The first songs trumpeter Chet Baker recorded on which he sang were I Fall in Love Too Easily and The Thrill is Gone in October 1953. What struck listeners then and now was his vulnerable articulation, the humid romanticism and relaxed androgyny of his voice. Previously, no male singer had approached vocalizing this way.
What made many of these vocal tracks especially precious was his tender trumpet or flugelhorn that followed his vocal. After listening, one realizes that his approach on both the trumpet and vocals were the same—spare and lyrical, coming off more as a sign than a full-throated execution. Adding to the languid mood and feeling initially was Russ Freeman's piano, which was served as both a sympathetic frame and a collaborative antagonist. [Photo above of Russ Freeman]
Hollywood, of course, would pick up on the popularity of Baker's early 1950s look and personality by elevating James Dean and Montgomery Clift. All three were viewed as handsome, misunderstood and withdrawn.
In all, Baker recorded more than 60 tracks with vocals. Rather than post just one of the set's three albums, I'm giving you all three. As promised, here are all three albums in Chet Baker Sings: The Complete 1953='62 Vocal Studio Recordings (Valentine)—without ad interruptions:
Here's disc 1...
Here's disc 2...
And here's disc 3...
What made many of these vocal tracks especially precious was his tender trumpet or flugelhorn that followed his vocal. After listening, one realizes that his approach on both the trumpet and vocals were the same—spare and lyrical, coming off more as a sign than a full-throated execution. Adding to the languid mood and feeling initially was Russ Freeman's piano, which was served as both a sympathetic frame and a collaborative antagonist. [Photo above of Russ Freeman]
Hollywood, of course, would pick up on the popularity of Baker's early 1950s look and personality by elevating James Dean and Montgomery Clift. All three were viewed as handsome, misunderstood and withdrawn.
In all, Baker recorded more than 60 tracks with vocals. Rather than post just one of the set's three albums, I'm giving you all three. As promised, here are all three albums in Chet Baker Sings: The Complete 1953='62 Vocal Studio Recordings (Valentine)—without ad interruptions:
Here's disc 1...
Here's disc 2...
And here's disc 3...
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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