Chet Baker Sings & Plays

[Bol]

Does anyone know on how many tracks of this reissue Baker sings? How is this album generally?

Edited September 26, 2004 by Bol

[brownie]

Bol, there are a number of Chet Baker albums titled 'Chet Baker Sings & Plays'. Which one have you are you referring to?

[Alec]

I think he's referring to this one that came out last week:

CHET BAKER

SINGS AND PLAYS

1. LETS GET LOST

2. THIS IS ALWAYS

3. LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY

4. SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME

5. JUST FRIENDS

6. I WISH I KNEW

7. DAYBREAK

8. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS 9. GREY DECEMBER

10.1 REMEMBER YOU

11. LETS GET LOST (EP Take)

PERSONNEL ON TRACKS .2, 4, 6, 9

CHET BAKER, vocal & trumpet; BUD SHANK, flute; RUSS FREEMAN, piano;

RED MITCHELL, bass; BOB NEEL, drums; CORKY HALE, harp;

ED LUSTGARTEN, RAY KRAMER, ELEANOR SLATKIN, KURT REHER, cellos

Arranged by MARTY PAICH (tracks #2 & 6),

JOHNNY MANDEL (track #4), and FRANK CAMPO (track #9)

Recorded on February 28, 1955 al Western Recorders, Los Angeles, CA

PERSONNEL ON ALL OTHER SELECTIONS

CHET BAKER, vocal & trumpet; RUSS FREEMAN, piano;

CARSON SMITH, bass; BOB NEEL, drums

Recorded on March 7, 1 955 at Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, CA

Produced by RICHARD BOCK

All selections are mono.

Reissue produced by MICHAEL CUSCUNA

Mastered in 24-brt from the original tapes by RON McMASTER

Photographs and cover design by WILLIAM CLAXTON

Special thanks to Jim Harrod, Russ Wapensky, and Johnny Mandel

Tracks #1-10 originally issued on Pacific Jazz PJ-1202

Track #11 originally issued on Pacific Jazz EP 4-30

Note: the occasional awkward splices common to many Pacific Jazz sessions are on the original master tapes

I think it's great, but those who do not like Baker's singing may want to pass since he sings on all of the tunes.

[Bol]

Yes, that's the one. Thanks for the info. I think I will pass on it for now, as I am not a fan of Baker's singing.

[Alexander]

Chet's singing is an acquired taste, but one that's well worth acquiring. I grabbed this when it came out, and I think it is excellent. The sextet album (released the same day) has no singing, and might suit your tastes better. Still, I think this is a good into for anyone not into Chet's vocals.

[Morganized]

The "new" Prince of Cool boxset has one CD of Chet Baker sings, one of Chet Baker plays and one of a mixed variety I think. How would this compare with the other recently released Baker CDs?

I picked up the Sextet release and thought that one was very good.