Chet Baker Chet Baker & Crew (2 LP)

Audio Beat Rated 3.5/5 Music, 3.5/5 Sound!
Remastered by Steve Hoffman & Kevin Gray! Pressed at Pallas in Germany!
The numbers heard on Chet Baker & Crew were among a prolific flurry of recordings Baker was involved in during the last week of July 1956 - fresh from an extended European stay. The crew on these sides includes Phil Urso (tenor sax), Bobby Timmons (piano), Jimmy Bond (bass), Peter Littman (drums), and of course Baker (trumpet/vocals). Joining the combo on both the original as well as the alternate take of "To Mickey's Memory" and "Pawnee Junction" is Bill Loughbrough (chromatic tympani). His unmistakable percussive accents and tuned drum solos give these West Coast bop tracks uniquely Polynesian intonations. The band members take full advantage of their individual roles and abilities as soloists to really stretch out on "Slightly Above Moderate" and the Urso-credited composition "Halema" - named after Baker's wife. The chemistry of cool that flows between Urso and Baker is perhaps at its finest during the seamless exchange heard on "Worryin' the Life Out of Me." Timmons also boasts notable contributions throughout. His playful and scampering style dresses up the bluesy "Lucius Lu" and "Line for Lyons," among others. The latter is also notable as it contains the sole Baker vocal on this set.
The pieces that can be heard on "Chet Baker & Crew" are part of recordings recorded during the last week of July 1956 in a fruitfully nervous hurry – fresh after an extended stay in Europe. The crew on these pages consists of Phil Urso (tenor saxophone), Bobby Timmons (piano), Jimmy Bond (bass), Peter Littman (drums) and of course Baker (trumpet, vocals). Bill Loughbrough (chromatic tympani) is part of the combo for both the original recording and the alternative takes of "To Mickey's Memory" and "Pawnee Junction". His distinctive drum accents and tuned drum solos give these West Coast bop pieces unique Polynesian elements. The band members make full use of their individual roles and abilities as soloists to turn pieces such as "Slightly Above Moderate" and "Halema", whose composition we owe to Urso and which is named after Baker's wife, into extended excursions. This chemistry of coolness that flows between Urso and Baker is perhaps best heard in the boundless exchange in "Worryin' The Live Out Of Me". Bobby Timmons can boast remarkable contributions throughout the LP, his playful, extravagant style shapes the blues-influenced "Lucius Lu" as well as "Line Vor Lions" among others. The latter is also noteworthy because it is Baker's only vocal number on this record.
This re-release of "Chet Baker & Crew" complements the original eight-track Pacific LP, so it now includes all 14 tracks recorded at the three sessions at the End of July at the Forum Theater, Los Angeles.
The surfaces of both these LPs [PPRLP1224 Chet Baker Chet Baker & Crew & PPRLP38 Lee Konitz & Gerry Mulligan Konitz Meets Mulligan] are impeccable -- as quiet as vinyl gets. This helps reveal the personality of each recording all the better." - Marc Mickelson, www.theaudiobeat.com, 3.5/5 Music, 3.5/5 Sound!

Features:

• 180g Vinyl Analogue
• Pressed at Pallas in Germany
• Limited Edition
• Double LP
• Remastered by Steve Hoffman & Kevin Gray

Musicians:

• Chet Baker, trumpet & vocals D3
• Bobby Timmons, piano
• Phil Urso, tenor saxophone
• Jimmy Bond, bass
• Peter Littman, drums
• Bill Loughbrough, Timpani (Chromatic) A1, C1 & D1

Selections:

LP 1
Side A
1. To Mickey's Memory
2. Slightly Above Moderate
3. Halema
4. Revelation
Side B
1. Something For Liza
2. Lucius Lu
3. Worrying the life out of me
4. Medium Rock
LP 2
Side C
1. To Mickey's Memory (Alternate Take)
2. Jumpin' Off a Clef
3. Chippyin'
Side D
1. Pawnee Junction
2. Music To Dance By
3. Line For Lyons