There’s never been anything subtle about Koko Taylor’s music and her latest is no exception. Taylor again returns to the type of gritty Chicago blues she first recorded in 1963. An even mix between originals and well-chosen covers, Taylor supplies the first two tracks on Old School, “Piece of Man” and “Gonna Buy Me a Mule,” up-tempo songs which feature shouting vocals and a chugging guitar-led band. She also penned “You Ain’t Worth a Good Woman” a mid-tempo effort that is diminished by an overzealous guitar player. Willie Dixon, Taylor’s producer from the Chess days, is a source of material, and her renderings of Dixon’s “Young Fashioned Ways” and “Don’t Go No Further,” are quite satisfying. The same can’t be said for the cover of Magic Sam’s “All Your Love;” Taylor sings it well enough, but the guitar again is way over the top. Listen to the solo on Sam’s original and hear what a great combination emotion and tone can be. Overall, Old School could have benefited from a little less in your face guitar solos but this is mostly quality stuff and a reminder that Chicago blues is alive and well.