Mickey Baker was a guitarist and Sylvia Vanterpool was a singer who was also one of his guitar pupils, and they teamed up to make records as Mickey & Sylvia.
Famous for recording the first hit version of the timeless and much-recorded pop standard Love Is Strange, this substantial set is a comprehensive overview of their output during the primary period of their career.
Baker and Vanterpool released their first record, I’m So Glad, as Mickey & Sylvia on Rainbow Records in 1955. They recorded for the RCA label subsidiary Groove Records in 1956.
While sharing the bill with Bo Diddley at Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., Vanterpool was inspired by his song Love Is Strange. With his blessing, Mickey & Sylvia recorded their own rendition. Their single was released in November 1956. It went on to sell over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.
This 59-track collection comprises most of their A- and B-sides together on the Rainbow, Groove, Vik, RCA and Willow labels and the tracks from their New Sounds LP for Vik. Also included are selected solo singles by Little Sylvia for Jubilee, and duet singles made by Mickey Baker with Kitty Noble as Mickey & Kitty for Atlantic, along with most of the titles from Mickey Baker’s solo album for Atlantic The Wildest Guitar.
It features all their eight career hits in the US pop and R&B charts including the R&B No.1 and pop No.11 Love Is Strange, and the R&B No.8 There Oughta Be A Law.
Love Is Strange was later featured in movies like Dirty Dancing, Badlands and Casino, and was covered many times. The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. They were one of the few boy/girl duos to make an impact in the R&B, rock ‘n’ roll and pop markets during the rock ‘n’ roll era, and occupy an interesting niche in the history of the genre. An entertaining showcase for their distinctive style and talents.
TRACKS
Disc 1 |
|
|
Track |
Title |
Artist |
1 |
Drive Daddy Drive |
Little Sylvia |
2
|
I Found Somebody To Love |
Little Sylvia |
3 |
A Million Tears |
Little Sylvia |
4 |
Don't Blame My Heart |
Little Sylvia |
5 |
Blue Heaven |
Little Sylvia |
6 |
I'm So Glad |
Mickey and Sylvia |
7 |
Se De Boom Run Dun |
Mickey and Sylvia |
8 |
Forever And A Day |
Mickey and Sylvia |
9 |
Rise, Sally, Rise |
Mickey and Sylvia |
10 |
Where Is My Honey |
Mickey and Sylvia |
11 |
Seems Just Like Yesterday |
Mickey and Sylvia |
12 |
No Good Lover |
Mickey and Sylvia |
13 |
Walkin' In The Rain |
Mickey and Sylvia |
14 |
Love Is Strange |
Mickey and Sylvia |
15 |
I'm Going Home |
Mickey and Sylvia |
16 |
There Oughta Be A Law |
Mickey and Sylvia |
17 |
Dearest |
Mickey and Sylvia |
18 |
Two Shadows On Your Window |
Mickey and Sylvia |
19 |
Love Will Make You Fail School |
Mickey and Sylvia |
20 |
Love Is A Treasure |
Mickey and Sylvia |
21 |
Let's Have A Picnic |
Mickey and Sylvia |
22 |
There'll Be No Backin' Out |
Mickey and Sylvia |
23 |
Peace Of Mind |
Mickey and Sylvia |
24 |
Who Knows Why |
Mickey and Sylvia |
25 |
Say The Word |
Mickey and Sylvia |
26 |
Too Much Weight |
Mickey and Sylvia |
27 |
A New Idea On Love |
Mickey and Sylvia |
28 |
I've Got A Feeling |
Mickey and Sylvia |
29 |
Shake It Up |
Mickey and Sylvia |
Disc 2 |
|
|
Track |
Title |
Artist |
1 |
Rock And Stroll Room |
Mickey and Sylvia |
2 |
Bewildered |
Mickey and Sylvia |
3 |
It's You I Love |
Mickey and Sylvia |
4 |
True, True Love |
Mickey and Sylvia |
5 |
Ooh-Sha-Lala |
Mickey and Kitty |
6 |
St. Louis Blues |
Mickey and Kitty |
7 |
My Reverie |
Mickey and Kitty |
8 |
Third Man Theme |
Mickey "Guitar" Baker |
9 |
Whistle Stop |
Mickey Baker |
10 |
Midnight Midnight |
Mickey Baker |
11 |
Autumn Leaves |
Mickey Baker |
12 |
Milk Train |
Mickey Baker |
13 |
Old Devil Moon |
Mickey Baker |
14 |
Chloe |
Mickey Baker |
15 |
Baker's Dozen |
Mickey Baker |
16 |
Gloomy Sunday |
Mickey Baker |
17 |
To The Valley |
Mickey and Sylvia |
18 |
Oh Yeah! Uh-Huh |
Mickey and Sylvia |
19 |
Sweeter As The Days Go By |
Mickey and Sylvia |
20 |
Mommy Out De Light |
Mickey and Sylvia |
21 |
What Would I Do |
Mickey and Sylvia |
22 |
This Is My Story |
Mickey and Sylvia |
23 |
Love Is The Only Thing |
Mickey and Sylvia |
24 |
Love Lesson |
Mickey and Sylvia |
25 |
Baby You're So Fine |
Mickey and Sylvia |
26 |
Lovedrops |
Mickey and Sylvia |
27 |
Darling (I Miss You So) |
Mickey and Sylvia |
28 |
I'm Guilty |
Mickey and Sylvia |
29 |
Since I Fell For You |
Mickey and Sylvia |
30 |
He Gave Me Everything |
Mickey and Sylvia |