Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker - Carnegie Hall Concert (SBM 24kt Gold) (1974)

Gerry Mulligan & Chet Baker - Carnegie Hall Concert (1974)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 660MB

EPIC | SBM 24kt Gold

Allmusic:
At this 1974 concert baritonist Gerry Mulligan and trumpeter Chet Baker had one of their very rare reunions; it would be only the second and final time that they recorded together after Mulligan's original quartet broke up in 1953. Oddly enough, a fairly contemporary rhythm section was used (keyboardist Bob James, vibraphonist Dave Samuels, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Harvey Mason, and in one of his first recordings, guitarist John Scofield). However, some of the old magic was still there between the horns, and in addition to two of Mulligan's newer tunes, this set (the first of two volumes) also includes fresh versions of "Line for Lyons" and "My Funny Valentine."

Tracks
-1. "Line For Lyons" 8:16
-2. "Margarine" 6:00
-3. "For An Unfinished Woman" 8:52
-4. "My Funny Valentine" 8:43
-5. "Song For Strayhorn" 9:42
-6. "It's Sandy At The Beach" 9:39
-7. "K-4 Pacific" 11:46
-8. "There Will Never Be Another You" 6:53
-9. "Bernie's Tune" 7:55

Personnel:
Baritone Saxophone - Gerry Mulligan
Bass - Ron Carter
Drums - Harvey Mason
Guitar - John Scofield
Piano, Electric Piano - Bob James
Trombone - Ed Byrne
Trumpet - Chet Baker
Vibraphone, Percussion - Dave Samuels

sample & buy: Carnegie Hall Concert

Chet Baker - The Chet Baker Quartet Featuring Russ Freeman (1953) (20-bit SBM)

Chet Baker - The Chet Baker Quartet Featuring Russ Freeman (1953)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 370MB

Pacific Jazz | 20-bit SBM

AMG:
Chet Baker Quartet Featuring Russ Freeman (1998) is a perfect studio companion to the Mosaic Records set Complete Pacific Jazz Live Recordings of Chet Baker With Russ Freeman (1988). As was the custom for jazz platters of the time, both Baker and Freeman are joined by a different combo on each date. The luminaries include Bobby Whitlock (bass), Joe Mondragon (bass), Bobby White (bass), Larry Bunker (drums) and Shelly Manne (drums) from sessions held circa July and October of 1953. The 25 selections here provide copious evidence of Baker's uncanny artistry as he develops a dark, yet lyrical, interpretive approach. Immediately evident is the thoughtful synergy between Baker and the comparatively understated Freeman, whose comps help link the respective solos. In several notable instances, such as the nonchalant "Isn't It Romantic" or the limber syncopation of "Maid in Mexico," Freeman establishes the melody, rather than simply being relegated to the rhythm section. Additional diverse examples can be heard ranging from a sublime reading of "Imagination" to the upbeat and agile "All the Things You Are" -- which commences in progress. These tunes would seed Baker's back catalog of material, becoming staples during his 30-plus-year repertoire. One facet to Chet Baker Quartet Featuring Russ Freeman that will be of considerable interest to collectors and hardcore enthusiasts are both the 10" EP and the 12" LP takes of "Long Ago and Far Away," "No Ties," "The Thrill Is Gone," "Moon Love" and the 78 rpm and long-player version(s) of "Winter Wonderland."While these renderings have been previously issued, this CD marks the first time that they are presented on a single volume. Among other stellar (if not definitive) inclusions are Freeman's "Russ Job," "Bea's Flat" and the sole Baker vocal on "I Fall in Love Too Easily."

Tracks:
01 - Isn't It Romantic
02 - The Lamp Is Low
03 - This Time The Dream's On Me
04 - Maid In Mexico
05 - Russ Job
06 - Imagination
07 - Long Ago and Far Away (10' LP take)
08 - Long Ago and Far Away (12' LP take)
09 - Carson City Stage
10 - Easy To Love
11 - Batter Up
12 - No Ties (10' LP take
13 - No Ties (12' LP take)
14 - All The Things You Are
15 - The Thrill Is Gone (10' LP take)
16 - The Thrill Is Gone (12' LP take)
17 - Band Aid
18 - Bea's Flat
19 - Moon Love (10' LP take)
20 - Moon Love (12' LP take)
21 - Happy Little Sunbeam
22 - Hapy Little Sunbeam (alt. take)
23 - I Fall In Love Too Easily
24 - Winter Wonderland (78 take)
25 - Winter Wonderland (LP take)

Personnel:
Chet Baker (Trumpet), Russ Freeman (Piano), Shelly Manne (Drums), Leroy Vinnegar (Bass)

sample & buy: Chet Baker Quartet Featuring Russ Freeman

Chet Baker - With Fifty Italian Strings (1959) (eac-log-cover)

Chet Baker - With Fifty Italian Strings (1959)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 210MB

OJC

AMG:
In 1959 while in Italy, Chet Baker was showcased playing trumpet and (on five of the ten songs) singing a set of ballads while backed by a large string section. Fans will want this set but, due to the mundane string arrangements and the lack of variety, more general collectors should acquire his earlier jazz-oriented dates first. (Chet Baker with Fifty Italian Strings was reissued in 2006 with a bonus track.)

