CD Review: Chet Baker, "Blue Room"

Well do I have a surprise for all our Chet Baker fans, and who isn't?  You are in for a real musical treat.  The Archival Label, Jazz Detective has just released a two-CD set of previously unreleased studio performances from Chet Baker that were recorded in Holland in 1979.  The CD package is titled "Blue Room: The 1979 VARA Studio Sessions in Holland".  The first group of songs that were recorded in April 1979 included Pianist Phil Markowitz, Bassist Jean-Louis Rassinfosse and Drummer Charles Rice.  A second session on November 9th, 1979 feature Pianist Frans Elsen, Bassist Victor Kaihatu, and Drummer Eric Ineke.  

The quality of Baker's playing and singing on this two-CD set is at the highest level.  Honestly, I think it's some of his very best work.  The CD includes a booklet loaded with "Must Know" information about Chet Baker.  The booklet includes an overview by Dutch journalist Jeroen de Vale, Essays by Producer Zev Feldman, Frank Jochemsen and Edwin Rutten.  There are also interviews with sidemen Markowitz, Rassinfosse, and Ineke.  Trumpeters Randy Brecker and Enrico Rava and Pianist Enrico Pieranunzi have personal tributes included.  

What a miracle that these studio performances were found and recovered in excellent condition.  Pianist Markowitz who supplied masterful support and solos says "I'm grateful for the lessons I learned with him back then...This recording is really great.  Chet Baker's fans are going to be absolutely thrilled because he sounds unbelievable on this recording."

Randy Brecker one of the most highly respected Jazz Trumpet players performing today had some very interesting comments about Baker's Trumpet skills, "Boy, he got to the heart of the instrument like nobody else.  You hear him and you want to take everything from his playing, his whole conception, his sound, his melodic content.  He was really an improviser.  He played off the melody and he played what he heard.  To this day, I try to use all those elements.  I especially concentrate on playing less, rather than more."

Trust me,  this CD is Chet Baker at the top of his game.  If you are a Chet Baker fan, you have to buy this CD,  If you are new to Chet Baker this CD will make you a fan for life. 

I have attached two cuts from the album.  The first one is the opening tune on CD#1, "Beautiful Black Eyes".  It's a Wayne Shorter tune that features Baker playing as good as I have ever heard him.  It's a great piece of music.  The second tune has Chet Baker singing the song made famous by the Four Freshmen, "Candy".  It's clasic Chet Baker.

 Playlist:

CD#1

1. Beautiful Black Eyes

2. Oh, You Crasy Moon

3. The Best Thing For You

4. Blue Room

5. Down

CD#2

1. Blue Gilles

2. Nardis

3. Candy

4. Luscious Lou

5. My Ideal

6. Old Devil Moon

                                                            "Beautiful Black Eyes"

                                                                        "Candy"