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CHET BAKER
Chet Baker In New York (Riverside)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich
Chet Baker was all too human. The majority of time his records contained brilliant moments mixed with some rather mundane playing. Given an erratic career strongly influenced by drug usage, what made a Baker record worth purchasing depended on how particularly inspired he was during any given session. Chet Baker In New York was one of those efforts where the muse spoke to the trumpet player. Baker had technique to burn, and it was on display for this session, recorded originally in 1958 and just released by Riverside in 20-bit remastered sound.
Baker, the epitome of the West Coast "cool" approach to jazz, traveled to New York City to play with some of the "hot" names in the East Coast jazz scene. Baker was joined by the veteran bopper Al Haig on piano, plus Miles Davis bandmates Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Johnny Griffin, in Thelonius Monk's band at the time, played tenor saxophone on three of the seven numbers.
It has been well documented that Baker's trumpet playing during the 1950s was compared with Miles' cool sound. Baker further invited the comparison by recording Davis' own composition "Solar" and covering a number "When Lights Are Low" that was an integral part of Miles' play list at the time. Baker rose to the occasion. His playing was reflective, his tone clear, and his inspiration focused. The playing of the other musicians was concise and taut, superbly complimenting Baker's efforts and challenging him to produce outstanding solos.
Chet Baker In New York is not perfect. It has a few perfunctory moments of less than passionate playing. But overall, Baker's formidable gift produced an adventurous, eloquent recording that bears repeated listening. This is one Baker disk where the good far outweighs the trite; not essential but admirable nonetheless.
Track List:
Fair Weather * Polka Dots And Moonbeams * Hotel 49 * Solar * Blue Thoughts, When Lights Are Low * Soft Winds
© 2002 - Ron Saranich