Chet Baker Chet´s Choice

One of the best settings for trumpeter Chet Baker was when he was accompanied by a guitar-bass duo. On this excellent Criss Cross CD, Baker is joined by guitarist Philip Catherine and bassist Jean-Louis Rassinfosse on a variety of high-quality standards that include such songs as "If I Should Lose You," Horace Silver's "Doodlin'," "Conception" and "Love for Sale." A special treat is hearing the talented but forgotten Bob Zieff's "Sad Walk." This is one of Baker's better albums from his later period.

Whether as a trumpeter or singer, Chet Baker was always the subject of controversy among jazz listeners, a victim of fashion who was doomed in his lifetime to be either over- or underrated. These Pacific Jazz recordings from the mid-1950s present Baker the instrumentalist at the height of his popularity. While his coolly passive treatments of ballads like "Imagination" and "Stella by Starlight" may play to the languid stereotype of West Coast jazz, there's boppish fire and invention on the medium- and up-tempo tunes, with Baker emphasizing the middle register that was his forte. Altoist Art Pepper and valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer turn up among the supporting cast, and there's a good choice of material by boppish heads from both coasts, including Carson Smith's "Carson City Stage," Jimmy Heath's "C.T.A.," and Al Haig's "Jumping Off a Clef".

Chet Baker's West Coast cool comes to the Big Apple on Chet Baker in New York. The project would be Baker's first – in a four album deal – with the Big Apple-based Riverside Records. The bicoastal artist incorporates his decidedly undernourished sound and laid-back phrasing into the styling of Al Haig (piano), Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Paul Chambers (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums)…

There may never be another Chet Baker, but on this particular night in Zagreb, poor Baker was not playing his best: His chops are weak, and his voice is strained and shallow. Still, these four duos, with longtime collaborator, guitarist Philip Catherine, have their rewards, such as the lengthy, substantial, and melodic solos by the guitarist. There is also the opportunity to hear Baker's piano playing at length. On piano, Chet Baker was even sparser than on trumpet, perhaps due to his weaker technique on the former. As with the trumpet, though, his choice of notes was always immaculate, and Baker fans will want this disc for the novelty of his piano playing. As far as his trumpet playing goes, there are much better examples of these tunes elsewhere, particularly of "My Foolish Heart" and "There'll Never Be Another You."

The Jazz Club series is an attractive addition to the Verve catalogue. With it's modern design and popular choice of repertoire, the Jazz Club is not only opened for Jazz fans, but for everyone that loves good music. This collection by the wonderfully gifted Jazz great features 15 tracks including 'Sad Walk', 'Tasty Pudding', 'Lover Man', 'Autumn In New York' and more.
Chet Baker was a primary exponent of the West Coast school of cool jazz in the early and mid-'50s. As a trumpeter, he had a generally restrained, intimate playing style and he attracted attention beyond jazz for his photogenic looks and singing.

Chet Baker & Philip Catherine - There'll Never Be Another You (1985) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 275 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 136 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 278 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1985, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6380
Jazz / Cool / Trumpet / Guitar

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. There may never be another Chet Baker, but on this particular night in Zagreb, poor Baker was not playing his best: His chops are weak, and his voice is strained and shallow. Still, these four duos, with longtime collaborator, guitarist Philip Catherine, have their rewards, such as the lengthy, substantial, and melodic solos by the guitarist.