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TAJ MAHAL With Special Guest The Radiators

Reviewed By Donn Jehs Frankie's Patio Tampa, FL 1/16/98

A standing room only crowd of 1200+ packed the venue to hear some rockin' blues music from multiple grammy winner "Taj Mahal" and the band he put together for this tour. Joining him was one of New Orleans' best live bands, "The Radiators." Taj is not afraid to bring along some high-powered tourmates as "The Radiators" did a baker's dozen songs plus an encore to an appreciative crowd. "The Radiators"consists of Ed Volker (keyboards, vocals, percussion), Dave Malone (guitars, vocals, percussion), Camile Baudoin (guitars, vocals), Reggie Scanlan (bass) and Frank Bua (drums). I had not heard this band before, but I sure wouldn't mind hearing them again - anytime. A radiator in a car is used to cool the motor, but in old homes it was a source of heat and this band was HOT! Starting an hour late to accomodate all the folks who came, they wasted no time once they hit the stage. Ed Volker, a big bearded Burl Ives looking guy, traded vocals with Camile Baudoin, and together they make a dynamite vocal sound. Like "The Allman Brothers" they deliver solid southern rock with a tinge of blues. "The Long Hard Journey Home," All Night Long," and "I Like My Poison" had stirling guitar riffs punctuated with lively keyboard play and a bass that didn't quit. There were numerous solo's from all the members during the set. "Deep In My Bosom (Sleep, Baby, Sleep)" featured a keyboard intro that epitomized the ability of the band to shine alone or together. They even gave us some funk with "Funky Funky Broadway."

"Love is a Trangle" opened with a guitar solo then segued into a keyboard and drum duet before going into a full-fledged instrumental bridge. The place really started hopping as they played "Take It To the FBI" and after a slow opening the quirky "I'm Gonna Join the Circus" complete with calliope- sounding keyboards from Ed. Ed abandoned the keyboards for mariachi's and a drum pad on "Fire," which had some of the best guitar play of the night, and got the crowd dancing in place. The closing number really got the crowd involved, and after shouting "Hey," they were soon shouting "Hurray," giving the band a well deserved hand and asking for an encore. In a first for my concert-going, the opening band actually came back to give the crowd what it wanted. Heck I wanted one too! "Doctor Doctor" was a perfect end to their set, one of the best numbers they did all night. I'm sure most folks felt they had already got more than their money's worth at this point and Taj was yet to come. The audience was cooperative as the roadies actually had to move everything off stage front through the tightly packed crowd, and in a relatively short time things were ready for Taj's set. Taj worked his way through the crowd in his trademark Panama hat and a couple of folks gave him a boost up onto the stage. No "big star" entrance here. And that is the way it was to be the rest of the evening as Taj shared his music and his joy in performing with the crowd.

"The Phantom Blues Band" included most of the musicians who performed on both "Phantom Blues" and "Senor Blues,"and consisted of Danny Freeman (guitar), Larry Fulcher (bass), Tony Braunagel (drums), Mick Weaver (Hammond B-3 organ), Joe Sublett (sax) and Darrell Leonard (trumpet). Darrell was also responsible for the musical arrangements, which were tight and did the original album more than justice.

In my concert experience there are musicians and performers. Musicians play the music and give you a good aural experience but performers give you the music and personality. Taj is definitely one of the latter. Although he delivers his vocals with tremendous feeling on his albums nothing prepared me for seeing him in person. Taj has the kind of charisma you associate with "Michael Jackson" or "Springsteen." He IS the music, in every fiber of his being. He is a natural actor and I would love to see him on film. His body and face are mirrors to his soul, and he just seemed to be having so much goddamn fun up there I was jealous. Almost all the songs were from his two most recent albums, and he bounced back and forth between them. Opening with "Think," he got the crowd into it immediately. The next number "Irresistable" was followd by "You Rascal You," delivered up really nasty. I loved this song on the album and wasn't disappointed by the live version, as Taj really sneered and gloated his way through it. We were as glad as he was that the rascal was dead! "Having a Real Bad Day" was full of the blues, while "Cheatin' On You" had Taj droppin in and out of his funky bass voice like a whole different persona.

The only disappointment, if you could call it that, is that Taj played the guitar on only three or four numbers, prefering to pick up everything from the cowbell to the mariachi's and tambourine, and of course that "mouth harp." A smile was in his voice as he sang "Queen Bee," and he got some Latin rhythm going with the title song from "Senor Blues," which featured a trumpet solo and Taj on the harmonica. A couple of older songs, "Move Out To the Country" and "Feel Like A Stranger," followed. Then it was back to the blues with "Here In the Dark" and a sweet version of "Down Home Girl," featuring a sax solo from Joe.

It was honky tonk time with "Let The Four Winds Blow," with some slick keyboard play by Mick Weaver, who likes to play with his eyes closed and his mouth open, and a trumpet bridge from Darrell, followed by "Hootchie Cootchie Coo." The blues returned with a vengeance on "We're Gonna Make It," with organ, sax and trumpet solos. The set finished with a rousing rendition of "Call Me Mr. Pitiful" as Taj really let it loose and climaxed with a driving drum finish. Well if the "The Radiators" could have an encore you knew there was going to be one from Taj and the band. In fact there were two encores. The first started with one of my favorite Taj numbers, "Lovin' In My Baby's Eyes," delivered with such feeling that I wished I could bottle it up and take it home to savor. "Down the Road" followed. Then the volume was turned way up as Denny Freeman delivered those "Whiskey Blues" on the guitar in a wailing finish to the first encore.

The show came to a close with the jaunty "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" which comes across much better live than on the album. "Everyday" was followed by the final song, "I Need Your Loving," and the audience showed it with a rousing ovation for Taj and the Blues Band as they lingered basking in the afterglow of a memorable evening.

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