All-Analog 180g Vinyl LP of Chet Baker Sings and Plays Mastered from the Original Master Tapes by Kevin Gray & Pressed at RTI: Reference-Caliber Blue Note Reissue Helmed by Joe Harley
Following the success of Chet Baker's much-loved vocal debut Chet Baker Sings on Pacific Jazz in 1954, producer Richard Bock brought the rising star trumpeter back into Capitol Studios the next year for the sequel Chet Baker Sings and Plays which showcased both sides of Baker's artistry. Backing him on the date were both his quartet featuring pianist Russ Freeman and an expanded ensemble with Bud Shank on flute and strings arranged by Frank Campo, Johnny Mandel, and Marty Paich. The 10-song set of standards includes some of Baker's most enduring performances including his timeless rendition of "Let's Get Lost." Other standouts include Baker's versions of "Just Friends," "Long Ago (and Far Away)," "You Don't Know What Love Is," and "I Remember You."
Blue Note Records' acclaimed Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series continues in 2023. Launched in 2019 in honor of the label's 80th Anniversary, the Tone Poet series is produced by audiophile legend Joe Harley and features all-analog, 180g audiophile vinyl reissues that are mastered from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray of Cohearent Audio. Tone Poet vinyl is manufactured at RTI in Camarillo, CA, and packaged in deluxe Stoughton Printing "Old Style" gatefold Tip-On jackets. The titles were once again handpicked by Harley and cover the crème de la crème of the Blue Note catalog along with underrated classics, modern era standouts, and albums from other labels under the Blue Note umbrella including Pacific Jazz and United Artists Records. Every aspect of these Blue Note/Tone Poet releases is done to the highest-possible standard. It means that you will never find a superior version.
"The LPs are mastered directly from the original analog master tapes by Kevin at his incredible facility called Cohearent Mastering. We go about it in the exact same way that we did for so many years for the Music Matters Blue Note reissues. We do not roll off the low end, boost the top or do any limiting of any kind. We allow the full glory of the original Blue Note masters to come though unimpeded! Short of having an actual time machine, this is as close as you can get to going back and being a fly on the wall for an original Blue Note recording session."
- Joe Harley
Musicians:
Chet Baker, trumpet
Russ Freeman, piano
Bud Shank, flute
Strings arranged by Frank Campo, Johnny Mandel & Marty Paich
Features:
• Blue Note Tone Poet Series
• Curated by Music Matters co-founder Joe Harley
• Audiophile-quality 180g vinyl LP
• All-analog mastering (direct from the master tapes) by Kevin Gray
• Manufactured at Record Technology Incorporated
• Deluxe gatefold jacket packaging
- Let's Get Lost
- This Is Always
- Long Ago And Far Away
- Someone To Watch Over Me
- Just Friends
- I Wish I Knew
- Daybreak
- You Don't Know What Love Is
- Grey December
- I Remember You