Chet Baker Albums (97)
'She Was Too Good to Me'
Release Date 2/1/2008
Tracks 8
Label Sbme Special MKTS.
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What The Critics Say
Baker began his comeback after five years of musical inactivity with this excellent CTI date. Highlights include "Autumn Leaves," "Tangerine," and "With a Song in My Heart." Altoist Paul Desmond is a major asset on two songs and the occasional strings give variety to this fine session. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Lost Holland Concert September 18 1955'
Release Date 3/27/2006
Tracks 10
Label RLR
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What The Critics Say
In September, 1955, Chet Baker took his new quartet to Europe for a tour. His pianist Richard "Dick" Twardzik was a promising 24-year-old but a heroin addict and he died from an overdose on October 21 of that year. The number of his recordings are few, so any "new" concert performances are very valuable. The music on Lost Holland Concert September 18 1955 was all previously unissued and features the Chet Baker Quartet during concerts performed September 18, 21, and 24. While bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Peter Littman are fine in support, the main focus is on Baker and Twardzik. Baker verbally introduces the songs and expresses his admiration for Miles Davis but at this point in time he had not come under Davis' influence yet and still sounds both youthful and original, playing in his early prime. Twardzik, while influenced by Bud Powell and a bit reminiscent in spots of his predecessor Russ Freeman, shows loads of potential that would never be realized. On "All the Things You Are," the quartet is joined by guest trumpeter Rolfe Schnoebiegel who fits in well and adds a bit of excitement. Dick Twardzik's death kept the quartet's tour from being an expected triumph, though Baker would continue in Europe for a few more months. While the recording quality of this CD is far from impeccable (and the closing "Moonlight in Vermont" is incomplete), it is quite listenable, with the historic value of the music making this a recommended set to collectors of Chet Baker and the short-lived Dick Twardzik. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Complete Original Sings Sessions'
Release Date 3/20/2006
Tracks 24
Label Gambit
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What The Critics Say
Chet Baker often sounded at his best during his later years when playing with a quiet trio consisting of himself, guitar and a bassist. For this reissue from the German Inak label, the trumpeter is joined in 1979 not only by guitarist Larry Coryell and bassist Buster Williams but by the mellow-toned vibraphonist Wolfgang Lackerschmid (who gets co-leadership) and a very restrained Tony Williams on drums. Although the CD only has 36 minutes of music, the mostly little-known material (five originals by the sidemen plus "Here's That Rainy Day") suits Baker fine. The emphasis is on slower tempoes (other than Buster Williams's closing blues) including a pair of jazz waltzes and Baker's chops sound fine within the limited scope that he plays. The overall results are not essential but are worthwhile. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Live in Bologna 1985/Two a Day'
Release Date 1/1/2005
Tracks 11
Label Dreyfus
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What The Critics Say
Live in Bologna 1985/Two a Day is a packaging of two CDs featuring trumpeter-vocalist Chet Baker in small band settings from the late '70s and mid-'80s. On Two a Day he's joined by pianist Phil Markowitz, bassist Jean-Louis Rassinfosse, and drummer Jeff Brillinger. A vivacious take on the title cut, a Baker original, shows the trumpeter in fine form, fronting a lively, responsive band. From here, the band's selections vacillate between upbeat, mainstream jazz and its mellower, cooler cousin. On Live in Bologna 1985 Baker's joined by guitarist Philip Catherine and bassist Jean-Louis Rassinfosse. The set drags a bit here and there, with the trio stretching slow songs like "My Foolish Heart" and "My Funny Valentine" past the ten-minute mark. Catherine's guitar work, however, goes a long way toward keeping these pieces from dragging too much. The trio is much more intriguing on upbeat instrumental pieces like Miles Davis' "Tune Up." For Baker fans, it will be no surprise that his vocals resonate less powerfully than they did during the '50s. Perhaps due to his cool, quiet style, however, he nonetheless remains an effective vocalist on ballads like "My Foolish Heart." This two-for package is a nice snapshot of Baker's latter work and will please both his fans and lovers of mainstream jazz. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
'Köln Concert Featuring Dick Twardzik'
