Rising Sons-Taj Mahal\Ry Cooder

[Watanabe]

Any thoughts on this collection of unreleased tracks?

It's a bit disjointed and demo like in places, but i think it's got a lot of interesting stuff on it.

Cooder's approach to the blues numbers was far more textural and "authentic" sounding that the playing the British blues guys would offer over the next few years, which often very solo\lick based at the expense of more intricate rhythm playing.Not necessarily better, but a nice counterpoint.

[jkelman]

I know Cooder has pretty much disowned it, but I quite like it. I'm actually getting ready to write up the complete Taj Mahal Columbia Albums collection box this fall, and one of the reasons I wanted to do it was to hear this set. Like you say, a little disjointed, but still very good - especially when you consider when it was recorded, well before Cooder began releasing albums under his own name. I think his playing is terrific, especially since he was, what, 18-19 when he recorded it in 1965-66?

[rcarlberg]

Cooder was born March 15, 1947. The album was recorded in 1965-6. You are correct.