Grey December is a collection of tracks that jazz trumpeter Chet Baker recorded in 1953 and 1955, early in his career.
Baker had formed his own quartet with pianist Russell Freeman in 1953.
Thirteen of the 17 tracks here are from 1953, and were recorded with a septet -- Baker's quartet plus three saxophonists, including Jack Montrose, who wrote many of the tunes and all the ensemble's arrangements.
The latter are complex, without much room for improvisation, but quite beautiful, and feature Baker stating the melody in his trademark simple, lyrical way with the subtlest twists and turns.
Highlights include a smoking and almost avant-garde take on Hoagy Carmichael's "Little Old Lady," which is presented here with an additional alternate take, as is Gordon Jenkins' inspired and moody "Goodbye." The first four tracks are from 1955, and feature Baker singing ballads against a backdrop of strings.
Baker's vocals are, as usual, disarmingly simple, delivered in conversational phrases that stick closely to the melody.
| Title/Composers | Performer | Listen | Time | Size | Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grey DecemberFrank Campo | Chet Baker | Play | 03:43 | 8 MB | 14 MB |
| 2 | I Wish I KnewMack Gordon, Harry Warren | Chet Baker | Play | 04:01 | 9 MB | 15 MB |
| 3 | Someone to Watch over MeGeorge Gershwin, Ira Gershwin | Chet Baker | Play | 03:02 | 6 MB | 11 MB |
| 4 | This Is AlwaysMack Gordon, Harry Warren | Chet Baker | Play | 03:08 | 7 MB | 11 MB |
| 5 | HeadlineJack Montrose | Chet Baker | Play | 03:11 | 7 MB | 11 MB |
| 6 | ErgoJack Montrose | Chet Baker | Play | 03:11 | 7 MB | 13 MB |
| 7 | BockhanalJack Montrose | Chet Baker | Play | 03:01 | 6 MB | 12 MB |
| 8 | BockhanalJack Montrose | Chet Baker | Play | 03:01 | 6 MB | 12 MB |
| 9 | A Dandy LineJack Montrose | Chet Baker | Play | 02:50 | 6 MB | 11 MB |
| 10 | A Dandy LineJack Montrose | Chet Baker | Play | 02:50 | 6 MB | 11 MB |
| 11 | Pro DefunctusJack Montrose | Chet Baker | Play | 03:28 | 7 MB | 13 MB |
| 12 | Little Old LadyStanley Adams, Hoagy Carmichael | Chet Baker | Play | 02:50 | 6 MB | 11 MB |
| 13 | Little Old LadyStanley Adams, Hoagy Carmichael | Chet Baker | Play | 02:50 | 6 MB | 11 MB |
| 14 | Moonlight Becomes YouJohnny Burke, James Van Heusen | Chet Baker | Play | 03:26 | 7 MB | 11 MB |
| 15 | Moonlight Becomes YouJohnny Burke, James Van Heusen | Chet Baker | Play | 03:26 | 7 MB | 11 MB |
| 16 | GoodbyeGordon Jenkins | Chet Baker | Play | 03:49 | 8 MB | 11 MB |
| 17 | GoodbyeGordon Jenkins | Chet Baker | Play | 03:49 | 8 MB | 11 MB |
| 55 mins | 127 MB | |||||
| 55 mins | 206 MB | |||||
| Artist | Job | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanley Adams | Composer |
| 2 | Chet Baker | Primary Artist, Trumpet, Vocals |
| 3 | Richard Bock | Producer |
| 4 | Johnny Burke | Composer |
| 5 | Frank Campo | Arranger, Composer |
| 6 | Hoagy Carmichael | Composer |
| 7 | Allan Emig | Engineer |
| 8 | Russ Freeman | Guest Artist, Piano |
| 9 | Herb Geller | Guest Artist, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor) |
| 10 | George Gershwin | Composer |
| 11 | Ira Gershwin | Composer |
| 12 | Bob Gordon | Sax (Baritone) |
| 13 | Mack Gordon | Composer |
| 14 | Corky Hale | Harp |
| 15 | James Van Heusen | Composer |
| 16 | Gordon Jenkins | Composer |
| 17 | Johnny Mandel | Arranger |
| 18 | Shelly Manne | Drums, Guest Artist |
| 19 | Red Mitchell | Bass, Guest Artist |
| 20 | Joe Mondragon | Bass |
| 21 | Jack Montrose | Arranger, Composer, Guest Artist, Sax (Tenor) |
| 22 | Bob Neel | Drums |
| 23 | Marty Paich | Arranger |
| 24 | Todd Selbert | Liner Notes |
| 25 | Bud Shank | Flute, Guest Artist |
| 26 | Harry Warren | Composer |
| Quality | Format | Encoding | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | MP3 | 320kps 44.1kHz | MP3 is an audio coding format which uses a form of lossy data compression. The highest bitrate of this format is 320kbps (kbit/s). MP3 Digital audio takes less amount of space (up to 90% reduction in size) and the quality is not as good as the original one. |
| CD Quality | FLAC | 16bit 44.1kHz | FLAC is an audio coding format which uses lossless compression. Digital audio in FLAC format has a smaller size and retains the same quality of the original Compact Disc (CD). |