Any song with a growling tenor sax will grab my attention. “Jim Dandy” by LaVern Baker (1929-1997) fits the category. It was written by Lincoln Chase (1926-1980) and first recorded by Ms. Baker in 1956. It topped the R&B charts that years and got all the way up to #17 on the pop charts in the U.S.
Chase also wrote “Such A Night,” recorded by Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters, and Elvis, among others, and “The Name Game” recorded by Shirley Ellis. Along with “Jim Dandy,” LaVern Baker had hits with “Tweedle Dee” (1955) and “I Cried a Tear” (1958).
That tenor sax solo on “Jim Dandy” is by Sam “the Man” Taylor (1916-1990). In his long career he worked with a number of jazz and blues heavyweights including Scatman Crothers, Cootie Williams, Lucky Millinder, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Buddy Johnson, Louis Jordan, and Big Joe Turner.
“Jim Dandy” was released as a single on the Atlantic label with the song actually credited to LaVern Baker and the Gliders. The Gliders were the Atlantic in-house backing group called at the time the Cues, consisting of Abel DeCosta, Ollie Jones, Edward Barnes, and Winfield Scott.
For those who love lists, “Jim Dandy” was named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, and was ranked #352 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Not high art, but it did shape rock and roll, like the list says.
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Jim Dandy to the rescue!
Go, Jim Dandy! Go, Jim Dandy!