"in the cavity along with all my regular spices, it was some ras-el-hanout seasoning"
Cathy, next time try rubbing the ras el hanout under the skin. Yeah, I know it's a PITA technique. But you won't believe the difference it makes.
Also, while I recognize that a crockpot is essentially a machine for braising, I wonder if there's be a taste difference if you made the same recipe in your tagine?
I would say their would be a difference. You wouldn't need as much liquid so the flavors I think would be more concentrated. I want a tagine! DH says I have too much kitchen stuff already and I have no place to put one but they aren't that big. I might just bring one home anyway and he will have to deal with it.