LaVern Baker – Batman to the Rescue

By , November 20, 2011 2:00 pm

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Miss LaVern Baker

 

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Listen/Download – LaVern Baker – Batman to the Rescue

Greetings all.

I hope the new week finds you all in a groovy place.

I should take this opportunity to thank you all for your kind words during our family’s difficult time.

The good news is that the first leg of my wife’s treatment is nearing its end, leaving her a little stronger and ready to face what lies ahead.

This has been huge physical and psychological challenge for her, and the prospect of at least returning home until the next round of treatments is a pleasant one. This fight is likely to go on for some time, but it is one that we are all committed to winning, so keep sending those good vibes.

It means a lot.

I don’t recall where I first heard LaVern Baker’s ‘Batman to the Rescue’ but I do know that it was one of those ‘holy shit I have to find that record’ moments, followed (as these often are) with one of those ‘Holy shit that 45’s expensive!’ moments.

I’m not only a soul and funk fan, but also a devotee of the Batman TV show (preferring the pop art vibe to the later grim take on the character).

An in-demand mod soul classic ‘Batman To the Rescue’ is in reality a thinly disguised remake of Baker’s 1956 R&B hit ‘Jim Dandy’.

It’s a killer not only for the Batman connection, but as a great example of what a powerful singer Baker was. It’s a gas listening to her turn ‘rooftop’ into ‘roof-uh-top-uh!’ (not to mention ‘BIFF BAM SOCK POW WOOO!’) and the instrumental backing (heavy on the organ) is great.

Baker was a powerful singer who got her start in the R&B era (with hits like ‘Tweedlee Dee’) and was (like Ray Charles) an important transitional figure in the birth of soul.

She recorded for Atlantic between 1953 and 1965, moving to Brunswick from 1965 to 1968 where she recorded ‘Batman to the Rescue’.

By the time ‘Batman to the Rescue’ came out in 1966 – during the Batman craze of the time – Baker’s hit-making days (though clearly not her amazing voice) were behind her.

By the end of the 60s she had survived a serious illness, relocated to the Philippines and for the next two decades ran an NCO club on the US base at Subic Bay.

She returned to the US –  and showbiz –  in the late 80s, eventually appearing on Broadway and on the festival circuit, before her death in 1997.

I hope you dig the tune, and if you’re not familiar with her earlier stuff, make a point to check it out.
See you later in the week.

 

Peace

Larry

 

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Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

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3 Responses to “LaVern Baker – Batman to the Rescue”

  1. Moammar says:

    Glad to hear she’ll be back home. Y’all keep on keepin’ on.

  2. ShanGadge says:

    Best wishes to you and yours Larry – glad to hear your wife is home. I’ve been through something a little similar, in needing to help my mother-in-law through a bout with cancer, while supporting my profoundly autistic sister-in-law. (I don’t want to overstate my part in this – it was really about being strong for my wife under those circumstances). Getting to my point, something which helped me through it was a song I first heard through your blog – Mary Ann Hooper’s “I’ve Got Reasons” – Guess I needs to be that guy I thought (giant of a shoulder to lean on etc). So, thanks (belatedly) and sincere wishes that it all works out for you all. Cheers Mick, UK

  3. Shona says:

    Very cool track! While it’s not soul, but poppy big-band garage, I just simply love the “Batman Theme” album by the Markettes.

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