"Leaving Trunk" is the opening track on Taj Mahal’s influential 1968 self-titled debut album. The song is a dynamic reinterpretation of "Milk Cow Blues," originally written and recorded by Sleepy John Estes in 1930123. Taj Mahal’s version is celebrated for its gritty harmonica, driving slide guitar, and energetic fusion of traditional blues with rock, funk, and soul elements3.
Origins and Songwriting
- Original Composer: Sleepy John Estes, who first recorded it as "Milk Cow Blues" in Memphis in 193012.
- Taj Mahal’s Adaptation: Mahal modernized the song, renaming it "Leaving Trunk" and infusing it with his signature style—adding funk inflections, a rock edge, and a tough Chicago-style blues sound3.
Lyrics and Themes
The lyrics tell the story of a man preparing to leave, packing his "leaving trunk" and contemplating his luck with love and the blues. The narrator wrestles with the pull of the road, the temptations of whiskey and women, and the complications of forbidden love:
"I went upstairs to pack my leaving trunk
I ain’t see no blues, whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I ain’t never seen no whiskey, the blues made me sloppy drunk
I’m going back to Memphis, babe, where I’ll have much better luck"
He’s also caught in a love triangle, warned by a woman not to let her husband catch him:
"Look out mama, you know you asked me to be your king
She said, 'You kidding man, if you want it, keep it hid
But please don’t let my husband, my main man catch you here'"
The song is steeped in classic blues themes—wandering, longing, heartbreak, and the push-pull between leaving and staying14.
Musical Style and Performance
- Instrumentation: The track features Taj Mahal on vocals, harmonica, and slide guitar, with Jesse Ed Davis contributing additional slide guitar and Ry Cooder on rhythm guitar14.
- Sound: The arrangement is raw and energetic, with a "dirty" harmonica intro, cutting slide guitar, and a chugging rhythm that modernized the blues for a new generation13.
- Vocal Style: Taj Mahal’s voice ranges from gruff and gritty to smooth and sultry, delivering the lyrics with both power and nuance5.
Influence and Legacy
- Blues Revival: "Leaving Trunk" helped establish Taj Mahal as a major force in the late-1960s blues revival, inspiring artists like Duane Allman to explore slide guitar1.
- Covers: The song has become a modern blues standard, covered by acts ranging from The Black Keys to the Tedeschi Trucks Band62.
- World Music Fusion: Taj Mahal’s ethnomusicological approach and incorporation of global influences would later become hallmarks of his career, but "Leaving Trunk" remains rooted in the country blues tradition while pushing its boundaries5.
Key Facts Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Song | "Milk Cow Blues" by Sleepy John Estes (1930) |
| Taj Mahal Version | "Leaving Trunk," 1968 debut album |
| Notable Musicians | Taj Mahal, Jesse Ed Davis, Ry Cooder |
| Style | Country blues, Chicago blues, funk, rock |
| Themes | Wandering, heartbreak, forbidden love, blues tradition |
| Legacy | Blues standard, influential on slide guitarists and revivalists |
Summary
"Leaving Trunk" is Taj Mahal’s electrifying update of a classic blues song, blending gritty tradition with modern energy and virtuosity. Its themes of travel, heartache, and risky love, paired with powerful musicianship, have made it a staple of the blues repertoire and a touchstone for generations of blues and rock musicians134.
