Search - Chet Baker :: Complete Recordings

The Original Quartets, Trio, Quintet and Tentette

Conscientious Objector | CA United States | 09/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This music spans the time period between June 1952 and May, 1953, just before Gerry Mulligan's bust. It differs from the Blue Note/Pacific Jazz compilation in that it incorporates live material from the Blackhawk and the Haig, a half session done for the Gene Norman Presents label and others. The first 3 CDS overlap the Blue Note compilation with various quartets and 3 trio tunes (without Chet), one with Gerry playing the piano. The fourth CD has a great session with Lee Konitz as a fifth, who was definitely on the same page as these guys. It makes me wish there were more of this amazing interplay on record. The second half of the CD is a tentette session on nearly the same level. Unlike previous box sets, this doesn't include the 1957 reunion or any of the album done with Annie Ross, which is too bad, since it's out of print. Still, nearly every moment of the groups on these CDS is gold and well worth owning. I only wish there were more ..."