Customer Reviews

In Milan

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Recorded in Milan in 1959, this is one of Chet's best albums. Chet records with an Italian quintet (alto, tenor, piano, bass, drums), and everyone and everything meshes. The tunes are well-chosen; "Tune up" receives a particularly fine interpretation. Don't let this one get away.

The first time I heard this album, I was in love with it. This is definetly one of Chet Baker's best albums.

"Chet Baker In Milan" is one of Chet's finest albums. The year 1959 proved to be a very good year musically for Baker who also recorded one of his seminal recordings simply titled "Chet," which was an all ballads album. "In Milan" is a very swinging set with some Italian musicians whom I've never heard of, but this doesn't mean that they are slouches. All of them have a deep understanding of the jazz language. These musicians include:Clauco Masetti (alto saxophone); Gianno Basso (tenor saxophone); Renato Sellani (piano); Franco Serri (bass); and Gene Victory (drums). If you're a fan of cool jazz or Chet Baker, then check out this record, you won't be sorry.

Unlike his notoriously heroin-addicted compatriot Art Pepper, Chet Baker was sometimes guilty of leaving enervated performances behind in his peripatetic recording career. So, it's something of a surprise that one of Chet's greatest artistic achievements came leading a pick-up band of unknown Italian musicians. Sure, these guys sound a bit faceless behind Chet, but they are also pitch-perfect in capturing the feel of West Coast jazz of the day, and their solos almost seem schooled in the same sort of lyrical minimalism that Chet was striving for. Instead of asserting their own personalities in the way American musicians would have, they seem utterly content to subsume themselves to Chet's vision. And, except for his early, telepathic relationship with Gerry Mulligan, Chet never seemed truly interested in interacting with other improvisers. He was into his own bag. So, these Italian musicians, who clearly must have had some quality rehearsal time with Chet in preparation for this record, give Chet an ideal setting in which to lay down some of his most sustained and beautiful performances. With perfect tone and Olympian confidence, he unspools these long, melodic lines, barely pausing for breath. He'll take yours away.

This disc has been mismarked as "live". It is actually a studio date, fairly well-recorded by a small Italian label and licensed to OJC. The pick-up band of local musicians does a good job on the standards despite never having played before with Chet. Of course, they're playing in the by-then international language of hard bop. Conservative, bright, snappy, mid and up-tempo for the most part... in short, right down the middle for someone just getting into Chet or even jazz. I think the reason so many especially like this disc is that there are no vocals on it (a shame, really... I love to hear Chet sing).