Here’s the icon of West Coast cool in the mid-’50s, in his early prime as a leader (heard here soon after leaving the Gerry Mulligan Quartet). His trumpet and voice are sublimely silky as you hear his famous rendition of “My Funny Valentine” plus “Time After Time; Isn’t It Romantic?; Sweet Lorraine; Let’s Get Lost; Moon Love”14 in all!Chet Baker was at the height of his popularity, the epitome of cool jazz, when these tracks were recorded for Pacific Jazz between 1952 and 1954. While Baker could hold his own in bop settings, the emphasis in this collection is squarely on his lyrical approach to ballads, whether singing or playing trumpet, with just a rhythm section or an added string orchestra. His vocals were absolutely distinctive, sung in a high-pitched, even fragile voice seemingly drained of emotion and yet possessing an inherent charm, a detachment that might be both the antithesis of style and its definition, whether it’s heard as sensitivity or indifference. The singing is a double of his trumpet playing here, spare and barely present but achieving much through nuance and suggestion. Pianist Russ Freeman is an almost constant partner, supplying deft chords and harmonic daring, amplifying Baker’s ideas. Their empathy is especially evident in the beautiful instrumental “Moon Love,” but it’s just as significant on signature Baker songs such as “My Funny Valentine,” “Let’s Get Lost,” and “Like Someone in Love.” –Stuart Broomer
My Funny Valentine
Pinned on December 22, 2012 at 11:13 pm by Todd Pinero
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MY INTRODUCTION TO CHET BAKER This CD was my first introduction to Chet Baker’s vocals and trumpet playing and it is still my favorite. What a gorgeous recording. Compiled from several different collections recorded from 1953 to 1956, Baker’s voice is so pure, so vulnerable and sweet….Mel Torme-like in its “foggy” quality, but also lighter than Torme, a boy/man tenor. His trumpet is, as always, exquisite.
Chet’s most popular vocal album Chet Baker was already a budding jazz trumpet star when he decided to try vocals, the natural extension of his close-to-the-melodic-line trumpet style.
Silent yearning This musical recording astounded me during a visit to a friend’s home for supper. I enjoyed it so much, that I forgot I was there to eat. One can easily sink into a chair while listening to Chet and forget why one IS. Chet’s vocal delivery is voluptious, enrapturing, warm, and invites you to protect. It is as if words became tears and laughter doused by irony. I highly recommend this album for your most special gatherings, or for those times when you just want to be alone with your thoughts. It is perfect for listening to, or background music. I look forward to creating a collection of this man’s wonderful work.