The production quality of this obscure taping of a jazz legend's performance is remarkable. Even the interview of Chet is well-done. Several observations: The audience obviously came to hear these "marquee" performers and not Chet. Notice the applause levels. I imagine most of them had no idea who Chet Baker. But for a thirty-plus-year fan of Chet Baker this video was certainly a bargain. What a unique and wonderful musician. He is certainly on par with Armstrong, Gillespie and Davis.

It was an amazing treat to hear and see Chet jam... it was exceptionally nice to hear him scat to "Just Friends" and play and sing as only Chet can. He will continue to be greatly missed! The video is simply done and the great price reflects that. It was also great to hear Van Morrison (was that a crumpled up cocktail napkin he was reading the lyrics from?)and Elvis Costello, and they performed well. Chet's backup (piano and stand-up bass) players were outstanding as well.

For anybody who is a devotee of Chet Baker's music, this disc will be worthwhile. One cautionary note, however; this is Chet during his last years, and the toll that his drug addiction and otherwise hard-living took is clearly evident. The interviews by a very sensitive and respectful Elvis Costello reveal a man of deep insight and intellect. Watching this DVD has made me all the more committed to trying to find more DVD's of Chet during his earlier years when his strength, subtlety and lungs were at their peak. Some reviewers took issue with the pieces sung by Van Morrison and Costello. I thought they were interesting and sincere homages to Chet.

I have been a fan of Chet since the mid 50's and found the video to be very interesting and entertaining. I do however wish that somewhere on the video the piano and bass players names were mentioned. There excellent playing helps make the session complete and contributes to its success. This is a must for all Baker fans.

In so many words, you'll get the strenght of Baker's destroyed once angel looks when, in the first ten seconds, the camera stands on an extreme close-up, silently, as if watching and capturing his soul in every wrinkle he displays on his face.

Then he plays, and, as the initial notes of Ellen and David start to fill the air on the Ronnie Scott's club, the lightness of the west coast jazz begins to take over the room, like a summer breaze on a calm beach, on a sunny slow-paced winter morning.

With the exception of the regretable Van Morrison version of Send In The Clowns, and the excruciating Just Friends an unrecognisable Baker struggles to sing, the Dvd is an ensemble of interesting and poignant moments, filled with a very friendly interview "played" by Costello, as he talks about several subjects regarding Chet's life, from his begin to his drug addiction.