Soul on Fire: The Best of LaVern Baker

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Simply put, LaVern Baker, one of the greatest vocalists in Atlantic Records' history, could sing anything, as she proved again and again during a seven-year run of chart hits that began with 1955's "Tweedle Dee" and culminated in 1963's "See See Rider." Her material, supplied by many of the era's greatest songwriters (Leiber-Stoller, Pomus-Shuman, and many others), encouraged her to draw on her gospel and big band backgrounds in exploring the emotional subtext of serious ruminations on life such as "Saved" and the powerful "Soul on Fire." The latter was her first Atlantic single, and on it she used virtually every vocal technique at her command to bring out the slow-burning sensuality of the Ahmet Ertegun-penned gem of erotic longing. Thus was notice served, and, in the glorious years that followed, Baker cut a swath wide enough that her name and label-mate Ruth Brown's were spoken in the same reverent terms, sotto voce. The 20 tracks here remain as vital today as they were indispensable to the music's evolution in her own time. --David McGee

Tracks:

Soul On Fire
Tomorrow Night
Tweedle Dee
That's All I Need
Bop-Ting-A-Ling
Play It Fair
Jim Dandy
My Happiness Forever
Get Up, Get Up (You Sleepy Head)
Still
I Can't Love You Enough
Jim Dandy Got Married
I Cried A Tear
Whipper Snapper
I Waited Too Long
Shake A Hand
How Often
You Said
Saved
See See Rider

Amazon.com

Simply put, LaVern Baker, one of the greatest vocalists in Atlantic Records' history, could sing anything, as she proved again and again during a seven-year run of chart hits that began with 1955's "Tweedle Dee" and culminated in 1963's "See See Rider." Her material, supplied by many of the era's greatest songwriters (Leiber-Stoller, Pomus-Shuman, and many others), encouraged her to draw on her gospel and big band backgrounds in exploring the emotional subtext of serious ruminations on life such as "Saved" and the powerful "Soul on Fire." The latter was her first Atlantic single, and on it she used virtually every vocal technique at her command to bring out the slow-burning sensuality of the Ahmet Ertegun-penned gem of erotic longing. Thus was notice served, and, in the glorious years that followed, Baker cut a swath wide enough that her name and label-mate Ruth Brown's were spoken in the same reverent terms, sotto voce. The 20 tracks here remain as vital today as they were indispensable to the music's evolution in her own time. --David McGee

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful LaVern.......2007-05-27

Not only was she great in every way these other reviews say, she was a very beautiful lady on the outside and inside. The only place I had to hear her when I was a teenager was at a mainly "blacks" cafe on the "down" end of the town I grew up in. There were no "black" radio stations then in my hometown. My closest friend and I could sometimes get a far off radio station that played this kind of music, but we'd slip off and go to this cafe (Miles' Cafe) after high school let out. I can't remember what we used as an excuse as to why we were late getting home from school. (Parents cared in those days, but would not have approved of our going in to "that" cafe.) I'm so glad I ran across this album on Amazon. Well, Amazon actually recommended it to me. Thanks Amazon. I remember most of these songs. Oh, I graduated from high school in 1957.

Lavern Baker - Absolutely Awesome!!!.......2006-03-10

I thought I would never get to hear "My Happiness" or "Shake A Hand" again, but was thrilled when I found them. This CD is one of my most prized possessions! It's totally awesome!

She sings of love like she's been there.......2006-03-08

With a soul inspired by love how can She go wrong? I should have said "She'll never be out of love", becuase it's obvious to me She's in love with the Lord of Lords. And Atlantic found her popularity was in her style. Her lyrics told of the king of kings without coming accross as a hymn. A lifestyle that's in "shake a hand" Is in my opinion inspired from Jesus' teachings, and comes accross as love thy neighbor. So with great enthusiasm she sings of her feelings for God and many are fooled in thinking she sings this way of men. A spirit so inspired is rare in music, and even more so if only men have made her feel this way.

soul on fire !!.......2004-08-21

one of rhythm n' blues most treasured singers !!go on jim dandy !!in dover pa.

My Soul Unearthed.......2004-01-25

My youngest memories of music as a kid were of LaVern Baker. My Dad played her albums at every party he threw (and he threw quite a few). I liked it then, but haven't listened to her music in well over 20 years now. I purchased this album to remember my Dad's music.

The best surprise was mine to enjoy--not only did I reconnect all of my memories, I gained a true appreciation of what a wonderful treasure LaVern Baker was. My goodness. Between LaVern Baker and Fats Domino, do you need anything else to remember those years?

There is not a single bad song on this album. Every song she sings is emminently enjoyable. But it--you won't regret it.

Music:

Music

Music