“Koko Taylor” by KOKO TAYLOR. A Review Of Her Debut LP From 1969 Now Reissued on Universal’s “Blues Classics - Remastered & Revisited” Series of CDs.

Koko Taylor is part of my "SOUNDS GOOD: Exceptional CD Remasters Soul, Funk & Jazz Fusion" Download Book available to buy on Amazon to either your PC or Mac (it will download the Kindle software to read the book for free to your toolbar). Click on the link below to go my Author's Page for this and other related publications:

                       http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00LQKMC6I

"…We’re Gonna Pitch A Wang Dang Doodle…All Night Long…"

In late 2009, Hip-O Select finally put out a decent Koko Taylor compilation in the USA called “What It Takes – The Chess Years” which gave fans 19 tracks in superlative remastered form (see separate review). But it featured only 6 songs from this - “Koko Taylor” - her debut album. They were “Don’t Mess With The Messer”, "Wang Dang Doodle" (lyrics above), “Whatever I Am, You Made Me”, “I’m A Little Mixed Up”, “Insane Asylum” and “Twenty Nine Ways” (To My Baby’s Door)”. Which means that the other 6 are only available in remastered form on this disc – still making it a worthwhile purchase.

Track List:
1. Love You Like A Woman
2. I Love A Lover Like You
3. Don't Mess With The Messer
4. I Don't Care Who Knows
5. Wang Dang Doodle
6. I'm A Little Mixed Up
7. Nitty Gritty
8. Fire
9. Whatever I Am, You Made Me
10. Twenty-Nine Ways (To My Baby's Door)
11. Insane Asylum
12. Yes, It's Good For You

13. Love Sick Tears
14. He Always Knocks Me Out

Released in the USA in April 2001, MCA/Chess 088 112 519-2 breaks down as follows (39:53 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 12 are the Stereo LP “Koko Taylor” issued October 1969 in the USA on Chess LPS-1532

Tracks 13 and 14 are “Love Sick Tears” and “He Always Knocks Me Out” – two previously unreleased outtakes from the LP sessions

ERICK LABSON – who has over 850 audio credits to his name including the vast majority of the huge Chess, Checker, Cadet catalogue – has remastered this set to typically superlative standards. The sound quality is wonderful - clear, full and a genuine blast to listen to.
The 8-page foldout inlay has affectionate and informative liner notes by noted writer and soul enthusiast BILL DAHL and pictures Koko’s mentor, producer and friend – the Chess Giant WILLIE DIXON.

“Koko Taylor” was in fact a ragbag of an album – singles from 1965 and 1967 fleshed out with newly recorded 1969 tracks – yet it all worked so well. The two previously unreleased tracks are good rather than great and it’s easy to see why they were canned at the time. Still, it’s nice to have anything new from the period.

The sessions also featured the cream of Chicago bluesmen – Buddy Guy, Matt Murphy and Johnny Shines on Guitar, Walter “Shakey” Horton on Harmonica, Lafayette Leake and Albert “Sunnyland Slim” Luandrew on Piano and Organ, Jack Myers on Bass, Clifton James and Fred Bellow on Drums – with of course Willie Dixon on Upright Bass and helming the overall Production.

Although you can’t see it from the picture provided, this release is also part of Universal’s “Blues Classics – Remastered & Revisited” Series. It's a generic title displayed upright on the spine of the back inlay on each release, which is visible through the see-through tray to the left. I mention this because it differentiates this release and other titles in the series from older versions which weren’t mastered as well. If you click the label provided to the right, you will be able to see all 12 titles in this fantastic 2001 series.

A superb version then of a forgotten classic – get this in your life, you’ll not regret it…

PS: for more of Bill Dahl’s incredible work in liner notes, see also the Bear Family “Sweet Soul Music” CDs from 1961 to 1970 – 70 to 95 page booklets – 10 titles - all reviewed. Unbelievably good stuff…

“Luther’s Blues” by LUTHER ALLISON (2001 Universal 'Blues Classics - Remastered And Revisited' CD Reissue) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...I Don’t Know Why She Treats Me So Bad…I’ve Been So Sweet And Kind…"

A follow up to his 1972 debut LP "Bad News Is Coming" – Luther Allison's second album "Luther's Blues" was also released on Motown's Gordy label imprint in the USA - July 1974 on Gordy G 967V1 in this case.

