Blue Note Boxes Up Baker and Smith

Blue Note will release box sets from two legends of jazz this fall. (But what else is new?) A three-disc box set compiling work by trumpeter/vocalist Chet Baker titled Prince of Cool will be released on Sept. 28 and a four-disc box set that looks back on organist Jimmy Smith (pictured) with Jimmy Smith Retrospective will be released on Oct. 5. Prince of Cool highlights Baker’s performances from 1952-57 while he was recording with Pacific Jazz while Retrospective highlights Smith’s work on Blue Note from 1956-63.
Prince of Cool focuses on three facets of Baker’s career: Disc one, his vocal numbers; disc two, his trumpet-led instrumental numbers; and disc three, his collaborations with musicians like Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz and Art Pepper. The set’s liner notes were done by Ted Goia, the author of West Coast Jazz: Modern Jazz in California 1945-1960, who writes in the notes that Baker’s “Pacific Jazz recordings…feature some of the defining moments of [his] career.”

Retrospective is a chronological collection of 38 Smith tunes with liner notes by Bob Blumenthal. Highlights from the set include Charlie Parker’s “Yardbird Suite,” Ray Charles’ “I Got a Woman” and Horace Silver’s “The Preacher.”

Track lists:

CHET BAKER – PRINCE OF COOL

DISC ONE – CHET SINGS

1 – I Fall In Love Too Easily 3:19

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Bob Neel, drums.

2 – But Not For Me 3:02

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Bob Neel, drums.

3 – My Funny Valentine 2:18

Chet Baker, vocal; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Bob Neel, drums.

4 – Embraceable You 2:06

Chet Baker, vocal; David Wheat, guitar; Russ Savakus, bass.

5 – Let’s Get Lost 3:44

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Bob Neel, drums.

6 – Time After Time 2:44

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Bob Neel, drums.

7 – I Get Along Without You Very Well 2:58

Chet Baker, vocal; Russ Freeman, celeste, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Bob Neel, drums.

8 – That Old Feeling 3:02

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet ; Russ Freeman, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; Peter Littman, drums.

9 – You Don’t Know What Love Is 4:51

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Bob Neel, drums.

10 – My Ideal 4:20

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet; Russ Freeman, celeste; Jimmy Bond, bass; Larance Marable, drums.

11 – Come Rain Or Come Shine 2:07

Chet Baker, vocal; David Wheat, guitar; Russ Savakus, bass.

12 – There Will Never Be Another You 2:59

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Bob Neel, drums.

13 – Grey December 3:40

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet; Bud Shank, flute; Russ Freeman, piano; Red Mitchell, bass; Bob Neel, drums; Corky Hale, harp; Ed Lustgarten, Ray Kramer, Eleanor Slatkin & Kurt Reher, cellos. Arranged by Frank Campo.

14 – It’s Always You 3:33

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; Peter Littman, drums.

15 – The Thrill Is Gone 2:50

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Joe Mondragon, bass; Shelly Manne, drums.

16 – There’s A Lull In My Life 2:53

Chet Baker, vocal; David Wheat, guitar; Russ Savakus, bass.

17 – Like Someone In Love 2:24

Chet Baker, vocal; Russ Freeman, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; Larance Marable, drums.

18 – My Buddy 3:19

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; Larance Marable, drums.

19 – I’ve Never Been In Love Before 4:26

Chet Baker, vocal & trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; Peter Littman, drums.

20 – The Night We Called It A Day 2:22

Chet Baker, vocal; David Wheat, guitar; Russ Savakus, bass.

DISC TWO – CHET PLAYS

1 – Stella By Starlight 3:54

Chet Baker, trumpet; Bob Brookmeyer, valve trombone; Bud Shank, baritone sax; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Shelly Manne, drums.

2 – How Long Has This Been Going On? 2:46

Chet Baker, trumpet; David Wheat, guitar; Russ Savakus, bass.

3 – I Can’t Get Started 3:06

Chet Baker, trumpet; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; Peter Littman, drums.

4 – Pro Defunctus 3:26

Chet Baker, trumpet; Herb Geller, alto & tenor sax; Jack Montrose, tenor sax & arranger; Bob Gordon, baritone sax; Russ Freeman, piano; Joe Mondragon, bass; Shelly Manne, drums.

5 – All The Things You Are 2:54

Chet Baker, trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Larry Bunker, drums.

