Complete Timeless Records Albums Collection (Box)

This beautiful 7CD clamshell boxset contains Chet Baker's complete Timeless Records album collection with the 7 albums in separate wallet sleeves with a 16-page booklet with photos and liner notes. Chet Baker's first Timeless recording was actually as a featured sideman on a date led by pianist Kirk Lightsey, performing "Ray's Idea" and "Everything Happens To Me" (which he also sings effectively). His Mr. B album finds the trumpeter making such songs as Hancock's "Dolphin Dance, " Horace Silver's "Strollin', " and Sam Rivers' "Beatrice" sound as if they were written for him. While Mr. B. is an instrumental set, Chet Baker Sings Again has Baker singing and playing eight standards including "My Funny Valentine" which had been his trademark song ever since his days with Gerry Mulligan. Baker always enjoyed the versatile and tasteful playing of guitarist Philip Catherine. They recorded several memorable trio albums together but There'll Never Be Another You, made in Zagreb, Yugoslavia in 1985, was their only duet set. Cool Cat and As Time Goes By are both from the trumpeter's extended recording sessions of Dec. 17-18, 1986. Pianist Harold Danko, bassist Jon Burr, and drummer Ben Riley were not only subtle accompanists, but they pushed the trumpeter a bit and the result is some of his finest playing from this period. The final Chet Baker album on Timeless, Live In Rosenheim from April 17, 1988, was the last time that he recorded with a small group. Baker, who takes a vocal on "I'm A Fool To Want You" and plays piano on "Portrait In Black And White, " shows that he was still an impressive trumpeter this late in his career. Just 26 days later Chet Baker was gone. Despite that, his recordings and his musical legacy live on.