Recorded a mere three months before his 1988 death, the album of 16 songs (including three alternative takes) is a rich farewell studio Paris recording by Chet Baker and his team of Philip Catherine/g, Egil Kapstad/p and Terje Venaas/b. Baker’s horn is in warm, refined and emotive form, giving no hint of the physical degeneration of the jazz giant. The spacious work of Catherine and Kapstad is a work of art as well, making an impressionistic framework for Baker on pieces like “Skylark” and “If You Could See Me Now”.
Besides the romantic ballads, Baker could still swing, shown on a fun “Makin’ Whoopee”, a bouncy “How High The Moon” and a bluesy “I Want A Little Girl”. A couple rarities are here as well, with “ Blamann, Blamann” and “The Bird From Kapingamarangi” gems of lyricism, while “My Foolish Heart” still pumps out rich corpuscles. A gem to the bitter end.