Koko Taylor - Koko Taylor (Acoustic Sounds)
Koko Taylor - Koko Taylor returns in the Chess Records Acoustic Sounds Series, presenting the Chicago blues singer's landmark 1969 self-titled album as a high-quality 2LP vinyl reissue. The record helped cement Taylor's reputation as the Queen of the Blues and captures the forceful vocal style that made her one of the defining voices associated with Chess. Her relationship with the label began after Chess house bassist and producer Willie Dixon discovered her performing at Chicago's Sylvio's Lounge and recognised the power of her voice.
Dixon became an important collaborator and supplied Taylor with “Wang Dang Doodle,” the song that became her signature recording and sold more than a million copies. The album draws heavily on the run of successful singles that established her during the 1960s. Alongside “Wang Dang Doodle” are further Dixon compositions including “Twenty-Nine Ways (To My Baby's Door)” and “Yes, It's Good for You,” placing Taylor's commanding performances at the centre of material rooted in the classic Chicago electric-blues tradition.
Taylor's own writing is represented by “Nitty Gritty,” a track distinguished by Johnny Shines' expressive slide guitar. Across the album, the combination of Taylor's voice, Chess production and experienced Chicago players gives the music a direct, hard-edged character. Released in 1969, Koko Taylor stands as an important document of the period when electric blues was evolving while remaining closely connected to the clubs, musicians and songwriters that had built the post-war Chicago sound.
This edition is part of the Chess Records Acoustic Sounds Series, created to present key titles from the Chess catalogue in audiophile form. The recording has been remastered from the original analogue tapes and is pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings (QRP). The two discs are housed in a tip-on gatefold sleeve printed on high-grade board, combining the original album with the premium production specifications associated with the series.
