Chet Baker & Crew

by Chet Baker

Overview

The numbers heard on Chet Baker & Crew were among a prolific flurry of recordings Baker was involved in during the last week of July 1956 -- fresh from an extended European stay. Sessions were held every day from the 23rd through the 31st, which resulted in such classic titles as The Route, Chet Baker Sings, and At the Forum Theater -- which is also available under the title Young Chet -- as well as Chet Baker & Crew. The crew on these sides includes Phil Urso (tenor sax), Bobby Timmons (piano), Jimmy Bond (bass), Peter Littman (drums), and of course Baker (trumpet/vocals). Joining the combo on both the original as well as the alternate take of "To Mickey's Memory" and "Pawnee Junction" is Bill Loughbrough (chromatic tympani). His unmistakable percussive accents and tuned drum solos give these West Coast bop tracks uniquely Polynesian intonations. The bandmembers take full advantage of their individual roles and abilities as soloists to really stretch out on "Slightly Above Moderate" and the Urso-credited composition "Halema" -- named after Baker's wife. The chemistry of cool that flows between Urso and Baker is perhaps at its finest during the seamless exchange heard on "Worryin' the Life Out of Me." Timmons also boasts notable contributions throughout. His playful and scampering style dresses up the bluesy "Lucius Lu" and "Line for Lyons," among others. The latter is also notable as it contains the sole Baker vocal on this set. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	06/01/2018
Label:	Intermusic
UPC:	8436569191064
Rank:	71131

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Chet Baker   Primary Artist,Vocals,Trumpet
Bobby Timmons   Guest Artist,Piano
Bill Loughbrough   Timpani,Chromatic Tympani
Peter Littman   Drums
Phil Urso   Sax (Tenor)
Jimmy Bond   Bass

Technical Credits

Bill Loughbrough   Composer
Bob Russell   Composer
Bob Zieff   Composer
Frank Signorelli   Composer
Phil Urso   Composer
Ron McMaster   Mastering,Transfers
Richard Bock   Producer,Original Album Producer,Original Session Producer
Michael Cuscuna   Liner Notes,Reissue Producer
Al Cohn   Composer
Gerry Mulligan   Composer
Al Haig   Composer
Harlan Leonard   Composer
Harvey Leonard   Composer
Miff Mole   Composer
P. Urso   Composer
Malcolm Addey   Digital Transfers
Woody Woodward   Liner Notes
William Claxton   Photography
Bill Loughborough   Composer