Search - Chet Baker :: Chet: Keepnews Collection

Masterful Minimalism

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 09/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the most satisfying and, in many respects, most representative Chet Baker I've come across. No vocals, nothing even approaching bebop. It's truly bicoastal and genre-resistant music. Moreover, it doesn't have the sponginess of some later Baker sessions with electronic synths and reverb assists. These are beautiful deconstructions of familiar pieces, each slowed to a tempo-less, non-insistent, seductively langorous meditation--a sigh, a whisper, a breath of spring (and autumn).



The presence of Pepper Adams' slightly abrasive baritone is just enough seasoning to keep it interesting. The tastefulness of Miles Davis' rhythm section (Bill Evans, Chambers and Philly Joe) is, on this date, merely more testimony to Miles' good instincts when it came to picking players.



We are living in a milieu that, if not apathetic, is positively hostile to the ballad. Even the paragons of the form--Sinatra's "concept albums"--are languishing in a world in which human beings fly about like like carrier pigeons with iPod buds in their ears. If that's your world, you won't want to have anything to do with Chet's--or the exquisite music on this album."

SPARSE, COOL, INSTRUMENTAL, CHET

DAVID HALL | USA | 01/22/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"CHET (Original Album Remastered) is absolutely first rate. Great tunes (Alone Together, 'Tis Autumn, It Never Entered My Mind, Time On My Hands, If You Could See Me Now (by Tad Dameron) to name just a few). Great lineup of musicians (Pepper Adams-Bari.Sax, Herbbie Mann-Flute, Bill Evans-Piano, Paul Chambers-Bass, Connie Kay & Philly Joe Jones-Drums and at the very still center of it is - Chet Baker. All instrumentals, no vocals. I'm a fan of Mr. Baker's playing and singing. To me, his music demonstrates that, quite simply put - music is about one thing and one thing only - BEAUTY. I believe that to be the at the very heart and soul of his music. Another reviewer sums up the beauty of this album as - " Masterful Minimalism." Absolutely! There is a relaxed, spare and intimate grace to the music on this album that is for some reason rare in Jazz. On recordings, but not only. Most Jazz in clubs and on radio I find to be busy, aggressive, in your face. More than not its raucous, loud, and all too often not about the music but about noticing those who are playing the music, and their chops. And because of that, its uninvolving. This c.d. is a reminder of what counts most. It demonstrates a taste and economy that glistens throughout. Another name for that particular quality is Chet Baker. His magic infuses all the musicians on this album with a gold dust that Bill Evans also always had. And in this instance it tempers the the Sax of Mr. Adams. To sum it up - this is an album that can best be described in one word: BEAUTY. Highly recommended."

Beautiful Simplicity

J. Rich | 12/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chet Baker has become one of my favorite trumpeters. His trumpet playing is lyrical, but on many other albums he has proven himself a quite capable technician on his instrument. Anyone who doubts his technical ability should check out his quartets with saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and pianist Russ Freeman. He was a master of playing playing, which is what this 1959 recording consists of. Every single track is rendered beautifully by the space given in Chet's lines. Chet is joined by some of the best jazz musicians at that time: Bill Evans, Pepper Adams, Kenny Burrell, Herbie Mann, Paul Chambers, Connie Kay, and Philly Joe Jones. Anyone looking for some swing will have to look elsewhere. This album is nothing but ballads. I highly recommend this recording to anyone who is a potential fan of Chet's and for anyone interested in collecting Bill Evans session work, which he didn't do much of at all during his career."