The Victorian house featured on the cover, known as the Salt Box, was once located on Bunker Hill Avenue in Los Angeles’ Bunker Hill neighborhood. Designated a city landmark in 1962, it was one of only two homes that were saved and relocated, only for both be destroyed by an arson-caused fire in 1969 while awaiting restoration at the future site of the Heritage Square Museum. Bunker Hill Avenue no longer exists and the entire 2-block area around the home’s original location is now the site of the Wells Fargo Center. — from wikipedia
Taj Mahal is the debut album by American guitarist and vocalist Taj Mahal. Recorded in 1967 and released in 1968, it was considered, “reworked [blues] in contemporary blues and folk-rock styles.” Included on the album is Taj Mahal’s adaptation of Blind Willie McTell’s “Statesboro Blues“, which inspired the popular Allman Brothers Band recording.
There are 8 tracks on the album, 3 written by Sleepy John Estes, 1 by Blind Willie McTell, 1 by Sonny Boy Williamson, 1 by Robert Johnson, and several arranged by Taj Mahal. My choice is track 1 on side 2, EZ Rider, written by Taj. I was expecting it to have the lyrics and melody of CeeCeeRider but it is not that song.
On EZ Rider Taj Mahal provides vocals and harmonica, Sanford Konikoff on drums, Jesse Ed Davis on lead guitar, Ry Cooder on rhythm guitar, and James Thomas on bass (thanks, Steve!)
EZ Rider
EZ Rider, oh, you rider
Baby, won’t you see what you gone and done?
You done gone and left me, while I lay sleepin’
Baby, now you know your natural man done come
Baby, now you know your natural man done come
Well I’m going to the country, back to the country
Yes, I’m gonna stay there for a little while
You know I ain’t good lookin’, but don’t let that deceive you
I'm some woman's sweet angel child
Baby you know I'm some woman's sweet little angel child
When you see me comin’
Baby when you see me comin’
Won’t you throw your man, your man out the door
You know, I ain’t no stranger to you, baby
I been in your sweet lovin’ arms before
Baby, I’ve been in your sweet lovin’ arms before
Work with me child, come on, give it to me
Oh dear rider, see here baby
Honey where did you, where did you stay last night?
You know your hair’s all tangled up and your dress is all messy
And the shoes you wearin you ain't got 'em on right
Baby, the shoes you been wearin you ain’t got 'em on right
Oh oh oh oh EZ rider oh you EZ rider baby won't you see
what you gone and done you done gone and left me
while I lay sleepin'
Baby, now you know your man done gone
Baby, now you know your man done gone
You put me on the killin floor
You put me on the killin floor
Songwriter: Taj Mahal
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. Jim says:
This week the theme is to find a song from a debut album.
Tao Talk 
This was a first for me, Li. I like the song a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fandango, I happened across Taj Mahal last year on Spotify’s Release Radar and have been listening to him ever since. He’s awesome! Thanks for giving him a chance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A new one for me, and I really like it. Then again, if Ry Cooder was playing on it I knew it would be good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to introduce you to it. It’s a good’n. Yes on Ry. I know him from Buena Vista Social Club.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve followed Ry since his first album. A remarkable musician. Thought about going with him for today but chose another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You really have a large musical scope, Lisa. This was new to me, what a great choice and I loved the backstory.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I guess I do. I don’t let genre barriers stop me. I like what I like. Thank you. Glad you like the choice and the backstory, V :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can’t go wrong when your guitarists are Jesse Ed Davis and Ry Cooder.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very true. I do hear a bass in there but the bassist for this song isn’t mentioned in the places I looked for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
James Thomas is listed as bassist in the only source I found that specified which bassist played on specific tracks. I don’t know him the way I know Davis and Cooder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Steve! I will add him in there.
LikeLike
I love this guy and all of his talented accomplices! I started to listen to him when Gregg Allman said that Duane started slide because of this guy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh very cool on Duane being inspired by Taj to start slide. Yes, Taj is da Man! I love the live in Tulsa album he put out last year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to listen to more…I also need to post more of him which I will take note of.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By the way Lisa…have a great break! I’m jealous!
