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As Gerald Heard's liner notes point out, 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. His first vocal session, recorded in February 1954 and covering tracks seven through 14 of this disc, is so innocent-sounding it's like cub reporter Jimmy Olsen had started a new career as a jazz singer. The album's first six tracks, recorded in July 1956, are even more milk and cookies, thanks in no small part to syrupy material like Frank Loesser's "I've Never Been in Love Before" and Donaldson/Kahn's drippy "My Buddy." Choices from the earlier session like "My Funny Valentine" -- arguably the definitive version of this oft-recorded song -- and "There Will Never Be Another You" work much, much better. The spacious musical setting, a simple trumpet and piano-bass-drums rhythm section, is perfect for Baker's low-key style. Despite the few faults of song selection, Chet Baker Sings is a classic of West Coast cool jazz.
CONDITION: NEW
TRACK LISTING
A1 That Old Feeling
A2 It's Always You
A4 Like Someone In Love
A5 My Ideal
A6 I've Never Been In Love Before
A7 My Buddy
B1 But Not For Me
B2 Time After Time
B3 I Get Along Without You Very Well
B4 My Funny Valentine
B5 There Will Never Be Another You
B6 The Thrill Is Gone
B7 I Fall In Love Too Easily
B8 Look For The Silver Lining
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