Search - Chet Baker :: Last Great Concert: My Favorite Songs 1 & 2 (Dig)

A Moving Epitaph For My Favorite Trumpet Player.

Dr. Of Style | Saginaw, MI | 01/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Greetings to all.



Chet Baker died two weeks after this Last Great Concert was performed. Sad, really; made even sadder when you listen to MY FUNNY VALENTINE. If this tune (as played here) doesn't bring tears to your eyes, then I imagine that nothing could. Heart wrenching--that's what this tune is. Mr. Peck (reviewer below) was so perfect in his description, that there is not much more I can add, except to say that, indeed, the orchestra and strings on MY FUNNY VALENTINE seem to be soothing and bathing Chet in some kind of morbid, yet beautiful honor. A tribute to one great jazz player, without doubt.



I have loved Chet's work for many years, and, out of the many albums/cd's I own by Chet, this recording is my favorite.



All of the songs here are performed impeccably. Chet's trumpeting is exceptional, given his frail condition. His vocals are moving. I especially love the vocal/trumpet combination on I FALL IN LOVE TOO EASILY.



Looking at pictures of Chet when this album was recorded is emotionally difficult. Once dubbed the so-called jazz playboy, for his handsome appearance, one can see how life treated Chet, and how he treated life.



Sometimes we all have to experience things, whether self-inflicted or not, that allow us to be the person we know we were intended to be. I know this is true of many artists, and it certainly was true with Chet.



I have been blessed to listen to Chet's music, and I hope this recording moves you as much as it moves me.



I highly recommend this wonderful album. You won't be disappointed.



Thanks for taking the time to read my review.



Rock On, Kids,

Dr. Of Style"

Gotta Have It!

M. Peck | 09/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a Chet Baker fan for over 45 years and think of no better tribute than this album.



Usually live albums are mediocre quality at best, but this one couldn't have been better if done in a studio. And there's no way to describe the way string section sounds when cut live as compared to studio overdubs. Everybody has to be at their best and they certainly were during these performances.



Having loved Miles Davis's "All Blues", the thought of someone else (even Chet) recording it bordered on heresy, but that was the cut that drew me to the album originally after hearing it played on the local PBS station. I gulped and paid the price expecting the rest of the album to be "throw-aways". Wrong!! Every cut is great in it's own way. "My Funny Valentine" is almost gut-wrenching compared to the original and shows the toll years of substance abuse took on Chet, but the strings knock the edges off and make it a truly memorable perfomance.



I don't think you'll be disappointed if you cared for Mr. Baker's performances"

Last concert...big band

M. Basil | Canada, eh? | 02/26/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Since this is Chet's last recorded work, there is an emotional element about listening to this CD. So for historical pruposes, this is an amazing recording. With regard to the quality, his trumpet playing is in top form; however his vocals are a bit weak. However, I'm not much of a fun of the big backing band here -- I prefer to hear Chet in a more scaled downed setting -- such as a small quartet or quintet. Therefore, I'll mark this down to a 4. If you like the larger backing band this is a must have; otherwise, just a nice addition to your Chet Baker collection."