LaVern Baker - Jim Dandy

Sexy, sensual, and a dynamite singer, Lavern Baker brought style and substance to her jazzy jump blues material, transforming it to the edge of rock & roll and paving the way for the pop-soul styles of the 1960s. Her best work was on Atlantic Records, the label she signed with in 1953 after first recording as Little Miss Sharecropper for RCA Victor and as Bea Baker for OKeh. Baker was to remain with Atlantic until 1964, and this brief set (it struggles to reach 26 minutes) has most of her hits for the label, including "Jim Dandy," "Tweedlee Dee," "Tra La La," and the stunning "Soul on Fire." It lacks, however, "Must I Cry Again," one of her best-ever tracks. Read More