KOKO TAYLOR - Koko Taylor (1969-2001) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Straight digital reissue of Taylor's debut Chess album from 1969. Produced by Willie Dixon (who can intermittently be heard as a duet partner), the set is one of the strongest representations of the belter's Chess days available, with her immortal smash "Wang Dang Doodle," and the chunky "Twenty-Nine Ways," "I'm a Little Mixed Up," and "Don't Mess with the Messer." Top-flight session musicians on Taylor's 1965-1969 output included guitarists Buddy Guy, Matt Murphy, and Johnny Shines and saxman Gene "Daddy G" Barge. Bill Dahl
Tracklist
1 Love You Like A Woman 2:06
Written-By – Morris Dollison
2 I Love A Lover Like You 2:43
Bass – Willie Dixon
Drums – Clifton James
Guitar – Buddy Guy
Guitar [Possibly] – Johnny Shines, Matt Murphy
Harmonica – Walter "Shakey" Horton
Piano – Albert "Sunnyland Slim" Luandrew
Written By – Choice-Glover-Meriwether
3 Don't Mess With The Messer 2:42
Bass – Willie Dixon
Drums – Clifton James
Guitar – Buddy Guy, Matt Murphy
Piano – Lafayette Leake
Written-By – Willie Dixon
4 I Don't Care Who Knows 2:10
Written-By – Willie Dixon
5 Wang Dang Doodle 2:58
Backing Vocals – Willie Dixon
Bass – Jack Meyers
Drums – Fred Below
Guitar – Buddy Guy, Johnny "Twist" Williams
Piano – Lafayette Leake
Saxophone – Donald Hankins, Gene Barge
Written-By – Willie Dixon
6 I'm A Little Mixed Up 2:38
Tenor Saxophone – Gene Barge
Written-By – Betty James, Edward Johnson
7 Nitty Gritty 2:42
Bass – Jack Meyers
Drums – Clifton James
Guitar – Buddy Guy
Guitar [Possibly] – Johnny Shines, Matt Murphy
Harmonica – Walter "Shakey" Horton
Piano [Possibly] – Albert "Sunnyland Slim" Luandrew, Lafayette Leake
Written By – Koko Taylor
8 Fire 2:28
Guitar – Buddy Guy, Johnny "Twist" Williams
Piano, Organ – Lafayette Leake
Tenor Saxophone – Gene Barge
Vocals – Willie Dixon
Written-By – Willie Dixon
9 Whatever I Am You Made Me 2:25
Bass – Willie Dixon
Drums – Clifton James
Guitar – Buddy Guy, Matt Murphy
Piano – Lafayette Leake
Written-By – Willie Dixon
10 Twenty Nine Ways 3:10
Bass – Willie Dixon
Drums – Clifton James
Guitar – Buddy Guy
Guitar [Possibly] – Johnny Shines, Matt Murphy
Harmonica – Walter "Shakey" Horton
Piano [Possibly] – Albert "Sunnyland Slim" Luandrew, Lafayette Leake
Written-By – Willie Dixon
11 Insane Asylum 4:18
Guitar – Buddy Guy, Johnny "Twist" Williams
Piano, Organ – Lafayette Leake
Tenor Saxophone – Gene Barge
Vocals – Willie Dixon
Written-By – Willie Dixon
12 Yes, It's Good For You 2:40
Written-By – Willie Dixon
- BONUS TRACKS -
13    Love Sick Tears (Previously Unreleased)
Bass – Willie Dixon
Drums – Clifton James
Guitar – Buddy Guy, Matt Murphy
Piano – Lafayette Leake
14    He Always Knocks Me Out (Previously Unreleased)
Bass – Willie Dixon
Drums – Clifton James
Guitar – Buddy Guy
Guitar [Possibly] – Johnny Shines, Matt Murphy
Harmonica – Walter "Shakey" Horton
Piano [Possibly] – Albert "Sunnyland Slim" Luandrew, Lafayette Leake

