Brussels 1964
Chet Baker Quintet
Hard-to-find CD of a Belgian radio gig in 1964 (buy some accounts, it may have been in 1963). As with many radio recordings from this era, the sound quality is a little muddy. Chet's playing, however, is crisp. His friend Jacque Pelzer gets most of the solos on the first two tunes, but on both, Chet comes in at the end and swings nicely. Chet has a fiery opening solo on "Airegin" featuring some really high notes. The highlight of the CD is the long, languid, "Time After Time". This tune is usually associated with the 25-year old newcomer recording quaint love songs. Here, Chet has matured, and so has his voice. Chet didn't record a lot of vocals in the early 60's, but when he did, you end up with jewels like this. His sad, sweet vocal is followed by a terrific horn solo. Baker packs more fresh ideas into this solo than he did on some entire albums. Unfortunately, this session closes with Chet struggling on Mile Davis's "So What". This session is also available on video from Jazz Icons.

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Chet Baker - Trumpet, Vocals
Jacques Pelzer - Flute, Alto Sax
René Urtreger - Piano
Luigi Trussardi - Bass
Franco Manzecci - Drums
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Landscape LS2-920
Recorded May 2, 1964  - Brussels
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 1. Bye Bye Blackbird - 9:18
 2. Isn't It Romantic? - 4:44
 3. Airegin - 5:09
 4. Time After Time - 6:45   (video clip)  
 5. So What - 5:55 

 

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