If you are looking for a double billing with two legendary acts, it is hard to pass up on this one. Taj Mahal is one of the most inventive players in the blues field. No surprise that one of his most famous albums (issued over 25 years late) came out of the short lived band “The Rising Sons” which featured another hard to categorize guitarist, Ry Cooder. Although they did not work together much, they both share an explorer’s heart in searching out musical forms from all over the world and finding new ways to express the personal interpretation of their discoveries. I remember how welcome it was to see what Taj Mahal came up with when I saw him on the old late night television shows “In Concert” and “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert”. He is three years shy of a half century of performing and it will be exciting to see what he comes up with at the 9:30 Club.

Joining him is Los Lobos, far removed from the “just another band from East LA” label they placed on themselves with an album now over 30 years old. I find it hard to believe they have been around that long, especially when their latest album, “Tin Can Trust” sounded so fresh and strong. It got a positive review from me, and most other reviewers give it raves as well. Like Taj Mahal, I know the band pretty well but have somehow missed them over their long career. Thankfully, I get to accomplish two goals in one night.

Taj Mahal
Los Lobos
9:30 Club
Monday, Feb 21st
$40

David Hintz

Born in 1959 in the same hospital as Bob Dylan, David survived the progressive excesses of the early 70s to embrace the fledgling Dayton Ohio punk scene in the late 70s. After managing Toxic Reasons, working on shows with DOA and Husker Du, publishing zines, and hosting a radio show, he moved into a more lucrative career (while collecting a massive record collection in the mean time). Retired from real work, he has resumed his music work with his blog DC ROCK LIVE. He also reviews CDs for the European magazine Folkworld.