KOKO TAYLOR – What It Takes (Expanded Edition) (2009) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This single disc neatly collects everything of importance that Chicago blues belter Koko Taylor released through Chess and its subsidiary Checker label, presenting a thoroughly enjoyable, collection as historically important for Taylor's sizzling performances as it is for Willie Dixon's sublime compositions and sympathetic production. Those who know these formative years from Taylor's immortal "Wang Dang Doodle" will thrill to realize that the classic isn't even the best entry here. It's a toss-up as to which others challenge it, but "What Came First the Egg or the Hen," with Dixon joining in on vocals, is in the running, as is the absolutely chilling "Insane Asylum," where Dixon interestingly kicks off the song before Taylor appears over a minute later. The producer/bassist/songwriter/singer pens all but one of the 18 songs. Of those, Taylor takes sole songwriting credit on 1964's "What Kind of Man is That?" and covers J.B. Lenoir's "Good Advice." The latter is an unusually pop-oriented moment that she still roughs up with her usual dynamic vocal attack. Taylor tackles politically charged territory in "Bill, Bills and More Bills," one of the few times that the material leans in that direction. While her later Alligator years might have exposed her talents to the world and helped crown her Queen of the Blues, this is where it all started. It shows how Taylor developed, with assistance from Willie Dixon over this fertile, seven-year stretch, to her well-earned legendary status. Hal Horowitz  
Tracklist :
1    I Got What It Takes    3:06
 Willie Dixon
2    Don't Mess With The Messer    2:41
 Willie Dixon
3    Whatever I Am, You Made Me    2:27
 Willie Dixon
4    I'm A Little Mixed Up 2:37
Written-By – Betty James, Edward Johnson
5    Wang Dang Doodle    2:57
 Willie Dixon
6    (I Got) All You Need    2:12
 Willie Dixon
7    (Just) Love Me    2:40
 Willie Dixon
8    What Came First The Egg Or The Hen    2:25
 Willie Dixon
9    Insane Asylum    4:17
 Willie Dixon
10    Fire    2:26
 Willie Dixon
11    I Don't Care Who Knows    2:08
 Willie Dixon
12    Twenty Nine Ways (To My Baby's Door)    3:09
 Willie Dixon
13    Blue Prelude 3:30
Written-By – Gordon Jenkins, Joe Bishop
14    I Need More And More    2:42
 Willie Dixon
15    Um Huh My Baby    3:51
 Willie Dixon
16    Bills, Bills & More Bills    2:50
 Willie Dixon
17    Let Me Love You Baby    2:46
 Willie Dixon
18    I Got What It Takes (Live Duet With Muddy Waters) 6:24
 Willie Dixon
- BONUS TRACKS -
19    What Kind Of Man Is That? 3:00
Written-By – Koko Taylor
20    Blues Heaven 2:19
Written-By – Dick LaPalm, Willie Dixon
21    Tell Me The Truth 2:01
Written-By – Johnnie Mae Dunson
22    Good Advice 2:25
Written-By – J.B. Lenoir
23    Separate Or Integrate    3:04
 Willie Dixon
24    Tease Your Man    4:20
 Willie Dixon

KOKO TAYLOR – Deluxe Edition (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While some fans may argue that Koko Taylor's Chess material is slightly superior, there is no denying the power of these Alligator sessions. Deluxe Edition collects 15 of her very best tracks from her Alligator releases since 1975. Some of the high points include the many guest spots from Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Pinetop Perkins, Mighty Joe Young, and Carey Bell. As a Deluxe Edition bonus, the unreleased track "Man Size Job" is included, making this collection hard to beat for both collectors and the novice. Al Campbell
Tracklist :
1    Koko Taylor–    I'm A Woman 4:35
Written-By – McDaniel, Taylor
2    Koko Taylor–    Beer Bottle Boogie 3:31
Written-By – Scott
3    Koko Taylor With Buddy Guy–    Born Under A Bad Sign 4:56
