Chet Baker Sings and Plays from the Film "Let's Get Lost" [SOUNDTRACK]

Chet Baker, Let's Get Lost

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 1, 1992)
• Original Release Date: 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Novus
• ASIN: B0000004XM
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #117,633 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Moon & Sand

2. Imagination

3. You're My Thrill

4. For Heaven's Sake

5. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

6. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You

7. Daydream

8. Zingaro

9. Blame It on My Youth

10. My One and Only Love

11. Everything Happens to Me

12. Almost Blue

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A TIMELESS ARTIST NEAR THE END OF HIS LIFE..., December 19, 2003

By	Larry L. Looney (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This album consists of the tracks Baker recorded especially for the Bruce Weber documentary `Let's get lost' - a retrospective of the life of the great horn player and vocalist. Baker's life was troubled - his drug addiction is legendary, and ultimately caused his death, directly or indirectly, as the individual chooses to view the events. His musical genius is indisputable - and these recordings are an incredible witness to that. The group accompanying Baker (featured here on trumpet & vocals) is a small one: Frank Strazzeri (piano), John Leftwich (bass), Ralph Penland (drums & percussion) and Nicola Stilo (guitar & flute). There are standards a-plenty here - songs that will be loved forever by the likes of Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, Cole Porter, Johnny Burke & Jimmy VanHuesen, Antonio Carlos Jobim - as well as a tune by none other than Elvis Costello, just to show that great ones are still being written.

Baker was always a fine vocalist - and no one else sounds quite like him. There are times when it sounds like he's hanging onto the notes by his fingernails - but there's never a moment (here, or in anything I've ever heard him sing) when he sounds detached from the song. Every one of his performances is filtered through his heart and soul - and that's a beautiful thing to experience. Without taking such extreme liberties that the melody is unrecognizable (as many who style themselves `jazz vocalists' seem to do), Baker lovingly caresses each tune and makes it his own. The sheer intimacy that Baker is able to express in the love songs makes the listener feel like he or she is eavesdropping on a conversation from the next table in a dimly lit, wee-hours jazz club - and it's a privilege to share such raw, honest feelings.

The players are perfect in their support here - Baker's voice is the center of every arrangement, but with an instrument as magnetic as the singer possesses, how could it be otherwise? His trumpet playing is as fine as ever, even at this late stage of the game. It's sometimes sad to listen - there's pain so clearly and eloquently expressed in every song - but there's an unnamable joy present as well, for what a gift it is that he shares with us!

Weber's documentary is hard to watch as well - Baker's life was a hard one, filled with pain and sorrow, for which he turned to heroin. It's heartbreaking to witness someone hurting so much - but his music is without question of the timeless variety, and something to be treasured.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Addictive, July 25, 2003

By	digital dilettante (London, England United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

If this is the only jazz album you ever buy, then buy this one! Although the soundtrack for Bruce Weber's hypnotic B&W noir portrait of Baker (mainly through the eyes and voices of his women), this album stands on its own as a masterpiece of disinterested beauty. From the oceanic womb-like rhythm of the opening Moon and Sand to Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye's "every change from major to minor", this album's heart-piercing trumpet playing is breath-taking. Even the slightly off-key singing is as valid and "right" as an old bluesman's plantation song. As the lady said in the orgasmic cafe scene in When Harry Met Sally, "whatever she's having I'll have the same"...whatever Chet's on, musically, will do me fine. Of all Mr B's albums, and I've many, this is the most satisfying and addictive, one you won't get out of your head for a long time. ***** stars!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jazz That Anyone Can Love, August 19, 2006

By	William Whelan (Ireland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Not all of Chet Bakers CD's are worth having but this one is. The beauty is in the fragility of his singing voice. Similar to Johnny Cash's later recordings you can hear the life that the voice has lived as it sings. His playing is also beautifully fragile and perfect all at the same time. I've probably over analysed everything here :) I just really liked this CD.