The Taj Mahal Swingin’ Sextet (from the album Swingin’ Live at the Church Studios

The Taj Mahal Swingin’ Sextet (from the album Swingin’ Live at the Church Studios

The Taj Mahal Swingin’ Sextet (from the album Swingin’ Live at the Church Studios in Tulsa available on Lightning Rod Records) (by Danny McCloskey)
 
The title leaves very little mystery about the new release from Taj Mahal, Live at the Church Studios in Tulsa. The Church Studios were originally created in an existing house of worship by Leon Russell. Long in disrepair, the building was lovingly brought back to life by Theresa Knox and her husband Ivan Acosta. Restored to its initial glory and beyond, Taj Mahal is backed by his quartet of bassist Bill Rich, drummer Kester Smith, and guitarist/Hawaiian lap steel player Bobby Ingano. Adding to his longtime band, Roots duo Rob Ickes (dobro) and Trey Hensley (guitar/vocals) fill out the backing band to the marquee for the album reads The Taj Mahal Swingin’ Sextet.
 
Opening on Chuck Willis’ “Betty and Dupree” the album boasts jukebox diversity as it offers Blues, Folk, Soul, and Americana in a blender sound that comfortably blankets Live at The Church in Tulsa. A flurry of notes opens the ragged but right playing that backs the prison tale “Slow Drag” as the lap steel dreamily weaves through “Twilight in Hawaii”. Sharp-angled Blues is the base for “Queen Bee” while Trey Hensley shares the vocals with Taj Mahal for “Lovin’ in My Baby’s Eyes”. Recalling Blues standards The Taj Mahal Swingin’ Sextet stroll across “Sitting on Top of the World”, sway to the rhythms of “Corrina”, and exit the album crying out “Mean Out World” on an extended jam that samples “Blues with a Feeling”. (by Danny McCloskey)
 
Listen and buy the music of The Taj Mahal Swingin’ Sextet from AMAZON
 
 
For more information, please visit the Taj Mahal website