CHET BAKER QUARTET - Live in France 1978
Domino Records 891232
Tracks 1 to 5
Chet Baker ( tpt / vocal ) Phil Markowitz ( pno ) Scott Lee ( bas ) Jeff Brillinger( bass )
Recorded Chateauvallon, France, 10th November 1978
Track 6
Chet Baker ( tpt ) Bob Mover ( alto ) Larry Ridley ( bass ) David Lee ( drs )
Recorded Nice, France, 24th July 1975
It almost seems that there is a new release or re-release of a Chet Baker album every month, there have been a great many releases of Chet Baker recorded in Europe over the years of varying quality. This particular album was recorded in France after a short trip back to states wher he made a number of dates and recorded with Astrid Gilberto.
The album opens with the Burke and Van Heusen tune “Oh You Crazy Moon” on Baker takes on the vocal chores, there are many admirers of Baker’s vocal talents and although he made a number of acceptable vocal recordings in the Mid Fifties he never really had the vocal talent for it in later years. His attempt at wordless scatting on this track is nothing short of embarrassing. His muted solo is very good and he does not really need the prop of a vocal, pianist Phil Markowitz really takes the honours on this track both for for his spot on comping and his delightful solo. Scott Lee is only the pick-up bass player but he fits like a glove with the rest of the backing trio.
Wayne Shorter’s composition “Beautiful Black Eyes” is the longest track on the album lasting well over quarter of an hour, Chet’s solo is thoughtful and although he does seem to be searching for ideas at times it is still a pretty good solo.
On Michel Legrand’s “Once Upon A Summertime” we are treated to a fine reflective solo by Chet with some understated backing from Phil Markowitz who also keeps the mood going during his outstanding solo.
The bonus track Chet Baker’s own “Mister B” was recorded three years earlier with a different personnel is a much livelier track but the backing trio lacks the integration of the previous one. The alto player is also added to the group but is solo is not much to write home about.
part from the usual linear notes the is a revealing four page interview with Gundun Endress in which Chet Baker is quite candid in his replies to the interviewers questions.
With so many Chet Baker albums available to choose from it is difficult to recommend this release but apart from the vocals there is much to admire on this album, it all depends on how much of a Chet Baker fan you are or whether you are a somebody who must have every Chet Baker release that comes along.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Domino Records 891232
Tracks 1 to 5
Chet Baker ( tpt / vocal ) Phil Markowitz ( pno ) Scott Lee ( bas ) Jeff Brillinger( bass )
Recorded Chateauvallon, France, 10th November 1978
Track 6
Chet Baker ( tpt ) Bob Mover ( alto ) Larry Ridley ( bass ) David Lee ( drs )
Recorded Nice, France, 24th July 1975
It almost seems that there is a new release or re-release of a Chet Baker album every month, there have been a great many releases of Chet Baker recorded in Europe over the years of varying quality. This particular album was recorded in France after a short trip back to states wher he made a number of dates and recorded with Astrid Gilberto.
The album opens with the Burke and Van Heusen tune “Oh You Crazy Moon” on Baker takes on the vocal chores, there are many admirers of Baker’s vocal talents and although he made a number of acceptable vocal recordings in the Mid Fifties he never really had the vocal talent for it in later years. His attempt at wordless scatting on this track is nothing short of embarrassing. His muted solo is very good and he does not really need the prop of a vocal, pianist Phil Markowitz really takes the honours on this track both for for his spot on comping and his delightful solo. Scott Lee is only the pick-up bass player but he fits like a glove with the rest of the backing trio.
Wayne Shorter’s composition “Beautiful Black Eyes” is the longest track on the album lasting well over quarter of an hour, Chet’s solo is thoughtful and although he does seem to be searching for ideas at times it is still a pretty good solo.
On Michel Legrand’s “Once Upon A Summertime” we are treated to a fine reflective solo by Chet with some understated backing from Phil Markowitz who also keeps the mood going during his outstanding solo.
The bonus track Chet Baker’s own “Mister B” was recorded three years earlier with a different personnel is a much livelier track but the backing trio lacks the integration of the previous one. The alto player is also added to the group but is solo is not much to write home about.
part from the usual linear notes the is a revealing four page interview with Gundun Endress in which Chet Baker is quite candid in his replies to the interviewers questions.
With so many Chet Baker albums available to choose from it is difficult to recommend this release but apart from the vocals there is much to admire on this album, it all depends on how much of a Chet Baker fan you are or whether you are a somebody who must have every Chet Baker release that comes along.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
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