As a fan of Chet Baker's for almost nine years now, particularly of his singing, in my opinion this is one of his three best albums (the other two which I highly recommend - although they are hard to find but well worth the search - are: Let's Get Lost (the Soundtrack to the film about the life of Chet Baker- RCA,AAD,89), and Chet Baker Sings Again (Timeless SJP 238). This album contain many of Chet Baker's best early songs, but does not include his best later recordings, and has omitted some early gems too, such as How Long Has This Been Going On; Forgetful (Chet has four amazing versions of this publicly available, each one quite unique); Come Rain or Shine; or Angel Eyes. For completeness this album should have also included his best vocal recording from later in his career, which are mind-bogglingly poignant and reveal a depth and reticence in Chet Baker that his early recording only hint at, specifically: Moon and Sands; For Heaven Sakes Let's Fall In Love; You're My Thrill; Autumn Leaves; Alone Together; and I Can't Get Started With You. The opportunity is still out there to compile a more comprehensive, definitive set of Chet's best songs, a collection that would fairly reflect both his early and later achievements as a searing, raw, vulnerable singer, who shows here that he is - as a point of reference - on a par with John Lennon in the directness and honesty of his delivery. While it's hard to pick favorites on an album like this, in which (in my opinion) almost all the songs are stellar, one or two do lead the pack (in this order): i) I Remember You; ii) Just Friends; iii) Long Ago and Far Away; iv) It's Always You; v) Daybreak; vi) Time After Time. ***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Although I borrowed my title from a well known Bill Evans album, I think it reflects well on Chet. So memorable and powerful is his image as the James Dean of the 50's Jazz scene, it was worked into the movie L.A. Confidential. Although considered more for his playing ability, Chet shows the best of his soulful vocal style here, and the CD sound quality is outstanding. My father bought me this album several years ago before I permanently acquired his copy. Since then, I have turned many people onto Chet thru this very album. I enjoy jazz very much and have many Chet Baker albums, but somehow this one is always in the CD player.

mr. baker produced some of his best music when working for pacific jazz in the '50s, as this album well documents. he was a master of the west coast (cool) jazz sound (taking bebop's chordal revolution, slowing it down, and staying in the middle register). he had a tenor voice that could melt butter, making ballads and love songs burn with romantic fire that never scorched. he created a mood: dark, candle-lit room, flames glowing in the fire place, wine chilled, blankets spread, but with just a hint of the blue note-- bittersweet perfection. highlights are: "but not for me," "my funny valentine," "time after time," and "my ideal." he also played an intensely quiet trumpet, sort of like miles, the founder of cool, but mellower (the best instrumental baker is his best-of album with gerry mulligan on pacific jazz). put this one on, dim the lights, and let the evening unfold...

The music of Chet Baker is nothing short of amazing. No disrespect to Mr. Miles Davis, John Coltrane, or Charlie Parker, but for me, no other jazz maestro can evoke a strange mutual feeling of lament and happiness as Chet Baker. Listening to this cd makes me feel like I'm in the smoky backroom of a great jazz bar in San Francisco, sitting next to Jack Kerouac. Don't get me wrong, Miles Davis was brilliant but can be a bit flashy and overly abstract. With Chet, what you hear is what you get-a lamenting love fool still waiting to get over that one girl. For me, the brilliance is in the music's innocence. It is naive charm at its purist. No other jazz artist can come close to this innocence. For critics of Baker's voice, I always like to compare it to that of John Lennon's. It is what it is. For me, it is both powerfully haunting and sweet at the same time- no other jazz vocalist has this trait. He does not possess the prowess of Nat King Cole or Billie Holliday, but neither of those two has ever made me shed a pearl drop like only Chet can.

Thank you Mr. Baker for leaving us the best legacy any jazz maestro can leave behind-your incredible music

This is jsut a great CD, whether you're into jazz in a big way, or your just starting. Baker's voice is at its best here, and his trumpet playing is as exquisite as ususal