The music is a bit of everything. "Luther's Blues" is a hard-hitting Blues album one moment ala Albert King - then funky as James Brown's DNA the next. And like its even grittier predecessor - because it was on a label the public associated more with Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye - its 9-track mixed bag got somehow lost in the chart stew and remains largely forgotten about today. Which is a damn shame really given the cross-the-genres musical quality on offer here (this CD is part of Universal’s superb "Blues Classics - Remastered & Revisited" CD Series). Let’s get to the details…

USA released in April 2001 – "Luther's Blues" by LUTHER ALLISON on Universal/Motown 440 013 409-2 (Barcode 044001340925) is a Reissue CD of the 1974 album supplemented with three bonus tracks and breaks down as follows (70:32 minutes):

1. Luther's Blues [Luther Allison song]

2. Someday Pretty Baby [co-write between Berry Gordy and James Woodley, a Singin' Sam Ward cover]

3. Easy Baby [written by Willie Dixon, a Magic Sam cover]

4. Part Time Love [co-write between Janie Bradford and Richard Wylie, a Singin' Sam Ward cover]

5. Now You Got It [co-write between Luther Allison, Gene Block, Gary Beam and Kenneth Miles]

6. K.T. [co-write between Luther Allison, Joseph Peraino and Benny Emerson]

7. Let's Have A Little Talk [Luther Allison song]

8. Driving Wheel [Roosevelt Sykes cover]

9. Into My Life [Luther Allison song]

BONUS:

10. San-Ho-Zay [Previously Unreleased Freddie King cover]

11. Bloomington Closing - Early Version [Previously Unreleased]

12. Medley: I'm Gonna Miss My Baby/Bad News/The Thrill Is Gone (Live)

"San-Ho-Zay" and "Bloomington Closing" are previously unreleased outtakes from the sessions while the three-track live medley was recorded at the Arbor Blues Festival in 1973 (also Previously Unreleased).

The Band for the Sessions was:

LUTHER ALLISON - Lead Vocals, Harmonica, Stratocaster & Slide Guitars

BOB GOODMAN and GENE BLOCK - Rhythm Guitars

PAUL WHITE - Piano and Organ [TOM CURRY on "Easy Baby" only]

BOB BABETTE and GARY BEAM - Bass Guitars

K.J. KNIGHT and ANDREW SMITH - Drums

SUHA GUR – one of Universal’s top engineers - has given the remaster a fantastic quality with audio clarity on all of the tracks pumping, muscular and superbly clear.

Half of the songs are straight up blues like "Let's Have A Little Talk" where Allison lets rip his attacking licks and gritty voice in a seven-minute tour-de-force - but then there are very soulful tunes too - like "Now You Got It" and the ultra-funky "K.T.". His guitar work on the chugging Roosevelt Sykes cover of "Driving Wheel" is fabulous - screeching notes out of his plank that few other Blues men get. And like so many of these great guitarists of the genre - his power, prowess and presence is never more evident than when he's slaying the audience on that incredible 19-minute live medley.

Very tasty indeed - “Luther’s Blues” is a hard-to-find vinyl album for Motown collectors and a real discovery for Blues enthusiasts on CD (and it's cheap too). Recommended like grits and groceries...

