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Taj Mahal: Savoy

By Dave Linn
May 3, 2023
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Savoy, from

Taj Mahal

guitar and vocals
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Taj Mahal, is the latest entrant in the crowded field of pop music artists trying their hand at the fertile songbook of old big-band, swing-era standards. Unlike most, Mahal's roots show he's well suited to the task. He was born in Harlem in 1942. He grew up in a musical family, and his parents were both involved in the arts. His father was a jazz pianist and arranger, working with

Cab Calloway

composer / conductor
1907 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Cab Calloway,

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington, and

Fletcher Henderson

arranger
1897 - 1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Fletcher Henderson among others. His mother was a well known gospel singer.

Taj Mahal is a living legend in the pop music world, releasing several dozen albums in his career from rock and R&B to various international genres, but is mostly known for his work in the blues field. Additionally he has recorded and performed with several jazz luminaries over the years, including

David "Fathead" Newman

saxophone, tenor
1933 - 2009

" data-original-title="" title="">David "Fathead" Newman,

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner,

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis,

Pharoah Sanders

saxophone, tenor
1940 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Pharoah Sanders and

Eddie Palmieri

piano
1936 - 2025

" data-original-title="" title="">Eddie Palmieri.

The 14 tracks on the album, produced by his good friend John Simon, are a throwback to that time when Mahal was growing up. It features older standards written by composers like of

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington,

Louis Jordan

saxophone, alto
1908 - 1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Jordan,

George Gershwin

composer / conductor
1898 - 1937

" data-original-title="" title="">George Gershwin and

Louis Armstrong

trumpet and vocals
1901 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Armstrong, the one exception being

Benny Golson

saxophone, tenor
1929 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Benny Golson's "Killer Joe."

The album kicks off with the title track. The song fades in with the old-time sounds of muted cornets and chunky rhythms before the intentionally sweet, saccharine female backup singers (somewhat like the old

Ray Charles

piano and vocals
1930 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Charles singers) come in singing the theme. Mahal enters, giving a minute-long spoken introduction where he tells the story about how his mother and father met at the Savoy Ballroom while attending an

Ella Fitzgerald

vocals
1917 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Ella Fitzgerald with

Chick Webb

drums
1905 - 1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Webb concert. Then he talks about how much he's always loved the music and that's why he ended up deciding to make this record and "throw a thunderbolt down your way." One cannot help hearing shades and influences of Louis Armstrong in Mahal's gravelly vocals, particularly on the title track and on Louis Jordan's "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" and Gershwin's "Lady Be Good," where he channels Ella Fitzgerald scatting like Armstrong. The one duet is "Baby, It's Cold Outside" featuring a saucy

Maria Muldaur

vocals
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Maria Muldaur as the female singer.

It's clear that Mahal is thrilled to be doing this project and is trying to make it as authentic as possible. That is both a plus and a minus. The arrangements are singularly excellent. The song selection is varied, but predictable (except for "Killer Joe"). While Mahal's enthusiasm shows throughout, the essence of whom he has always been as a performer and vocalist seems a bit muted, contributing to a sameness that pervades throughout. Perhaps the fact he was 80 years old while recording this tribute to his upbringing, has something to do with it.

The album is ultimately a pleasant and satisfying trip down memory lane. Nothing more, nothing less. It's a three star affair, but you can add another half-star if you are a Taj Mahal fan.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Stompin' At The Savoy; I'm Just A Lucky So-And-So; Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You; Summertime; Mood Indigo; Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby; Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me; Sweet Georgia Brown; Taj Mahal/Maria Muldaur - Baby It's Cold Outside; Lady Be Good; Baby Won't You Please Come Home; Caldonia; Killer Joe; One For My Baby (And One More For The Road).

Personnel

Taj Mahal

guitar and vocals

Maria Muldaur

vocals

Erik Jekabson

trumpet

Mike Rinta

trombone

Sheldon Brown

saxophone

Leah Tysse

vocals

Sandy Griffith

vocals

Sandy Cressman

vocals

Charlotte McKinnon

vocals

Leesa Humphrey

vocals

Carla Holbrook

vocals

Leon Joyce, Jr.

drums

Ruth Davies

bass, acoustic

Danny Caron

guitar

Lincoln Adler

saxophone

Kristen Strom

saxophone, alto

Charles McNeal

saxophone, alto

Evan Zeppo Price

violin

Additional Instrumentation

John Simon: piano.

Album information

Title: Savoy | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Stony Plain Records

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