Grey December (album)

Grey December is an album by jazz trumpeter Chet Baker compiling sessions recorded in 1953 and 1955 which was released on the Pacific Jazz label in 1992. The album compiles tracks previously released on the 1954 10-inch LP Chet Baker Ensemble, the 7-inch EP Chet Baker – Sings And Plays With Bud Shank, Russ Freeman And Strings, along with previously unissued alternate takes.
The CD cover uses the same picture by William Claxton as the original cover of LP ''Chet Baker Ensemble.''

Reception

Allmusic rated the album with 4 stars, stating: "Grey December is one of the better CD reissues featuring Baker's early-'50s recordings on Pacific Jazz, the purveyors of West Coast cool".

Track listing

All compositions by Jack Montrose except as indicated

"Grey December" – 3:40
"I Wish I Knew" – 3:59
"Someone to Watch over Me" – 3:00
"This Is Always" – 3:06
"Headline" – 3:07
"Ergo" – 3:08
"Bockhanal" – 2:58
"Bockhanal" – 2:33
"A Dandy Line" – 2:48
"A Dandy Line" – 2:48
"Pro Defunctus" – 3:26
"Little Old Lady" – 2:47
"Little Old Lady" – 2:00
"Moonlight Becomes You" – 3:24
"Moonlight Becomes You" – 2:52
"Goodbye" – 3:47
"Goodbye" – 3:42

Recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood on December 14, 1953 and December 22, 1953 and on February 28, 1955

Personnel

Chet Baker – trumpet, vocals
Bud Shank – flute
Herb Geller – alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
Jack Montrose – tenor saxophone
Bob Gordon – baritone saxophone
Russ Freeman – piano
Joe Mondragon, Red Mitchell – bass
Shelly Manne, Bob Neel – drums
Corky Dale – harp
Ray Kramer, Ed Lustgarten, Kurt Reher, Eleanor Slatkin – strings
Franco Campo, Johnny Mandel, Marty Paich – arrangement