Titles in Universal's 'Blues Classics-  Remastered & Revisited' CD Reissue Series:

1. Bad News Is Coming - LUTHER ALLISON

(1972 Gordy LP, 2001 Remaster + Four Previously Unreleased Bonus Tracks) - Universal 440 013 407-2 (Barcode 044001340727)

2. Luther’s Blues - LUTHER ALLISON

(1974 USA 9-track LP with 3 Previously Unreleased bonuses, 70:28 minutes)

Universal 440 013 409-2 (Barcode 044001340925)

3. Two Steps From The Blues - BOBBY BLAND (1961 USA 12-track Mono Debut LP on Duke Records with 2 Bonus Single Sides, 35:12 minutes)

Released 27 Feb 2011 on MCA 088 112 516-2 (Barcode 008811251628)

4. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - JOHN LEE HOOKER

(October 1966 and September 1991 LPs on Chess, 2LPs on 1CD, 79:44 minutes)

MCA/Chess 088 112 821-2 (Barcode 008811282127)

5. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - HOWLIN' WOLF

(January 1966 on Chess and January 1967 on Chess, 2LPs on 1CD, 66:45 minutes)

MCA/Chess 088 112 820-2 (Barcode 008811282028)

6. Tell Mama: The Complete Muscle Shoals Sessions - ETTA JAMES)

(January 1968 US 12-Track LP on Cadet - 13-22 being bonuses, 57:11 minutes)

MCA/Chess 088 112 518-2 (Barcode 008811251826)

7. Live At San Quentin - B.B. KING

(1990 13-Track Compilation on MCA, no extras, 64:11 minutes)

MCA America 088 112 517-2 (Barcode 008811251727)

8. Muddy Waters At Newport 1960 - MUDDY WATERS

(1960 US 9-Track LP on Chess with 10-13 being 4 Mono Studio Tracks from June 1960 as bonus tracks, 44:43 minutes)

MCA/Chess 088 112 515-2 (Barcode 008811251529)

9. Fathers & Sons - MUDDY WATERS & Friends

(Tracks 1-10 and 15-20 is the August 1969 2LP set on Chess in Full with Tracks 11, 12, 13 being previously unreleased - and 14 previously unreleased in the USA). (77:38 minutes)

MCA/Chess 088 112 648-2 (Barcode 008811264826)

10. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - MUDDY WATERS

MCA/Chess 088 112 822-2 (Barcode 008811282226)

11. The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues - SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON

(January 1966 and January 1967 LPs on Chess, 2LPs on 1CD, 65:28 minutes)

MCA/Chess 088 112 823-2 (Barcode 008811282325)

1 and 2 remastered by Suha Gur - 3 to 11 by Erick Labson

“The Real Folk Blues/More Real Folk Blues” by JOHN LEE HOOKER. A Review of the 2002 Universal CD Reissue.

“Hey Mister Bartender…Come Here…”

This Universal CD out of the USA on MCA-Chess 088 112- 821-2 reissues two stunning albums from the mighty Hook at the height of his blues power. It’s also part of the “Blues Classics – Remastered & Revisited” series of 10 titles and is an absolute blues peach.

Here’s a detailed breakdown first (79:47 minutes):

1. Let’s Go Out Tonight
2. Peace Lovin’ Man
3. Stella Mae
4. I Put My Trust In You
5. I’m In The Mood
6. You Know, I Know
7. I’ll Never Trust Your Love Again
8. On Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer
9. The Waterfront

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album “The Real Folk Blues” issued October 1966 in the USA on Chess LP 1508 - all tracks were written by John Lee Hooker except “I’m In The Mood” which was co-written with Bernard Besman.

10. This Land Is Nobody’s Land
11. Deep Blue Sea
12. Nobody Knows
13. Mustang Sally & GTO
14. Lead Me
15. Catfish
16. I Can’t Quit You Baby
17. Want Ad Blues
18. House Rent Blues

Tracks 10 to 18 are the album “More Real Folk Blues” issued September 1991 in the USA on MCA-Chess 9329. All tracks were written by John Lee Hooker except “I Can’t Quit You Baby” which is a Willie Dixon song, 1st issued by OTIS RUSH on Cobra Records 5000 in 1956 (it was also famously covered by Led Zeppelin on their 1969 debut album).

The band on both sessions were:
JOHN LEE HOOKER – Guitar and Vocals
EDDIE BURNS – Guitar
LAFAYETTE LEAKE – Piano and Organ
FRED BELOW - Drums

ERICK LABSON of Universal Mastering (has over 800 mastering credits to his name) remastered the original master tapes and the sound is typically magnificent – fantastically clear. The drums, vocals, the bass and especially the duel guitar chugging of Burns and Hooker – all of it - muscular and in your face - and in all the right ways.

