Chet Baker in New York

by Chet Baker

Overview

Chet Baker's West Coast cool comes to the Big Apple on Chet Baker in New York. The project would be Baker's first -- in a four album deal -- with the Big Apple-based Riverside Records. The bicoastal artist incorporates his decidedly undernourished sound and laid-back phrasing into the styling of Al Haig (piano), Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), Paul Chambers (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums). The results are uniformly brilliant as Baker's cool-toned solos fly and bop with authority around the equally impressive supporting soloists. Conversely, the same cohesive unity continues on the introspective numbers that are more akin to Baker's California cool. Undoubtedly one of the charms of this collection is the distinct choice of material. Running the gamut from the relaxed and soothing "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" and equally serene "Blue Thoughts" at one end of the spectrum to the percolating and driving intensity of "Hotel 49" on the other. This track features each quintet member taking extended solos corralling together at the head and again at the coda for some intense bop interaction. Especially ferocious is Philly Joe Jones, who could easily be mistaken for Keith Moon, Ginger Baker, or even Gene Krupa with his cacophonous solo that never strays from the beat or loses its sense of swing. Perhaps the best meshing of styles can be heard on the Miles Davis composition "Solar." This "best-of" candidate refers to both Chambers' and Jones' concurrent involvement with Davis. The churning backbeat likewise propels the melody and ultimately the performers into reaching beyond their individual expertise and into an area of mutual brilliance. Chet Baker in New York is a highly recommended entry into Baker's catalog. It should also be noted that these same sides were issued in 1967 as Polka Dots and Moonbeams on the Jazzland label. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	03/05/2021
Label:	Craft Records
UPC:	0888072197671
Rank:	31279

Tracks

1. Fair Weather
2. Polka Dots and Moonbeams
3. Hotel 49
4. Solar
5. Blue Thoughts
6. When Lights Are Low

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Chet Baker   Primary Artist,Trumpet
Chet Baker Quartet   Primary Artist
Chet Baker Quintet   Primary Artist
Paul Chambers   Guest Artist,Bass
Al Haig   Guest Artist,Piano
Johnny Griffin   Guest Artist,Sax (Tenor)
Philly Joe Jones   Guest Artist,Drums

Technical Credits

Spencer Williams   Composer
Paul Bacon   Cover Design,Original Cover Artwork
Steve Hoffman   Mastering
Jack Higgins   Engineer
Benny Golson   Composer
Fletcher Henderson   Composer
Benny Goodman   Composer
Joe Tarantino   Mastering
James Van Heusen   Composer
Miles Davis   Composer
Kenny Dorham   Composer
Benny Carter   Composer
Orrin Keepnews   Producer,Liner Notes
Owen Marshall   Composer
Johnny Burke   Composer
Marcia McGovern   Pre-Production
Roberta Ballard   Production Manager,Production Coordination
Paul Weller   Cover Photo,Photography
Paul John Weller   Cover Photo
Tamaki Beck   Mastering