Taj Mahal - Sounder (2018)

One of the rootsiest albums ever recorded by Taj Mahal – a set that begins with a song by Lightnin Hopkins, then seems to have Taj echoing a lot of the spareness of that work! The film's set in the 30s, and the music is very rootsy rural blues – with just Taj Mahal on vocals, steel-bodied guitar, harmonica, and even a bit of banjo and fife – served up in ways that almost make the whole thing feel like a Folkways recording, instead of an album done for Columbia. Tunes are often short, and a mix of vocals and instrumentals – and Lightnin Hopkins sings "Needed Time" – while the others include "Just Workin", "Jailhouse Blues", "I'm Running & I'm Happy", "Harriet's Dance Song", "Two Spirits Reunited", "Sounder Chase A Coon", and "Speedball".