Mickey Baker

Mac Houston Baker

b. October 15th, 1925 in Louisville (Kentucky)

d. November 27th, 2012 in Montastruc la Conseill�re (France)

IN THE 50'S : HIT, GIT & SPLIT

Rev-Ola

August 1952 - December 1956

Son enfance fut difficile. A 11 ans, il est plac� dans un orphelinat dont il s'�chappe r�guli�rement. A 16 ans, Mickey arrive � New York et exerce de nombreux petits boulots. Mais, attir� par la musique, il se met � la guitare qu'il apprend en autodidacte. Sa carri�re professionnelle d�marre � la fin des ann�es 40. Superbe guitariste � la technique �bouriffante, il est le sideman r�gulier de nombreuses s�ances jazz, blues, rhythm & blues derri�re Louis Jordan, Ivory Joe Hunter, Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, Sammy Price, Brownie Mac Ghee & Sonny Terry, Tiny Kennedy, Little Willie John, Champion Jack Dupree, Big Joe Turner, The Drifters. En parrall�le de cette activit� de musicien de studio, il forme avec la chanteuse-guitariste Sylvia Vanderpool, le c�l�bre duo Mickey & Sylvia qui remportera de nombreux succ�s au cours des ann�es 50 (et notamment "Love is strange"). Ce CD propos� par Rev-Ola offre un panorama convaincant du travail de Mickey Baker dans la premi�re partie de sa carri�re, en tant qu'accompagnateur et en tant que leader. Entre Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz et Blues, on retrouve ici la grande diversit� de son talent � la guitare : "Bandstand stomp", "Riverboat", "Shake walkin'", "Greasy spoon". Ses titres les plus blues de la p�riode pourraient �tre ceux r�alis�s aux c�t�s de Larry Dale : "You better heed my warning", "Midnight hours". Attention, ce CD a environ la moiti� des titres en commun avec le CD "Rock with a sock".

His childhood was difficult. At 11, he is placed in an orphanage where he escapes regularly. At 16, Mickey arrives in New York and has many small jobs. But, attracted by music, he starts with the guitar (he is self-taught). His professional career started in the late 40's. Superb guitarist with breathtaking technique, he is the regular sideman of many jazz, blues, rhythm & blues sessions behind Louis Jordan, Ivory Joe Hunter, Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, Sammy Price, Brownie Mac Ghee & Sonny Terry, Tiny Kennedy, Little Willie John, Champion Jack Dupree, Big Joe Turner, The Drifters. In parallel to his sideman activities, he formed with guitarist-singer Sylvia Vanderpool, the famous duo Mickey & Sylvia who won many successes in the 50's (including "Love is strange"). This CD proposed by Rev-Ola offers a compelling overview of Mickey Baker's work in the first part of his career as a sideman and as a leader. Between Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz and Blues, we find here the great diversity of his talent on guitar : "Bandstand stomp", "Riverboat", "Shake walkin'", "Greasy spoon". His most blues songs of the period could be those realized alongside Larry Dale : "You better heed my warning", "Midnight hours". Be careful, this CD has half of its titles in common with "Rock with a sock" CD.

ROCK WITH A SOCK

Bear Family

August 1952 - October 1958

Ce CD reprend les s�ances de Mickey Baker en tant que leader pour diff�rents labels comme Savoy, Rainbow, Groove, Vik. Ce recueil met bien en lumi�re la virtuosit� et surtout la versatilit� de ce guitariste. Capable de jouer du Blues aussi bien que du Jazz, Mambo, Doo-Wop, il sait s'adapter � n'importe quel style. Plusieurs titres sont notables en particulier la s�rie Blues "Down to the bottom", "You better heed my warning", "Midnight hours", "Please tell me". Il y a aussi le dansant "Rock with a sock" (et le saxophone de Warren Luckey). En guise de bonus, on trouve � la fin du CD quelques morceaux de son duo Mickey & Sylvia. Attention, ce CD a environ la moiti� des titres en commun avec le CD "In the 50's : Hit, git & split".

