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30 Nov 12 - 11:21 AM (#3444838) Subject: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: Cool Beans Guitar pioneer dead at 87. From the NY Times: |
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30 Nov 12 - 11:38 AM (#3444843) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: GUEST NYT Mickey Baker "Mickey Baker, whose prickly, piercing guitar riffs were featured on dozens if not hundreds of recordings and helped propel the evolution of rhythm and blues into rock 'n' roll, died on Tuesday at his home in Montastruc-la-Conseillère, near Toulouse in southwestern France. He was 87. Mickey Baker with Sylvia Vanderpool Robinson. They recorded "Love Is Strange," which sold more than a million copies. The cause was heart and kidney failure, his wife, Marie, said. Mr. Baker is probably best known for a single song, "Love Is Strange," a sexy pop tune that he and Sylvia Vanderpool Robinson recorded in 1956 as Mickey & Sylvia. It sold more than a million copies and reached No. 1 on Billboard's rhythm-and-blues chart and No. 11 on the pop chart..." (Much more via link, above.) ************************** Thanks, Cool Beans. I found this account of his life extremely interesting; well worth reading about this talented musician! |
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30 Nov 12 - 11:41 AM (#3444846) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: GUEST,JohnMcNeill Many will be sad to hear that the author of one of the first books to teach jazz guitar has passed away. |
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30 Nov 12 - 12:45 PM (#3444872) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: GUEST,gillymor Right, I never got to the Solo/Lead part of Mickey's book but I still use those great chords and progressions from the first half. RIP Mickey. |
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30 Nov 12 - 01:09 PM (#3444887) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: fat B****rd I believe he was the 'Ike' voice on "It's gonna work out fine". A fascinating career. RIP Mr. Baker. |
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30 Nov 12 - 01:20 PM (#3444894) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: Mick Pearce (MCP) As a teenager in the late 60s I too took my first steps into those chords with Mickey Baker's Jazz book. RIP. Mick |
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30 Nov 12 - 01:41 PM (#3444904) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: Henry Krinkle He was a real stampeder. =(:-( )) |
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30 Nov 12 - 02:31 PM (#3444941) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: GUEST,Dave Illingworth That is sad news. Amongst his other talents he was a fine, very distinctive, blues player. I particularly like some Champion Jack Dupree sides on which he appears. I will give some blasts of vinyl in tribute to him this weekend. |
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30 Nov 12 - 03:35 PM (#3444965) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: maeve Guest at 30 Nov 12 - 11:38 AM was moi. Mr. Baker has given a great deal to music and musicians. Best wishes to his son and daughter and other family and friends. |
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30 Nov 12 - 07:49 PM (#3445097) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz Remembering Mickey Baker and his instruction book. Thanks Mickey...Rest in Peace...bob |
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30 Nov 12 - 08:10 PM (#3445115) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: catspaw49 And in case you have forgotten or (unbelievably) never heard it.....Love is Strange Thanks Micky Spaw |
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30 Nov 12 - 08:12 PM (#3445117) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: bobad Didn't know Mickey Baker but the song was definitely on the soundtrack of my youth. According to Wikipedia there appears to be some controversy as to it's authorship: "The song was based on a guitar riff by Jody Williams. The co-writers of the song are of some dispute. The song has also been recorded by Buddy Holly and Bo Diddley, among others. The guitar riff was also used by Dave "Baby" Cortez in his 1962 instrumental song "Rinky DinK"," |
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01 Dec 12 - 12:13 PM (#3445301) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: GUEST,Dave Illingworth Also recorded by Everly Brothers and by Lonnie Donegan. Interestingly, on the latter's recording, the line "Love is money in the hand" was changed to "Love is beautiful and grand." An indication of the attitudes of the time in the UK. Obviously they thought the original line might rule out air-play by BBC. |
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01 Dec 12 - 07:29 PM (#3445466) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: GUEST,999 Some good background on the song at http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=10455 |
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02 Dec 12 - 05:41 AM (#3445625) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: GUEST,Dave Illingworth Thanks Guest 999. An interesting link. However one error in it. It says Buddy Holly's version of "Love Is Starnge" was titled "Words Of Love." This was a different song, albeit using the same chord sequence (but this sequence is quite common). Holly did record "Love Is Strange" on another occasion. But this diverts from Mickey Baker (The fun of Mudcat Cafe....). At the moment enjoying Champion Jack Dupree (1955) singing "Failing Health Blues", "Stumbling Block" and "Mail Order Woman" - all with lovely Mickey Baker guitar. |
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02 Dec 12 - 05:46 PM (#3445902) Subject: RE: Obit: Mickey Baker ('Love Is Strange'.) From: Stringsinger He put out the best beginning jazz guitar on the market. Mickey Baker, Book One. |