Written-By – Jones, Bell
4    Koko Taylor With Carey Bell–    Mother Nature 4:42
Written-By – Campbell
5    Koko Taylor With Pinetop Perkins–    Hey Bartender 2:53
Written-By – Dixon
6    Koko Taylor–    I'd Rather Go Blind 4:56
Written-By – Foster, Jordan
7    Koko Taylor–    Man Size Job 4:01
Written-By – LaSalle
8    Koko Taylor–    Let The Good Times Roll (Live) 4:14
Written-By – Moore, Thread
9    Koko Taylor With Mighty Joe Young–    Voodoo Woman 3:48
Written-By – Taylor
10    Koko Taylor–    Wang Dang Doodle 4:24
Written-By – Dixon
11    Koko Taylor–    Stop Watching Your Enemies 5:16
Written-By – Taylor
12    Koko Taylor–    Sure Had A Wonderful Time Last Night 3:04
Written-By – Jordan
13    Koko Taylor–    Come To Mama 4:48
Written-By – Randle, Mitchell
14    Koko Taylor–    Time Will Tell 4:49
Written-By – Gayten
15    Koko Taylor With B.B. King–    Blues Hotel 4:04
Written-By – Hahn, Tiven
All Credits :   

KOKO TAYLOR – South Side Lady (1973-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Cut during the period when she was between Chess and Alligator, this 15-song selection, cut in a French studio and live in the Netherlands in 1973, is a potent set that finds Koko Taylor ably backed by the Aces, guitarist Jimmy Rogers, and pianist Willie Mabon. Lots of familiar titles -- a live "Wang Dang Doodle," studio remakes of "I'm a Little Mixed Up" and "Twenty-Nine Ways" -- and a few numbers that aren't usually associated with Chicago's undisputed blues queen. Bill Dahl
Tracklist :
1    I'm A Little Mixed Up    3:39
 Criss Johnson
2    Wonder Why    3:20
 Lillian Offitt / Offitt
3    What Kind Of Man Is This    4:53
 Koko Taylor
4    Black Nights    3:56
 Folsom / Lowell Fulson / Ferdinand Washington
5    Love Me To Death    4:08
 Dixon / Willie Dixon
6    I Got What It Takes    4:26
 Willie Dixon
7    Big Boss Man    4:58
 Luther Dixon / Al Smith
8    I'm Gonna Get Lucky    5:23
 Koko Taylor
9    Twenty-Nine Ways    3:51
 Willie Dixon
10    I Love A Lover Like You    2:47
Glover / Meriwetter
11    Wonder Why II    4:54
Offitt
12    Wang Dang Doodle    6:43
 Willie Dixon
13    I Got What It Takes    5:32
 Willie Dixon
14    Twenty-Nine Ways    4:51
 Willie Dixon
15    I Got My Mojo Working    3:41
 Preston Foster
Credits :    
Bass – Dave Myers
Drum – Fred Below
Guitar – Jimmy Rogers, Louis Myers
Piano – Willie Mabon
Vocals – Koko Taylor

KOKO TAYLOR – The Earthshaker (1978-1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Koko Taylor's Alligator encore harbored a number of tunes that still pepper her set list to this day -- the grinding "I'm a Woman" and the party-down specials "Let the Good Times Roll" and "Hey Bartender." Her uncompromising slow blues "Please Don't Dog Me" and a sassy remake of Irma Thomas' "You Can Have My Husband" also stand out, as does the fine backing by guitarists Sammy Lawhorn and Johnny B. Moore, pianist Pinetop Perkins, and saxman Abb Locke. Bill Dahl
Tracklist :
1     Let the Good Times Roll 3:00
Fleecie Moore / Sam Theard
2     Spoonful 3:00
Willie Dixon
3     Walking the Back Streets 6:45
Booker T. Jones    
4     Cut You Loose 3:24
Mel London
5     Hey Bartender 2:51
Floyd Dixon    
6     I'm a Woman 4:36
Ellas McDaniel / Koko Taylor
7     You Can Have My Husband 2:45
Dorothy LaBostrie    
8     Please Don't Dog Me 5:16
Koko Taylor    
9     Wang Dang Doodle 4:51
