Audio CD review:
Taj Mahal - Shakin' a Tailfeather

Taj Mahal - Shakin' a Tailfeather

Band: Taj Mahal Title: Shakin' a Tailfeather Rating: Release Date: 1997-10-28 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Rockin' Robin - Taj Mahal, Thomas, Jimmie 2: Willie and the Hand Jive - Taj Mahal, Otis, Johnny 3: Shortnin' Bread - Taj Mahal, 4: Oh Mary Mack - Taj Mahal, 5: Draw Me a Bucket of Water - Taj Mahal, 6: Shake a Tail Feather - Taj Mahal, Hayes, Otha 7: Ask Grandma - Taj Mahal, 8: This a Way Valerie - Taj Mahal, 9: Land of 1000 Dances - Taj Mahal, Kenner, Chris 10: Jim Dandy - Taj Mahal, Chase, Lincoln 11: The Name Game - Taj Mahal, Chase, Lincoln 12: Beans and Corn Bread - Taj Mahal, Moore, Fleecie 13: Loop de Loop - Taj Mahal, 14: Follow the Drinking Gourd - Taj Mahal, Traditional

This ain't folk, this is foot-stompin', finger-poppin' FUNK! I grew up on "Little Sally Walker" and the "Name Game" --these songs were part of the rich, cultural stew that made up my life in urban Philadelphia. True blues fans will cherish this collection of songs, most of them adaptations of traditional African-American, southern blues music. I am delighted that Taj Mahal has documented these treasures so that I can now share them with my 3 suburbo-kids, who otherwise would not have a clue. Be advised -- this album is not for the feeble, folk-singer fan but for kids and parents with a love for danceable, singable music with soul. Shakin a tailfeather I found it to be grating and irritating. I absolutely hated this CD. I have played it once and have never played it again. I adore Taj Mahal, was raised on folk music like Pete Seegar and Woody Guthrie, but I am NOT a fan of the gospel music sound. That is what I would call this album. I heard very little Taj Mahal on it, also, which is bothersome. Get Shake Shugaree. It's awesome. ONE OF THE BEST CDS I OWN NOW, IF ONLY I COULD GET THEM TO STOP SHAKIN' A TAILFEATHER WHEN IT'S TIME TO CLEAN UP. AS A PRESCHOOL TEACHER, THIS CD IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES!! THE CHILDREN LOVE TO DANCE AND SING ALONG, AND I ENJOY IT TOO. THE "NAME GAME" BELONGS IN THE TOILET It is highly irritating, makes absolutely no sense and is darned annoying to boot. Ever since I was 3, I have had a constitutional aversion for that idiotic "Name Game" by Shirley Ellis. It has no saving grace, nothing to recommend it and makes jackhammers sound soothing by comparison. I would have given this 4 or maybe even 5 stars, but including the idiotic "Name Game" cost this CD. Everything else on this CD is great, especially "Follow the Drinking Gourd. " That is a good history lesson about slavery and about using a sky map. An excellent exercise for children (and adults) is to find the Northern Star and identify other constellations. This is a great teaching tool. Leave off the vile "Name Game" and you've got a good collection here. Had our 15-month-old twins dancing immediately. Check out cuts 9-11: "Land of 1000 Dances," "Jim Dandy," and "The Name Game," which is an all-time favorite of mine. This is a CD that I can actually share with my children -- I was enjoying many of these songs in my own youth. Listen also to the deep funk of "Shortnin' Bread. " This may be a children's CD, but there's plenty for an adult to enjoy. Just be careful playing "The Name Game" with kids named Chuck or Mitch. You can see a complete list of all Taj Mahal discography, or go back to the Taj Mahal tabs