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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Once Chet Baker arrived in California from his native Oklahoma, his career exploded. After landing gigs with Charlie Parker and Gerry Mulligan, Baker soon found himself a solo star and bandleader. Not long after that, he also found himself whispering love songs into a microphone. Baker was not gifted with the most robust voice of the day. Indeed, listening to pure singers like Nat King Cole or Johnny Hartman can expose Baker's weaknesses, but what Baker did he did well. By choosing wistful, so-young, so-in-love tunes, Baker was able to pour his heart into the material, sketching soft, romantic moods and painting himself as the broken-hearted innocent. The effect can be devastating, as Baker's voice clings to the melody, threatening to disintegrate at any moment. Many of his best tunes--"I Fall in Love Too Easily", "But Not for Me", "Let's Get Lost"--are collected here, and, as such, there is no better place to begin an appreciation of Baker's unique singing. --S. Duda
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Chet Baker is one of the Jazz worlds most earnest and touching symbols, and this CD is a fantastic collection of his material. The recordings are digitally-beautified without being made glossy or 'produced' sounding. Particular trakcs to look out for are 'My Funny Valentine', 'Find the Silver Lining', 'Lets Get Lost' and The Thrill is Gone'. Chet's voice is smooth, calm, innocent, wise, supremely joyful and heart-breakingly sad all at the same time; One of my favourite voices of all time, and his trumpet playing is wonderfully complimentary to his voice, displaying the same smoothness and ease. This is music that does far more than just relax you - it will move you and touch you deeply. If you are new to Chet then this makes an ideal introduction. If like me you are a long-term fan this is a tip-top collection that is for the most part well selected - however the omission of 'Deep in A Dream' is regretable!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Great album from a great trumpeter and sweet singer. He always reminds me of Mel Torme. The songs which have been chosen for this cd could not be better. Well worth listening to and will leave you wanting more
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I needed to replace some old cassettes of Chet Baker and thought that i would start with a songs collection. This CD is great value and covers most of his vocal work when, i believe, he was at his peak around the mid. fifties before his demons destroyed him. Not gifted with the strongest voice, he used what he had to best effect with an angst laden, soft, almost whispering style. To some My Funny Valentine is his best , to others it is The Thrill Is Gone, but for me it has to be Hoagy Carmichael's I Get Along Without You Very Well. He makes this epitaph to lost love so engagingly melancholy without being maudlin and if anyone's voice was created for this standard then it must be his.
Most of the writers of the American song book are included: Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart, Sammy Cahn, Frank Loesser etc. etc. so you know that he works with the best of material and oh boy does he do it well.
This guy was cool before cool was invented. I bought this for his vocals, but don't forget that his main talent, was of course, as a jazz horn player and you get plenty of examples of his artistry on this album. What a sound! If God played trumpet, it would sound like Chet!
Most of the writers of the American song book are included: Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart, Sammy Cahn, Frank Loesser etc. etc. so you know that he works with the best of material and oh boy does he do it well.
This guy was cool before cool was invented. I bought this for his vocals, but don't forget that his main talent, was of course, as a jazz horn player and you get plenty of examples of his artistry on this album. What a sound! If God played trumpet, it would sound like Chet!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Makes me smile
I love this album. When I listen to it - it just makes me smile.
It's beautifully arranged and balanced. Mellow, melodic an understated jewel.
It's beautifully arranged and balanced. Mellow, melodic an understated jewel.
Published 6 hours ago by Mrs. C. Harris
Smooth, sweet, sad loveliness
Sweetly melancholic renditions of jazz classics in Baker's inimitable, effortlessly cool style. Understated yet resonant, this is the perfect late-night/rainy-day accomplishment. Read more
Published 4 months ago by A Music Lover
Chet Baker - get relaxed !!
Chet Baker - Lovely CD, had the original record (stolen) but had to get the album again as old age and nostalgia crept in.
Published 9 months ago by Ross1
Wow! A velvet-cushioned box of jewels!
I have to thank 'Desert Island Discs' on Radio 4 and the 'castaway' (don't remember who)for choosing one of his tracks - it blew me away! Read more
Published 22 months ago by Sorbus
Not as simple as he sounds
When "trad" became popular in the UK in the 1950s a number of clarinet players heard the veteran New Orleans player George Lewis and decided that they would learn and emulate his... Read more
Published 23 months ago by martin jones
Jazz For Easy Listening
Although I have enjoyed Jazz for many years I had not heard Chet Baker until very recently on a radio 4 jazz programme. Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by B. Pimley
Just sublime!
I have always adored Chet Baker, his beyond cool persona is very addictive, no pun intended! His voice is sublime on these songs, just an extention of his trumpet playing and makes... Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2010 by Mrs. Barbara M. Lowe
One of the Best Male Jazz Singers
Jazz has many awesome female singers but when you think about it the number of really great male jazz singers is small, or even non-existent, unless you count the jazz influenced... Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2010 by Steven J. Uttley
The Best of Chet Baker Sings
The Best of Chet Baker Sings
All those lovely songs, simply delivered and with his magic trumpet sound. Real cool jazz.
All those lovely songs, simply delivered and with his magic trumpet sound. Real cool jazz.
Published on 11 Mar 2009 by Marguerite de Woeps
the best
Came across Chet Baker by accident, not being a Jazz fan, but I thought that this CD was really good. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2009 by jazz novice
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