chetbakertribute.com

"Let's Get Lost" - 1956 (play)
Perhaps the definitive Chet Baker tune. If someone asks you "What does Chet Baker sound like?" Play them this one.

"Angel Eyes" - 1959 (play)
"I'm Thru With Love" - 1954 (play)
Some Jazz artists recorded with orchestras in the 1950's to appeal to the "mainstream" audience. Billie Holiday and Charlie Parker tried it, and Nat "King" Cole made a career of it, leaving his jazz roots behind for commercial success. I'm not a big fan of Chet's recordings with strings, but there are a few nice tunes. His famous 1954 Chet Baker & Strings is saved by some good arrangements and great sidemen. Chet rarely recorded with strings in later years, but ironically, his last recording was with the Radio Orchestra Hannover.

"Shipbuilding" - 1983 (play)
It was well-known that Chet did not like Rock 'n Roll music, so for him to collaborate with a rock legend like Elvis Costello was unusual. Here is Chet performing a guest solo on Costello's 1983 album Punch The Clock. Costello originally wanted Miles Davis for the tune, but he was not available. Chet happened to be in London at the time, so he signed on for the gig. Elvis was not disappointed in the least. It was during this session that he gave Baker a copy of "Almost Blue".

"Blue Room" - 1978 (play)
There is a jazz term called "swings pretty", meaning you can play a ballad and still swing. Considering Chet's impeccable timing and his lyrical tone, he was a natural at swinging pretty. No more is that apparent than on this 1978 date with Phil Markowitz.

"Bea's Flat" - 1953 (play)
"Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart" - 1954 (play)
"Blue 'n' Boogie" - 1980 (play)
"Conception" - 1985 (play)
"Arborway" - 1987 (play)
Because of his fondness for ballads, Chet Baker is not usually known as a technically proficient trumpet player. Listen to these clips and decide for yourself. The first two clips are from Chet's days with Russ Freeman, where he played the liveliest bop. "Blue 'n' Boogie" is from Chet's hot performance in New Haven, CT in 1980. "Arborway" is from the great Chet Baker in Tokyo CD. On the complete recording, this solo is almost 7 minutes long.

"Autumn Leaves" - 1977 (play)
"Far Away" - 1977 (play)
Chet did a lot of vocal work, and he occasionally had guest vocalists on his recordings. Rarely, however, did he sing duets. On "Autumn Leaves" he sings with Ruth Young. Her voice complements Chet's music so well, it is a shame they did not record together more. "Far Away" is from Astrud Gilberto's The Girl From Ipenema. This is a pretty good cut from an otherwise bad album.

"Fair Weather" - 1985 (play)
From the Round Midnight soundtrack. Producer Herbie Hancock was amazed at how Chet memorized the song, and recorded it in only one take. This one is special to me because it was the first Chet Baker tune I ever heard.

"Freeway" - 1952 (play)
"Il Mio Domani" - 1962 (play)
"Theme For Freddy" - 1964 (play)
"I Love My Wife" - 1985 (play)
Chet Baker was by no means a prolific songwriter. He penned only a few tunes during his lifetime. It wasn't because of his lack of musical training, his natural abilities far surpassed anything taught in a music class. His amazing improvisation proves that it was not for lack of ideas. Perhaps Chet didn't have the discipline to sit down and transpose the notes in his head to paper. I think he just didn't have the time or opportunity. Living from gig to gig, traveling, moving, maybe it was just something he always put off until tomorrow. The clips above are just a few samples of those rare times Chet recorded his original tunes. Like Chet's lifetime catalog, full of different sounds and moods.

"Time After Time" - 1964 (play)
This is probably my favorite Chet Baker recording, because it features some of his best singing and playing on one tune. The 1954 version of this tune is heard most often, but this 1964 (or 63?) version is even better. The song is over 6 minutes long, and Chet takes his time with some pretty vocals, and a wonderful trumpet solo. His paying is languid and soft, sometimes so soft, his horn could be mistaken for a flute.

"I Fall In Love Too Easily" - 1953 (play)
"I Fall In Love Too Easily" - 1988 (play)
This tune "bookends" Chet's recording career. The 1953 recording is his first recorded vocal work. The 1988 version is from his last recorded concert in April 1988. As you listen to the two clips, with their 35 years between them, don't pay attention to how much they differ, but rather how much they sound the same.

check the discography section for even more audio clips.