Willie Dixon
Credits :    
Bass – Cornelius "Mule" Boyson
Drums – Vince Chappelle
Guitar – Johnny B. Moore, Sammy Lawhorn
Harmonica – Mervyn "Harmonica" Hinds
Keyboards – Pinetop Perkins
Saxophone – Abb Locke
Vocals – Koko Taylor

KOKO TAYLOR – I Got What It Takes (1973) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The queen's first album for Alligator, and still one of her very best to date. A tasty combo sparked by guitarists Mighty Joe Young and Sammy Lawhorn and saxist Abb Locke provide sharp support as the clear-voiced Taylor belts Bobby Saxton's "Trying to Make a Living," and Magic Sam's "That's Why I'm Crying," her own "Honkey Tonkey" and "Voodoo Woman," and Ruth Brown's swinging "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean." Bill Dahl
Tracklist :
1    Trying To Make A Living    2:46
 Public Domain
2    I Got What It Takes    3:42
 Willie Dixon
3    Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean    3:04
 Herb Lance / Charlie Singleton / Johnny Wallace
4    Voodoo Woman    3:46
 Koko Taylor
5    Be What You Want To Be    3:53
 Willie Dixon / Koko Taylor
6    Honkey Tonkey    2:54
 Koko Taylor
7    Big Boss Man    3:57
 Luther Dixon / Al Smith
8    Blues Never Die    3:55
 Otis Spann
9    Find A Fool    3:59
 Denise LaSalle
10    Happy Home    3:15
 Joe Josea
11    That's Why I'm Crying    4:28
 Samuel Maghett / Magic Sam
Credits :    
Bass – Cornelius Boyson
Drums – Vince Chappelle
Guitar – Mighty Joe Young, Sammy Lawhorn
Keyboards – Bill Heid
Saxophone – Abb Locke

KOKO TAYLOR – From The Heart Of A Woman (1981-1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Another very credible outing, though Taylor's not quite convincing on the jazzily swinging "Sure Had a Wonderful Time Last Night." Far more suited to her raspy growl are her own "It Took a Long Time," a funky "Something Strange Is Going On," and Etta James's moving soul ballad "I'd Rather Go Blind" (beautifully complemented by Criss Johnson's liquidic guitar). Bill Dahl
Tracklist :
1    Something Strange Is Going On    4:01
 Edwin Williams
2    I'd Rather Go Blind    4:57
 Bill Foster / Ellington Jordan
3    Keep Your Hands Off Him    3:49
 McShann / Bowman
4    Thanks, But No Thanks    4:14
 Edwin Williams
5    If You Got A Heartache    3:42
Malone / Scott
6    Never Trust A Man    3:18
 Edwin Williams
7    Sure Had A Wonderful Time Last Night    3:05
 Louis Jordan
8    Blow Top Blues    4:15
 Leonard Feather
9    If Walls Could Talk    3:30
 Bobby Miller
10    It Took A Long Time    3:58
 Koko Taylor
Credits :    
Bass – Cornelius Boyson
Drums – Vince Chappelle
Guitar – Criss Johnson, Emmett "Maestro" Sanders (tracks: 4), Sammy Lawhorn
Harmonica – Billy Branch (tracks: 4, 6)
Keyboards – Bill Heid
Tenor Saxophone – A.C. Reed (tracks: 3)
Vocals – Koko Taylor

KOKO TAYLOR – Queen Of The Blues (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Co-producer Bruce Iglauer anticipated a future trend by making this a set filled with cameos -- but the presence of Lonnie Brooks, James Cotton, Albert Collins, and Son Seals is entirely warranted and the contributions of each work quite well in the context of the whole. Taylor's gritty "I Cried like a Baby" and a snazzy remake of Ann Peebles' "Come to Mama" are among the many highlights. Bill Dahl
Tracklist :
1     Evil 4:58
Willie Dixon
2     Beer Bottle Boogie 3:33
