The Natch'I Blues (1968)

"Taj Mahal's second album opens with more stripped-down Delta-style blues in the manner of his debut, but adds a little more amplification (partly courtesy of Al Kooper on organ) before moving into wholly bigger sound on numbers like "She Caught The Katy" and "The Cuckoo" -- the latter, in particular, features crunchy guitars and Gary Gilmore playing his bass almost like a lead instrument. Most notable, however, may be "You Don't Miss Your Water" and "Ain't That a Lot of Love," which offer Taj Mahal working in the realm of soul. This is particularly notable on "You Don't Miss Your Water," which achieves the intensity of a gospel performance and comes complete with a Stax-style horn arrangement that sounds more like the real thing than the real thing. "Ain't That a Lot of Love," by contrast, is driven by hard electric guitar and a relentless bass part that sounds like a more urgent version of the bassline from the Spencer Davis Group's "Gimme Some Lovin'"." (Bruce Eder, Allmusic; waardering: 5 uit 5 sterren)

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