MasterFarter
17-04-2006, 06:16 PM
Like many people I listen with great appreciation to many different forms of music, from many points and places in history. There is a very special place in my heart however, for the Blues.
http://forum.zgeek.com/gallery/files/9/7/0/6/KokoFront.jpgAn Audience With THE QUEEN (recorded 1987) is close to the top of my favourites. It has been a disk that I have listened to hundreds of times and have even sat down and tried to learn all of the bass lines.
What we have here is a classic display of hard driving West Coast Blues, which still manages to pay homage to many of the Delta rythms and bass riffs. Top this off with the voice of Koko Taylor, who's voice sounds like it has gravel in it and you have powerful album that should never be played below 'ear shattering' on your stereo.
The production can be a little flat but as the album is a live recording of a club gig I dont see it as much of an issue.
http://forum.zgeek.com/gallery/files/9/7/0/6/KokoBand.jpgThe 'audience' begins with the bass and drums pumping hard in an amazing cover of 'Let The Good Times Roll' and just keeps on driving till the 'audience' concludes with a rendition of Willie Dixon's 'Wang Dang Doodle' that leaves you wondering why Koko has not destroyed her throat. Willie was quoted as saying of Koko early in her career that he had never heard a woman sing the blues like she did.
The second track on the album rates a special mention as it is one of her earliest tunes and one that helped build her reputation. 'I'm A Woman' is a tune that is a slow, grinding and yet powerful peice of music, in which Koko takes a tongue in cheek look at womanhood and the power a woman holds. Based heavily on a much older and earthier Delta riff than much west coast stuff, it is a tune that I just keep listening to.
Koko Taylor has been travelling the west coast blues circuit for nearly 50 years and in her early seventies is still managing to produce the powerful, raw sound that has made her famous and very popular amongst blues fans.
Koko's Site (http://www.kokotaylor.com/)
Alligator Records (http://www.alligator.com/)
http://forum.zgeek.com/gallery/files/9/7/0/6/KokoFront.jpgAn Audience With THE QUEEN (recorded 1987) is close to the top of my favourites. It has been a disk that I have listened to hundreds of times and have even sat down and tried to learn all of the bass lines.
What we have here is a classic display of hard driving West Coast Blues, which still manages to pay homage to many of the Delta rythms and bass riffs. Top this off with the voice of Koko Taylor, who's voice sounds like it has gravel in it and you have powerful album that should never be played below 'ear shattering' on your stereo.
The production can be a little flat but as the album is a live recording of a club gig I dont see it as much of an issue.
http://forum.zgeek.com/gallery/files/9/7/0/6/KokoBand.jpgThe 'audience' begins with the bass and drums pumping hard in an amazing cover of 'Let The Good Times Roll' and just keeps on driving till the 'audience' concludes with a rendition of Willie Dixon's 'Wang Dang Doodle' that leaves you wondering why Koko has not destroyed her throat. Willie was quoted as saying of Koko early in her career that he had never heard a woman sing the blues like she did.
The second track on the album rates a special mention as it is one of her earliest tunes and one that helped build her reputation. 'I'm A Woman' is a tune that is a slow, grinding and yet powerful peice of music, in which Koko takes a tongue in cheek look at womanhood and the power a woman holds. Based heavily on a much older and earthier Delta riff than much west coast stuff, it is a tune that I just keep listening to.
Koko Taylor has been travelling the west coast blues circuit for nearly 50 years and in her early seventies is still managing to produce the powerful, raw sound that has made her famous and very popular amongst blues fans.
Koko's Site (http://www.kokotaylor.com/)
Alligator Records (http://www.alligator.com/)