A Legend Takes on the American Songbook

Taj Mahal Brings His Joyful Growl to Iconic Songs

I recall becoming aware of racism at around 8 or 9, as adults felt free to use racial epithets and cruel, racist language around a blond haired, blue-eyed boy from the white suburbs. Their loud, judgmental proclamations simply registered as nonsensical to me. How could people with dark skin be bad if they made music like “Buck Dancer’s Choice?”

Blues legend Taj Mahal is 81 today. Growing up in Kansas City in the 70s and 80s, my father was an audiophile and big Taj fan so I have heard all of his recordings. Indeed, I decided to learn the guitar after hearing “Buck Dancer’s Choice” from his 1973 album Oooh so Good ‘n Blues. The recording is just solo Taj playing old blues standards; it sold few copies and went out of print.

Oooh so Good ‘n Blues changed my life. I would listen for hours to the sound of his guitar, which sounded true and magical compared even to titans such as Zeppelin and Clapton. It is this song, “Buck Dancer’s Choice” that created my love for the six string.