Search - John Proulx :: Baker's Dozen (Remembering Chet Baker)

John Proulx
Baker's Dozen (Remembering Chet Baker)
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists

Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
1. Let's Get Lost
2. Long Ago and Far Away
3. Time After Time
4. But Not For Me
5. I Get Along Without You Very Well
6. Reunion/There Will Never Be Another You
7. I Remember You
8. You Don't Know What Love Is
9. Before You Know It
10. I Fall In Love Too Easily
11. Line for Lyons
12. My Funny Valentine
13. Look For the Silver Lining

CD Details

All Artists: John Proulx
Title: Baker's Dozen (Remembering Chet Baker)
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: MAXJAZZ Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 7/28/2009
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists
Style: Traditional Vocal Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 610614050621

Synopsis

Product Description

"Proulx is front and center, overflowing with fresh zeal and sparkling energy." - JazzTimesVocalist/pianist John Proulx (pronounced Prue) pays tribute to Chet Baker with "Baker's Dozen" (Remembering Chet Baker). Proulx offers a fresh take on a number of standards popularized by Baker including "Let's Get Lost," "My Funny Valentine," "I Fall In Love Too Easily," and "But Not For Me" to name a few. "Baker's Dozen" features some stellar musicians including Dominick Farinacci on trumpet and flugelhorn, Chuck Berghofer on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums. Since the release of his MAXJAZZ debut, "Moon and Sand," Proulx has appeared with the likes of Natalie Cole, Bobby Shew and Marian McPartland. Proulx is also a Grammy-winning composer having co-written the song "These Golden Years," recorded by Nancy Wilson for her Grammy-winning CD, Turned to Blue.

CD Reviews

Chet Would Have Been Pleased

Rick Cornell | Reno, Nv USA | 12/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The latest superb entry into MaxJazz' superb vocalpiano series is John Proulx's "Baker's Dozen." This literally is 12 standards sung by or associated with Chet Baker, and the 13th, "Before You Know It," a Proulx original that fits in seamlessly with the program.

I can't think of a better singer to tribute Chet Baker than John Proulx. Like Baker, Proulx has that light, vibratoless baritone voice that sounds as wistfully sad as Baker's trumpet. However, whereas Baker's voice was basically "just there," Proulx's is like aluminum; deceptively light, yet strong. And man, can Proulx scat! Check out what he does on "But Not For Me," "There Will Never Be Another You," and "Look for the Silver Lining." To my memory, Baker was never as proficient in that regard as Proulx is here.

Of course, Proulx is a pianist, not a trumpeter, and the Chet Baker tribute wouldn't be complete without a trumpet and fluegelhorn. That honor here goes to Dominick Farinacci, and he shines. He plays cleanly, like Baker did, but with even more verve.

Proulx's piano chops are sound, and with the redoubtable Joe Labarbera on drums and Chuck Berghofer on bass, the trio forms a solid rhythm section that doesn't attempt to steal the thunder of the vocal/trumpet. Coincidentally (or perhaps ironically) the c.d. is co-produced and the charts are written by Tamir Hendelman, one of the finest young piano accompanists on the scene today; yet, he doesn't play.

I'm at 4 and 1/2, but I think that's because I'm not a super huge fan of Chet Baker. Nevertheless, I cannot imagine a better produced, better executed Baker tribute c.d. than this one. And for that, I bump the rating to 5. Kudos all around. RC"