Search - Chet Baker :: Let's Get Lost

A TIMELESS ARTIST NEAR THE END OF HIS LIFE...

Larry L. Looney | Austin, Texas USA | 12/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album consists of the tracks Baker recorded especially for the Bruce Weber documentary `Let's get lost' - a retrospective of the life of the great horn player and vocalist. Baker's life was troubled - his drug addiction is legendary, and ultimately caused his death, directly or indirectly, as the individual chooses to view the events. His musical genius is indisputable - and these recordings are an incredible witness to that. The group accompanying Baker (featured here on trumpet & vocals) is a small one: Frank Strazzeri (piano), John Leftwich (bass), Ralph Penland (drums & percussion) and Nicola Stilo (guitar & flute). There are standards a-plenty here - songs that will be loved forever by the likes of Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, Cole Porter, Johnny Burke & Jimmy VanHuesen, Antonio Carlos Jobim - as well as a tune by none other than Elvis Costello, just to show that great ones are still being written.Baker was always a fine vocalist - and no one else sounds quite like him. There are times when it sounds like he's hanging onto the notes by his fingernails - but there's never a moment (here, or in anything I've ever heard him sing) when he sounds detached from the song. Every one of his performances is filtered through his heart and soul - and that's a beautiful thing to experience. Without taking such extreme liberties that the melody is unrecognizable (as many who style themselves `jazz vocalists' seem to do), Baker lovingly caresses each tune and makes it his own. The sheer intimacy that Baker is able to express in the love songs makes the listener feel like he or she is eavesdropping on a conversation from the next table in a dimly lit, wee-hours jazz club - and it's a privilege to share such raw, honest feelings.The players are perfect in their support here - Baker's voice is the center of every arrangement, but with an instrument as magnetic as the singer possesses, how could it be otherwise? His trumpet playing is as fine as ever, even at this late stage of the game. It's sometimes sad to listen - there's pain so clearly and eloquently expressed in every song - but there's an unnamable joy present as well, for what a gift it is that he shares with us!Weber's documentary is hard to watch as well - Baker's life was a hard one, filled with pain and sorrow, for which he turned to heroin. It's heartbreaking to witness someone hurting so much - but his music is without question of the timeless variety, and something to be treasured."

Addictive

digital dilettante | London, England United Kingdom | 07/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If this is the only jazz album you ever buy, then buy this one! Although the soundtrack for Bruce Weber's hypnotic B&W noir portrait of Baker (mainly through the eyes and voices of his women), this album stands on its own as a masterpiece of disinterested beauty. From the oceanic womb-like rhythm of the opening Moon and Sand to Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye's "every change from major to minor", this album's heart-piercing trumpet playing is breath-taking. Even the slightly off-key singing is as valid and "right" as an old bluesman's plantation song. As the lady said in the orgasmic cafe scene in When Harry Met Sally, "whatever she's having I'll have the same"...whatever Chet's on, musically, will do me fine. Of all Mr B's albums, and I've many, this is the most satisfying and addictive, one you won't get out of your head for a long time. ***** stars!"

Jazz That Anyone Can Love

William Whelan | Ireland | 08/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not all of Chet Bakers CD's are worth having but this one is. The beauty is in the fragility of his singing voice. Similar to Johnny Cash's later recordings you can hear the life that the voice has lived as it sings. His playing is also beautifully fragile and perfect all at the same time. I've probably over analysed everything here :) I just really liked this CD."