Leaving
Chet Baker
This rare gem is not widely known outside the circle of diehard Chet Baker fans. Recorded on the Germany "Intercord" label, this session has remained (unbelievably) out of print for years, and has never released on CD.

Everything seems to go right here. Chet's playing is flawless. His sidemen trade tight, clean solos. The material is a mixture of familiar Baker standards and some fresh originals penned by Pianist Dennis Luxion.

We start with the funky "Gershwin Goes To Rio". Chet seems to have a lot of fun with the tune. Del Fra opens "Leaving" with a haunting bowed bass, Chet follows with a very appropriate muted horn solo. This is certainly Chet's best recording of Bierach's sad tune. On both "You've Flipped Out" and "Tempus Fugit", Chet and Nicola swing with some duets before breaking out in some hot solos. "Blues Pour C.R." sees Baker going back to his muted trumpet to deliver another poignant solo. We close with the pretty Luxion original "Prayer for the Newborn" and  Chet's only vocal performance on "When I fall in Love".

It's too bad more jazz fans can't hear this amazing recording. Its far better than many of Chet's other gigs from the 1980's that continue to be released.

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Chet Baker - Trumpet, Vocals
Dennis Luxion - Piano
Nicola Stilo - Alto Flute
Ricardo del Fra -Bass
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Intercord INT160.154
Recorded April, 1980, Munchen, Germany
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 1. Gershwin Goes to Rio - 6:22
 2. Leaving - 9:37
 3. You've Flipped Out - 4:15
 4. Tempus Fugit - 4:52
 5. Blues Pour C.R. - 6:01
 6. Prayer for the Newborn - 3:26
 7. When I Fall in Love - 6:23
 

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