On Christmas Eve in 1982,
Chet Baker and a local pick-up group recorded one night of an engagement at the Nine of Cups in Tulsa, OK. While never recognized by native Oklahomans (born in Yale) as a favorite son, and likely either somewhat reviled, or ignored in his status as a great jazz trumpeter,
Baker nonetheless spent a holiday close to home, and this club date was documented. Five years away from dying under peculiar circumstances as depicted in the film Let's Get Lost,
Baker's playing is clearly diminished or tired, though not to the point of being unintelligible or sloppy.
Out of Nowhere -- as apropos a title for this CD as could be -- is not well recorded, thin and distant to be kind, unbalanced and unprofessionally reproduced to be accurate. It's a curious blend that has such then young musicians as guitarist
Frank Brown up in the mix, and drummer
Wade Robertson nearly muffled. Electric bassist
Ron Adams, and his father, acoustic bassist
Ted Adams, are buried, What is refreshing, and also curious, is that alto saxophonist
Frank Adams (son of
Ted, brother of
Ron) is featured playing the lead melodies on several tracks, while
Baker defers to him, yet another surprising aspect of this souvenir item. The fare consists of standards, all well known and actually played fairly well. By the fourth track, "Au Privave," the sound is better as
Baker and
Frank Adams lead out together on the bop flag waver, but notes are missed on this quick rendering. The sound stays manageable during "All the Things You Are," but it is played tentatively, inexcusable for this most covered cover. By "Out of Nowhere," a casual listen reveals the palpable imbalance. Highlights of the set include "Lady Be Good" with a fine lead from
Frank Adams, clearly influenced by
Charlie Parker and
Phil Woods, but also admittedly
Lee Konitz and
Charlie Mariano. The altoist charges with aplomb through the venerable set closer "The Theme," where his bop tendencies can be best appreciated, though lacking bite.
Baker sings one tune, "There Will Never Be Another You," but it sounds like he is in another room. This is strictly an historical document, for completists only, unfortunately flawed, and far from essential.