Featured Artist: Margie Baker
CD Title: Live At The Bach Dancing And Dynamite Society
Year: 2005
Record Label: Consolidated Artists Productions
Style: Jazz Vocals
Musicians: Margie Baker (vocals); Rodney Jones (guitar); Alan Steger (piano on disc 1, synthesizer on disc 2); Shota Osabe (piano on disc 2, synthesizer on disc 1); Fred Berry (trumpet); Michael O'Neill (saxophone); Harley White (bass); Omar Clay (drums).
Review: Margie Baker probably won't win a Grammy but she will certainly win your heart. The 68 year-old singer waited more than 20 years to cut her first record. She made it a big one! Live At The Bach Dancing And Dynamite Society is a double-disc jammed with twenty swinging numbers.
Born in Texas, Baker moved to San Francisco as a child during the Second World War. After a lifetime teaching within the San Francisco school system, she retired to her second love, entertainment. Baker holds a PhD in education.
Twenty-plus years ago, Margie Baker was asked to sit in for a couple of songs at the San Francisco Hilton where her friend, George Hanepin was playing. As it happened, Conrad and Baron Hilton were in the audience and hired the singer. That gig ran for 20 years during the summer months.
Margie Baker is totally magnetic and would put a grin on a grizzly bear! She grabs the audience by the heartstrings, dragging them happily through almost two dozen swinging and melancholy songs. Her amusing chatter with the musicians is charming and her enthusiasm is contagious. Baker digs deep for some songs like Nellie Lutcher's "He's A Real Gone Guy" and Bird's "Parker's Mood." The majority of her repertoire is safely drawn from the top of the heap with gems like "Don't Get Around Much Anymore", "Midnight Sun", "Goin' To Chicago" and more. Baker pays tribute to some of her favorite singers including Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan.
The veteran vocalist is surrounded by a great little band featuring some strong soloists like Michael O'Neill, trumpeter Fred Berry, the two pianists Alan Steger and Shota Osabe. Guitarist Rodney Jones is actually Margie Baker's son. Her sister-in-law is none other than Maxjazz vocalist Mary Stallings.
Dr. Margie Baker is a warm, energetic and compelling songstress. Live At The Bach Dancing And Dynamite Society is pure fun and you'll never have to hide your smile.
Tracks: Let The Good Times Roll; Midnight Sun; Gimme' A Pigfoot; Close Your Eyes; Miss Otis Regrets; They Long To Be Close To You; Goin' To Chicago; Cry Me A River; It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing; Favela; Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby; One For My Baby; Baby Whatcha' Want Me To Do; Don't Get Around Much Any More; Baby Won't You Please Come Home; I'm Drinkin' Again; Alright, OK, You Win; Parker's Mood; Real Gone Guy; Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away; Oh Happy Day.
Record Label Website: http://www.jazzbeat.com
Reviewed by: Richard Bourcier
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