All Categories — CDs  

A surprisingly great tribute to the vocal sounds of Chet Baker – served up by the lovely Luciana Souza, an artist we usually know from more Brazilian-styled sessions! Luciana's really got an ear for Chet's phrasing – that very blue, melancholy way of turning over a tune – often suffused with Baker's own hardship at the time of recording – somehow magically evoked here by Souza, but with phrasing that's all her own! At times, she almost even seems to echo the later broken-mouth years of Chet's singing – yet with slightly clearer interpretation – and the set features some wonderfully warm instrumentation from Larry Koonse on guitar, David Pitch on bass, and Jay Bellerose on drums and percussion. Titles include "Forgetful", "The Thrill Is Gone", "The Touch Of Your Lips", "I Fall In Love Too Easily", and "I Get Along Without You Very Well".

Bessie Smith by LaVern Baker – a great blend of modes that really comes off great! Instead of sounding like a throwback blues album, the set comes across with a nice degree of contemporary class – thanks in part to a jazzy presentation that's a bit different than some of Baker's other music of the time – and which sports reeds from Sahib Shihab, tenor from Paul Quinichette, trumpet from Buck Clayton, and trombone from Jimmy Cleveland! Baker's voice is in fine form in this comfortable setting – and really works magic with tracks that include "After You've Gone", "Preaching The Blues", "Empty Bed Blues", "Back Water Blues", and "Gimme A Pigfoot".