Born To Be Blue

Few jazz musicians obtained equal celebrity both as instrumentalists and as singers. Earl Hines sang besides playing the piano, but he’s fundamentally known for his keyboard work. Sarah Vaughan was also a pianist and once in a while she accompanied herself on a couple of tunes during live performances, but nobody thinks of her as a pianist. Chet Baker, on the other hand, presents us with the same case as, for instance, Louis Armstrong (equally famous for his singing and trumpet playing), Nina Simone (both a glorious singer and an interesting pianist), Nat King Cole (an amazing pianist and a superb singer) and Jack Teagarden (whose vocal style was just as easily identifiable as the sound of his trombone).

Like the aforementioned musicians, Chet Baker’s voice was as unique as the improvisations coming out of his horn. The recent release of the biopic film based on the life of Baker reminds us of the superb talents of the perennial trumpeter and singer. In that dual role, Baker was one of the undisputed masters of the jazz ballad, able to reach climaxes of intense feeling and intimacy. This LP compiles Chet Baker’s original versions of many of the songs heard in the film.

1 My Funny Valentine #1
2 Over the Rainbow
3 Let's Get Lost
4 I've Never Been in Love Before
5 There Will Never Be Another You
6 Go Down Sunshine
7 The Thrill Is Gone
8 Everything Happens to Me
9 There's a Small Hotel
10 Born to Be Blue
11 Ballata in Forma Di Blues
12 Someone to Watch Over Me
13 Haitian Fight Song
14 Deep in a Dream
15 Grey December
16 My Funny Valentine #2
17 Born to Be Blue