The labels carry a subtitle of “Ballads by Chet Baker,” and the rear cover suggests “The lyrical trumpet of Chet Baker” but most people just call it Chet. Riverside RLP 12-299 (mono) and RLP 1135 (stereo).
He’s joined here by Pepper Adams, Paul Chambers, Herbie Mann, Bill Evans, and Philly Joe Jones / Connie Kay splitting drums duty, plus Kenny Burrell on two tracks. The liner notes (by Orrin Keepnews) say “Pianist Bill Evans . . . is just beginning to attract real public attention, but has for some time been the object of extreme praise from fellow musicians.”
My copy is a 2021 reissue by Craft Recordings (CR 00359) pressed at RTI with lacquers cut by Kevin Grey – via Beatnick Records in Montreal QC – which sounds fantastic.
Leave a Reply