Pan-genre musicologist Taj Mahal on the importance of surrendering utterly to your craft…
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TAKE JOY IN PERFORMING
I’m pleased that people recognise what I do, but for me the real thrill is playing it. 60, 70 years ago I didn’t have the ability to play what the music that I heard in my head. Now, not only can I play it, but I can record it, too. I never realised how many musicians can hear music that they can never quite get out into the world.
LISTEN TO EVERYTHING YOU CAN
Culturally, it was like being immersed in a great ocean of music as a child. My parents played everything from classical to be-bop, to jump blues, spirituals, opera. I grew up in New England, and music just flew in. For most people, music was this little small space, something that came in through a radio. But I was swimming in this ocean!
HONOUR YOUR HERITAGE
The blues is ultimately intertwined with all the great forms of music – gospel, jazz, and so on. I started listening to older forms of the music, and started questioning why it wasn’t being perpetuated. I soon discovered, that’s because it’s a music business… and some people aren’t allowed to keep up. But that meant I was playing music that people just didn’t know. All the older musicians always said: learn everything you can.
For me, it’s important to know where this music comes from. The record companies have done justice and injustice in marketing this stuff. Music has to change… it changes all the time. But you can listen to something new without having contempt for the past.
GO BEYOND THE HITS
For about 10 years I would try anything to get ahead. Anything. And you get frustrated, so try to chisel yourself down. But ultimately, I was here for the music, and what it means to me. I want to have a great time with some like-minded people and that’s a wonderful thing. People are being raised to listen to hit after hit, but they’re not listening to music – they’re just listening to the hits.
MUSIC IS CONVERSATION
The African principle – that I hold to – is that we are communicating with each other when we make music. We’re communing. A family gets together, and they play. It’s not one person speaking, it’s everyone talking together. It’s yin and yang. It’s not just me, you’re sending something back, too.
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THE STAGE IS SACRED
Your audience has a responsibility. They shouldn’t come wanting the same songs over and over, they should want you to evolve. Find the people who make it easy for you. The thing is, so many people are in competition to get on the charts, and you have to deserve that audience. The stage is a sacred place for me – I don’t just want anybody on it.
It either is, or it ain’t working. There’s no magic to it. The only music I’ve put out there is the music I’ve wanted to put out there. You know in your heart what you want to hear… the rest is just getting it done.
ALL FORMS OF CREATIVITY ARE INTER-CONNECTED
When African slaves were taken to America, nothing was retained. They were wiped clean – the hard drive was scrubbed. My interest in working with West African musicians is about completing the cycle, it’s about being connected. I’m able to take everything I’ve learned from American music, and find something that is uninterrupted. You’re making a connection.
I’m the product of connection. I see all the music in the Western hemisphere as being connected. I’m not speaking Portuguese, but I can listen to fado music. We live to serve our neighbours. Different types of music – samba, bossa nova, cumbia, salsa. They’re all relatives. They’re all influenced by each other. I’m a globalist – I’m influenced by the diaspora.
ALL THAT GLITTERS ISN’T GOLD
All money ain’t good money. Everyone wants to get ahead, but a lot of people compromise their lives in some dire ways to achieve stardom. I worked for 10 years to make a career in the music business, and when I first took a break I realised that I would have to slow down if I ever wanted to see the gleam on my grandkids’ eyes. It took me a while to realise that if it ain’t about the music, I’m not doing it.
DEVOTE YOURSELF TO YOUR CRAFT
Get the clutter out of your life. I’m 100% for music. I listen to music all the time. And it gives you energy, too. I know drummers who are 90 years old who are still playing. Saxophonists, too. Look at Willie Nelson! We’re only here to whenever… this is what it is. If you’re lucky enough to know that your ancestors sent you here to be a musician, and you pick up the mantle, then you’re on til you’re off.
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Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ will release new album ‘Room On The Porch’ through Concord Records on May 23rd.
Interview: Robin Murray
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