From the opening sting of Criss Johnson's guitar through the openhearted, deep-soul balladry of "Nothing Takes the Place of You," Force of Nature forces the listener to hear Koko Taylor with fresh ears. Though Taylor has long claimed the title of Queen of the Blues, such coronation seemed more a matter of lack of competition than depth of artistry, a reflection of raw vocal power rather than...

At one time, laying claim to the title Queen of the Blues was of paramount importance to powerhouse singers like Koko Taylor and Etta James, because it translated into financial success, if only within their market niche. Now that they understandably crave wider recognition after their many years of notable work, however, such a designation might well prove a roadblock to success because of the...