Taj Mahal

Giant Step / De Old Folks at Home

Every song on Taj Mahal’s De Old Folks at Home was an inspiration to me as a kid and still lifts me, pleases me, makes me smile and giggle and I am transported to whatever story he is telling. I love sitting on the porch with him, or watching the big frog in the pond with him, or especially walking with him in Annie’s world. Or rather her lover’s world. He really made a masterpiece with that record, and then doubled-down with a second album, all electric, and this double album becomes Giant Step/De Old Folks At Home. It’s very fun, happy, probably done live in a day or two. Jesse Ed Davis played guitar.

The electric version included a slammin’ version of “Six Days on the Road.” Probably better than the original. But I am centered here on his songwriting for the all-acoustic album…. and the song “Annie’s Lover”

Deceptive. There is a chord change I would have to sit down to figure out… yet the song seems very simple. Is that a half step? What is that?

The message is... Annie’s lover might be just a country boy, not knowing much except the knows about the sky, and the chickens, and the ducks… and then he just keeps listing more things, without taking a breath. I like songs that you could sing with a kid. You know it’s true then.

Taj’ voice is friendly, slightly scratchy, his ability as a singer or player is very accomplished. A multi-instrumentalist and a touring dog, I have seen him a few times over the years and it’s always wonderful. He is at ease with people whether they are in the audience or siting next to him on the couch. I am very fond of him. His songs are part of the American treasure and people should know him, hopefully, while he is still alive.

When someone really means what they say, a song comes to life. It remains alive after they are gone. Sincerity is part of what makes a great performance. A song can be complicated or incredibly simple, but as long as the singer means it, it tells an emotional story that has no words. A subtext, I guess Wendy Rene’s "after the laughter comes tears” comes to mind. I mean, that’s a pretty simple little composition but…it stays on your mind. An unusual subject - after the laughter - with a simple and direct text. Not really the way I write—I love metaphor and mystery—but I love it.

Annie’s Lover, part of who I am now.

Rickie Lee & Taj, HORDE Festival, late 90s (credit unknown)

PODCAST: The American Singer-Songwriter Trilogy by Rickie Lee Jones

📻 Episode 1: Folk Rock (22:00)

📻 Episode 2: Country Rock—Dylan to Little Feat (30:42)

📻 Episode 3: Seven Songwriters of the 1970s (56:07)