¼ª²ÊÍøÍøÕ¾

Bringing The World Home To You

© 2025 ¼ª²ÊÍøÍøÕ¾ North Carolina Public Radio
120 Friday Center Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
919.445.9150 | 800.962.9862
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Talking With Taj Mahal: American Songster Radio Podcast Episode 3

Taj Mahal and Dom Flemons on stage
Taj Mahal and Dom Flemons on stage

In episode 3 of the podcast series, host Dom Flemons calls on blues legend  for a conversation about their mutual love of the banjo and its complicated history. 

"All the pictures and caricatures of those black-faced minstrels really seemed to be degrading. But the instrument itself - there was something about it. It would rattle in my bones," Taj Mahal says of his early connections with instrument. 

In this episode, Dom and Taj talk about the role of the banjo in blues and folk music and Dom plays a Henry Thomas tune, "Charming Betsy." That's with the help of "Big Head Joe," a giant six-string banjo and the quills. Don't know about the quills?  Check out this video from Dom:

to the American Songster Radio podcast to receive new episodes in or .

Related Stories
More Stories