The Real Thing (Taj Mahal album)

Infobox Album
Name = The Real Thing
Type = live
Longtype =
Artist = Taj Mahal


Released = 1971 (CD in 2000)
Recorded = February 13, 1971, Fillmore East, New York City
Genre = Blues
Length = 66:51
Label = Columbia/Legacy
Producer = David Robinson (original recording), Bob Irwin (CD reissue)
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0nfrxq85ldhe link]
* Robert Christgau (B) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Taj+Mahal link]
Last album = "Giant Step/De Ole Folks at Home"
(1969)
This album = "The Real Thing"
(1971)
Next album = "Happy Just To Be Like I Am"
(1972)

"The Real Thing" is a 1971 live album by Taj Mahal. It was recorded on February 13, 1971 at the Fillmore East in New York City and features Taj Mahal backed by a band that includes four tuba players.

Track listing

"All songs by Taj Mahal unless otherwise noted."
# "Fishin' Blues" (Henry Thomas) – (2:58
# "Ain't Gwine to Whistle Dixie (Any Mo')" (Blackwell/Davis/Gilmore/Taj Mahal) – 9:11
#* Studio recording on "Giant Step/De Ole Folks at Home" (1969)
# "Sweet Mama Janisse" – 3:32
# "Going Up to the Country and Paint My Mailbox Blue" – 3:24
# "Big Kneed Gal" – 5:34
# "You're Going to Need Somebody on Your Bond" (Blind Willie Johnson) – 6:13
# "Tom and Sally Drake" – 3:39
# "Diving Duck Blues" (Sleepy John Estes) – 3:46
# "John, Ain' It Hard" – 5:30
# "She Caught the Katy (And Left Me a Mule to Ride)" (Taj Mahal, Yank Rachell) – 4:08
#*Omitted from the vinyl issue, added to 2000 CD issue. Studio recording appears on "The Natch'l Blues" (1968).
# "You Ain't No Street Walker Mama, Honey but I Sure Do Love the Way You Strut Your Stuff" – 18:56

Credits

* Taj Mahal – Vocals, blues harp, chromatic harmonica, National steel-bodied guitar, five-string guitar, fife
* Howard Johnson – Tuba (BB♭, F), baritone saxophone, brass arrangements
* Bob Stewart – Tuba (CC), flugelhorn, trumpet
* Joseph Daley – Tuba (BB♭), valve trombone
* Earle McIntyre – Tuba (E♭), bass trombone
* Bill Rich – Electric bass
* John Simon – piano, electric piano
* John Hall – Electric guitar
* Greg Thomas – Drums
* Kwasi "Rocky" DziDzournu – Congas