Taj Mahal - Phantom Blues

This 1996 album picks up where Dancing the Blues left off three years earlier, with producer John Porter and most of the same studio cast. There's more of a New Orleans flavor this time, with barrelhouse pianist Jon Cleary contributing a couple of originals to go with such classics as Jesse Hill's "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" and Fats Domino's "Let the Four Winds Blow." Bonnie Raitt and a full vocal chorus help kick "I Need Your Loving" into overdrive. Mahal's one original is the tender, acoustic country-sounding "Lovin' in My Baby's Eyes." --Rick Mitchell Amazon.com essential recording

Upbeat Blues from on of the Best

From the opning notes this album is great. I've been listening to it for 6+ years and it never bores me. Upbeat tracks, good horns and great guests (Clapton & Raitt) I think this is an essential Taj pick. October 25, 2003

...bruh taj be puttin the rhythm to some blues!...

i'm not a big fan of most contemporary blues singers, prefering that stuff they got goin' on in the mississip; pr'oly at best a 3anahalf-star rating, but seriously, Taj got that deep-from-some-gutter type sputter/growl goin' on and when he sings them love songs of his, it's some real hot stuff. "here in the dark", "fanning the flames" and "love her with a feeling" are THE MOST SENSUALLY HOT BALLADS FROM ANY MALE ARTIST OUT THERE, R-N-B OR OTHERWISE! neo-soul cant e'en come close to the dirt and desire in those cuts! this is the artist that D'angelo will be inspired by 10 years from now. August 18, 2001

Great New Orleans experience!!!

This is a great album,specially enriched with the marvellous participation of Jon Cleary,for me,one of the best piano players of ever.Really a participation of any Louisiana's piano player is a great thing for a good blues album!!!Specially some musicians like Jon Cleary,Dr.John,and Professor Longhair... This is a very true experience of this great bluesman,Taj Mahal,with guest appearances of Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt.I really loved the first track,an original of Taj's style.All of the others are pure Louisiana blues,and i really recomend to the bluesfans all over the world to listen this fantastic, Jon Cleary. He's a bluesman unrecognized,that deserves an accurated listened from those that really loves good music.You must try to listen the other Cleary's works such "Alligator Lips and Dirty Rice" and recently "Moonburn".What we can say is that Taj worked right to choose those great musicians and the results, are all inside this great cd!!! April 15, 2001

Taj is back big time!

My 3 favorite Taj Mahal albums so far had been his first two (both released in the 60's) and "Dancing the Blues." I now have a 4th! Get down! March 30, 2000

Good dancing, good vibes! We play it almost every day!

Taj Mahal's voice is like the sound of the Earth singing. He is authentic, soulful and grounded in the culture of folk and blues. He is a national treasure! April 2, 1999

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