Chet Baker

Just like Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker gained renown as a brilliant trumpet player and as a superb singer. However, it came as a total surprise to his fans in 1954 when Chet, who up to that time was best known for his instrumental virtues, issued his first vocal album, a 10” LP consisting of the eight tracks on side B of this album. Such was the success of the experiment that more vocal sessions were made shortly after, and in 1956 the final "Chet Baker Sings" 12” LP appeared adding the 1954 sessions which fill Side A of the present record.

The album received rave reviews from the start, and catapulted Baker to fame not only as a jazz musician, but also as a pop star. The album was given a five-star rating in All Music Guide, with critic Stewart Mason stating that “it’s difficult to decide whether Chet Baker was a trumpet player who sang or a singer who played trumpet. When the 24-year-old California-based trumpeter started his vocal career in 1954, his singing was revolutionary; as delicate and clear as his trumpet playing, with a similarly bright and vibrato-free tone, Baker simply didn’t sound like any previous jazz singer.” In 2001, Chet Baker Sings received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

PERSONNEL:

CHET BAKER, vocals & trumpet
RUSS FREEMAN, piano & celeste
JIMMY BOND, bass on Side A.
CARSON SMITH, bass on B1-B5 & B7-B8
JOE MONDRAGON, bass on B6
PETER LITTMAN, drums on A1-A2 & A5.
LAWRENCE MARABLE, drums on A3-A4 & A6
BOB NEEL, drums on B1-B5 & B7-B8.
SHELLY MANNE, drums on B6.

All tracks recorded in Los Angeles.
A1, A2 & A5: July 23, 1956; A3, A4 & A6: July 30, 1956;
B1-B5 & B7-B8: February 15, 1954; B6: October 27, 1953.

SIDE A:

01 THAT OLD FEELING
02 IT’S ALWAYS YOU
03 LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE
04 MY IDEAL
05 I’VE NEVER BEEN IN LOVE BEFORE
06 MY BUDDY

SIDE B:

01 BUT NOT FOR ME
02 TIME AFTER TIME
03 I GET ALONG WITHOUT YOU VERY WELL
04 MY FUNNY VALENTINE
05 THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER YOU
06 THE THRILL IS GONE
07 I FALL IN LOVE TOO EASILY
08 LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING