James, Etta/taj Mahal
The Earthquake Relief Concert 1989
Etta James was sixty-one at the time of this gig and after nearly a decade in the wilderness had just released a well-regarded comeback LP Seven Year Itch. What she delivers in Oakland is raunchy R&B, power blues, a hits medley and a killer jazz finale. This is one of the 20th Century's great voices in fine form. Like Etta James, in the late 80s Taj Mahal was making a comeback after a decade of self-imposed exile. His talent and eclecticism had been well established with a string of great albums in the 1970s combining blues, folk and Caribbean music. Here he starts with boogie piano before inviting virtuoso vocalist Bobby McFerrin to join him for three numbers. McFerrin's Don't Worry Be Happy had just hit the charts and he was on his way to international stardom.Equinox features two incredible performances on this double billed release, from the Earthquake Relief Benefit, Oakland, CA on 26th November 1989, broadcast by KQED-TV. TRACKS: Etta James & The Roots Band: 01. Love And Happiness 02. Breakin' Up Somebody's Home 03. I'd Rather Go Blind 04. Come To Mama 05. Medley: At Last/Trust In Me 06. Sunday Kind Of Love Taj Mahal With Guest Bobby McFerrin*: 07. Big Legged Mamas 08. Diving Duck Blues 09. Fishing Blues 10. Light Rain* 11. Sweet Home Chicago* 12. Taj Talks 13. Blue Light Boogie*