This Time The Dream's On Me - Live Vol. 1
Chet Baker's reputation as a soft, lyrical trumpeter ignores the fact that he was by no means a lightweight performer in his prime. The title number here, a frighteningly uptempo treatment, shows just how strong his grip on time and technique really was. Baker was in his mid-20s, and the drugs that were to blight his life had not yet done any serious damage. These 13 pieces were recorded live at concerts in 1953 and 1954, with the excellentRuss Freemanon piano, Carson Smith on bass, and Larry Bunker and Bob Neel on drums.Gerry Mulliganonce described Baker's playing as "just uncanny.... It's as simple as breathing with him." It is that simplicity and freshness which come over here, together with a gift for finding fascinating new twists to familiar phrases. He never quite lost it, but this was the best of him.--Dave Gelly