When Ross and I were combining our CD collections, actually it was more like my collection was swallowed up by Ross's, I was struck by the number of CDs by women singers that we both had. Ross's collection was much more eclectic and extensive than mine however, big surprise. This is one of the CDs of a woman singer that I had never heard before Ross. Koko Taylor is most definitely "queen of the blues." She is one tough cookie. She would kick the butt of all the women singers that I own CDs of, especially Tori Amos. Maybe Liz Phair would make it more of a fight but she would still definitely get beat down. Koko Taylor can sing too. She sounds like she is roaring when she sings and none of her songs are gentle ballads. They are all funky, lots of rollicking guitar, drums, and keyboards. But don't forget she is singing the blues. Her songs have titles like "Beer Bottle Boogie" and "I Can Love You Like a Woman (or I can fight you like a man)" and "I Cried Like a Baby." The last one is on the clip below. Don't those titles give you some idea of the type of songs she is singing? These are not "I am sitting at home feeling sorry for myself" songs. They are sung from the heart and with feeling.
My favorite song on the CD is "Flamin' Mamie." In that song she just rips and roars through it. Here are some of the lyrics, they're kind of hysterical.
They call me Flamin' Mamie
I'm the hottest thing in town
When it comes to loving
I'm a human oven
I can really mow 'um down
Oh to be that hot! I also like "Evil." It's her warning us women to keep an eye on our men because there may be someone loving our man when we aren't watching. Remember that girls!
In the liner notes for this CD it says "Blues fans everywhere know-for a good dose of the best blues on earth: go see Koko Taylor. But if you need some right away: buy this record." I like that quote. How could you give up a CD that is going to give you a good dose of the best blues on earth? I know I can't. I am keeping this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IWL13X7N2c
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