Release Date 1/1/2005
Tracks 14
Label RLR
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What The Critics Say
Unreleased for half a century -- and worth the wait. Documenting a complete West German live appearance from October 9, 1955 (including an announcement from promoter Gigi Campi and some impromptu dialogue from Chet Baker himself), The Köln Concert Featuring Dick Twardzik captures a harder, more soulful dimension of the trumpeter's work absent from his concurrent studio dates. There's real heat simmering below Baker's icy-cool tones, and he invests familiar compositions like "Imagination" and "I'll Remember April" with new verve. No less notable is his support staff, featuring pianist Richard Twardzik in one of his final performances before his fatal heroin overdose just 12 days later. His contributions here are shapely and supple, each note a poignant reminder of the immense talent he squandered away. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
'Conservatorio Cherubini Complete Concert'
Release Date 1/1/2005
Tracks 19
Label Lone Hill Jazz
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'The Last Great Concert: My Favorite Songs, Vol. 1 & 2'
Release Date 6/22/2004
Tracks 14
Label Enja Justin Time
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What The Critics Say
This 1988 concert turned out to be Chet Baker's swan song, because he died just two weeks after this performance, after a still-unexplained fall from a hotel balcony. Baker is alternately heard with either the NDR Big Band, the Radio Orchestra Hannover, or a small group, sticking mostly to standards and classic jazz compositions. Baker, who could be very inconsistent during the period after his teeth were knocked out in a brawl, is in top form throughout this evening. Baker's understated, haunting playing of "All Blues" has a special poignancy. He opens the evening with "My Funny Valentine" backed solely by guitar, with a delayed entrance by pianist Walter Norris (with whom he last played three decades earlier) and the 43-piece orchestra; his vocals quaver a bit but are quite sincere. Baker seems energized by the snappy chart of "Well, You Needn't," which features another old friend from his West Coast days, alto saxophonist Herb Geller. The leader is joined by a four-piece rhythm section anchored by Norris for an easygoing jaunt through Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way." The big band is again on-hand for the richly textured arrangement of John Lewis' "Django," with Baker making every note count. Baker basks in the upbeat return visit to "Look for the Silver Lining," which he first recorded during his heyday with Pacific Jazz. His vocals take on a special meaning in the melancholy ballad "I Get Along Without You Very Well." Geller and Norris are perfect foils for the trumpeter in the rapid-fire rendition of George Shearing's "Conception." Geller and Baker mix it up in the inspired workout of "Sippin' at Bells." To wrap the show, Baker reprises "My Funny Valentine," again playing trumpet then singing, with Norris and bassist Lucas Lindholm as his sole accompanists. Originally issued on two separate discs by Enja in 1988, this reissue combines both volumes in one very affordable set. This concert is definitely one of the best recordings of the last decade of Chet Baker's career; in any case, it should be considered an essential purchase. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Sings, Plays: Live at the Keystone Korner'
Release Date 5/13/2003
Tracks 4
Label High Note
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What The Critics Say
This live performance of trumpeter/vocalist Chet Baker recorded at the Keystone Korner, San Francisco in 1975 should hold little interest to anyone other than die-hard Baker fanatics. Featuring Baker on four standards common to his set-list during this time, Sings, Plays does showcase the jazz legend scat singing through "But Not For Me" -- he apparently broke his upper denture plate before going on stage -- a treat and must-hear for longtime fans as Baker's singing sounds exactly like his trumpet playing. Over-all though, Baker was not in good shape this night and more than once he is audibly having embouchure problems. Similarly aggravating is the presence of baritone/soprano saxophonist Roger Rosenberg and an unnamed tenor saxophonist who mostly serve to diminish Baker's role in the evening. The best Baker recordings from this later period -- including Chet Baker in Tokyo and Chet Baker in Bologna -- largely feature him solo with trio or quartet. Most Baker cultists will gladly endure such irritations and for them this disc holds some brilliant moments, but with the plethora of stellar live Baker recordings available it is hard to recommend. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide
