Guitars and drums rumble ominously during the first few seconds of Koko Taylor`s new album, like a storm cloud blowing in.
Then drummer Ray ”Killer” Allison thumps his kick drum and delivers three solid whacks to his hi-hat, clearing a path for Taylor`s river-deep, mountain-high voice. A high-stepping horn section, arranged by tenor saxophonist Gene Barge, sends the song into orbit somewhere over Memphis, the home of other similarly sanctified R&B tunes.
”Can`t Let Go,” the first cut from Taylor`s new ”Jump for Joy” album on Chicago-based Alligator Records, signals that the Queen of Chicago Blues is back stronger than ever with her first studio album in four years.
”I`m especially proud of this one because I wrote four tunes,”
including ”Can`t Let Go,” said Taylor from her South Side home.
”Jump for Joy” will be in stores Saturday, and the day will be capped by a record-release party at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., featuring Taylor and her Blues Machine, along with Li`l Ed and the Blues Imperials and Big Shoulders.
The album title stems from an incident in New Zealand, just as Taylor was about to entertain an adoring audience.
”These people were screaming backstage as I was about to go on, `Koko, we`re gonna jump for joy!` ” Taylor recalled with a hearty laugh. ”I thought, `Hmmm, that sounds like a song title to me.` ”
Crisply produced by Alligator boss Bruce Iglauer, guitarist Criss Johnson and Taylor, the album touches many bases long familiar to Taylor and her fans: simmering, back-porch blues (”Tired of That”); a greasy cover of Ted Nugent`s ”Hey Baby”; a soulful piece of advice reminiscent of Johnny Taylor (”Stop Watching Your Enemies”); and a Ray Charles-Betty Carter style duet/dialogue with Lonnie Brooks on the hilariously lowdown ”It`s a Dirty Job.”
But the album`s high point is a cover of Etta James` classic, hymnlike
”Time Will Tell.”
But will I ever erase from my mind
The way you looked at me
The way you kissed me goodnight?
When Taylor sings those lines, it sounds as if she`s offering them to her husband, ”Pops,” who died last year.
”It`s interesting you should pick up on that, because when I sing those words-about cigarettes and ashes-it makes me lonely,” Taylor said. ”Somehow they fit in with me losing my husband.”
Now she has built a musical monument to his memory.
– World update: Shows announced this week for the World Music Theatre in Tinley Park include Depeche Mode on July 2; Tom Tom Club, Jerry Harrison, the Ramones and Deborah Harry on July 17; and Melissa Etheridge on Aug. 11.
– Upcoming releases: Out this week is Billy Idol`s first album in four years, ”Charmed Life” (Chrysalis).
The Pretenders` first album in four years, produced by Mitchell Froom, is called ”Packed!” (Reprise) and is due in stores May 22.
Froom also is working with Los Lobos on a single for their
”Neighborhood” album, due June 26. A Warner Brothers representative describes the finished tracks as ”raucous, with lots of hot guitars.”
Bob Mould is in Hoboken, N.J., putting the finishing touches on his new release for Virgin Records, due in August. This, too, promises to be ”a very loud record,” according to a label rep, a contrast from Mould`s introspective ”Workbook” solo debut of last year. ”There are no cellos on this one.”
Iggy Pop`s next Virgin release, produced by Don and David Was of Was (Not Was), is set for July release. Its hard-edged first single, ”Homeboy,”
indicates that Ig hasn`t gone all soft and commercial on us.
The Neville Brothers` follow-up to the brilliant ”Yellow Moon” is called ”River of Life” and will be out in July. Their tour, as opening act for Linda Ronstadt, arrives at Poplar Creek Aug. 22.
