Chet

Why on Earth has it taken me many years to fall in love with this beautiful recording? What a pleasure it is to revisit it in this 24 bit remastering. I had previously been fixated on the lack of soloing by Bill Evans. Chet Baker and Bill Evans together - Surely a match made in heaven. But the lack of soloing by Evans used to disappoint me dreadfully. Once I accepted the piano as a simple delicate accompaniment everything fell into place. Now I can enjoy Chets’ elegant solos and the gorgeous contributions from Pepper Adams, so rich and yet so delicate and Herbie Mann who is equally great on flute. Critics have long complained about the so called ‘Junkie Beat’ of the slow tempos on some tracks: a reference to the drug habits of most of these musicians. Sadly the somewhat dark and destructive biography of Baker by James Gavin picks up on this criticism and has done its share of damage to the appreciation of Bakers better recordings, mostly of the 70s onwards but even to a few notable recordings in the 50s/60s such as this one. I am currently reading the outstanding biography by jazz aficionado Matthew Ruddick ‘Funny Valentine- the story of Chet Baker’. At last we can really appreciate in full both the darkness and the beauty to be found in Chets’ life and music. Do not deny yourself this beautiful recording.

I guess if you had to label Chet Baker's style I would use the terms 'West coast' or 'Cool'; whatever, this is brilliant playing and is so easy to listen to. I play saxophone and tend to focus my listening on some of the great saxophonists; however, when I heard this I was blown away. Buy and enjoy!

I really like this CD. Quintessential slow, romantic jazz, ideal for late nights. I play it while I am reading in bed.

A great product, well-packaged and delivered on schedule. Also a great album!

This was the first Chet Baker album i have bought, wasn't sure where to start but decided on this after some good reviews, glad i did,have really enjoyed this cd

Brilliant

Brilliant, relaxing music, addicted to it at the moment.

prefer his instrumental but still a great choice