DIANE (1985)
Chet Baker; Thoughts
Good morning. Today, I’m sharing Diane by Chet Baker with you along with some of my thoughts. More or less, not in depth. Baker is known for his sprezzatura and swag. His trumpet playing has an effortless legato to it. This album has many idiosyncrasies that make it particularly unique and enjoyable. In 1966, Baker got into an altercation during a drug deal and he lost several of his teeth. His embouchure was ruined, the most critical skill in trumpet playing, and his playing subsequently deteriorated along with his teeth. On Diane, you can hear these quirks of his new found embouchure and notes awry that seem to find even more meaning in his seamless nonchalance. Baker dedicated this album to his partner, Diane Vavra, who was close to him until the end of his life in 1988. Despite being married until his passing, the album was not a posthumous release. His wife Carol Ann Jackson, thus, would’ve seen it.
(Diane and Chet; Photo by Michiel Hendryckx, Belgium 1988.)
This album is simple. The only credits are Baker on trumpet & vocals, and Paul Bley on piano. While recorded in Copenhagen under the label SteepleChase, the post-production is limited (if any) offering the vibe that they hit record themselves. The dedication to his partner, Diane, is evident in the track listing which includes “If I Should Lose You,” “You Go to My Head,” “How Deep Is the Ocean?,” and “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye.” The barren arrangements allow for Baker and Bley to showcase their artistry and collaboration through rubato, phrasing, and solos.
Track listing:
“If I Should Lose You“ (Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin) - 7:16
“You Go to My Head“ (J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie) - 7:03
“How Deep Is the Ocean?“ (Irving Berlin) - 5:17
“Pent-Up House” (Sonny Rollins) - 3:55
“Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye“ (Cole Porter) - 7:52
“Diane“ (Lew Pollack, Ernö Rapée) - 5:31
“Skidadidlin’” (Chet Baker) - 4:16
“Little Girl Blue“ (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) - 5:27 (LP),[4] 10:23 (CD)[5]
The majority of the album is the duo, sans vocals, although Baker sings on track two. The sound of his voice is faible and subdued like a languorous animal mumbling to itself in the woods. I find it fascinating that he chose to “You Go to My Head” which is more forlorn, see below, than a declamation of love that '“How Deep Is the Ocean?” might’ve provided. The final chord is unresolved posing a question mark.
The thrill of the thought
That you might give a thought to my plea, cast a spell over me
Still I say to myself get a hold of yourself
Can’t you see that it never can be?
Without further ado, enjoy listening to Diane!
-ar
No teeth, wow.