EnjaRecords.com:
This disc documents a ten-year-long musical friendship between Chet Baker (1929-1988), the legendary American trumpet player, and Wolfgang Lackerschmid, a German vibraphone player and composer. They met for the first time in 1978 and went into the studio to do a duet recording the following year. Another studio date followed in late 1979, this time with a quintet including Larry Coryell, Buster Williams and Tony Williams. Over the years, Chet and Lacky were touring all over Europe and recorded again in 1987, only a few months before Chet*s death.

Musically, it was a very special cooperation. Chet was fond of Lacky*s compositions such as Five Years Ago, Balzwaltz or Why Shouldn*t You Cry, and loved to perform them in concert. “Chet was the best interpreter of my tunes,” Lacky remembers, “and even asked me for new material. Without needing any instructions, he always played my tunes as I wanted them to be played. I had often listened to his records before, so maybe I had his sound in mind when I wrote these tunes.” Not only the tunes but also the original combination of trumpet and vibes helped to create a context for Chet*s trumpet that will be new and surprising for many of his fans. Needless to say, Chet marvellously answered the challenge and had some of his most brilliant moments when recording with Lacky.

This CD ends with Chet*s Ballad, a vocal version of Why Shouldn*t You Cry recorded five years after Chet*s death by a New York all-star band. It features alto sax player Lee Konitz and singer Lillias White in a moving homage to Chet Baker*s musical spirit.

This is the third volume of the successful THE CHET BAKER LEGACY co-produced by CCB (Chet & Carol Baker Productions) and ENJA RECORDS.

Allmusic.com:
Due to the loss of his teeth in a fight and health difficulties from heroin addiction, Chet Baker*s later career recordings are often rough rehashings of his earlier successes. Many of the trumpeter/vocalist*s posthumous releases merely restate his unique gift for lyricism and, as such, probably don*t garner him any new fans. Not so here. Of the myriad recordings printed after his death, few color Baker*s career as vividly and deeply as Why Shouldn*t You Cry. Detailing a musical relationship with vibraphonist Wolfgang Lackerschmid between 1978 and 1988, the album is a haunting, ambient collection of original compositions by Lackerschmid — barring an arresting version of Baker*s signature standard “You Don*t Know What Love Is.” Originally envisioned as a duet project, this collection includes performances and songs by guitarist Larry Coryell and bassist Buster Williams with accompaniment by guitarist Nicola Stilo and drummer Tony Williams. The spare group setting and unusual combination of trumpet and vibes allows Baker to free up his often conservative playing. Lackerschmid, no stranger to the atonal mayhem of free jazz, plays with a soft, deft harmonic touch. Together, the duo creates vast clouds of harmony. This is particularly true on the ballad “Five Years Ago,” where Lackerschmid utilizes ghostly volume swells to backlight Baker*s pointillist trumpet lines. Another standout track is “Chet*s Ballad,” a vocal version of “Why Shouldn*t You Cry” recorded after the artist*s death with vocalist Lillias White featuring Baker*s old cool jazz buddy alto saxophonist Lee Konitz A fitting tribute on an album that truly showcases Baker*s sanguine musical genius.

Personnel:
Chet Baker trumpet, vocal
Wolfgang Lackerschmid vibes, marimba

Guests:
Larry Coryell, guitar
Tony Williams, drums
Nicola Stilo, guitar
Lillias White, vocal
Donald Johnston, piano
Ron McClure, bass
Buster Williams, bass
Günter Lenz, bass
Jeff Hirshfield, drums
Lee Konitz, alto sax

Tracks:
1. Why Shouldn*t You Cry 05:48
2. You Don*t Know What Love Is 07:52
3. Rue Gregoire DU Tour 06:37
4. Balzwaltz 06:49
5. Five Years Ago 03:46
6. Waltz For Berlin 07:18
7. Dessert 06:56
8. Toku Do 06:33
9. Chet *s Ballad (Why Shouldn*t You Cry) 04:50
Total time: 56:29

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