Description

 La Vern Baker was the first great female rock star
of the '50s. This anthology of her best work,
recorded between 1953 and 1962, with backing
provided by the cream of New York City session
men, makes a great case for her.
Baker rose to
stardom  when she was signed to the Atlantic label
in 1953; it was there that she finally adopted the
stage name of LaVern Baker. Atlantic, under the
direction of producers and founders Ahmet Ertegun
and Jerry Wexler, had pioneered a distinct
rhythm-and-blues sound favoring sharp, precise
arrangements that nevertheless kept in touch with
the emerging rhythms of the streets. The material
and sound that the label sent Baker's way
showcased her skills perfectly. 


Track
List:
01. Soul On Fire
02. Tomorrow
Night
03. Tweedle Dee
04. That's All I
Need
05. Bop Ting A Ling
06. Play It
Fair
07. Jim Dandy
08. My Happiness
Forever
09. Get Up Get Up (You Sleepy
Head)
10. Sill
11. I Can't Love You
Enough
12. Jim Dandy Got Married
13. I Cried
A Tear
14. Whippersnapper
15. I Waited Too
Long
16. Shake A Hand
17. How Often
18.
You Said
19. Saved
20. CC Rider



Personnel: 
LaVern Baker - vocals

Everett Barksdale - guitar 
Haywood Henry -
flute, baritone saxophone 
Budd Johnson - alto
& baritone saxophones 
Rudy Powell - alto
saxophone 
Plas Johnson - tenor saxophone

Romeo Penque - reeds 
Taft Jordan - trumpet

Urbie Green - trombone 
Ernie Hayes -
piano, organ 
Mike Stoller, Hank Jones - piano

Eddie Costa - vibraphone