Chet Baker question.

Off the web at THIS site:

Chet Baker Discography

Title: Chet Baker In Europe
Label: Philology w49-2
Original LP issue:
Number of Tunes:10
Recording Date(s):
September 20,1955 Grosser Saal Des Kurfurstlichen Schlosses Mainz Germany
December 11,1955 Copenhagen Denmark

Personnel:Chet Baker (tp)Dick Twardzik(p)Jimmy Bond(b)Peter Littman(d)
Rolf Schneebiegl(tp)
Chet Baker(tp)Jean Louis Chautemps(ts)Ralph Schecroun(p)Eddie De Haas(b)
Charles Saudrais(d)

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September 20,1955
Walkin 7.50
Indian Summer 8.25
All The Things You Are 9.45
December 11,1955
Cta 6.59
Cheryl 9.17
Darn That dream 4.50
Chekeetah 8.57
Four 8.41
Exitus 1.25

I have a few "Chet's" from this period where his playing is marvellous. Trouble is he decides to sing instead quite a bit which is not a great attraction, though it is in tune.

regards
Geoff

As a very very limited amount of jazz in my collection. Kind of Blue, Sketches of Spain and erm..................., actually i think thats about it. The little i've heard of Chet Baker tickles my music palate( jeez that sounds corny)..... but where should I start. Would appreciate some expert advice.

Thanks

Diccus

I love 'lets get lost'. This album redefines the definition of sad!

I'd go for early Chet Baker on Pacific Jazz, before his teeth were punched out by his connection.....

I have this one, which is one of the best he made IMO.


This is what one commentater said:
"Although always recognized as a trumpeter with unsurpassed lyrical qualities, Chet Baker had many ups and downs in his long career. Chet has a strong basic concept and, quite importantly, one of those casually put together all-star lineups that the jazz scene of those days made possible: Bill Evans, Kenny Burrell, Herbie Mann, Pepper Adams, Paul Chambers, Connie Kay, Philly Joe Jones."

In all honesty Chet was not a great jazz improviser IMO. He had a beautiful tone and clean expression but as on this album it is the strong support from the other members in his bands that made it as good as it is.

regards
Geoff

I, too, recommend Let's Get Lost, his all vocal album. A masterpiece of playing and emotion. Great Bud Powell influenced Russ Freeman, on piano. I'd also agree that the proper place to start is at the beginning. Since his Capitol era stuff, the quartets with Russ Freeman and the Gerry Mulligan original pianoless quartet are hard to find, I'd go with his Pacific Jazz stuff. I think his Prestige stuff is underrated. I very much like his In New York, with Miles Davis' rhythm section, Chet and Stairway to the stars.

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE5...l=11:rxkvikb6bbf9~T2

Thanks folks, brilliant advice as ever. I'll get my order in for Let's get lost.

Is this one on Pacific ok? - Chet Baker Sings and Plays with Bud Shank, Russ Freeman & Strings


Cheers

Richard

Another Chet Baker record I like is Chet Baker in Paris on Dryfuss/Verve (or Gitanes--iI forget which)--- French sessions originaly released I think on Barclay from about '55. Very nice stuff indeed and a beautifully packaged recent reissue/remaster. Just so you know, folks weren't kidding when they said Let's Get Lost is sad---more like morose. I agree, however, it is very good.....Baker was a great lyrical player, that's for sure.

Chet Baker Sings and Plays appears to be a composite of Let's Get Lost and a couple of studio tracks available on a fuller cd rounding out the disc. Allmusic.com gave it five stars even though Let's Get Lost is, for me, the greater value with, I think, all 20 of his studio vocals. I've never seen a collection of his early vocals that didn't duplicate selections from that disc.

I agree with the recommendation of the Barclay/ Verve session with Dick Twardzik. Wonderful blowing, great sound.

I am also fond of his With Strings on Columbia. The master was lost so they remastered a near mint vinyl copy from Princess Margaret's collection. And I enjoy his Baker's Holiday, an album of Billie Holiday tunes, on Mercury Limelight. Allmusic gives it three stars but it's much better than that. I give it four and a half. Minus half a star for only having 39 minutes.

The stuff with Mulligan, the original pianoless quartet, reissued on Mosaic is brilliant if you can find it as is Baker's also o.o.p. and equally fine studio and live quartet Mosaic reissues featuring the great Bud Freeman on piano. Happily, there's some Mulligan/Baker reunions in the mid '50s that are great. I think legendary bassist Henry Grimes in on some of them.

Speaking of vocals, there's a drop dead wonderful cd of Baker and Mulligan backing singer Annie Ross on Blue Note.

RCA recently reissued his sextet session Chet is Back in great sound. A superb hard bop session featuring Belgian saxman Bobby Jaspar and guitarist, compatriot Rene Thomas. They round out the side with four pop tunes Baker sings in phonetic Italian, orchestrated by Ennio Morricone. Once again, allmusic gives it three stars though it's *much* better than that. I give it five stars even with the pop tunes.

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE5...l=11:72d7gj4rj6ib~T2

diccus,

geoffp's reccomendation is highly seconded!
CHET is one of the best jazz albums i have...

+christian

Sorry but I can't handle his singing. It must be one of these things you either love or hate and frankly it gives me the creeps.
I like the stuff with Art Pepper, another guy who's well worth checking out

My Funny Valentine (Pacific Jazz) is a great compilation of the '50s stuff. Features "Let's Get Lost" & others

Thanks again

Right i've ordered Let's get lost, My funny Valentine and Kenny Burrell's remastered Midnight Blue which I liked from the sound of the few samples I heard.

Couldnt find CHET, was that only on vinyl or was i not looking hard enough. I only tend to buy from Amazon (england) or Play.com. Other recommended dealers might help the search.

Thats my jazz collection up to 5!

If i like this lot i'll be back bending your ears for other jazz tips.

You might try some Art Pepper next. A west coast alto player who came up about the same time as Chet Baker(who also shared Baker's voracious appetite for heroin). Just a fantastic, very original player. Try Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section on Fantasy/Contemporary. I'm pretty sure they have issued it in 20-bit remastering. Good luck exploring jazz--the possibilities are endless

quote:

Try Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section on Fantasy/Contemporary.

Had a listen. It sounds absolutely class.

Cheers Oldnslow and also Bhazen,jcs-smith,blackforest, sigmund, simon matthews and GeoffP

Diccus

Oh heck just found CHET aswell. The cover so fits the album, which just from the samples sounds absolutely gorgeous................ I can see i'm heading in the right direction............. This sounds good too, am i far from the mark. Live at Carnegie Hall - Thelonius Monk Quartet with John Coltrane

Diccus

quote:

This sounds good too, am i far from the mark. Live at Carnegie Hall - Thelonius Monk Quartet with John Coltrane

Diccus...youre now ready for Charlie Mingus -Try "Mingus Ah Hum"

You also qualify to listen to anything by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Cannon Ball Adderley, Charlie "Bird" parker, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster or Bill Evans to mention but a few.

If you still have any money left come back for some more

regards
Geoff

Can I have a badge please?

OOh heck and now i've listened to
Mingus Ah Um [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] and it is stunning
This is starting to get expensive!

and this too.

Yup, great jazz is addicting--fortunately it is an addiction far less debilitating than the ones most of these great players indulged in....it just hurts your wallet! If you liked the wonderful Coltrane/Monk Carnegie Hall recording, I think you may wish to get one of the all time modern jazz live bebop recordings, "Jazz at Massey Hall" with Charlie Parker , Dizzy Gillespie and Bud Powell, issued on Fantasy/OJC.