Taj Mahal - Fillmore East, February, 1971

        © Amalie R. Rothschild, 1971

 Taj Mahal- vocals, harmonica, banjo, National steel guitar, fife; John Hall- electric guitar; John Simon - piano; Howard Johnson - tuba, baritone saxophone, horn arrangements; Bob Stewart - tuba, flugelhorn, trumpet; Joeseph Daly - tuba, valve trombone; Early McIntyre - tuba, bass trombone; Bill Rich - bass; Greg Thomas - drums; Kwasi "Rocky" DziDzournu - Congas

  © Amalie R. Rothschild, 1971

"You Ain't No Streetwalker Mama, Honey But I Sure Do Love The Way You Strut Your Stuff."

 The relaxed groove continues on Taj Mahal's original "Big Kneed Girl," before the group pulls out all the stops by wrapping up the set with "You Ain't No Streetwalker Mama, Honey But I Sure Do Love The Way You Strut Your Stuff." This is the prime example of Taj and the group's dynamic control, as over the course of this extended jam, the group often plays softly and sparsely, making the louder passages even more exciting and dramatic. Everyone makes a strong contribution, but the standout musician may be pianist John Simon, who has played brilliantly throughout the set. In many ways, he is the glue that helps this unusual configuration jell so well on stage. This number also features more superb blues harp from Taj before it quietly dissolves signaling the end of the set.

     "Diving Duck Blues."

The Fillmore East audience has no intention of letting things end here and their enthusiastic response entices Taj and the group back for an encore. Just shy of being complete due to tape stock running out, this features the entire group tackling Sleepy John Estes' "Diving Duck Blues." A song originally recorded for Taj's debut album, this is an altogether more exciting performance, fueled by Johnson's great horn arrangements and standout contributions from Simon and Hall, whose piano and lead guitar work respectively, are both outstanding. . (Bershaw)