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Jump for Joy
Studio album by Koko Taylor
Released	1990
Studio	Streeterville
Genre	Blues, R&B
Label	Alligator
Producer	Bruce Iglauer, Koko Taylor, Criss Johnson
Koko Taylor chronology
Live from Chicago: An Audience with the Queen (1987) Jump for Joy (1990) Wang Dang Doodle (1991)

Jump for Joy is an album by the American musician Koko Taylor, released in 1990. Its release corresponded with Taylor's appearance in David Lynch's Wild at Heart. Taylor supported the album with a North American tour. Jump for Joy was nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Contemporary Blues Recording". It is dedicated to her husband, who died in 1989.

Production

The album was produced by Bruce Iglauer, Taylor, and Criss Johnson; Johnson also played guitar. The horns were arranged by Gene "Daddy G" Barge. Taylor wrote or cowrote four of Jump for Joy's songs.

"It's a Dirty Job" is a duet with Lonnie Brooks. "Hey Baby" is a cover of the Ted Nugent song. Billy Branch played harmonica on the title track.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Calgary Herald	A
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
Orlando Sentinel
The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings
Tulsa World

The Orlando Sentinel wrote that Taylor's "roof-shaking voice is as powerful as ever, and she has great backing and material, including four originals." The Washington Post opined that "it's the boomingly defiant blues and Taylor's unusually subdued and moving performance of the ballad 'Time Will Tell' that ultimately makes Jump for Joy the treat that it is." The Edmonton Journal determined that "Taylor's voice kindles memories of a young Aretha Franklin or Etta James."

The St. Petersburg Times deemed the album "a typically high-spirited affair," writing that "the production is clean and crisp, the arrangements lean and funky." The Calgary Herald called it "an invigorating R&B set from one of the best blues shouters to come out of Chicago in the last 20 years." The Press of Atlantic City considered it "near close to a perfect R&B record."

Track listing

References

1. Hevrdejs, Judy (12 Jan 1990). "Koko Taylor still serves up sizzling blues". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 2.
2. "Pop Notes". Part II. Newsday. 1 Apr 1990.
3. Snowden, Don (6 Sep 1990). "A Blues Belter Bounces Back from Adversity". Los Angeles Times. p. F3.
4. Goff, Paula H. (21 Apr 1990). "Koko Taylor's Joy Survives Real-Life Blues". The Morning Call. p. A63.
5. "Koko Taylor". Recording Academy. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
6. ^ Widner, Ellis (July 6, 1990). "Music Reviews". Tulsa World. p. 3C.
7. ^ Gettelman, Parry (1 June 1990). "Koko Taylor". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 15.
8. McLeese, Don (April 30, 1990). "The Queen Returns". Features. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 29.
9. ^ Joyce, Mike (1 June 1990). "Taylor's 'Jump for Joy' Is Blues Lovers' Leap". The Washington Post. p. N27.
10. Hamel, Chris (January 18, 1990). "Koko Taylor sings for the love of it". The Republican. Springfield. p. W5.
11. Goldstein, Patrick (8 Apr 1990). "On Deck". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 77.
12. Christensen, Thor (13 Apr 1990). "Brassy Blues". Entertainment. The Milwaukee Journal. p. 1.
13. White, Jim (June 14, 1990). "Koko Taylor's Latest a Tribute to the Blues". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. D9.
14. "Jump for Joy Review by Bill Dahl". AllMusic. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
15. ^ Brennan, Brian (28 June 1990). "Blues Discs". Calgary Herald. p. E3.
16. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 8. MUZE. p. 66.
17. The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings. Penguin Books. 2006. p. 632.
18. Campbell, Rod (17 June 1990). "Blues veteran still in fine form". Edmonton Journal. p. D6.
19. Paul, Alan (22 June 1990). "Koko Taylor Jump for Joy". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 17.
20. Allen, Greg (June 1, 1990). "Perfect Score for Taylor, Comeback for Idol". At the Shore. The Press of Atlantic City. p. 4.

• Koko Taylor albums
• 1990 albums
• Alligator Records albums