Tracks:
-01. I Should Care - 2:46
-02. Violets For Your Furs - 3:16
-03. Song Is You, The - 2:30
-04. When I Fall in Love - 3:34
-05. Goodbye - 4:59
-06. Autumn in New York - 3:30
-07. Angel Eyes - 4:32
-08. Street of Dreams - 2:26
-09. Forgetful - 2:41
-10. Deep in a Dream - 4:30

Chet Baker - trumpet
(vocal chorus on selections #3, 4, 7, 8, 10)
accompanied by string orchestra
recorded in milan, Italy; October 1959.

sample & buy: With 50 Italian Strings

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Stan Getz & Chet Baker - Stan Meets Chet (1958) (eac-log-cover)

Stan Getz & Chet Baker - Stan Meets Chet (1958)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 345MB

Verve | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz and trumpeter Chet Baker never particularly liked each other and, even though they had musically compatible styles, they only worked together briefly in three periods. Their mutual hostility can be felt in subtle ways on this session which has been reissued on CD. Getz ignores Baker's attempt to state the melody of "I'll Remember April" and he plays it himself several bars after. The two horns do not meet at all on the ballad medley and, since Baker sits out on "Jordu," they only play together on two of the four performances. Getz battles a squeaky reed on "I'll Remember April" and Baker seems a bit subpar in general although he really digs in on "Half-Breed Apache" (a very fast "Cherokee"). So overall this CD (which also includes pianist Jodie Christian, bassist Victor Sproles, and drummer Marshall Thompson), even with some good moments, does not live up to its potential.

Tracks:
-1 - I'll Remember April DePaul, Johnston, Raye 12:24
-2 - Autumn in New York/Embraceable You/What's New? Duke 14:34
-3 - Jordu Jordan 8:31
-4 - Half-Breed Apache 14:49

Personnel:
Stan Getz (tenor saxophone)
Chet Baker (trumpet)
Jodie Christian (piano)
Victor Sproles (bass)
Marshall Thompson (drums)

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Chet Baker - Baker's Holiday Plays and Sings Billie Holiday (1965) (eac-log-cover)

Chet Baker  - Baker's Holiday Plays and Sings Billie Holiday (1965)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 250MB

Polygram | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
Baker's Holiday finds Chet Baker effectively paying tribute to Billie Holiday with mellow trumpet solos and occasional vocals. Baker is backed by a full sax section and a four-piece rhythm section that includes pianist Hank Jones; Jimmy Mundy contributed the colorful arrangements. His performance of ten songs associated with Lady Day (most of which he had not recorded previously) is often exquisite.

Tracks
01 - Travelin' Light
02 - Easy Living
03 - That Ole Devil Called Love
04 - You're My Thrill
05 - Crazy She Calls Me
06 - When Your Lover Has Gone
07 - Mean To Me
08 - These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)
09 - There Is No Greater Love
10 - Don't Explain

Personnel
Chet Baker Flugelhorn
Everett Barksdale Guitar
Richard Anthony Davis Bass
Hank Jones Piano
Connie Kay Drums
Henry Freeman Reeds
Wilford Holcombe Reeds
Leon Cohen Reeds
Seldon Powell Reeds
Alan Ross Reeds

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Chet Baker - Chet Baker & Strings (1954) (eac-flac-cover)

Chet Baker - Chet Baker & Strings (1954)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 235MB

Legacy | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
This release offers a unique glimpse of a young Chet Baker in a quintet setting, complemented by a nine-piece string section. Utilizing the uniquely modern arrangements of Johnny Mandel, Marty Paich, Jack Montrose, and Shorty Rogers, this interaction of "West Coast cool" with primordial elevator music escapes many — if not indeed all — of the potential sonic pitfalls such a marriage might suggest. In the truest sense of the word augmentation, the string arrangements provide the desired opulence sans the heavy-handed or syrupy residual effects. Perhaps most inspiring about this outing is the success with which Baker and crew are able to thrive in this environment, providing subtle insight into the quintet's ability to simultaneously adapt and explore. Chet Baker and Strings was recorded over three days in late 1953 and early 1954. Joining Baker (trumpet) on these sessions are Jack "Zoot" Sims (tenor sax), Jack Montrose (tenor sax), Russ Freeman (piano), Joe Mondragon (bass), Shelly Manne (drums), and Clifford "Bud" Shank (alto sax), who steps in for Sims on the 1954 date. "Love Walked In" incorporates a trademark volley of interaction between Baker and Sims. "Love" contains what is arguably the most successful implementation of the string section, as well as some stellar soloing by Freeman. In fact, his contributions to this particular recording rank among his finest with Baker and company. The same enthusiasm can likewise be applied to "A Little Duet for Zoot and Chet." Not only are Sims and Baker in top flight, but the string arrangement swings irresistibly as well. The easygoing and otherwise winding strings support the cool bop like a kite in a March breeze — light, airy, and conspicuous only in altitude.

Tracks:
01. You Don't Know What Love Is
02. I'm Thru With Love
03. Love Walked In
04. You Better Go Now
05. I Married An Angel
06. Love
07. I Love You
08. What A Diff'rence A Day Made
09. Why Shouldn't I?
10. A Little Duet For Zoot And Chet
11. The Wind
12. Trickleydidlier
13. You Don't Know What Love Is (Alternate)
14. You Better Go Now (Alternate)
15. A Little Duet For Zoot And Chet (Alternate)

Personnel:
Personnel: Chet Baker (trumpet); Bud Shank (alto saxophone); Zoot Sims, Jack Montrose (tenor saxophone); Russ Freeman (piano); Joe Mondragon (bass); Shelly Manne (drums).
+nine strings (six violins, two violas, one chello)

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