Marylyn Scott
3     I Cried Like a Baby 5:11
Nappy Brown / Paul David
4     I Can Love You Like a Woman (Or I Can Fight You Like a Man) 3:48
Morris Dollison
5     Flamin' Mamie 3:27
Page / Dixon    
6     Something Inside Me 3:43
Jimmy Holiday
7     The Hunter 3:26
Jackson / Jones / Wells / Dunn / Cropper
8     Queen Bee 3:46
James Moore
9     I Don't Care No More 3:08
Koko Taylor    
10     Come to Mama 4:44
Willie Mitchell / Earl Randle
Credits :    
Bass – Johnny B. Gayden
Drums – Ray "Killer" Allison
Guitar – Albert Collins (tracks: 7), Lonnie Brooks (tracks: 8), Son Seals (tracks: 9)
Guitar, Producer – Criss Johnson
Harmonica – James Cotton (tracks: 1, 8)
Keyboards – "Professor" Eddie Lusk
Tenor Saxophone – Abb Locke (tracks: 2, 5)
Vocals, Producer – Koko Taylor 

KOKO TAYLOR AND HER BLUES MACHINE – An Audience With The Queen (Live From Chicago) (1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Unfortunately, Koko Taylor's only domestic live album to date was cut with one of the lesser incarnations of her band, the Blues Machine, whose work could have displayed considerably more subtlety and swing than it does. Still, the set offers a vivid portrait of Chicago's blues queen in action, with faithful recitals of "Wang Dang Doodle," "I'm a Woman," and "Let the Good Times Roll." Bill Dahl
Tracklist :
1     Let the Good Times Roll 4:00
Fleecie Moore / Sam Theard
2     I'm a Woman 5:53
Ellas McDaniel
3     Going Back to Luka 4:29
Don Nix
4     The Devil's Gonna Have a Field Day 5:20
Koko Taylor
5     Find a Fool, Bump Her Head 4:20
Denise LaSalle    
6     I Cried Like a Baby 5:33
Nappy Brown
7     Come to Mama 4:54
Willie Mitchell / Earl Randle    
8     I'd Rather Go Blind 4:30
Bill Foster / Ellington Jordan    
9     Let Me Love You 4:21
Willie Dixon
10     Wang Dang Doodle 6:33
Willie Dixon
Credits :    
Bass – Jerry Murphy
Drums – Clyde "Youngblood" Tyler, Jr.
Guitar – Eddie King, Michael "Mr. Dynamite" Robinson
Vocals – Koko Taylor

KOKO TAYLOR – Jump For Joy (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A slightly slicker Koko Taylor than we've generally been accustomed to, with nice horn arrangements by Gene Barge that farme the blues queen's growl effectively. A Taylor duet with Lonnie Brooks would normally be something to savor, but they're saddled here with an extremely corny "It's a Dirty Job" that's beneath both their statures. Taylor wrote four of thet disc's best numbers herself, including "Can't Let Go" and the title cut. Bill Dahl
Tracklist :
1     Can't Let Go 4:58
Koko Taylor
2     Stop Watching Your Enemies 5:14
Koko Taylor
3     Hey Baby 4:19
Derek St. Holmes
4     Tired of That 5:50
Koko Taylor / Edwin Williams
5     It's a Dirty Job 4:21
Mary-Ann Brandon / Gypsy Carns / Fred James
6     Jump for Joy 4:20
Mary-Ann Brandon / Betty James / Koko Taylor
7     Time Will Tell 4:48
Paul Gayten
8     The Eyes Don't Lie 3:43
Richard Carpenter / Betty James / John Jaworowicz
9     Fishing Trip 5:25
William D. Blues Boy Wil X McCain
10     I Don't Want No Leftovers 3:59
Criss Johnson
Credits :    
Arranged By [Horn Arrangements] – Gene Barge
Baritone Saxophone – Willie Henderson
Bass – Jerry Murphy
Drums – Ray "Killer" Allison
Guitar – Criss Johnson
Harmonica – Billy Branch
Keyboards – Jim Dortch
Tenor Saxophone – Gene Barge, Henri Ford
Trombone – Orville McFarland, Edwin Williams
