One of my cherished recordings is "The Last Great Concert: My Favorite Songs, Vol. 1 & 2. Go get this recording. It's one of Clemmy's, "Top 100 Discs To Own."
The concert was recorded live over 2 dates. Two weeks later, Chet was found on the sidewalk below an Amsterdam hotel balcony.
Chet was straight ballin the entire date. He led with his heart on all the melodies, and his solos torched the stage to ash. He was just mounting his big comeback. This collection is evidence of how his game was back. It's the last thing he ever shared with us. It deserves a spot in your collection. The liner notes give us great insight into Chet's state of mind on the dates. The music bears out the author's observations. In all- a great get.
Don't take my word for it:
Jazz Times Review It's just one of dozens that sing Chet's praises.
*EDIT*
Someone once described the young Chet Baker as "James Dean, Frank Sinatra and Bix (Beiderbecke), rolled into one." For those of you who don't know this man's story, heroin addiction and a sketchy life on the fringes produced that face in
bonefish's video. This is what Chet Baker looked like when he first started out:
Chet Baker died at the age of 59.