Name: The Earthshaker
Brand: Koko Taylor

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

AL4737/BLUESONVINYL115

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-04-28

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Lasgo

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

9700000421119

Total Cap

Black LP

Artist

Koko Taylor

Genre GB

Blues / Gospel

Label GB

Alligator

Koko Taylor, born on September 28, 1928 in Bartlett, Tennessee, was a renowned US R&B singer known as "The Queen of Chicago Blues". She earned her nickname "Koko" due to her love for chocolate. In 1962, she was discovered by Willie Dixon which led to a contract with Chess Records. Collaborating closely with Dixon, Taylor released several singles including the iconic "Wang Dang Doodle" in 1965. Her powerful vocals set her apart from other female artists at Chess Records such as Etta James and Irma Thomas.

Taylor's unique shouting style drew inspiration from blues legends like Big Mama Thornton and Howlin' Wolf. Her self-titled debut album in 1969 showcased a compilation of her Chess singles. From 1975 onwards, she recorded for Alligator Records for over three decades. In 1985, her album "Queen of the blues" won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album.

Passionate about performing until the end, Koko Taylor sadly passed away on June 03, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois after complications from surgery for gastrointestinal bleeding. Her legacy lives on through her influential contributions to the blues genre.

Back in 1971, a 23-year-old blues fan used his meagre savings to record and produce his favourite band. Following his heart, he quit his day job with Delmark Records and began promoting *Alligator* and his new record company full time.

Over 30 years later, that company, Alligator Records, is home to some of the world’s premier blues and roots rock talent and is regarded by fans and the media alike as the top contemporary blues record label in the world.

The first release from Alligator Records was *The Siegel-Schwall Band* (1971).

Newest Listed Items

Reviewing in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981), Robert Christgau wrote: "Considering its size, Taylor's voice has never been what you'd call rich - she flubs the pitch quite a bit, and on the slow ones she's often sounded flat emotionally as well. But it retains amazing presence - by now it's deepened and roughened so much that her late work for Chess sounds girlish by comparison. Two or three of the slow ones here really drag, always a crippling flaw in Chicago blues, but the uptempo stuff is exemplary - the songs are fun as songs, and the guitar on her latest remake of "Wang Dang Doodle" is ace."

The Earthshaker

Music GB

Discover The Earthshaker by Koko Taylor on vinyl. Released in 1978 by Alligator Records. A blues album with amazing presence and exemplary uptempo songs.