Photo credit: Phil Clarkin
Previously, Taj Mahal announced the March 8, 2024, release of Swingin’ Live at the Church in Tulsa via Lightning Rod Records. The impending set was recorded live at the Oklahoma studio, best known as the home base of the late Leon Russell–a friend and influential figure for Mahal. As a preview of what’s to come, the musician has shared a new cut of reprise single, “Lovin’ in My Baby’s Eyes,” paired with an official music video. Watch below.
“Lovin’ in My Baby’s Eyes” was initially released on Mahal’s critically acclaimed 1996 album Phantom Blues. Adding to the specialty of the revisited material, Mahal tapped Grammy Award-nominated guitarist and vocalist Trey Hensley to assist him in the newly dropped presentation, dipped in classic county soul.
On the song, Mahal offered via press release: “I am personally just thrilled to be presenting and releasing “Lovin’ In My Baby’s Eyes” at this moment in time. My vocal verses are augmented by that stand out East Tennessee singer and fantastic guitar picker Trey Hensley, the one and only Rob Ickes on Dobro, plus that rock solid rhythm section in The Taj Mahal Sextet, all set the mood n’ movement for a romantic “Country..Slow-Dance.””
Comprised of a 10-track presentation, Live at the Church in Tulsa stretches across genre boundaries to fully encompass the development of Mahal’s career with the help of The Taj Mahal Sextet, which includes bassist Bill Rich, drummer Kester Smith, and guitarist/Hawaiian lap steel player Bobby Ingano, augmented by added help, from the likes of dobro player Rob Ickes and Hensley.
Reflecting on his musical contributions, Mahal also said, “Some of us were gifted by our ancestors to be in a long line of musicians. It’s in your DNA. Others are lucky to find it and put in the dedication that it takes to be able to get there. So that’s my life as an 81-year-old—still playing music, still enjoying it, still getting to do the things I want to do.”
In addition to news of the forthcoming album, the artist previously dropped North American tour dates to support the set. For more information, visit www.tajblues.com.
Pre-order Live at the Church in Tulsa.
Listen to “Lovin’ in My Baby’s Eyes” below.
Swingin’ Live at the Church in Tulsa
01 – Betty And Dupree
02 – Mailbox Blues
03 – Queen Bee
04 – Lovin’ In My Baby’s Eyes
05 – Waiting For My Papa To Come Home
06 – Slow Drag
07 – Sitting On Top Of The World
08 – Twilight In Hawaii
09 – Corrina
10 – Mean Old World