Stay in touch though if you don’t mind!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I plan on it, Max. I will!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would have listened to this many years ago. I discovered Taj in the early 80s I suppose it was, and sporadically get to his older stuff through my cover song research. He is a great interpreter of those blues classics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Randy, I’m glad you’re familiar with him, and I agree with you about interpreter. Keeps old gold alive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know of Taj Mahal although I have never written a post about any of his music. In 1974, he played bass in the Great American String Band which Jerry Garcia was also in playing banjo and guitar. Thanks for sharing your music, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a groovy bit of info on Taj and Jerry. Will have to do some research on GASB. You are welcome, Jim. You may have seen I’ll be hiatus starting tomorrow and until July 1, so you won’t see me at SLS for a few weeks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you enjoy your hiatus, however you are spending it, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jim. I’ll be writing some, working in the yard, and riding my bike.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this Lisa absolutely hands up never heard of him …but what a line and great sound. I love this prompt you learn so much each week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Willow, I’m geeked to introduce you to Taj Mahal and that you like what you’re hearing. Yes, it’s always a blast to listen and learn each week.
LikeLike
I’ve heard of Taj Mahal but never actually followed the band. Good choice Lisa
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glyn, he’s awesome. He’s been around a long time. I think he’s had the same quartet for awhile, but he lost his drummer last year. He’s collaborating with Keb Mo recently and they will be in Grand Rapids this summer!
LikeLiked by 2 people
This song is new to me! Lovely choice. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marina very happy you like the song. Every time I hear it, it grows on me. You are welcome :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
New one for me, too! I like this one a lot, with the blusey sounds. Too bad about that old house, wish it could have been saved. :)
LikeLike
Barbara thanks for listening and glad you liked it. Yes, it is a shame about the house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess you won’t be much surprised that this is right up my alley, Lisa. It makes me want to revisit Taj Mahal’s first album. Sadly, I can’t even remember the last time when I heard any tracks from it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s on spotify so you can visit him anytime :) I’ll be over to listen to The Sunday Six before midnight. I went for a walk with my older son today and the fam is going to play an online game together in a few here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lisa. Enjoy your family time, which I would argue is much more important than blogging! :-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a great interpreter of songs. His music never gets old. (K)
LikeLike
100% agree, K.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember the first time I listened to Taj Mahal. He made impression. This track me back to before the gray. Solid choice
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mangus, this song has been an ear worm ever since I found it. I do think it is a cover of an old song just re-arranged. I just borrowed several CDs, mostly compilation albums, that have Taj on them. Looking forward to listening to them all.
LikeLike
Great song choice! Not sure I know this one, but it’s a real toe-tapper.
I haven’t been reading blogs regularly for about a month due to volunteering in our federal election, but glad to be back to reading those I follow. Thanks for this one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very happy you like this one. Watch out, it’s an earworm. I had a heck of a time getting the lyrics right. Every place that had them did a terrible job. Not sure on a couple of words, but it’s close.
I’m on blogging hiatus until end of June but do check in to see if there are comments.
How did your election go? I heard it was a good candidate that won? Please say more if you have time about your volunteering experience and the candidate that won.
LikeLike
It’s tough when lyrics aren’t available online as some lines are hard to decipher based on enunciation etc., from my experience.
Ah, enjoy the blogging break.
Thank you for asking, Lisa! Our elections are different as we don’t vote for the prime minister (PM). The party that elects the most members of parliament (MP) forms government, and their leader becomes the PM. The Liberals won, but were a few seats short of a majority so our new PM Mark Carney has a minority which can be defeated in a confidence vote (something big, like a budget bill). That would lead to another election.
The current reality means the government will need to gain support from the other parties (they only need about three more votes). The official opposition (Conservatives) have pledged to work for the greater good of Canada in the trade conflict, so hopefully they’ll stay true to their word instead of triggering another election. If they did cause one, I think they’d likely lose for causing all the expense and effort, plus people have been very impressed with Carney (I sure am), so I imagine his popularity is still on the rise.
Our local candidate, Ben Carr, is a Liberal MP and he won reelection in a landslide. In the last week of the campaign, some volunteers were asked if we’d go help out in another riding where a close race was anticipated. We won that one, too!
It was exciting and was a very good experience, working with passionate and committed volunteers and staff, and the candidates of course. I delivered lawn signs, did door knocking/canvasing, literature drops, and data entry. Didn’t get involved in the hierarchy, just showed up and worked hard. Made a few nice new friends, too. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your outline of government framework is appreciated. Happy you got involved. We’re continuing to go to protests and other gatherings. Have made a few phone calls and sent some emails.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a pleasure, Lisa. The hardest work is where you are, keeping the people’s voices active for the next three and a half years. I hope the protests will make a difference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
another band I never heard of, loving getting familiar with a new band! This was a real good song!
LikeLike