Trumpet – Elmer Brown II
Vocals – Koko Taylor

KOKO TAYLOR – Force Of Nature (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A solid contemporary blues album that ranges from Koko Taylor's own "Spellbound" and "Put the Pot On," a rendition of Toussaint McCall's tender soul lament "Nothing Takes the Place of You," and a saucy revival of the old Ike & Tina Turner R&B gem "If I Can't Be First." Gene Barge once again penned the horn charts, Carey Bell contributes his usual harp mastery to Taylor's remake of Little Milton's "Mother Nature," and only Buddy Guy's over-the-top guitar histrionics on "Born Under a Bad Sign" grate. Long may the queen reign! Bill Dahl
Tracklist :
1     Mother Nature 4:41
Milton Campbell
2     If I Can't Be First 3:40
Ike Turner
3     Hound Dog 5:33
Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller
4     Born Under a Bad Sign 6:22
William Bell / Booker T. Jones
5     Let the Juke Joint Jump 6:08
Jackson / Zsadan
6     63 Year Old Mama 4:29
Koko Taylor
7     Don't Put Your Hands on Me 2:53
Rick Estrin / Lorene Mann
8     Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor) 4:23
John Martin. / Moon Martin
9     Fish in Dirty Water 5:45
Fleecie Moore    
10     Tit for Tat 4:31
Lindsey / Shell
11     Put the Pot On 3:48
Koko Taylor    
12     Nothing Takes the Place of You 4:41
Toussaint McCall / Alan Robinson
13     Spellbound 4:07
Koko Taylor    
14     Greedy Man 3\;27
Morris Dollison
Credits :    
Arranged By [Horns], Alto Saxophone – Gene Barge
Baritone Saxophone – Willie Henderson
Bass – Jerry Murphy
Booking – American Famous Talent
Drums – Brady Williams, Ray "Killer" Allison
Guitar [Solos] – Calvin "Vino"Louden (tracks: 10, 14)
Guitar, Vocals – Buddy Guy (tracks: 1 to 2, 4, 7, 9 to 10)
Harmonica – Cary Bell (tracks: 1)
Keyboards – Jeremiah Africa
Lead Guitar, Producer – Criss Johnson
Tenor Saxophone – Henri Ford
Trombone – Edwin Williams
Trumpet – Burgess Gardner, Byron Bowie
Vocals, Producer – Koko Taylor

KOKO TAYLOR – Royal Blue (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Royal Blue is the first Alligator release from Koko Taylor since 1993's Grammy nominated Force of Nature. This is a mainly up-tempo set with excellent support from several guest appearances by B.B. King, Johnny Johnson, Ken Saydak, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd who contributes some scorching guitar on the Melissa Ethridge-penned hit "Bring Me Some Water." Taylor not only co-produced this release but wrote four of the 12 tracks, including the acoustic "The Man Next Door." On this track, the combination of Koko's passionate voice with Keb Mo's gritty Delta slide guitar makes you wish she would move further in this direction on future releases. Royal Blue proves Koko Taylor is still the undisputed queen of the blues. Al Campbell
Tracklist :
1     Save Your Breath 4:09
Kathi McDonald
2     Hittin' on Me 3:32
Buddy Johnson / Woodrow Johnson
3     Bring Me Some Water 5:21
Melissa Etheridge
4     But on the Other Hand Baby 4:43
Ray Charles / Percy Mayfield
5     Don't Let Me Catch You (With Your Drawers Down) 4:12
Koko Taylor
6     Blues Hotel 4:04
John Hahn / Jon Tiven
7     Fuel to Burn 3:51
Richard Fleming / E.G. Kight
8     The Man Next Door 5:15
Koko Taylor    
9     Old Woman 4:31
Koko Taylor    
10     Ernestine 5:04
Koko Taylor    
11     Keep Your Booty Out of My Bed 4:38
