Taj Mahal gives Dartmouth the blues
By Kyle Ancowitz | April 24, 1995Taj Mahal electrified the audience in Spaulding Auditorium Saturday night with a inspired blend of straight-ahead blues and soulful ballads. Mahal, who is well known for his wide-ranging musical influences, performed original tunes, as well as blues standards infused with subtle West African, Caribbean, and zydeco flavorings. Playing with confidence and charisma, Mahal had the thrilledaudience dancing in the aisles. Mahal, performing solo throughout the concert, began at the piano pounding out loud, excited blues and stomping his feet as the audience warmed.Mahal flirted with danger with his slightly risque "Big-Legged Mama's are Back in Style," but his confident, energetic vocals had half of the crowd blushing and the other half laughing in spite of itself. Mahal turned to his guitar with the same energy.