Chet Baker

This release presents the complete original LP Chet Baker & Strings (Columbia CL 549), which marks the trumpeter’s first experience recording with a string orchestra. The album also features such important jazz luminaries as Zoot Sims, Jack Montrose, Bud Shank, Russ Freeman, and Shelly Manne. Five tracks that complete the sessions but were not included on the original album (three alternate takes and two rare unaccompanied vocals by Baker) have been added here. Also included are six bonus tracks, consisting of two alternate versions of songs from the album, and a complete 1959 date by Chet with strings.

PERSONNEL:

CHET BAKER, trumpet, vocals on 16-17
ZOOT SIMS, JACK MONTROSE, tenor sax
BUD SHANK, alto sax
RUSS FREEMAN, piano
JOE MONDRAGON, bass
SHELLY MANNE, drums
Plus String Orchestra arranged by
Marty Paich, Jack Montrose, Shorty Rogers & Johnny Mandel.

Los Angeles, December 1953-February 1954.

Bonus tracks:

(18): Chet Baker (tp, vcl), Russ Freeman (p), Carson Smith (b), Bob Neel (d). Los Angeles, March 7, 1955.

(19): Chet Baker (tp), Russ Freeman (p), Carson Smith (b), Bob Neel (d).
Live at the Tiffany Club, Los Angeles, August 10, 1954.

(20-23): Chet Baker (tp) with Len Mercer’s Orchestra & Strings.
Milan, Italy, September 29, 1959.

INCLUDES 12-PAGE BOOKLET

TRACKS:

01 YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS 3:32
02 I’M THRU WITH LOVE 2:40
03 LOVE WALKED IN 2:59
04 YOU BETTER GO NOW 3:07
05 I MARRIED AN ANGEL 3:38
06 LOVE 2:35
07 I LOVE YOU 2:49
08 WHAT A DIFF’RENCE A DAY MADE 2:42
09 WHY SHOULDN’T I? 3:36
10 A LITTLE DUET FOR ZOOT AND CHET 2:37
11 THE WIND 4:03
12 TRICKLEYDIDLIER 2:41
13 YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS [alternate take] 3:30
14 YOU BETTER GO NOW [alternate take] 3:10
15 A LITTLE DUET FOR ZOOT AND CHET [alternate take] 2:42
16 BLUE ROOM [unaccompanied vocal version] 1:29
17 SPRING IS HERE [unaccompanied vocal version] 1:10
18 YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS [1955 vocal version] 4:52
19 THE WIND [1954 Quartet live version] 4:23
20 GOODBYE 5:03
21 I SHOULD CARE 2:46
22 AUTUMN IN NEW YORK 3:32
23 MY FUNNY VALENTINE 4:58

Total Time: 74:45