Chet Baker - The Best of Chet Baker [Riverside Bonus Tracks]

Title: The Best of Chet Baker [Riverside Bonus Tracks] Artist: Chet Baker Release Date: 9/28/2004 Re-Released On: 11/15/2004 Label: Riverside Records (Jazz) Album Type(s): Greatest Hits UPCs: 025218351324, 0090204925544 Genre: Jazz Styles: Cool, West Coast Jazz, Vocal Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Trumpet Jazz Moods: Atmospheric, Intimate, Melancholy, Relaxed, Dreamy, Elegant, Gentle, Reserved, Restrained, Somber, Sophisticated, Stylish, Autumnal, Laid-Back/Mellow, Refined/Mannered, Reflective, Romantic, Sweet, Sensual Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. My Funny Valentine
2. Moonlight in Vermont
3. The More I See You
4. Old Devil Moon
5. Do It the Hard Way
6. Fair Weather
7. Solar
8. Soft Winds
9. If You Could See Me Now
10. How High the Moon
11. It Never Entered My Mind
12. September Song
13. Thank Heaven for Little Girls
14. I Talk to the Trees
15. On the Street Where You Live

Year Type Label Catalog # 2004 CD Riverside Records (Jazz) 5713 2004 CD Riverside Records (Jazz) 57132

No other editions were found for this album.

The Chet Baker volume in Fantasy's Best Of series covers only a relatively tiny portion of his lifespan, yet it does capture the self-destructive trumpeter/singer at two crucial times -- when the jazz world was his oyster, and during one of his many attempts to regain his old appeal. Orrin Keepnews, the co-head of the Riverside operation, selects the material and writes the notes, working in chronological order. You don't have to read between the lines of Keepnews' carefully chosen words to realize that he and the unreliable Baker weren't exactly the best of chums, and that only the passage of time allowed Keepnews to reach some kind of objectivity about their sessions. The first two choices lie somewhere outside the time frame of the bulk of the collection -- Chet as featured member of the 1952-1953 Gerry Mulligan Quartet, playing his signature tune, "My Funny Valentine," along with "Moonlight in Vermont." From there, Keepnews jumps to Baker's brief period as a Riverside headliner -- from August 1958 to July 1959 -- starting with three vocals of three standards. Baker's boyish pop-styled singing voice is an acquired taste, but perhaps oddly appealing as a 1950s iconic symbol of a time long gone. The remainder of the collection finds Baker only on his horn -- sometimes short on stamina, sometimes nailing a difficult passage or two, often effective at ballad tempos -- fronting teams of first-rate jazz talent. But you can't lose with a rhythm section containing Miles Davis' team of Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones, and the likes of Pepper Adams, Bill Evans, Herbie Mann, and Zoot Sims are worthwhile foils for the former wunderkind. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide

Name Credits Al Haig Piano Bill Evans Piano Bill Grauer Original Recording Producer, Audio Production Carson Smith Double Bass, Bass Chet Baker Trumpet, Vocals Chico Hamilton Drums Clifford Jarvis Drums Connie Kay Drums Earl May Double Bass, Bass George Morrow Bass Gerry Mulligan Sax (Baritone), Leader Herbie Mann Flute Jamie Putnam Art Direction Johnny Griffin Sax (Tenor) Kenny Burrell Guitar Kenny Drew Piano Kirk Felton Remastering Orrin Keepnews Compilation Producer, Liner Notes, Original Recording Producer, Audio Production Paul Chambers Double Bass Pepper Adams Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor) Philly Joe Jones Drums Robert Corwin Piano Sam Jones Double Bass, Bass Zoot Sims Sax (Tenor)