Koko Taylor (1928-2009)

The doctors and nursemaids have come down with a curious case of the brakeman's blues today after hearing from old Pistol Pete that the legendary wailer Koko Taylor has unexpectedly passed away. Collectively we have decided to declare today "Koko Taylor Day" and dedicate today's post to the hard bitin' sounds of Koko Taylor.

Outside Woman Blues

If yer noodle isn't familiar with the 'Wang Dang Doodle' of Koko Taylor then yer in luck. Her majesty is the 'Queen of the Blues,' one of the greatest singers in all the land. And definitely holder of some of the best magic medicine we have in our musical pharmaceutical closet.

Shortly after moving to Chicago in her early 20s with, in her words, “35 cents and a box of Ritz crackers,” Koko and her ruthless blues-wail was signed to Chess Records. There she teamed up with Willie Dixon on several singles and two albums-"Wang Dang Doodle" being her biggest hit. After seeing Koko perform for the first time Dixon was floored by her raw-fire vocals, “My God, I never heard a woman sing the blues like you sing the blues. There are lots of men singing the blues today, but not enough women. That’s what the world needs today, a woman with a voice like yours to sing the blues.” Her barnstorm ended at Chess in the early seventies after she signed with the upstart Alligator Records.

The first time we heard Koko we dropped to the floor like swatted flies.

Make sure to tell Automatic Slim, Razor Tottin' Jim and Fast Talking Fanny.



Should You DL? Of course, as your Doctor, I advise you to download your daily dosage of MP3s...



Take Up Thy Rock 'N Roll Stethoscope and Walk.

Enjoy these 7cc of KoKo...

"Wang Dang Doodle"
"Bills, Bills and More Bills"
"Insane Asylum"
"Love Me"
"I Got What It Takes (Live Duet With Muddy Waters)"
"Let Me Love You"
"I'm A Little Mixed Up"

Fill Yer Prescription Stat...

Amazon.com...For All Yer Musical Needs

cdbaby.com...Music From A Baby, None The Less

*** If Yer Interested In Seeing What Doctor Mooney Has Prescribed In The Past Check Out The Sidebar. To The Right, Under “Cryogenically Frozen Forever/Archives”...