Chet Baker & Bud Shank - Theme Music from the James Dean Story

Presented here for the first time on CD in full Stereo sound, with detailed recording dates and complete, accurate personnel data, the splendidly varied contributions of soloists and arrangers give the album the jazz qualities that help to make it such a satisfying experience.

The famous television host, actor and jazz pianist, Steve Allen, once said that Chet Baker was, because of his general air, looks and attitude, “the James Dean of Jazz.” Since Chet also shared with Dean a similar reputation as a rebel, it seems fitting that he was chosen as co-leader on this album with Bud Shank. Originally written by Leith Stevens for “The James Dean Story” the music for the film contains that background quality, meant to amplify visual action, which gives it a cohesiveness that, in lesser hands, has the potential to make one track sound a great deal like another. However, the Johnny Mandel and Bill Holman orchestrations here simultaneously reflect the James Dean spirit, while providing a rich instrumental framework for the solo work of Baker and Shank. And if Chet plays with consistent force and lyrical warmth throughout, and sings with emotional involvement on the James Dean theme, Let Me Be Loved, it is Bud who steals the show overall with the authoritative vitality and soulfulness of his alto and flute work.