CHET BAKER & BUD SHANK - Theme music from the James Dean Story
Fresh Sounds Records FSR 1668
All arrangements by Bill Holman & Johnny Mandel
Composed by Leith Stevens
Tracks 2, 4, 5 & 10
Chet Baker ( tpt ) Bud Shank ( alto / flute ) Charlie Mariano ( alto ) Bill Holman ( tnr ) Richie Kamuca ( tnr ) Herbie Steward ( tnr / clt ) Pepper Adams ( bar ) Claude Williamson ( pno ) Monty Budwig
( bass ) Mel Lewis ( drs ) Mike Pacheco ( bohgos ) ( on tracks 2, 5 & 10 )
Track 3
Chet Baker ( tpt ) Bud Shank ( flute ) Claude Williamson ( pno ) Monty Budwig ( bass ( Mel Lewis (drs)
Tracks 1, 6, 8, 9 & 11
Chet Baker ( tpt ) Ray Linn ( tpt ) Don Fagerquist ( tpt ) Milt Bernhart ( tmb ) Bud Shank ( alto / flute ) Bill Holman ( tnr , clt ) Pepper Adams ( bar / bass clt ) on track 9 Claude Williamson ( pno ) Monty Budwig ( bass ) Mel Lewis ( drs ) Mike Pacheco ( bongos )
Track 7
Chet Baker ( tpt ) Bill Holman ( tnr ) Claude Williamson ( pno ) Monty Budwig ( bass ) Mel Lewis
( drs )
All tracks recorded on various dates at Radio Recorders, Hollywood , August 1957
Like the trumpet player featured on this album Chet Baker, James Dean was a shining beacon in the Fifties that most young men aspired to be, both had good looks in abundance, charm and artistic gifts.
Unfortunately James Dean died young driving a fast car which in some ways was poetic but he was unable to build on his early success.
On the other hand Chet Baker destroyed his physical being but had considerable success in his chosen field and although he did not live to a ripe old age he did enjoy a chequered career but a very productive one leaving behind a very expansive cataogue of recordings.
The personnel on these recordings contain some of the best of the West Coast jazz musicians working in the studios and the local jazz clubs.
By it’s nature as soundtrack recordings it does not have the flow of a normal flow of a general jazz session but the music by Leith Stevens, a veteran of jazz soundtrack music is good and with arrangements by Bill Holman and Johnny Mandel what could possibly go wrong? Well nothing really there is enough of interest to the die hard jazz fan and enough good solos to keep the most avid fan happy.
There are four different personnel’s on the album and all but two are large ensembles the other two are two different quintets the first of which as a front line of Bud Shank and Chet Baker and the number is “Lost Love” which is a moody ballad and features Bud Shank’s flute and some subdued trumpet from Chet Baker. The rhythm section is constant throughout all four personnel’s.
The other quintet track has a front line of Chet Baker and Bill Holman playing “Rebel At Work“ which is an allusion to James Dean‘s role in the film “Rebel Without A Cause“ which is one of those under stated West Coast staples. Bill Holman’s tenor playing is often overlooked in favour of his writing but he is a fine player who plays particularly well constructed solos. Bongo player Mike Pacheco is added to the rhythm section on all the larger group tracks which is fitting as James Dean also enjoyed playing the bongos.
The opening track “Jimmy’s Theme” is a lively affair and features swinging solos by Chet Baker and Bud Shank back on alto.
“The Search” is an easy paced number with nicely laid back solos by Chet and Bud and also a interesting contribution by pianist Claude Williamson.
If you enjoy catchy numbers “The Movie Star” is the track for you with some sterling section work and hard swinging solos from the principles Chet and Bud.
This album has a lot going for it with top of the range arrangements and interesting contributions by Chet Baker and Bud Shank who are on fine form. If you saw the Film you may possibly want this as a momento of the occasion.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Fresh Sounds Records FSR 1668
All arrangements by Bill Holman & Johnny Mandel
Composed by Leith Stevens
Tracks 2, 4, 5 & 10
Chet Baker ( tpt ) Bud Shank ( alto / flute ) Charlie Mariano ( alto ) Bill Holman ( tnr ) Richie Kamuca ( tnr ) Herbie Steward ( tnr / clt ) Pepper Adams ( bar ) Claude Williamson ( pno ) Monty Budwig
( bass ) Mel Lewis ( drs ) Mike Pacheco ( bohgos ) ( on tracks 2, 5 & 10 )
Track 3
Chet Baker ( tpt ) Bud Shank ( flute ) Claude Williamson ( pno ) Monty Budwig ( bass ( Mel Lewis (drs)
Tracks 1, 6, 8, 9 & 11
Chet Baker ( tpt ) Ray Linn ( tpt ) Don Fagerquist ( tpt ) Milt Bernhart ( tmb ) Bud Shank ( alto / flute ) Bill Holman ( tnr , clt ) Pepper Adams ( bar / bass clt ) on track 9 Claude Williamson ( pno ) Monty Budwig ( bass ) Mel Lewis ( drs ) Mike Pacheco ( bongos )
Track 7
Chet Baker ( tpt ) Bill Holman ( tnr ) Claude Williamson ( pno ) Monty Budwig ( bass ) Mel Lewis
( drs )
All tracks recorded on various dates at Radio Recorders, Hollywood , August 1957
Like the trumpet player featured on this album Chet Baker, James Dean was a shining beacon in the Fifties that most young men aspired to be, both had good looks in abundance, charm and artistic gifts.
Unfortunately James Dean died young driving a fast car which in some ways was poetic but he was unable to build on his early success.
On the other hand Chet Baker destroyed his physical being but had considerable success in his chosen field and although he did not live to a ripe old age he did enjoy a chequered career but a very productive one leaving behind a very expansive cataogue of recordings.
The personnel on these recordings contain some of the best of the West Coast jazz musicians working in the studios and the local jazz clubs.
By it’s nature as soundtrack recordings it does not have the flow of a normal flow of a general jazz session but the music by Leith Stevens, a veteran of jazz soundtrack music is good and with arrangements by Bill Holman and Johnny Mandel what could possibly go wrong? Well nothing really there is enough of interest to the die hard jazz fan and enough good solos to keep the most avid fan happy.
There are four different personnel’s on the album and all but two are large ensembles the other two are two different quintets the first of which as a front line of Bud Shank and Chet Baker and the number is “Lost Love” which is a moody ballad and features Bud Shank’s flute and some subdued trumpet from Chet Baker. The rhythm section is constant throughout all four personnel’s.
The other quintet track has a front line of Chet Baker and Bill Holman playing “Rebel At Work“ which is an allusion to James Dean‘s role in the film “Rebel Without A Cause“ which is one of those under stated West Coast staples. Bill Holman’s tenor playing is often overlooked in favour of his writing but he is a fine player who plays particularly well constructed solos. Bongo player Mike Pacheco is added to the rhythm section on all the larger group tracks which is fitting as James Dean also enjoyed playing the bongos.
The opening track “Jimmy’s Theme” is a lively affair and features swinging solos by Chet Baker and Bud Shank back on alto.
“The Search” is an easy paced number with nicely laid back solos by Chet and Bud and also a interesting contribution by pianist Claude Williamson.
If you enjoy catchy numbers “The Movie Star” is the track for you with some sterling section work and hard swinging solos from the principles Chet and Bud.
This album has a lot going for it with top of the range arrangements and interesting contributions by Chet Baker and Bud Shank who are on fine form. If you saw the Film you may possibly want this as a momento of the occasion.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
