Rating: *** ( 3 stars)
Title: Jump for Joy
Company: Alligator
Catalog: AL 4784
Year: 1990
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: cut top right corner
Available: 1
Price: $10.00
Having been fortunate enough to see Koko Taylor in concert, suffice it to say that this lady is a national treasure.
1990's "Jump for Joy" marked Taylor's return to the spotlight following a string of personal tragedies, including a 1988 incident in which her touring van crashed, leaving her with numerous broken bones and almost killing her husband. Husband Pops Taylor suffered a heart attack and though he survived, he never regained his health, passing away within a couple of months. Released by Alligator Records, as a comeback LP, "Jump for Joy" is a little slicker than Taylor's normal fare. That's not to say its bad. Taylor's growling voice remains instantly recognizable and for the most part Gene Barge's horn arrangements simply serve to spotlight her talents. At least to us, the biggest surprise are Taylor's four originals. While we knew that she wrote material, tracks such as the steaming "Can't Let Go", the extended vamp "Stop Watching Your Enemies" and "Tired of That" provide the set's highlights. That's not to say the set's perfect. The Lonnie Brooks duet "It's a Dirty" is surprisingly dull and the title track threatened to descend into formulaic boogie. Still, this is better than no Koko Taylor ...
.
"Jump for Joy" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Can't Let Go (Koko Taylor) - 4:58
2.) Stop Watching Your Enemies (Koko Taylor) - 5:14
3.) Hey Baby (Saint Holmes) - 4:19
4.) Tired of That (Koko Taylor - Williams) - 5:50
5.) It's a Dirty Job (Brandon - Carns - Carns - James) - 4:21
(side 2)
1.) Jump for Joy (Brandon - Carnes - James - Koko Taylor) - 4:20
2.) Time Will Tell (Gayten) - 4:48
3.) The Eyes Don't Lie (Carpenter - James - Jaworowicz) - 3:43
4.) Fishing Trip (McFalls) - 5:25
5.) I Don't Want No Leftovers (Johnson) - 3:59