Chet Baker's star rose rapidly during the 1950s and this CD marks the initial release of his earliest recorded concert as a leader, recorded at a 1953 Los Angeles engagement; it is combined with a 1954 Ann Arbor concert previously issued. The first performance took place following the dissolution of the quartet with
Gerry Mulligan, caused by his partner's drug bust and subsequent prison sentence.
Baker's group is extremely well rehearsed, starting with a rapid-fire take of "All the Things You Are." Pianist
Russ Freeman, an important part of many of
Baker's Pacific Jazz recordings, pushes
Baker with his driving attack. The source tape wows a little during the introduction to "Isn't It Romantic," but the quartet's brisk run through the piece is flawless.
Freeman's Latin-flavored "Maid in Mexico" received favorable reviews in its earlier studio version; this live take also swings rather well. "My Funny Valentine" begins with an almost over-dramatic drum roll and an outburst from a member of the audience, but
Baker's lyrical trumpet saves the day. Bassist
Carson Smith and drummer
Larry Bunker round out the group heard during this set. The remainder of the music come from a 1954 Masonic Temple concert, with
Bob Neel taking over the drums. Following
Gerry Mulligan's softly swinging "Line for Lyons" (which was a hit for the Mulligan-Baker Quartet),
Baker's updated look at "My Funny Valentine" still starts off with the same melodramatic drum roll but seems to come together much cleaner than the earlier live version heard on this CD. Likewise, the latter take of "Maid in Mexico" swings a bit harder. "Stella by Starlight" is the highlight of the Ann Arbor performance, though
Baker's somewhat disguised introduction to "My Old Flame" makes it a close second. The balance of the master tapes on both concerts is inconsistent, though the strength of the performances should make up for any shortcomings of sound. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden