Koko Taylor - The Old School - Alligator Records
As the title suggests, the recording is directed to hard-hitting, old-school Chicago blues and includes interpretations along with some originals. Chicago's Blues Queen Koko Taylor handles them in her own hold-nothing back style. One track is by The Blues Machine, and the other eleven tracks have a studio band led by Criss Johnson and drummer Willie' The Touch' Sutton (featuring guest appearances from Bob Margolin, Billy Branch, and Kaz Kazanoff.
Most of the new tunes are from Koko herself. Gonna Buy Me a Mule is a striking song as she tells her man she's gonna take the place of him. The jaunty warning, You Better Watch Your Step, with Billy Branch playing some Jimmy Reed inspired harp. Bob Margolin adds slide guitar to Memphis Minnie's "Black Rat, and Lefty Dizz's Bad Avenue. The arrangements of both tunes are a bit cluttered, though, and the performances come off as too hectic. If Criss Johnson's arrangements allowed more space in the backing, Old School would have sounded more like Koko's first Alligator album, and I Got What It Takes.
I have no fault with Koko's performances as she sings really well here-sounding so at home with the material. It's also nicely programmed with very nice covers of a couple songs associated with Muddy Waters, Don't Go No Further, and Young Fashioned Ways. I just wish the attempt at being 'old school' by the band had a bit lighter, more swinging groove than they play with here.
Phillip Walker - Going Back Home - Delta Groove
Going Back Home finds the Gulf Coast native and longtime West Coast bluesman in solid form. The strength of the Delta Groove disc is Walker's characteristically strong vocals (with just a hint of sandpaper in his voice) and a rocking/swinging guitar.
Producer Randy Chortkoff has selected a solid backing band, including guitarist Rusty Zinn, Jeff Turmes on bass (and sax for a few tracks), Richard Innes on drums. Chortkoff also provided Walker with a great pack of songs from mighty pens. Eddie Snow's Mean, Mean Woman features an accompaniment derived from Junior Parker's Mystery Train. An original Chortoff song, Honey Stew, evokes Lightnin' Hopkins. The band might have limbered up on some of the grooves of Lightnin' Hopkins' Jewel Recordings.
The backing is a bit too upfront, and the music loses some of its regional flavor. One wishes the rhythm section was not right on the beat. If it were more like the laconic Excello groove, the sound would have been better. These are still very good recordings, with Walker first-rate throughout. His takes on "Blackjack", "Leave My Money Alone," "Bad Blood," and Walking With Frankie" are particularly outstanding, and if not a perfect date, there is still plenty to enjoy.
These reviews appeared in a 2007 DC Blues Society newsletter. I received my review copies from the record companies or a publicist.
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