Koko Taylor - What It Takes: The Chess Years (Expanded Edition) (1977/1997/2019)
Artist: Koko Taylor
Title: What It Takes: The Chess Years (Expanded Edition)
Year Of Release: 1977/1997/2019
Label: Geffen Records
Genre: Blues, Soul
Quality: 320 kbps | FLAC (tracks)
Total Time: 01:12:17
Total Size: 179 mb | 462 mb
WebSite: Album Preview
Tracklist:Title: What It Takes: The Chess Years (Expanded Edition)
Year Of Release: 1977/1997/2019
Label: Geffen Records
Genre: Blues, Soul
Quality: 320 kbps | FLAC (tracks)
Total Time: 01:12:17
Total Size: 179 mb | 462 mb
WebSite: Album Preview
01. I Got What It Takes (3:08)
02. Don't Mess With The Messer (2:43)
03. Whatever I Am, You Made Me (2:29)
04. I'm A Little Mixed Up (2:39)
05. Wang Dang Doodle (2:59)
06. (I Got) All You Need (2:14)
07. (Just) Love Me (2:42)
08. What Came First The Egg Or The Hen (2:27)
09. Insane Asylum (4:19)
10. Fire (2:28)
11. I Don't Care Who Knows (2:10)
12. Twenty Nine Ways (To My Baby's Door) (3:11)
13. Blue Prelude (3:32)
14. I Need More And More (2:44)
15. Um Huh My Baby (3:53)
16. Bills, Bills & More Bills (2:52)
17. Let Me Love You Baby (2:48)
18. I Got What It Takes (live duet with Muddy Waters) (6:26)
19. What Kind Of Man Is That? (3:02)
20. Blues Heaven (2:21)
21. Tell Me The Truth (2:03)
22. Good Advice (2:27)
23. Separate Of Integrate (3:06)
24. Tease Your Man (4:20)
This single disc neatly collects everything of importance that Chicago blues belter Koko Taylor released through Chess and its subsidiary Checker label, presenting a thoroughly enjoyable, collection as historically important for Taylor's sizzling performances as it is for Willie Dixon's sublime compositions and sympathetic production. Those who know these formative years from Taylor's immortal "Wang Dang Doodle" will thrill to realize that the classic isn't even the best entry here. It's a toss-up as to which others challenge it, but "What Came First the Egg or the Hen," with Dixon joining in on vocals, is in the running, as is the absolutely chilling "Insane Asylum," where Dixon interestingly kicks off the song before Taylor appears over a minute later. The producer/bassist/songwriter/singer pens all but one of the 18 songs. Of those, Taylor takes sole songwriting credit on 1964's "What Kind of Man is That?" and covers J.B. Lenoir's "Good Advice." The latter is an unusually pop-oriented moment that she still roughs up with her usual dynamic vocal attack. Taylor tackles politically charged territory in "Bill, Bills and More Bills," one of the few times that the material leans in that direction. While her later Alligator years might have exposed her talents to the world and helped crown her Queen of the Blues, this is where it all started. It shows how Taylor developed, with assistance from Willie Dixon over this fertile, seven-year stretch, to her well-earned legendary status.