The Great Taj Mahal

[KelyScot]

I too have been reviewing Michelles programs from the last 10 years and I have been awe struck again by the brilliance of the 1997 LP of Taj Mahal. Granted it was not great as far as her falling at the Nationals but the music and the way she moved to it is just fantastic. I think in my mind as she skates as to her doing it flawlessly (almost at the worlds. .just a double lutz at the end). I wonder if anyone else feels that this program has been underated because she had a rough time with it at the nationals? I'd love to see that program come back someday. . even as an exhibition. But I wonder if that program would be a little mind nerving for her to do again. Thank god for my fast forward so I could skip right over Tara :banghead Geez that girl makes me crazy. . sorry guys my computer got childish there for a sec. . :comp

[scootie12]

Taj was definitely one of her most demanding programs both artistically and technically.

The end alone is very tiring for anyone that has skated competitively and knows the feeling.....the triple lutz, triple salchow, and triple toe (if she didn't do the triple-triple earlier)....whew! And all within less than a minute on tired legs.

[skatesindreams]

Look for a clip of the 1997 Worlds LP. WOW!

[MKandNYYfan]

Look for a clip of the 1997 Worlds LP. WOW!

I second that! Worlds 97 LP is one of my favorite performances of Michelle's. 6 triples, inlcuding a 3t/3t, her only mistake was doubling the lutz. What a comeback after Nationals and after having some mistakes in both the QR and SP. She won the LP, even though Tara won overall.

[Louise1991]

I second that! Worlds 97 LP is one of my favorite performances of Michelle's. 6 triples, inlcuding a 3t/3t, her only mistake was doubling the lutz. What a comeback after Nationals and after having some mistakes in both the QR and SP. She won the LP, even though Tara won overall.fyi--there is a clip of the 1997 Worlds Taj available now in Cloud 9 Downloads.

[rubyred]

I am so partial to Taj. It's my most favorite LP done by Michelle to date (with Red Violin close second). Her performance at the Worlds was such a triumphant moment for her. I'm SO proud of Michelle.

[RedLadyBug]

I agree this was a great program, so technically challenging and very beautifully choreographed.

[millenniummagicz]

well, that program probably wouldve won the you-know-what. at least the LP. MK rocks, and that was like 9 years ago. :P

[lexeoe]

I love Taj. The costume, the music, the moves. Everything in that program is just worth watching. The second costume was better though.

[kprm04]

I thought same thing, millenniummagicz. ;)
I always love this program but these day, I watch Taj almost every night~!!!
Wonderful program both artistically and technically.

[Eeyora]

ITA that Taj Mahal is an underated program. 1997 Worlds Lp is definitely one of my favorite performances. She was able to win that portion of the competition. I love her movement and poses in the program.

[Applegate13]

I always loved Taj Mahal. It was so intricate and everythiong was perfectly choreographed to the music I can see how that whole number most have been incredably tiring.

[Rene1999]

I second that! Worlds 97 LP is one of my favorite performances of Michelle's. 6 triples, inlcuding a 3t/3t, her only mistake was doubling the lutz. What a comeback after Nationals and after having some mistakes in both the QR and SP. She won the LP, even though Tara won overall.


Too bad COP wasn't around for '97 Worlds. Michelle would have kicked Tara's butt.

[Disciple of KWAN]

it was a GREAT program, but it doesnt get the credit it deserves!

i dont think it is because she never skated it cleanly, but instead because it was lost between her transformation years...i.e.1996 and 1998

1996, everyone was stunned by the salome program and in 1998, everyone was captivated by the lyra angelica proigram...

unfortunately, taj mahal was over shadowed by both!

i think her most demanding was d'ariane...now THAT was a NJS program!

In order of difficulty...

1. d'ariane
2. taj mahal
3. red violin...very underrated!
4. salome
5. black swan

lyra wasn't difficult, but more of a soft program! it was a great program for getting back from an injury...plus that program was more about grace than athletics...

[UGG]

I remember watching i1997 worlds LP with my grandmother, and she did not know the rules or did not see the short program. but at the end of the competition, no matter how I tried to explain it to her, she said Tara reminded her of a cricket, jumping all around, and she could not understand why Michelle did not win, lol!

[Rene1999]

I remember watching i1997 worlds LP with my grandmother, and she did not know the rules or did not see the short program. but at the end of the competition, no matter how I tried to explain it to her, she said Tara reminded her of a cricket, jumping all around, and she could not understand why Michelle did not win, lol!

LOL! A cricket!!!!!

[lexeoe]

i want to see skate to this routine again. its a perfect and complete program.

[Fumbilicious]

Ah man, the Taj Mahal program was awesome!!! I loved the poses and the hand gestures! I loved the way Michelle opened the program with her eyes down and the music slowly started and she would lift her eyes. I get chills everytime I watch it!

[SusanBeth]

That's really one of the most exquisite programs that I have ever seen. Most people just looked at the mistakes.

[WorldsGreatestMK]

Yeah, this program was very well choregraphed, I have to agree.