Rock Bands & Pop Stars
Chet Baker Pictures
Artist:
Chet Baker
Origin:
United States, Yale - OklahomaUnited States
Born date:
December 23, 1929
Death date:
May 13, 1988
Chet Baker Album: «The Early Years»
Chet Baker Album: «The Early Years» (Front side)
    Album information
  • Customers rating: (4.5 of 5)
  • Title:The Early Years
  • Release date:
  • Type:Audio CD
  • Label:
  • UPC:
Customers rating
Track listing
Review - Product Description
A primary exponent of the West Coast sound during the 1950s, Chet Baker matched this achievement with a secondary career as a singer, achieving considerable fame and success. However, it was as a jazz trumpeter that he first made his name, winning his first Downbeat poll in 1948 and then making the key recordings that launched the West Coast movement, with the Lighthouse Allstars and then Gerry Mulligan. This 4CD set includes tracks that illustrate the meteoric rise to fame that Baker experienced from the late '40s through to around 1952 when the Mulligan quartet was in full flight. This is one of the first Properbox sets to be issued in new slimline packaging - half the thickness of the original sets but with all the same information and produced to the same exceptional quality.
Customer review
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
- Better than "The Complete 1953-1954 Studio Recordings" but redundant

This recording is a compilation of most, if not all, of Chet's early recordings from his early (pre-heroin) period. So Chet's playing is among his best, and this is a solid compilation of songs. The quality of the recordings is very good (amazing for the early 50s, even). I even enjoy the organizatation of this CD (chronological, with the vocal stuff on the last CD).

I was very excited to see this CD at this price, so I snapped it up. When I got it home, though, I discovered that most of these CDs were covered on the Complete 1953-1954 Studio Recordings; that is, this package includes a slightly longer period and includes some live recordings from that period. Because of the addition of the live recordings, this is a more comnplete package. So if you want EVERYTHING from this period, this is a better choice; if you're just interested in studio recordings, look to "Complete 1953-1954 Studio Recordings." But it would be a waste to buy both (as I did).

Customer review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
- Simply Great

If you're new to Chet, this is the one to buy. Bird liked Chet for a reason. Just as Miles is no Dizzy, Chet is no Miles: Each man is great in their own way. Great music, neat booklet with photos.