Chet Baker & Strings [Original recording remastered]

Chet Baker | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 9, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000007NAE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #210,214 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From Jazziz

Just six years after Columbia Records introduced the 33 1/3 LP (in 1948), the label unveiled another successful innovation: a trumpet-and-strings album by Chet Baker. Baker proved especially appropriate for this setup due to the lyrical, singing quality of his playing. Chet Baker With Strings features various arrangers including Johnny Mandel, Marty Paich, Shorty Rogers, and Jack Montrose. Included is Cole Porter's "I Love You" arranged by Mandel.

--- JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Product Description

Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this 1954 Jazz classic by Chet Baker in a quintet setting backed by a nine-piece string section. Includes three bonus tracks: 'You Don't Know What Love Is' (Alternate Take), 'You'd Better Go Now' (Alternate Take) and 'Little Duet For Zoot And Chet' (Alternate Take). Musical assistance from Bud Shank, Zoot Sims, Jack Montrose, Russ Freeman, Joe Mondragon and Shelly Manne with strings arranged by Marty Paich, Johnny Mandel and Shorty Rogers. 15 tracks. Sony. 2006. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Romantic trumpet with a bit of swing..., February 4, 2003

By 

William E. Adams (Midland, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chet Baker & Strings (Audio CD)

Chet doesn't sing on this 1953 release, unfortunately. The CD reissue clocks in at about 46 minutes with a few bonus tracks, and sounds great considering its age. This is great for background if dining (or otherwise occupied) with a special partner. The strings, flute, saxophones, piano, bass and drums enhance the songs without overshadowing Chet himself. It impresses more with repeated playing, as one gets beneath the "easy listening" sheen. There's a Miles Davis compilation, also on Columbia, called "Love Songs" which was issued to accomplish the same purpose as this Baker effort. The Davis disc features mellow trumpeting from 1957-65 or so, and has no songs in common with "Chet and Strings." I own both, and I like both artists, but the Baker is definitely better for casual listening while romancing or relaxing. The Davis CD is simply less interesting and too bland, something that certainly could not be said about much in his catalogue. Chet came to mass popularity before Miles, but Davis beat heroin in 1954 and the drug finally killed Baker in the 80's, destroying his U.S. career decades earlier. Davis had a wider and deeper talent, but Chet Baker was in these early releases quite a phenom.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very exquisite..., October 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Chet Baker & Strings (Audio CD)

Baker plays(he doen't sing)on this session mostly ballads, backed with strings, still this is a very jazz oriented set, but also very lush and romantic. A Chet Baker gem... very exquisite... Worth picking up.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars early chet baker masterpiece., January 19, 2000

By 

john m. shields (New Port Richey, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chet Baker & Strings (Audio CD)

An ambitious project by Columbia Records. Songs are arranged by four of the best arrangers available and Baker's sound is dressed up by heavy use of strings and flutework by Bud Shank. The record companies had high hopes to sell Baker as a sex symbol durring this period; and it worked for awhile. But, addictions and arrests led to his downfall, and he was replaced by Doc Severinsen and Maynard Ferguson. Baker's underplaying style seems dated by today's standard; but this album is worth a look. It features Chet and Zoot Simms playing some of the most popular standards of the day and has a great deal of nostalgic value. Also, the trouble and painstaking work involved finding and remastering this 50's standard, make it worthwhile