Tenor saxophonist
Stan Getz and trumpeter
Chet Baker would have seemed to have been a very musically compatible pair but, because they did not care for each enough personally, they only worked together on three separate occasions. The last such time was for a 1983 European tour. This broadcast from Norway was issued for the first time on this 1998 CD.
Baker is heard as a special guest with
Getz's quartet (which also includes pianist
Jim McNeely, bassist
George Mraz, and drummer
Victor Lewis), taking vocals on the majority of the seven selections; his singing was certainly an acquired taste by this point. In general,
Getz and
Baker sound fine during their solos on such songs as "I'm Old Fashioned," "Star Eyes," and "Stablemates," although few surprises or sparks occur. Solid music that does not quite live up to its potential. ~ Scott Yanow