Chet Baker (trumpet) was arguably at the peak of his prowess when
captured in a quartet setting at the Masonic Temple in Ann Arbor, MI,
May 9, 1954. He's joined by Russ Freeman (piano), Carson Smith (bass)
and Bob Neel (drums), all of whom provide ample assistance without ever
obscuring their leader's laid-back and refined style. Baker's sublime
sounds also garnered notice from critics, who had placed him atop polls
in both Metronome and Down Beat magazines the previous year. Evidence of
these lauds are obvious upon listening to the combo as they nestle into
one of the cornerstones in their repertoire, the suave "Line for Lyons"
-- a track dating back to the artist's short-lived yet genre defining
work with the song's author, Gerry Mulligan. Almost immediately after
establishing the melodic theme, Baker dives into his trademark solos.
The fluidity throughout the seemingly off-the-cuff excursions presents
confirmation of both his unquestionable timing and understated subtle
authority. The rhythm section ably follows the improvisations with
solid, yet never overpowering support. Freeman also shines throughout,
especially during the stately opening to "Lover Man" or the up-tempo
jiving "Maid in Mexico." Other classics include the stark intimacy of
Baker's signature "My Funny Valentine," as well as respectively frisky
renditions of "Stella by Starlight" and Freeman's own crowd-pleasing
"Russ Job." In 2000, these eight cuts were coupled with five additional
previously unreleased sides from the Carlton Theatre in Los Angeles
circa August of 1953. The results were Quartet Live, Vol. 1: This Time
the Dream's on Me (2000), the first of three archival volumes featuring
Baker during his initial reign as the poster child for West coast cool
jazz. Lindsay Planer
7.4.24
CHET BAKER QUARTET — Jazz at Ann Arbor (1954-2002) RM | MONO | Serie Super Bit Jazz Classics | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
13.9.21
THE CHET BAKER QUARTET WITH RUSS FREEMAN - The Complete Pacific Jazz Live Recordings of The Chet Baker Quartet With Russ Freeman (1989) 3CD / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
The independent jazz reissue label Mosaic Records garnered a rightful reputation as industry leaders and enthusiast favorites with deluxe and strictly limited-edition packages such as this one. The contents of this four-LP/three-CD collection are derived from two performances during the summer of 1954 and feature the Chet Baker Quartet: Baker (trumpet/"boom bam" percussion), Russ Freeman (piano), Carson Smith (bass), and Bob Neel (drums). The two performances -- recorded July 21 at Santa Cruz's Civic Auditorium and August 10 at The Tiffany Club in Los Angeles, respectively -- are presented chronologically. The five tunes from the July set were documented by Pacific Jazz renaissance man Dick Bock using primitive portable open-reel (aka reel-to-reel) technology. Despite a few inherent tape anomalies, the amazingly rich sound rivals that of many studio releases of the same era. Unleashed from within Baker's normally reserved tone is an aggressive display of high energy and remarkably fluid bop chops on Charlie "Bird" Parker's "Billie's Bounce." The unfettered repartee between Baker and Freeman is likewise a highlight, as the two are able to augment and parlay melodies into minor works of expressionistic art. Even the decidedly cooler-toned "Stella by Starlight" and "Line for Lyons" contain fiery exchanges between the two. The Tiffany Club performance is decidedly lengthier and is joined already in progress. These August 10 performances capture the Chet Baker Quartet five nights into a run that extended over six weeks. For reasons which are unclear, this 90-plus-minutes of primal, live Baker Quartet remained for the most part unissued for well over three decades. Only edited versions of "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart" and the Freeman composition "Russ Job" were ever accessed, although neither appeared on a Baker or Freeman release. The entire quartet is in truly exceptional form on these recordings. Highlights include the Freeman- and Baker-dominated cover of Tadd Dameron's "Lady Bird," the tropically rhythmic "Frenesi," and a show-stopping reading of bassist Carson Smith's "Carson City Blues." Unlike much of Baker's catalog that remained decidedly more subdued, The Complete Pacific Live Jazz Recordings of Chet Baker With Russ Freeman captures the trumpet player as a young man at the very zenith of his talents. Although all the materials on this set are also available on the comparatively inexpensive Chet Baker Quartet Live, Vol. 2: Out of Nowhere and Chet Baker Quartet Live, Vol. 3: My Old Flame, they miss the lavish booklet that contains some of William Claxton's brilliant photography of the band circa the summer of 1954. This is an essential addition to any appreciation of Chet Baker or Russ Freeman. by Lindsay Planer
Tracklist 1 :
Recorded At The University Of Michigan In Ann Arbor On May 9, 1954
1 Announcements 0:39
2 Line For Lyons 6:48
3 Lover Man 5:45
4 My Funny Valentine 4:50
5 Maid In Mexico 4:50
6 Stella By Starlight 4:03
7 My Old Flame 5:44
8 Headline 4:45
9 Russ Job 5:53
Tracklist 2 :
Recorded At The Tiffany Club In Los Angeles On August 10, 1954
1 No Ties 3:10
2 Out Of Nowhere 8:30
3 Deep Purple 6:23
4 My Little Suede Shoes 6:30
5 Lady Bird 7:19
6 Line For Lyons 5:30
7 Lullaby Of The Leaves 4:30
8 My Old Flame 5:45
9 Russ Job 6:03
10 The Wind 4:20
11 Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart 6:00
Tracklist 3 :
1 Everything Happens To Me 5:18
2 A Dandy Line 6:25
3 Frenesi 6:28
4 Moonlight In Vermont 5:07
5 Carson City Stage 7:03
Recorded In Concert In Santa Cruz, California In Late July Or Late September-October, 1954
6 Billie's Bounce 10:22
7 Stella By Starlight 4:50
8 Line For Lyons 5:25
9 Carson City Stage 5:51
10 All The Things You Are 6:21
Credits :
Bass – Carson Smith
Drums – Bob Neel
Piano – Russ Freeman
Trumpet – Chet Baker
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