Ollie Hoskins / John Ward
12     Keep Your Mouth Shut and Your Eyes Open 3:48
Jean Wells
Credits :    
Arranged By [Band] – Criss Johnson
Bass – Kenny Hampton
Drums – Kriss T. Johnson
Guitar – Criss Johnson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd (tracks: 3)
Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals – Keb' Mo (tracks: 8)
Guitar, Vocals – B.B. King (tracks: 6)
Harmonica – Matthew Skoller
Organ – Dolpha Fowler, Jr
Piano – Johnnie Johnson (tracks: 2, 4, 10), Ken Saydak (tracks: 6)
Tenor Saxophone – Mark Colby (tracks: 9)

KOKO TAYLOR – Old School (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Old School is Koko Taylor's first new album in seven years, and after a series of health issues that sidelined her for a while, it could be viewed as a comeback of sorts, but if so, there aren't any signs of rust here. She still belts out her trademark Chicago blues like she always has, sidestepping any 21st century recording tricks for a straightforward set that wouldn't sound out of place next to her classic Chess sides from the early '60s. It's also encouraging that she wrote nearly half the tunes here, while turning in solid covers of a pair of Willie Dixon songs ("Don't Go No Further" and "Young Fashioned Ways"), one by Magic Sam ("All Your Love") and a scorching performance of Lizzie Lawler's classic "Black Rat" that rivals Big Mama Thornton's version. A rendition of "Bad Rooster" is also top notch. Of the originals, the lead track, "Piece of Man," is the most impressive, setting the tone and feel for an album that clearly celebrates Taylor's unshakable Chicago blues roots. Old School isn't sleek, pretty, posed or polished, but is instead raw, ragged and as real as a biting winter wind off of Lake Michigan. Call it a comeback if you want, but this is the territory that Koko Taylor has lived in for nearly fifty years. She owns this stuff. Call it a continuance. This CD was nominated for a Grammy award in 2007 for Best Traditional Blues Album. Steve Leggett  
Tracklist :
1    Piece Of Man 4:30
Written-By – Koko Taylor
2    Gonna Buy Me A Mule 4:35
Written-By – Koko Taylor
3    Black Rat 5:08
Written-By – Lizzie Lawler
4    Money Is The Name Of The Game 6:48
Written-By – Johnny Thompson
5    You Ain't Worth A Good Woman 5:34
Written-By – Koko Taylor
6    Better Watch Your Step 4:55
Written-By – Koko Taylor
7    Bad Avenue 5:20
Written-By – Walter "Lefty Dizz" Williams
8    Bad Rooster 5:21
Written-By – E.G. Kight, Richard Fleming
9    Don't Go No Further 3:39
Written-By – Willie Dixon
10    All Your Love 6:35
Written-By – Sam Maghett
11    Hard Pill To Swallow 5:51
Written-By – Koko Taylor
12    Young Fashioned Ways 4:41
Written-By – Willie Dixon
Credits :    
Bass – Melvin Smith (tracks: 12)
Bass [Upright Bass] – Jimmy Sutton (tracks: 2, 7, 9)
Drums – Ricky Nelson (tracks: 12), Willie "The Touch" Hayes (tracks: 1 to 11)
Electric Bass – Kenny Hampton (tracks: 1, 3, 4 to 6, 8, 10, 11)
Guitar – Criss Johnson (tracks: 1 to 11), Shun Kikuta (tracks: 12), Vino Louden (tracks: 12)
Guitar, Slide Guitar – Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11)
Harmonica – Billy Branch (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 11)
Piano – Brother John Kattke (tracks: 1 to 11), Stanley Banks (tracks: 12)
Tenor Saxophone – Mark Kazanoff (tracks: 2, 9)
Vocals – Koko Taylor