Suitable for this time of year?
Recorded on 7th Jan, 1986
Chet Baker (t)
Christopher Mason (s)
Mike Pellera (p)
Jim Singleton (b)
Johnny Vidacovich (d)
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Thanks again Ian.
Continuing through 1979 Chet recorded his first date with the Danish label SteepleChase started by Nils Winter five years earlier when he was still just a student. SteepleChase specialised in recording mainly American Jazz stars from the 50’s and 60’s who had migrated to Europe where their brand of acoustic Jazz was still popular with fans.
Chet recorded ‘The Touch of Your Lips’ on 21st June 1979 at Rosenberg Studio, Copenhagen he was accompanied by one of Denmarks’ greatest ever Jazz stars bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and young American Guitarist Doug Raney the son of Guitarist Jimmy Raney.
Again the record was made up of tunes sympathetic to Chet’s talents and he was on top form imo his best record since his heyday back in the 50’s and the first Chet record I purchased. The critics both in Europe and the U.S also loved it and gave it great reviews.
French critic Laurent called the record a monument to beauty and truth and added the phrases are delicate and unsettling, the tone one of the sweetest and clearest in existence…
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Chet Baker - The Touch of Your Lips, SteepleChase (1979)
Tracklist
A1. I Waited For You - Written By Gil Fuller
A2. But Not For Me - Written By Gershwin/Gershwin
A3. Autumn In New York - Written By Vernon Duke
B1. Blue Room - Written By Richard Rodgers
B2. The Touch Of Your Lips - Written By Ray Noble
B3. Star Eyes - Written By Raye, DePaul
Band – Chet Baker Trio
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Guitar – Doug Raney
Trumpet & Vocals – Chet Baker
Recorded June 21, 1979
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1979 was a hugely productive year for Chet and like his drug intake his popularity was on the rise he recorded 9 records in 6 different countries throughout Europe and also played extensively throughout the continent live recordings produced another 5 records.
Chet’s popularity amongst Europe’s Jazz players showed no sign of waning either and everywhere he went they wanted to play and record with him. His slow, methodical dedication and loyalty to the music where the perfect counter balance to the fast and ever changing free and fusion forms.
Maurizio Giammarco who played with Chet in Enrico Pieranunzi’s band said, 'whilst I was always thinking about the changes I was playing, he led me to discover there is a higher point where you forget about all the changes and go from note to note, knowing exactly where you are going.
Chet’s next recording was over in London for the French Bingow label over the 4th & 5th September at John Melner Studio two records where cut unusually for Chet one called ‘All Blues’ was with a female vocalist Rachel Gould and he was a bit lost amongst the drums and Goulds strong vocals but he does stand right out during a nice instrumental version of ‘My Funny Valentine’ and also Scats really nicely over ‘Round About Midnight’.
The second album from the sessions ‘Rendez-vous’ was better and much more suited to Chet with versions of Darn that Dream and Secret Love.
Rachel Gould, Chet Baker - All Blues, Bingow Records (1979)
Tracklist
| A1 | All Blues | 5:31 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2 | My Funny Valentine | 5:36 | |
| A3 | Bangles Bangles And Beads | 6:52 | |
| B1 | Straight No Chaser | 3:51 | |
| B2 | Round Midnight | 5:05 | |
| B3 | I’ve Got You Under My Skin | 4:57 | |
| B4 | Phil’s Bossa | 5:30 |
Bass – Jim Richardson
Drums – Tony Mann
Guitar – John Paul Florens
Piano – Henry Florens
Trumpet – Chet Baker
Vocals – Rachel Gould
Recorded at John Melner Studio, London, September 5th, 1979.
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Chet Baker, Jean Florens, Henry Florens - Rendez-Vous, Bingow Records (1980)
Tracklist
| Blues For Inge | 4:30 |
|---|---|
| What’s New | 5:01 |
| Old Date | 6:16 |
| Darn That Dream | 3:42 |
| My Funny Valentine (Take II) | 5:22 |
| Secret Love | 5:41 |
| Round Midnight (Take II) | 5:48 |
Bass – Jim Richardson
Drums – Tony Mann
Guitar – John Paul Florens
Piano – Henry Florens
Trumpet – Chet Baker
Vocals – Rachel Gould
Recorded at John Melner studio, London, Sept 4/5th 1979.
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Great recording, although Getz seems to be a bit dominant compared to Baker‘s contribution. I love them both. Thanks for this recommendation.
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In October of 1979 Chet performed at the Jazzhaus, Montmartre, Copenhagen with the same Trio that had played so well together on The Touch of Your Lips, the concert was recorded by SteepleChase Records and got excellent reviews in the European Jazz press three records where released from it over the next four years. Daybreak in 1980, This is Always in 1982 and Someday My Prince Will Come in 1983.
Chet Baker Trio - Daybreak, SteepleChase Records (1980)
Tracklist
A1. For Minors Only - Written By – Jimmy Heath
A2. Daybreak - Written By Carmichael
B1. Broken Wing - Written By Richard Beirach
B2. Down - Written By Miles Davis
Bass - Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Guitar - Doug Raney
Trumpet - Chet Baker
Recorded live at Montmartre, Copenhagen, October 4, 1979
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Chet Baker Trio - This is Always, SteepleChase Records (1982)
Tracklist
A1. How Deep Is The Ocean - Written By Irving-Berlin
A2. House Of Jade - Written By Wayne-Shorter
B1. Love For Sale - Written By Cole-Porter
B2. This Is Always - Written By Earl-Coleman
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Guitar - Doug Raney
Trumpet & Vocals - Chet Baker
Recorded live at Montmartre, Copenhagen, October 4, 1979.
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Chet Baker Trio - Someday My Prince Will Come, SteepleChase Records (1983)
Tracklist
A1. Sad Walk - Written By Bob-Zieff
A2. Someday My Prince Will Come - Written By Frank-Churchill
B1. I’m Old Fashioned - Written By Jerome - Mercer
B2. In Your Own Sweet Way - Written By Dave-Brubeck
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Guitar - Doug Raney
Trumpet & Vocal - Chet Baker
Recorded “live” at Montmartre, Copenhagen, October 4, 1979
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Two days before the Montmarte concert Chet went into the Sweet Silence Studios, Copenhagen again for SteepleChase but this time as part of a Quartet to record an album composed by pianist Duke Jordan with Norman Fearrington on drums and again with Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on bass.
Chet Baker Quartet - No Problem, SteepleChase Records (1980)
Tracklist
| A1 | No Problem | 9:45 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2 | Sultry Eve | 7:04 | |
| A3 | Glad I Met Pat | 5:08 | |
| B1 | Kiss Of Spain | 7:15 | |
| B2 | The Fuzz | 6:05 | |
| B3 | My Queen Is Home To Stay |
Bass - Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums - Norman Fearrington
Piano - Duke Jordan
Trumpet - Chet Baker
Recorded on October 2, 1979 at Sweet Silence Studios.
Uploading: IMG_1972.HEIC…
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