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By 1956,'Get
Back' (covered in 1966 by Roy Head) started making an
impression, and while slightly more polished than most songs of
that time, its dance-floor friendly groove was perfectly suited to
an emerging new R&B that was gearing itself to a younger
generation. But no song captured the spirit of those times as
effortlessly as The Walk, which hit the Top 10 in 1958--on
both the pop and R&B charts. The Walk was an
instant sensation that built upon an insatiable appetite for cool
moves, it also transported McCracklin to the national touring
circuit. The follow-ups, Georgia Slop and The Wobble
were stunning action-packed Soul blasters. Upon forming his
own Art-Tone label in Oakland, JM quickly gauged the
shifting musical winds, utilizing his versatile talents to
position himself for future impact. 1961 would herald McCracklin's
re-emergence to prominence, enthralled by the Gospel-tinged and
wittily observant grooves of Just Got
To Know was validating it all. Shame Shame Shame, Advice,
and I'll See It Through explored mature themes,
backed by strong melodies and superior arrangements, making them
gems to tempt the aural palate of any Blues, R&B, and Soul
aficionado. Another productive year was 1965, as both 'Think'
and 'My Answer' became
huge R&B hits, each having been recorded in Houston by
Bobby
'Blue' Bland's
music director Joe Scott. 'Tramp' was written for friend and legend
Lowell Fulson, but when
Otis Redding and
Carla Thomas forged it into a playfully suggestive duet,
it went on to become one of the most unforgettable songs of the
60's.
An essential compilation of McCracklin's releases between 1956
and 1969 is titled The Walk: Jimmy McCracklin at His Best. He's now achieved both survivor and
legend status, with a depth and reach to his music that
approaches that of
Ray
Charles. Over a tenure spanning 7 decades, McCracklin's sides have been released on the most prominent of
R&B labels, such as Modern,
Chess/Checker, Mercury,
Stax, Specialty, Peacock, Imperial,
and Black Top. Other career highlights
include making the first appearance by a black artist on
American Bandstand, receiving the Pioneer Award for
Lifetime Achievement from the R&B Foundation in
1991, and playing every international Blues festival in the world.
- Gary Tate Mp3-
The Walk |
Just Got To Know |