This CD includes the sessions of Mickey Baker as a leader for various labels such as Savoy, Rainbow, Groove, Vik. This collection brings into light the virtuosity and especially the versatility of his guitar. Capable of playing Blues as well as Jazz, Mambo, Doo-Wop, he can adapt himself to any style. Several titles are notable especially his Blues series "Down to the bottom", "You better heed my warning", "Midnight hours", "Please tell me". There is also the dancing "Rock with a sock" (and Warren Luckey's saxophone). As a bonus, we find at the end of the CD a few tracks of Mickey & Sylvia duet. Be careful, this CD has half of its titles in common with "In the 50's : Hit, git & split" CD.

THE WILDEST GUITAR

Atlantic

Sepiatone

April - June 1959

Voici un exercice de style assez �tonnant dans lequel Mickey fait la d�monstration de sa remarquable dext�rit� � la guitare dans diff�rents styles entre Rock & Roll et Rhythm & Blues. En outre, il s'agit d'un album tout instrumental (Baker signe �galement les arrangements). Ses musiciens assurent parfaitement le tempo : Everett Barksdale (seconde guitare), Herman Foster (piano), Junior Lewis (basse), Abie Baker (basse), Belton Evans (batterie), Sticks Evans (batterie). Il faut reconnaitre qu'il y a peu de blues dans ce disque mais les amateurs de Mickey Baker et de sa guitare devraient l'�couter.

Here is an astonishing exercise in which Mickey is demonstrating his remarkable dexterity with the guitar in different styles from Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues. In addition, it is an all instrumental album (Baker also signs arrangements). Musicians provide the perfect tempo : Everett Barksdale (second guitar), Herman Foster (piano), Junior Lewis (bass), Abie Baker (bass), Belton Evans (drums), Sticks Evans (drums). We must recognize that there is little blues in this record but fans of Mickey Baker and his guitar should listen it.

BUT WILD

King

Vivid Sound

1963

BLUESINGLY YOURS

Polydor

Universal

April 1967

D�s son arriv�e en France en 1962, Mickey travaille avec de nombreux artistes. Parmi ceux-ci, son ami Memphis Slim figure en bonne place. Le LP partageait la vedette entre Slim et Baker. Mais, la version CD ne conserve que Memphis Slim (c'est vrai, au demeurant, qu'il occupe souvent la position de leader). Quoiqu'il en soit, on entend vraiment ici Mickey Baker dans un contexte purement blues (les deux bluesmen sont accompagn�s de musiciens fran�ais). Un album souvent int�ressant avec quelques morceaux qui m�ritent d'�tre �cout�s attentivement : "People people", "Waiting game", "Feeling the blues", "My dog is mean". Slim et Baker ont collabor� aussi sur le LP "Clap your hands" cr�dit� uniquement � Memphis Slim.

Upon his arrival in France in 1962, Mickey worked with many artists. Among them, his friend Memphis Slim stands prominently. The LP shared credits between Slim and Baker. But the CD version just keeps Memphis Slim on the cover (after all, he often occupies the leading position). Anyway, we really hear here Mickey Baker in a purely blues context (both bluesmen are accompanied by french musicians). An often interesting album with a few tracks that deserve to be listened carefully : "People people", "Waiting game", "Feeling the blues", "My dog is mean". Slim and Baker also collaborated on the LP "Clap your hands" credited only to Memphis Slim.

NIGHT & DAY

Chappell

1969

MICKEY BAKER IN BLUNDERLAND

Major Minor

1970

TAKE A LOOK INSIDE

Barclay

Polydor

Universal

January 1971

Album exp�rimental (d�crit comme tel dans le livret) entre pop-rock psych�d�lique et funk grav� � Londres avec des musiciens aussi diff�rents que Chris Spedding, Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuels, Conrad Isidore, Rocky "Dijon" Dzidzornu et un choeur f�minin. Rien ne fonctionne vraiment dans ces orchestrations alambiqu�es : tout le monde semble jouer sans se soucier d'une quelconque coh�sion. Un disque indigne du talent de Mickey Baker.

