The Earthshaker
Koko Taylor · 1978
36 min · 9 tracks · blues
Raw, powerhouse vocals backed by gritty instrumentation create an electrifying blend of Chicago blues and soul.
Top tracks — play these first
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Wang Dang Doodle — This track encapsulates Taylor's energetic style and assertive lyrical themes, featuring a call-and-response structure that showcases her powerful voice.
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I’m a Woman — This song serves as an anthem of female empowerment, with Taylor’s commanding delivery highlighting both strength and vulnerability.
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Let the Good Times Roll — A vibrant opener, this track sets the tone for the album with its infectious rhythm and joyful celebration of life.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal performances and solid instrumentation, making it a notable entry in Koko Taylor's discography.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a lively tone, maintaining an upbeat tempo for the first four songs.
- Koko Taylor's vocal delivery is consistently powerful, often employing call-and-response techniques with the instrumentation.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections, allowing the band to showcase their musicianship alongside Taylor's vocals.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady groove for social gatherings
- raw emotion and powerful vocals
- inviting sing-alongs with friends
- mid-tempo energy for dancing
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant thrills
- seek complex musical experimentation
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1978, The Earthshaker marked Koko Taylor's third studio album, coming after her successful self-titled debut in 1969. By this point in her career, Taylor had solidified her reputation as the 'Queen of the Blues,' with her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence setting her apart in the male-dominated genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Etta James· Muddy Waters· Tina Turner
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Let the Good Times Roll 3:03
- 2 Spoonful 3:02
- 3 Walking the Back Streets 6:47
- 4 Cut You Loose 3:27
- 5 Hey Bartender 2:54
- 6 I’m a Woman 4:35
- 7 You Can Have My Husband 2:47
- 8 Please Don’t Dog Me 5:19
- 9 Wang Dang Doodle 4:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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