The 12-page booklet has a short essay on the album by CHRIS MORRIS of Billboard fame and then follows that with the album’s original liner notes and reissue credits.

But the big surprise for fans will the 'afterthought' album of 1991 “More Real Folk Blues” – although it’s essentially more of the same, the quality never lets up and it absolutely rocks. It isn’t remotely "folk" in its blues approach - most of the tunes are full band work outs – funky blues – with an almost James Brown 1966 vibe to the rhythms – very, very cool stuff indeed. Check out “Mustang Sally & GTO” on iTunes for a taster - it perfectly compliments “Stella Mae” on the 1966 original. And the solo performance on the love song “The Waterfront” is beautiful – the tune is ‘so’ quiet – yet the hiss level isn’t that bad – a sweet remaster by Labson.

“I’m in the mood…I said the night time is the right time…I’m in the mood for love…” moaned John Lee on the famous sex song. Well if this CD is anything to go by - then yeah baby!

Highly recommended.

PS: This CD is part of the “Blues Classics – Remastered And Revisited” Series – for a list of 10 titles in the Series – see my posting in Blogger

"Fathers And Sons" by MUDDY WATERS. A 1969 2LP Set On Chess Records Given A Stunning 2001 CD Remaster With Bonuses...

“She’s Been Gone Twenty-Four Hours…And That’s Twenty-Three Hours Too Long…”


If you were to pick one release that perfectly blended great blues with rock, then 1969’s “Fathers And Sons” would be that album. And now that 16-track sweet-as-a-nut double album is further supplemented on this 2001 reissue with 4 great bonuses. It’s like being handed a virtual master class in blues-rock – truly blistering stuff.

Here’s a detailed breakdown (77:38 minutes):
CD tracks 1 to 10 (studio recordings) and 15 to 20 (live recordings) make up the “Fathers And Sons” album issued August 1969 on Chess LPS-127 in the USA and issued October 1969 on Chess CRL 4556 in the UK (both 2LP vinyl sets).

CD tracks 11 to 14 are previously unreleased studio tracks (14 being unreleased in the USA on album, it’s Chess 7” single 2085).

The studio tracks (1 to 14) were recorded 21, 22 and 23 April 1969 in Chicago, Illinois, while the live tracks were recorded on 24 April 1969 (with the same band) at the “Super Cosmic Joy-Scout Jamboree” also in Chicago, Illinois.

The band for the sessions were:
MUDDY WATERS – Vocals and Guitar
OTIS SPANN – Piano
MIKE BLOOMFIELD – Guitar
PAUL BUTTERFIELD – Harmonica
DONALD “DUCK” DUNN – Bass
SAM LAY – Drums

Guests were:
PHIL UPCHURCH – Bass on “All Aboard” only
JEFF CARP – Chromatic Harmonica on “All Aboard” only
PAUL ASBELL – Rhythm Guitar on “Walking Thru The Park”, “Forty Days & Forty Nights” and “Sugar Sweet” only)
BUDDY MILES – Drums on “Got My Mojo Working, Part Two” only

Digitally remastered by ERICK LABSON of Universal, the sound quality is typically fantastic (he has over 800 mastering credits to his name), the 12-page booklet informative with the contributors pictured and the artwork faithful to the original. Highlights would include a mournful yet fun cover of Eddie Boyd’s “Twenty Four Hours” (lyrics above), the live version of Willie Dixon’s sex song “The Same Thing” and in-your-face rocking of “Blow Wind Blow”. Then there’s the accompaniment – Donald “Duck” Dunn of Booker T & The MG’s providing tight-as-a-nun’s-knickers bass playing, Mike Bloomfield blissed out and licking away on Guitar - while Paul Butterfield and his mean harmonica simply blast their way through the songs like a pair possessed!

This is a great Muddy Waters record – and this cool CD reissue does it proud. Highly recommended.


PS: this title is part of Universal’s “Blues Classics – Remastered & Revisited” Series – I've listed all 10 titles in another Blogger entry