Experimental album (described as such in the booklet) between psychedelic pop-rock and funk cut in London with musicians as diverse as Chris Spedding, Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuels, Conrad Isidore, Rocky "Dijon" Dzidzornu and a female choir. Nothing really works in these elaborate orchestrations : everyone seems to play without regardless of any cohesion. A record unworthy of Mickey Baker's talents.

TAKE A LOOK INSIDE

Big Bear

January - March 1973

Il ne faut pas le confondre avec le disque pr�c�dent qui poss�de le m�me nom et qui est aussi enregistr� � Londres. Ici, le son est un peu plus blues. Mickey re�oit l'aide du pianiste-harmoniciste Willie Mabon mais, malgr� cela, l'ensemble reste insipide et ennuyeux.

It should not be confused with the previous record that has the same name and which is also recorded in London. Here, the sound is a little more bluesy. Mickey receives help of the piano-harmonica player Willie Mabon but despite this, the whole remains tasteless and boring.

MISSISSIPPI DELTA DUES

Barclay

Verve

Universal

April 1973

Accompagn� par Stefan Grossman, le percussionniste Ray Cooper et surtout le London Strings Orchestra. Avec cette orchestration surprenante, Mickey Baker reprend quelques standards du blues avec un son un peu particulier. Malheureusement, l'ensemble reste peu convaincant sauf sur quelques pistes plus abouties comme "Terraplane blues" ou "Trouble is a woman".

Accompanied by Stefan Grossman, percussionist Ray Cooper and particularly the London Strings Orchestra. With this surprising orchestration, Mickey Baker covers some blues standard with a very special sound. Unfortunately, the whole disc remains unconvincing except few most interesting tracks like "Terraplane blues" or "Trouble is a woman".

THE MONTREUX BLUES FESTIVAL

Barclay

THE REAL FOLK BLUES

Universal

June 1973

Mickey est seul avec sa guitare sur la sc�ne du festival de Montreux. Une performance donc totalement acoustique plut�t sympathique mais sans grand relief. Souvent in�gal, le disque rec�le toutefois quelques bons moments : "Digging my potatoes", "Whoa back buck", "Trouble is a woman".

Mickey is alone with his guitar on Montreux Festival stage. So, this is a completely acoustic performance rather nice but sometimes flat. Often uneven, however, the disc contains some good moments : "Digging my potatoes", "Whoa back buck", "Trouble is a woman".

THE BLUES IN ME

Black & Blue

December 1973 / May 1974 / May 1976

Quelques belles s�ances fran�aises dont la premi�re, datant de d�cembre 1973, est la plus aboutie. Sur celle-ci, Mickey est accompagn� de Jimmy Rogers, Louis & Dave Myers, Fred Below. Plusieurs morceaux m�ritent une �coute attentive : "My playhouse", "Hey little girl", "Blues after hours" (une reprise de "Pee Wee" Crayton). A noter que les titres provenant des sessions de 1974 et 1976 me semblent l�g�rement moins int�ressants. N�anmoins, il s'agit clairement du meilleur disque de blues de Mickey Baker.

Some beautiful french sessions in which the first, dated december 1973, is the most achieved. On it, Mickey is joined by Jimmy Rogers, Louis & Dave Myers, Fred Below. Several tracks deserve careful listening : "My playhouse", "Hey little girl", "Blues after hours" (a cover of "Pee Wee" Crayton). Note that titles from the 1974 and 1976 sessions seem slightly less interesting. However, this is clearly the best blues album by Mickey Baker.

TALES FROM THE UNDERDOG

Artist

July 1975

UP ON THE HILL

Roots

1975

De passage en Autriche, Mickey Baker tente de concilier Blues, Jazz et Country ("Up on the hill" est une reprise d'Hank Ballard). Parfait � la guitare comme d'habitude, il se montre, en revanche, assez m�diocre au chant. "Going down slow" et "See see rider" s'av�rent plut�t convaicants mais le reste des morceaux demeure globalement assez impersonnel.

