The Best of Chet Baker Sings [IMPORT]

Chet Baker

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 4, 1989)
• Original Release Date: August 29, 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000005HFH
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,916 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Once Chet Baker arrived in California from his native Oklahoma, his career exploded. After landing gigs with Charlie Parker and Gerry Mulligan, Baker soon found himself a solo star and bandleader. Not long after that, he also found himself whispering love songs into a microphone. Baker was not gifted with the most robust voice of the day. Indeed, listening to pure singers like Nat "King" Cole or Johnny Hartman can expose Baker's weaknesses, but what Baker did, he did well. By choosing wistful, so-young, so-in-love tunes, Baker was able to pour his heart into the material, sketching soft, romantic moods and painting himself as the broken-hearted innocent. The effect can be devastating, as Baker's voice clings to the melody, threatening to disintegrate at any moment. Many of his best tunes--"I Fall in Love Too Easily," "But Not for Me," "Let's Get Lost"--are collected here, and as such, there is no better place to begin an appreciation of Baker's unique singing. --S. Duda

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL COLLECTION, September 30, 2001

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

This cd collection is incredibly evocative -- you can almost hear the ice cubes clinking in glasses in a dimly lit, smoky club. These recordings date from 1953-1956, and in spite of them being in mono, they're extremely clear and enjoyable. Baker's earliest recorded vocal ('The thrill is gone') is here, along with 19 other classic examples of his singing -- moving interpretations of some of the finest songwriting of the early 20th century, works by Gershwin, Carmichael, Rodgers & Hart, Kern, Burke & VanHeusen, Cahn. Most of the greats are represented here.

Baker's vocal style is unique and unmistakable -- at times it seems like he's hanging onto the melody by his fingernails. He wraps his heart and soul around these tunes and lyrics -- going 'inside' so deeply that it's almost like there's no one else in the world but him as he takes each one and makes it his own, as few other vocalists before or since have been able to do.

The accompaniment throughout is retrained and well-played -- Baker's vocals and trumpet are joined by piano, upright bass and drums -- leaving his one-of-a-kind voice in the spotlight, where it belongs. That being said, for those who have somehow managed to remain unexposed to his music, his style is never showy -- he was one of the most intimate singers I've ever heard.

If you need some music for a nice romantic evening -- dinner with someone special -- or if you just want to luxuriate in some of the finest jazz vocal performances you'll ever experience -- this is a great place to turn.

Interested in exploring the life and work of Chet Baker a little further? Check out Bruce Weber's outstanding film portrait LET'S GET LOST, shot just a year or so before Chet's untimely death. In the film, we're treated to some rare footage as well as some contemporary studio work (an Elvis Costello tune!), and some very candid, brutally honest recollections by Baker. It's a great piece of documentary filmmaking.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Showcase of many of Chet Baker's best early songs, September 8, 2001

By	Paris1929 "Paris1929" (Paris) - See all my reviews

As a fan of Chet Baker's for almost nine years now, particularly of his singing, in my opinion this is one of his three best albums (the other two which I highly recommend - although they are hard to find but well worth the search - are: Let's Get Lost (the Soundtrack to the film about the life of Chet Baker- RCA,AAD,89), and Chet Baker Sings Again (Timeless SJP 238). This album contain many of Chet Baker's best early songs, but does not include his best later recordings, and has omitted some early gems too, such as How Long Has This Been Going On; Forgetful (Chet has four amazing versions of this publicly available, each one quite unique); Come Rain or Shine; or Angel Eyes. For completeness this album should have also included his best vocal recording from later in his career, which are mind-bogglingly poignant and reveal a depth and reticence in Chet Baker that his early recording only hint at, specifically: Moon and Sands; For Heaven Sakes Let's Fall In Love; You're My Thrill; Autumn Leaves; Alone Together; and I Can't Get Started With You. The opportunity is still out there to compile a more comprehensive, definitive set of Chet's best songs, a collection that would fairly reflect both his early and later achievements as a searing, raw, vulnerable singer, who shows here that he is - as a point of reference - on a par with John Lennon in the directness and honesty of his delivery. While it's hard to pick favorites on an album like this, in which (in my opinion) almost all the songs are stellar, one or two do lead the pack (in this order): i) I Remember You; ii) Just Friends; iii) Long Ago and Far Away; iv) It's Always You; v) Daybreak; vi) Time After Time. ***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everybody Digs Chet Baker, April 9, 2000

By	Philippe (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Although I borrowed my title from a well known Bill Evans album, I think it reflects well on Chet. So memorable and powerful is his image as the James Dean of the 50's Jazz scene, it was worked into the movie L.A. Confidential. Although considered more for his playing ability, Chet shows the best of his soulful vocal style here, and the CD sound quality is outstanding. My father bought me this album several years ago before I permanently acquired his copy. Since then, I have turned many people onto Chet thru this very album. I enjoy jazz very much and have many Chet Baker albums, but somehow this one is always in the CD player.