Taj Mahal - Phantom Blues

An eclectic bluesman would seem to be a contradiction in terms, but Taj Mahal, who has moved through the worlds of folk, rock, and pop to reach his present categorization, fits the description, and here he takes several pop and R&B oldies that came from blues roots -- "Ooh Poo Pah Doo," "Lonely Avenue," "What Am I Living For?," "Let the Four Winds Blow" -- and returns them to those roots. He also calls in such guest stars as Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt, who have more than a nodding acquaintance with the blues, to assist him. The result is progressive blues hybrid that treats the music not as a source, but as a destination. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alphanette Durio Vocals (Background) Bernard Anderson Sax (Tenor) Bill Barnum Vocals (Background) Billie Barnum Vocals (Background) Billy Bowers Engineer Bonnie Raitt Vocals Darrell Leonard Trombonium, Trombone, Trumpet David Hidalgo Accordion Dean Parks Guitar Diane Medak Production Coordination Eric Clapton Guitar Freeze Gullory Rubboard Howard Willing Engineer James "Hutch" Hutchinson Bass, Guitar (Bass) James Minchin Photography Jennifer Cohen Design Joe McGrath Mixing, Engineer, Guitar Joe Sublett Sax (Tenor) John Parks Guitar John Porter Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Producer, Slide Guitar Johnny Lee Schell Guitar, Guitar (Tremolo), Guitar (Rhythm), Vocals (Background) Jon Brion Chamberlin, Guitar Jon Cleary Vocals (Background), Guitar, Piano, Wurlitzer, Clavinet Larry Fulcher Guitar (Bass), Bass, Vocals (Background) Melanie Penny Art Direction Mick Weaver Organ Mike Campbell Guitar (12 String) Regina Taylor Vocals (Background) Rich Veltrop Engineer, Mixing Sir Harry Bowens Vocals (Background) Sweet Pea Atkinson Vocals (Background) Taj Mahal Harmonica, Engineer, Vocals, Dobro Terrence Forsythe Vocals (Background) Tony Braunagel Tambourine, Drums, Percussion