Amazon.com: Happy to Be Just Like I Am: Taj Mahal: Music

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Happy to Be Just Like I Am
 
See larger image
 

Happy to Be Just Like I Am

Taj MahalAudio CD
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
MP3 Download, 8 Songs, 2009 $9.99  
Audio CD, 2009 $15.48  
Audio CD, 1991 --  
Vinyl, 2009 $19.59  

Amazon's Taj Mahal Store

Music

Image of album by Taj Mahal

Photos

Image of Taj Mahal

Biography

American blues musician Taj Mahal, was born Henry Fredericks in New York in 1942. His music is a mix of blues, Caribbean styles, bluegrass and the music of Hawaii, where he lived for a number of years.

He formed Rising Stars with fellow bluesman Ry Cooder, playing at Whisky a Go Go, which gave him the opportunity to play with blues legends, amongst them Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy. The… Read more in Amazon's Taj Mahal Store

Visit Amazon's Taj Mahal Store
for 73 albums, 3 photos, discussions, and more.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Product Details

  • Audio CD (October 15, 1991)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Label: Mobile Fidelity / Wounded Bird Records
  • ASIN: B000008I0Z
  • In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #463,760 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

 
1. Happy Just to Be Like I Am
2. Stealin'
3. Oh Susanna
4. Eighteen Hammers
5. Tomorrow May Not Be Your Day
6. Chevrolet
7. West Indian Revelationian Reservation]
8. Black Spirit Boogie

Editorial Reviews

CD reissue of this 1971 album from the Blues great. Taj Mahal has been a Blues icon since the late 1960s and is still performing and issuing fine albums 40 years on. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

 

Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
5 star:
 (3)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Taj's Best Album-Why is it so rare?, June 23, 2005
By 
Taj Fan (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Happy to Be Just Like I Am (Audio CD)
This is my favorite Taj Mahal record. It hits the soul and transports me to a "happy" place, more than any of his other records. Made in 1971, this seems to be out of print on CD, but luckily I found it on vinyl at a used record shop about a year ago. Amazing purchase! The songwriting is some of his best, with interesting song structures, but still keeping that blues, country, cajun, funk, soul - whatever-you-want-to-call-it sound that Taj is famous for.

"Stealin'" is a slow, funky groove that is almost impossible to listen to without finding yourself shaking and nodding to the beat. "Eighteen Hammers" is a simply acoustic guitar, voice, and what sounds like some "bangin' on a tin can" percussion. It sounds fresh in 2005, and I would welcome this vibe on my stereo anytime. Everything about this album is pure; you feel every note, and you feel the energy of each musicians' contributions. What a concept, a real record with human performance and touch!

"Chevrolet" is a guitar and bass driven tune with some nice percussion and harmonica work. "West Indian Revelation" is probably my favorite track, possibly because I've heard this album so many times, to the point where each song takes its own personal meaning. It features a nice steel drum rhythm, and a group chorus "la la" melody, that gives me chills, makes me smile and feel nostalgic, and has me singing for days.

I have to wonder why few people seem to know about this album. Even on my LP version, the inside liner notes and song listings don't correlate with the order of songs on the vinyl itself. I can live with that though. This album could stay on repeat for days because of variety of the music. There is some good pop, back porch soul, and a couple tunes where you feel like someone is in the room playing guitar right next to you. I would suggest a re-release for this album, and if that doesn't happen, start digging in those used record store crates!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars bonus., January 8, 2008
This review is from: Happy to Be Just Like I Am (Audio CD)
i've been a big fan of taj mahal's rekkids for a while now, blah blah blah, etc etc ad-nausium. picked up a copy of this album a few days ago at a used music place, and it hasn't left my turntable (yeah, i had to go with an lp since the cd is apparently nonexistent) since. just hope to see more folks picking this up. it has his signature sound distilled into tight-wound songs, and everybody's playing is sure enough together. maybe a little harder driving than a lot of the other taj mahal stuff i've heard, but only because the band he's playing with digs deeper into the music on most of the tracks than usual. overall, i'd say, highly recommended, if you want to listen to me.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


5.0 out of 5 stars Best of Taj!!!, January 17, 2011
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
I had this album back in the 70's and missed hearing these songs, I am so happy to have this on CD. It's the best Taj I've ever heard by far. I wish everyone could be Happy just to be like they are!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews


Only search this product's reviews



Suggested Tags from Similar Products

 (What's this?)
Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
 
(19)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums



So You'd Like to...


What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?



Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Music by subject:





i.e., each title must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...