Jimmy McCracklin 1921-2012
Jimmy McCracklin
Listen/Download Jimmy McCracklin – Dog Pt1
Greetings all
Welcome to the new week.
As we discussed last week, as we marked the passing of both Marva Whitney and Fontella Bass, 2012 proved to be a severe kick in the pants for fans of soul music.
In the space of a week we lost those great singers, and the man who’s song I bring you today, the legendary Jimmy McCracklin.
McCracklin’s name first came onto my radar when the UK band the Inmates had a NY area FM radio hit (circa 1980) with their cover of his 1958 hit ‘The Walk’.
Later on (years after I first heard the record) I realized that McCracklin had co-written Lowell Fulson’s ‘Tramp’, which went on to be a big hit for Otis Redding and Carla Thomas, as well as the template for the Mohawks’ ‘Champ’.
McCracklin – who was born in the midwest but settled in the San Francisco Bay area – made his first record in 1945, but wouldn’t hit the charts until ‘The Walk’. Through the 40s and 50s he recorded for labels like Modern, Irma and Peacock, finally setting up shop with Imperial in 1962.
He waxed the record I bring you today – the very Tramp-like ‘Dog’ in 1967, a year after his last brush with the R&B charts (he had 7 R&B top 40 hits between 1958 and 1966).
As I mentioned, ‘Dog’ follows the ‘Tramp’ lead (with the addition of a female interjecting during the tune), with McCracklin rapping over a funky bass/drum line and a groovy sax solo.
Though the foundation of his sound was the blues, McCracklin was always willing to whip some soul onto the plate as well.
McCracklin continued to record with Imperial/Minit until 1970, but he kept recording for a variety of labels (and touring) into the 1990s.
He will be missed.
Keep the faith
Larry
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Also, the brand new Funky16Corners ‘Keep Calm and Stay Funky’ stickers have arrived!
The stickers are 4″ x 3″ and printed on high quality, glossy stock.
They are $2.00 each, with free shipping in the US ($2.00 per order shipping outside of the US).
Click here to go to the ordering page.
Also, make sure that you check out the links below to the Be The Match Foundation and POAC (click on the logos for more info).
Themocracy
After hearing the sad news and reading your post I immediately went to Amazon and purchased “I Had To Get With It: The Best Of The Imperial & Minit Years”… 24 blues & soul songs by Mr. McCracklin for $10.