6 – Imagination 2 :58

Chet Baker, trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Larry Bunker, drums.

7 – On Green Dolphin Street 3:07

Chet Baker, trumpet; David Wheat, guitar; Russ Savakus, bass.

8 – To Mickey’s Memory 5:25

Chet Baker, trumpet; Phil Urso, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; Peter Littman, drums; Bill Loughbrough, chromatic tympani.

9 – Bea’s Flat 2:59

Chet Baker, trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Larry Bunker, drums.

10 – Trav’lin’ Light 3:09

Chet Baker, trumpet; David Wheat, guitar; Russ Savakus, bass.

11 – Happy Little Sunbeam 2:42

Chet Baker, trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Larry Bunker, drums.

12 – The Half Dozens 4:10

Chet Baker, trumpet; Bob Brookmeyer, valve trombone; Bud Shank, baritone sax; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Shelly Manne, drums.

13 – Lucius Lu 5:34

Chet Baker, trumpet; Phil Urso, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; Peter Littman, drums.

14 – Lulluby Of The Leaves 4:30

Chet Baker, trumpet; Russ Freeman, piano; Carson Smith, bass; Bob Neel, drums.

15 – Jumpin’ Off A Clef 4:55

Chet Baker, trumpet; Phil Urso, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; Peter Littman, drums.

16 – Moonlight Becomes You 3:25

Chet Baker, trumpet; Herb Geller, alto & tenor sax; Jack Montrose, tenor sax & arranger; Bob Gordon, baritone sax; Russ Freeman, piano; Joe Mondragon, bass; Shelly Manne, drums.

DISC THREE – CHET & FRIENDS (Featuring Gerry Mulligan, Stan Getz, Art Pepper, Russ Freeman)

1 – Sweet Lorraine 3:08

Chet Baker, trumpet; Pete Jolly, piano; Leroy Vinnegar, bass; Stan Levey, drums.

2 – Aren’t You Glad You’re You 2:50

Chet Baker, trumpet; Gerry Mulligan, baritone sax; Bob Whitlock, bass; Chico Hamilton, drums.

3 – Tynan Time 5:31

Chet Baker, trumpet; Art Pepper, alto sax; Phil Urso, tenor sax; Carl Perkins, piano; Curtis Counce, bass; Larance Marable, drums.

4 – Minor Yours 7:14

Chet Baker, trumpet; Art Pepper, alto sax; Richie Kamuca, tenor sax; Pete Jolly, piano; Leroy Vinnegar, bass; Stan Levey, drums.

5 – Five Brothers 2:59

Chet Baker, trumpet; Gerry Mulligan, baritone sax; Carson Smith, bass; Larry Bunker, drums.

6 – Darn That Dream 3:49

Chet Baker, trumpet; Gerry Mulligan, baritone sax; Carson Smith, bass; Larry Bunker, drums.

7 – Lush Life 4:53

Chet Baker, trumpet ; Russ Freeman, piano ; Leroy Vinnegar, bass ; Shelly Manne, drums.

8 – The Route 5:04

Chet Baker, trumpet; Art Pepper, alto sax; Richie Kamuca, tenor sax; Pete Jolly, piano; Leroy Vinnegar, bass; Stan Levey, drums.

9 – C.T.A. 5:09

Chet Baker, trumpet; Art Pepper, alto sax; Phil Urso, tenor sax; Carl Perkins, piano; Curtis Counce, bass; Larance Marable, drums.

10 – The Way You Look Tonight 6:18

Chet Baker, trumpet ; Stan Getz, tenor sax ; Carson Smith, bass ; Larry Bunker, drums.

11 – Yesterdays 4:20

Chet Baker, trumpet ; Stan Getz, tenor sax ; Carson Smith, bass ; Larry Bunker, drums.

12 – My Old Flame 3:11

Chet Baker, trumpet; Gerry Mulligan, baritone sax; Carson Smith, bass; Larry Bunker, drums.

13 – Love Nest 4:46

Chet Baker, trumpet ; Russ Freeman, piano ; Leroy Vinnegar, bass ; Shelly Manne, drums.

14 – Picture of Heath 6:43

Chet Baker, trumpet; Art Pepper, alto sax; Phil Urso, tenor sax; Carl Perkins, piano; Curtis Counce, bass; Larance Marable, drums.

15 – My Funny Valentine (instrumental) 5:12

Chet Baker, trumpet; Gerry Mulligan, baritone sax; Carson Smith, bass; Larry Bunker, drums.