While in Austria, Mickey Baker tries to mix Blues, Jazz and Country ("Up on the hill" is a cover of Hank Ballard). Perfect on guitar as usual, he however shows himself feeble on vocals. "Going down slow" and "See see rider" seem rather convincing but the rest of the songs remains generally quite impersonal.

HOMMAGE A HUGUES PANASSIE

Flame

January 1976

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A JAZZ AND BLUES DIGEST

Disques Office

January 1976

BLUES & JAZZ GUITAR

Kicking Mule

BLUES, JAZZ & ROCK GUITAR

Shanachie

1976

Malgr� le titre, il n'y a pas beaucoup de jazz ici. Il s'agit plut�t d'un style folk-blues jou� en fingerpicking. Quelques morceaux peuvent plaire comme "The town's East End" ou "Belzona blues" tandis que d'autres paraissent franchement ennuyeux. Le LP est �dit� chez Kicking Mule (le label fond� par Stefan Grossman et Ed Denson). La r��dition en CD de Shanachie est une compilation de ses deux disques pour Kicking Mule.

Despite the title, there is not a lot of jazz here. It's more of a fingerpicked folk-blues style. Some pieces can please like "The town's East End" or "Belzona blues" while others seem downright annoying. The LP is published by Kicking Mule (the label founded by Stefan Grossman and Ed Denson). The Shanachie CD reissue is a compilation of his two discs for Kicking Mule.

JAZZ - ROCK GUITAR

Kicking Mule

BLUES, JAZZ & ROCK GUITAR

Shanachie

1978

Deuxi�me disque chez Kicking Mule dans une ambiance plus jazz-funk dans lequel il expose, une fois encore, sa virtuosit� � la guitare. Mickey est accompagn� par Alex Sanders (basse) et Martin Drew (batterie). Un disque agr�able enti�rement instrumental duquel on peut citer "Alexander's funk time", "Ougadougou", "Pop off", "Wag your tail". La r��dition en CD de Shanachie est une compilation de ses deux disques pour Kicking Mule.

Second album for Kicking Mule in a more jazz-funk atmosphere in which he exposes, once again, his virtuosity on the guitar. Mickey is joined by Alex Sanders (bass) and Drew Martin (drums). An entirely instrumental disc in which we can point out "Alexander's funk time", "Ouagadougou", "Pop off", "Wag your tail". The Shanachie CD reissue is a compilation of his two discs for Kicking Mule.

SWEET HARMONY

Bellaphon

1980

Dans ce curieux album, Mickey Baker tente de fusionner plusieurs styles Pop, Blues et Funk avec un r�sultat pour le moins d�concertant. Il s'agit d'une sorte d'exp�rimentation qui passe d'un style � l'autre de mani�re abrupte. Accompagn� d'Alex Sanders (basse) et Vic Pitts (batterie), Mickey assure le chant et la guitare.

In this curious album, Mickey Baker tries to merge Pop, Blues and Funk styles with a result for the least disconcerting. This is a kind of experiment passing from one style to another abruptly. Accompanied by Alex Sanders (bass) and Vic Pitts (drums), Mickey ensures singing and guitar.

BACK TO THE BLUES

Blue Silver

1981

Ce LP est grav� au Hot-Club de France en 1981 (selon les notes de pochette) ou en 1986 (selon la Blues Discography). Mickey est seul sur sc�ne avec sa guitare et joue ses blues avec inspiration. Une sympathique prestation en public o� on l'entend parler fran�ais (il vit en France depuis 1962).

This LP is captured at the Hot Club of France in 1981 (according to the liner notes) or in 1986 (according to Blues Discography). Mickey is alone on stage with his guitar and plays blues with full inspiration. A nice public performance where we can hear him speak french (he lived in France since 1962).

JAZZ BLUES ROCK

Memories

January 1984

J'ai volontairement omis ses disques Mickey & Sylvia, Mickey & Kitty ainsi que ses albums bossa-nova.

I have deliberately omitted his albums as Mickey & Sylvia, Mickey & Kitty and his bossa-nova albums.