Chet Baker – Baker's Holiday
Flugelhorn, vocals - Chet Baker [click here to see more products featuring Chet Baker]
Piano – Hank Jones [click here to see more products featuring Hank Jones]
Drums – Connie Kay
Bass – Richard Davis
Guitar – Everett Barksdale
Reeds – Alan Ross, Wilford Holcombe, Henry Freeman, Leon Cohen, Seldon Powell
Arranged by Jimmy Mundy
Written by Johnny Mercer / Jimmy Mundy / Trummy Young (A1), Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin (A2), Doris Fisher / Allan Roberts (A3), Sidney Clare / Jay Gorney (A4), Gordon Jenkins / Bob Russell / Carl Sigman (A5), Einar A. Swan (B1), Fred E. Ahlert / Roy Turk (B2), Harry Link / Holt Marvell / Jack Strachey (B3), Isham Jones / Marty Symes (B4), Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.(B5)
1 LP, Stoughton Printing Gatefold Old-Style Tip-On Jacket, 8-page booklet which is a replica of the original release
Original analog Master Tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record Color : Black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12''
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Quality Record Pressings
Label : Verve - Acoustic Sounds Series
Original Label : Limelight
Recorded in May, 1965 at NYC
Original session produced by Luchi DeJesus
Reissued produced by Chad Kassem
Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sounds
Illustration by Kerig Pope
Liner Notes by Ira Gitler
Photography by Charles Stewart, Herb Snitzer
Originally released in 1965
Reissued in 2024
Tracks:
Side A:
1. Travelin’ Light
2. Easy Living
3. That Ole Devil Called Love
4. You’re My Thrill
5. Crazy She Calls Me
Side B:
1. When Your Love Has Gone
2. Mean To Me
3. These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)
4. There Is No Greater Love
5. Don’t Explain
Reviews :
“Baker's Holiday finds Chet Baker effectively paying tribute to Billie Holiday with mellow trumpet solos and occasional vocals. Baker is backed by a full sax section and a four-piece rhythm section that includes pianist Hank Jones; Jimmy Mundy contributed the colorful arrangements. His performance of ten songs associated with Lady Day (most of which he had not recorded previously) is often exquisite.” Allmusic Review by Scott Yanow.
Chet Baker was born in 1929 in Yale, Oklahoma. His father, Chesney, was a trombonist and his mother, Vera, was a piano teacher. Baker began playing the trumpet at the age of 12, and quickly demonstrated a talent for the instrument. In 1946, he dropped out of high school to enlist in the U.S. Army Group. After his discharge, he toured Europe before moving to Hollywood to join a big band led by Jerry Vail. He joined Stan Kenton’s organization for a few years before returning to Europe in 1956, where he played with such notable groups as those led by André Ekyan and Claude Thornhill.
Baker’s first recordings date back to 1947 for the small Savoy label. He took his first big break playing with Lennie Hayton before joining Capitol Records in 1949.
He recorded prolifically for major labels throughout his career. He signed with RCA Victor in 1956 and released his first album for the label that year. In 1963, he recorded with a big band led by Moon Mullican, then after a few years without recording or playing, set up his own record label. and new bands in 1964.
From 1965 to 1968, he led the Louis Armstrong All-Stars. In 1969, he left his record label and went on tour with the Jazz Messengers. In 1970, after a brief return to recording for Prestige Records and Max Roach’s Freedom Productions, Baker released his last album in 1971.
Baker’s star continued to rise in the early 1950s. He toured Europe and Asia with great success. He recorded several albums that are now considered classics, including “Chet Baker Sings” and “My Funny Valentine”. His personal life was also tumultuous, as he struggled with drug addiction and relationships. Yet his music has always remained true to his soul.
In the late 1950s, Baker’s career began to decline. His drug addiction led to problems with concerts and recordings. He was arrested several times and spent time in prison. His health also deteriorated, as he contracted tuberculosis. Despite this, Baker continued to play and recorded several albums in the 1960s.
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Ratings :
Allmusic: 3 / 5 ; Discogs: 4.4 / 5 ; The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings : 3 / 4 ; DownBeat : 3 / 5