Sings And Plays With Bud Shank, Russ Freeman And Strings - Chet Baker (1LP Vinyl) [Tone Poet Series]

Sings And Plays With Bud Shank, Russ Freeman And Strings by Chet Baker.

There are certain records that capture a moment when a young artist stood at the crossroads of pure instinct and refined craft, and Chet Baker's "Sings And Plays With Bud Shank, Russ Freeman And Strings" is one of them. Originally released by Pacific Jazz Records in 1955, this session finds Baker embracing both sides of his singular gift, his trumpet and his voice, framed by strings and the contributions of Bud Shank and Russ Freeman. It remains a defining document of West Coast jazz at its most intimate and romantic.

The program balances Baker's tender vocal readings with his warm, unhurried horn. Opening with "Let's Get Lost," the record moves through a beautifully chosen sequence of standards and ballads, including "Long Ago And Far Away," "Someone To Watch Over Me," and "Just Friends." Side B carries that same reflective spirit forward with "I Wish I Knew," "You Don't Know What Love Is," and the quietly evocative "Grey December," before closing on the wistful "I Remember You."

Much of the album's enduring appeal lies in its restraint. Baker never oversings and never overplays; instead he leans into the melody, letting the strings and the accompaniment carry an atmosphere of late night longing. It is a mood that has drawn listeners back to this recording for decades, a portrait of a musician trusting the song itself to do the emotional work.

This 2023 Blue Note reissue treats the material with the care it deserves. Cut directly from the original analog tapes and mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, it was manufactured at Record Technology Inc. on 180 gram vinyl, a combination long favored by collectors who want the closest possible connection to the source. The result honors the natural warmth and detail of the original session.

A brief technical note accompanies the release: on "This Is Always" there is a short tape glitch that is present on the master tape itself. Rather than obscure it, the reissue preserves this small artifact of the original recording, a reminder that you are hearing the music as it was captured all those years ago.

Presented in a deluxe tip-on jacket, this edition pairs classic Blue Note presentation with genuinely audiophile intentions. For anyone who loves the hushed romance of Chet Baker, or who wants to understand why his early Pacific Jazz work still resonates so strongly, this pressing offers a rewarding and faithful way to experience one of his most cherished sessions.

Pressing Details:
[On hype sticker]
Cut directly from the original analog tapes
Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
Manufactured at Record Technology Inc. (RTI) on 180 gram vinyl

[On rear cover]

Technical note: On "This Is Always" there is a brief tape glitch that is present on the master tape.

A Blue Note Records release; originally released by Pacific Jazz Records in 1955
© 2023 UMG Recordings, Inc. Blue Note® is a registered trademark of Capitol Records, Inc.

Packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket.

Track Listing:
A1. Let's Get Lost
A2. This Is Always
A3. Long Ago And Far Away
A4. Someone To Watch Over Me
A5. Just Friends
B1. I Wish I Knew
B2. Daybreak
B3. You Don't Know What Love Is
B4. Grey December
B5. I Remember You

Artist: Chet Baker

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Pacific Jazz

Catalog Number: B0034169-01

Series: Tone Poet Series

Release Year: 2023

Country: Germany

Condition: Sealed (New)

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