Baker's Dozen (Remembering Chet Baker)

John Proulx (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 28, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: MAXJAZZ Records
• ASIN: B002C2KB62
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,667 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chet Would Have Been Pleased, December 20, 2009

By 

Rick Cornell "RC" (Reno, Nv USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Baker's Dozen (Remembering Chet Baker) (Audio CD)

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