1969. All rights reserved by SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - T. Mahal, Composer - T. Mahal, Lyricist - T. Mahal, Arranger - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - T. Mahal, Composer - T. Mahal, Lyricist - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - L. Price, Composer - L. Price, Lyricist - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - H. LOGAN, Composer - H. LOGAN, Lyricist
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - T. Mahal, Composer - T. Mahal, Lyricist - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Henry Thomas, Composer - Henry Thomas, Lyricist - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Chuck "Brother" Blackwell, Drums - Brian Ross-Myring, Engineer - Taj Mahal, Performer - Taj Mahal, Banjo - Taj Mahal, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Taj Mahal, Harmonica - Taj Mahal, Vocal - Chris Hinshaw, Engineer - Jerry Hochman, Engineer - David Rubinson, Producer - T. Mahal, Composer - T. Mahal, Lyricist - T. Mahal, Arranger - Jesse Edwin Davis, Acoustic Baritone Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Electric Guitar - Jesse Edwin Davis, Piano - Jesse Edwin Davis, Organ - Gary Gilmore, Acoustic Bass
Originally released 1969. All rights reserved by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Album review
In less than 24 months, Taj Mahal (guitars/vocals/banjo/harmonica) had issued the equivalent of four respective long-players. The electric Giant Step (1968) was released alongside the acoustic and decidedly rural De Ole Folks at Home (1968). The nine cuts on Giant Step feature support from the instrumental trio of Jesse Ed Davis (guitar/keyboards), Gary Gilmore (bass), and Chuck Blackwell (drums). They back Taj Mahal on a wide selection of covers ranging from Carole King and Gerry Goffin's "Take a Giant Step" to the upbeat and soulful reading of the Huddie Ledbetter blues staple "Keep Your Hands Off Her." The arrangements are unique and offer the artist's distinctive approach. Nowhere is this more evident than the practically jovial midtempo "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" or the freewheeling abandon brought to the 18-wheeler anthem "Six Days on the Road"." Similarly, it recalls the version of "Ain't That a Lot of Love" from Taj Mahal's preceding LP Natch'l Blues (1968). Additionally, Blind Willie Johnson's "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond" stands out with a strong and soaring gospel-flavored arrangement. The project concludes with "Bacon Fat," a number attributed here via Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson of the Band. That said, it may be better-known from the man they called Mr. Rhythm, Andre Williams, whose scattered down-home spoken interludes punctuate his February 1957 Top Ten R&B hit -- which incidentally was created under the working title "Diddle, Diddle Womp, Womp." Parties searching for an apt introduction when discovering Taj Mahal's voluminous catalog are encouraged to consider Giant Step as a highly recommended reference point.
© Lindsay Planer /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 22 track(s)
- Total length: 01:08:48
- Main artists: Taj Mahal
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Columbia
- Genre: Blues/Country/Folk Blues
(P) 1989 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
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