16 – Love Me Or Leave Me 2:41

Chet Baker, trumpet; Gerry Mulligan, baritone sax; Carson Smith, bass; Larry Bunker, drums.

JIMMY SMITH RETROSPECTIVE

DISC ONE:

1. You Get ‘Cha 4:22

Jimmy Smith (organ), Thornel Schwartz (guitar), Bay Perry (drums).

2. The Preacher 4:33

Jimmy Smith (organ), Thornel Schwartz (guitar), Bay Perry (drums).

3. The Champ 8:34

Jimmy Smith (organ), Thornel Schwartz (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

4. Bayou 4:51

Jimmy Smith (organ), Thornel Schwartz (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

5. Judo Mambo 5:29

Jimmy Smith (organ), Thornel Schwartz (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

6. Willow Weep For Me 5:39

Jimmy Smith (organ), Thornel Schwartz (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

7. Fiddlin’ The Minors 5:07

Jimmy Smith (organ), Thornel Schwartz (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

8. Well, You Needn’t 6:22

Jimmy Smith (organ), Thornel Schwartz (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

9. Get Happy 7:25

Jimmy Smith (organ), Thornel Schwartz (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

10. Groovy Date 13:00

Donald Byrd (trumpet), Lou Donaldson (alto sax), Hank Mobley (tenor sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Eddie McFadden (guitar), Art Blakey (drums).

DISC TWO:

1. Yardbird Suite 8:57

Lou Donaldson (alto sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Art Blakey (drums)

2. Summertime 4:30

Lou Donaldson (alto sax), Jimmy Smith (organ).

3. All Day Long 10:28

Lou Donaldson (alto sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Art Blakey (drums)

4. The Duel 10:24

Jimmy Smith (organ), Art Blakey (drums)

5. I Can’t Get Started 4:47

Jimmy Smith (organ), Eddie McFadden (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

6. Body And Soul 9:52

Jimmy Smith (organ), Eddie McFadden (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

7. Slightly Monkish 6:52

Jimmy Smith (organ), Eddie McFadden (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

8. Blues After All 6:05

Lee Morgan (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), George Coleman (alto sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

9. ‘Round Midnight 6:27

Jimmy Smith (organ), Eddie McFadden (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

DISC THREE:

1. The Sermon 20:08

Lee Morgan (trumpet), Lou Donaldson (alto sax), Tina Brooks (tenor sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Art Blakey (drums).

2. Flamingo 7:59

Lee Morgan (trumpet), Jimmy Smith (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Art Blakey (drums).

3. Hackensack 5:59

Jimmy Smith (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Philly Joe Jones (drums).

4. I Got A Woman 3:55

Jimmy Smith (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

5. See See Rider 6:33

Percy France (tenor sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

6. When Johnny Comes Marching Home 7:56

Jimmy Smith (organ), Quentin Warren (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

7. Sista Rebecca 10:54

Blue Mitchell (trumpet), Jackie McLean (alto sax), Ike Quebec (tenor sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Quentin Warren (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

8. Old Folks 4:48

Ike Quebec (tenor sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Quentin Warren (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

DISC FOUR:

1. Back At The Chicken Shack 8:00

Stanley Turrentine (tenor sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

2. Minor Chant 7:29

Stanley Turrentine (tenor sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Donald Bailey (drums).

3. Midnight Special 9:49

Stanley Turrentine (tenor sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

4. The Jumpin’ Blues 5:25

Stanley Turrentine (tenor sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

5. Squeeze Me 5:26

Jimmy Smith (organ), Quentin Warren (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

6. Ain’t No Use 6:08

Jimmy Smith (organ), Grant Green (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

7. Pork Chop 7:37

Lou Donaldson (alto sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Quentin Warren (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

8. Can Heat 5:22

Lou Donaldson (alto sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Quentin Warren (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums), John Patton (tambourine).

9. Come Rain Or Come Shine 5:45

Jimmy Smith (organ), Quentin Warren (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

10. Prayer Meetin’ 5:41

Stanley Turrentine (tenor sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Quentin Warren (guitar), Donald Bailey (drums).

11. Fungii Mama 4:52

Stanley Turrentine (tenor sax), Jimmy Smith (organ), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Grady Tate (drums), Errol “Crusher” Bennett (percussion).

Originally Published September 6, 2004