Force Of Nature

Performer: Koko Taylor
Artist: Buddy Guy; Carey Bell
Engineer: David Axelbaum; David Brickson; Julian Herzfeld
Distributor: Ryko Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Koko Taylor (vocals); Buddy Guy (vocals, guitar); Criss Johnson, Calvin "Vino" Louden (guitar); Carey Bell (harmonica); Gene Barge (alto saxophone); Henri Ford (tenor saxophone); Willie Henderson (baritone saxophone); Byron Bowie, Burgess Gardner (trumpet); Edwin Williams (trombone); Jeremiah Africa (keyboards); Jerry Murphy (bass); Ray "Killer" Allison, Brady Williams (drums). Producers: Koko Taylor, Bruce Iglauer, Criss Johnson. Recorded at Streeterville Studios, Chicago, Illinois. FORCE OF NATURE was nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album in the 37th Annual Grammy Awards. Personnel: Koko Taylor (vocals); Buddy Guy (vocals, guitar); Criss Johnson, Calvin Louden (guitar); Carey Bell (harmonica); Gene Barge (alto saxophone); Henri Ford (tenor saxophone); Willie Henderson (baritone saxophone); Burgess Gardner, Byron Bowie (trumpet); Edwin Williams (trombone); Jeremiah Africa (keyboards); Brady Williams, Ray Allison (drums). Audio Mixer: David Axelbaum. Recording information: Streeterville Recording Studios, Chicago, IL. Photographer: Peter Amft. Arranger: Gene Barge. A solid contemporary blues album that ranges from Koko Taylor's own "Spellbound" and "Put the Pot On," a rendition of Toussaint McCall's tender soul lament "Nothing Takes the Place of You," and a saucy revival of the old Ike & Tina Turner R&B gem "If I Can't Be First." Gene Barge once again penned the horn charts, Carey Bell contributes his usual harp mastery to Taylor's remake of Little Milton's "Mother Nature," and only Buddy Guy's over-the-top guitar histrionics on "Born Under a Bad Sign" grate. Long may the queen reign! ~ Bill Dahl

Rolling Stone (2/24/94, p.56) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...[Koko Taylor] sings with a conviction that shakes life into even the hoariest blues cliches and makes them ring contemporary and true...."

Koko Taylor came in on the tail end of Chess Records' heyday, but she managed to score the legendary blues label one of its last big hits with her 1966 version of the Willie Dixon-penned "Wang Dang Doodle." Taylor's raw, gritty, soulful vocal style was tailor-made for electrified urban blues, and even after departing Chess for Alligator in the '70s she maintained a large audience. Taylor continued recording and performing extensively into the 21st century, her 2000 release ROYAL BLUE receiving a Grammy Nomination for best blues album.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25