Artist:Koko Taylor
Song:Hound Dog
Album:Force Of Nature
Koko Taylor is known as Queen Of Chicago Blues and has continued the tradition of big voiced blues shouters started by Bessie Smith. She was born Cora Walton Sept. 28, 1935 in Memphis. Her love of chocolate got her the nickname Koko. In 1953, she married truck driver Robert "Pops" Taylor and they moved to Chicago. She worked as a maid during the day and sang in clubs at night. Willie Dixon signed Koko to Chess and Wang Dang Doodle was a big hit in 1964. When Chess had financial problems in the early 70s, Koko signed with Bruce Iglauer's fledgling Alligator Records in 1975 and has recorded for them ever since. She continued to have a strong following. Tragedy struck in 1988 when Koko & Robert were in a van accident while on tour. Robert suffered cardiac arrest and died a few months later. Koko recovered and returned with the 1993 CD Force Of Nature. This version of Hound Dog is clearly a tribute to Big Mama Thornton and is very enjoyable. Koko then took some time off, remarried, then took time off due to health issues. Her new CD Old School was released last month. Koko Taylor is a great blues shouter and is recommended to blues fans. Here's an interview and performance clip with Koko Taylor. I think it might be from the TV series The Blues.
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