Richmond Times-Dispatch, November 22, 1986
"How do you do that?" someone yelled to Taj Mahal during last night'sconcert at New Horizon Cafe.
"Magic," the legendary blues man softly answered while fingerpicking Robert Johnson's classic "Dust My Broom."
Magic was the catchword for Mahal's performance. He has been playing and recording professionally for more than 20 years, making audiences sit on theedge of their seats in intense anticipation of his next note. Keeping that interest alive, he has just released Taj on Gramavision Records. To attest to his cult following, the record has sold 50,000 copies in only two weeks.
The audience of mostly over 30-year-olds at New Horizon felt transportedback to the days of coffeehouses and blues revivals. Mahal began the showplaying piano. His solo boogie version of "Statesboro Blues" bore noresemblance to the rock setting that inspired the Allman Brothers, but itrang true to a smoky essence of the blues. Then "Circle `Round the Sun" and"IfI Ever Get Lucky" added both depth and humor.
Mahal switched to guitar to play a funky version of Willie Dixon's"Spoonful." Not one to take himself too seriously, during the song Mahalsang imitatively of Chicago great Howlin' Wolf. Yet he did so out ofrespect, not insult.
He loves the blues. You could feel that through the intensity with whichhe played, whether it was the light, almost non-existent touch of Charlie"Buddy" Bolden's "Make Me Down a Pallet On Your Floor" or the gut-levelverve of "Stagolee." He transposed his roots influences with years ofplaying and listening to music both old and new.
Since the theme of the evening was the blues, it seemed fitting that Li'lRonnie and the Blue Beats opened the show. This band cooked the outside coldaway. Most of the tunes were urban amplified blues classics. Junior Wells'"Checkin' On My Baby" moved with the urgency of the song's rejectednarrator. Li'l Ronnie showcased his vocal and harmonica ability on Sonny BoyWilliamson's "Help Me." And guitarist Tommy Bryant rocked out GeorgeThorogood's "Bad to the Bone," a tune that characterized the entire evening.
Though it ranged from hard-core Chicago to Mississippi Delta blues, theshow was nothing but the blues.