This is the most consistently listenable Chet Baker album that I've heard, and I have several. I knew that Baker was still able to perform in the last years of his life (I've seen the 1988 documentary about him, "Let's Get Lost"), but I was stunned by how good he is in this, his last recorded concert. (He died two weeks after this 1988 live show, which was recorded in Germany.) His skill and maturity as an artist (Chet was never mature as a person) are on display. For example, his fifties version of "I Get Along Without You Very Well" seemed mannered and somewhat precious and is hard for me to listen to, but here it is one of my favorite songs on the album. How did he do that? If you know to listen for it (now that I've told you) you might very occassionally notice that he sings like a man wearing dentures (which he did wear), but most of the time it is the same boyish voice of his youth only now with just the right tinge of world-weariness. The theme of the concert is "My Favorite Songs." Chet even blows and sings "My Funny Valentine" a second time for his encore without wearing out the oft-played tune's welcome. (Again, how did he do that?) Chet probably plays the trumpet a bit more than he sings on this one. There are great extended instrumentals of "Summertime" and other standards. It's amazing how he can play one tune sweetly slow and the next one nimbly fast. My main criticism of this beautifully produced concert album is directed toward the backing by a lush orchestra, which makes the album sound overproduced at times, but there are also good jazz performances by side men on piano, guitar and wind instruments. (Sorry, I'm too lazy to look up who they are.)

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N. D. Graham

This album is well produced to share Chet's soulful music with us again.

Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2018

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Chet Baker was my inspiration to get a trumpet. I got most of his music online but needed this CD to complete the collection. He is also a testimonial to the tragic consequences of heroin addiction which I am sure contributed to his addled thinking the night he locked himself out of his hotel room and tried to get in by crawling out the window of an adjoining room to get into his and falling to his death at 58 years of age. I used "before" and "after" photos of his "lizard" face with clients recovering from opioid addiction to show how genius can be overwhelmed by drug dependence. This CD set is well produced to give us his sweet music one more time. With feeling... The CD is well made and arrived promptly after ordering.

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Nikki Soppelsa

When I heard "ALL BLUES", I knew...

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2007

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I had made the right decision!

Not a 'die-hard' Baker fan, indifferent about the trumpet. I own but one other piece of his music...an lp "Chet Baker with Strings" that was included in a large jazz album purchase. ...it was enough to spark interest.

After listening to the many many clips on Amazon, indecisive me ventured to YouTube and was treated to seeing him speak, perform, hearing a most amazing compilation of music. That was the deal breaker for me. I decided to begin where he left off. ..."The Last Great Concert"

The vocals sometimes waivering, but a sound with soul, more feeling than his early years. And the trumpet...I don't think I want to know it in any other way. It's quiet, it's mellow, it's jazz...
All Blues, My Funny Valentine, Well You Needn't, Summertime, Django--the standouts for me and I'm just a sucker for Tenderly.

I'll be coming back for more because...I'm also a sucker for Embraceable You.

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Amazon Customer

fantastic trumpet playing by the maestro for the last time

Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2018

Verified Purchase

What can one say about Chet. The trumpet playing on this album is extraordinary. Maybe he was saying goodbye to all of us as he died just two weeks after this concert. This happened to be his last concert

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2016

Verified Purchase

Very good album especially considering at what point this was in his life. His singing is way below par, but his playing is right on target.

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Alessandro Leite da Silva

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2015

Verified Purchase

Perfect, the last concert live, the best version of My funny Valentine of all!

Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2006

Verified Purchase

This is a great album. Can be very depressing to listen to though. His rendition of My Funny Valentine is nothing short of a masterpiece. Although he was messed up on drugs, his trumpet playing never suffered. Buy this cd if youre a true fan.

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Dr. Of Style

A Moving Epitaph For My Favorite Trumpet Player.

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2005

Greetings to all.

Chet Baker died two weeks after this Last Great Concert was performed. Sad, really; made even sadder when you listen to MY FUNNY VALENTINE. If this tune (as played here) doesn't bring tears to your eyes, then I imagine that nothing could. Heart wrenching--that's what this tune is. Mr. Peck (reviewer below) was so perfect in his description, that there is not much more I can add, except to say that, indeed, the orchestra and strings on MY FUNNY VALENTINE seem to be soothing and bathing Chet in some kind of morbid, yet beautiful honor. A tribute to one great jazz player, without doubt.

I have loved Chet's work for many years, and, out of the many albums/cd's I own by Chet, this recording is my favorite.

All of the songs here are performed impeccably. Chet's trumpeting is exceptional, given his frail condition. His vocals are moving. I especially love the vocal/trumpet combination on I FALL IN LOVE TOO EASILY.

Looking at pictures of Chet when this album was recorded is emotionally difficult. Once dubbed the so-called jazz playboy, for his handsome appearance, one can see how life treated Chet, and how he treated life.

Sometimes we all have to experience things, whether self-inflicted or not, that allow us to be the person we know we were intended to be. I know this is true of many artists, and it certainly was true with Chet.

I have been blessed to listen to Chet's music, and I hope this recording moves you as much as it moves me.

I highly recommend this wonderful album. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review.

Rock On, Kids,

Dr. Of Style

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Amazon カスタマー

美しい

Reviewed in Japan on November 10, 2014

Verified Purchase

ただ、ただ、染みる。
もちろん、説明不要の若い頃の傑作も好きだけど、人生波乱万丈乗り越えた先に、出せる音がここにはある。賛否両論あれど、私は好きだ。

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Last Great Concert: My Favorite Songs 1 & 2

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