Chet Baker & Jack Sheldon: “In Perfect Harmony: The Lost Album” (2024) CD Review

In 1972, famed trumpeters and vocalists Chet Baker and Jack Sheldon recorded an album together in Orange County. Guitarist and producer Jack Marshall then took the tapes up to Los Angeles to find a suitable label to release the recording. But after Marshall’s sudden death from a heart attack, the tapes were packed away and forgotten. Jack Marshall’s son, Frank Marshall (known for producing films like Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Poltergeist, and The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button), found the tapes in the garage, and now the album is finally getting a release, on both CD and vinyl, the latter for Record Store Day. It’s incredible and wonderful that unreleased gems like this are still being found. In addition to Baker, Sheldon and Marshall, these tracks feature Dave Frishberg on piano, Joe Mondragon on bass, and Nick Ceroli on drums. This session comes from an interesting time, particularly as Chet Baker’s comeback happened in 1973. Had this album come out promptly, would his comeback have occurred a year earlier?

The album opens with “This Can’t Be Love,” which begins with a nice introduction on piano. Jack Sheldon sings the first section of the song, and if you’re listening on headphones, you’ll hear him predominantly in your left ear. His emotional delivery is moving. “This can’t be love/I get no dizzy spell/My head ain’t way up in the skies/My heart does not stand still.” Then halfway through, Chet Baker comes in (mainly in your right ear), his voice in great contrast to Sheldon’s, more smooth and relaxed. And for his first several lines, he is supported mainly by the bass, which adds to the contrast with the first section. Two different approaches contained on the same track. What a wonderful start to the album. That’s followed by “Just Friends,” and it’s Chet Baker who sings this one, with some wonderful work on bass backing him. Joe Mondragon had played on some early Chet Baker albums, including Chet Baker And Strings, but is probably most loved for that seriously cool bass work on Peggy Lee’s version of “Fever.” This track also begins with a short introduction on piano, and it features some great stuff on trumpet.

“Too Blue” is a song written by Jack Sheldon, the only original composition on this album. Sheldon sings this one, and that voice is perfect to deliver lines like “You’re driving me insane/You fill my happy heart with pain/You messed up my brain.” And while everything he’s saying is undoubtedly true, this one has a fun vibe.  I love the way it moves. That rhythm is so appealing. There is also plenty of good stuff on trumpet, the two playing together in the second half, and it is that section that is my favorite. Jack Sheldon would include this song on his 1980 LP Singular and on his 1995 album Jack Is Back. They follow that with “But Not For Me.” I’ve said it many times, but you can never go wrong with Gershwin. This one also begins with some really nice work on piano, and soon the tone is established. Chet Baker sings this one, skipping the first lines and going right to the chorus. I love his delivery of that first line, “They’re writing songs of love, but not for me,” the way he holds onto the word of “love,” like he wants it, needs it, wishes to dwell within it. This track features some bright and exciting work on trumpet, and some nice work on drums. Nick Ceroni is known for his work with Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass in the 1960s, and he would play drums on Jack Sheldon’s Singular. This isn’t the first time Chet Baker recorded this song. He included it on his 1954 album Chet Baker Sings. On that version he also went right to the chorus, but delivered that first line differently.

Jack Sheldon sings “Historia De Un Amor” in Spanish, delivering a captivating performance. There is a beautiful ache in his voice, a need, a desire, a longing. There is that longing in his trumpet playing too, with Chet Baker’s trumpet sounding more soothing, comforting, which works so well. This track also features some wonderful guitar work. They follow that with a tune composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim, “Once I Loved,” which has a good rhythm, and features some nice stuff by Chet Baker on trumpet. Jack Sheldon doesn’t come in until well into the second half of the track, and then the two trumpets engage in an interesting dance, over some delicious percussion work. Then Jack Sheldon seems to be having a great time vocally with “You Fascinate Me,” and the results are delightful. And Chet Baker gets loose on trumpet. This is such an enjoyable rendition. Jack Sheldon gets even more playful as he goes. Listen to his delivery of the song’s final line.

Things get mellow with “When I Fall In Love,” with Chet Baker’s soft, thoughtful and beautiful vocal approach. “In this crazy world we live in, love is over before it’s begun/And too many moonlight kisses seem to cool in the warmth of the sun.” This track also contains some pretty work on piano. Then the piano work at the beginning of “I Cried For You” lets us know this rendition is going to be hopping. And indeed it is, the bass and drums keeping everything moving. Jack Sheldon again delivers a somewhat playful vocal performance, and there are moments when both he and Chet Baker are playing trumpet, trading licks in an animated conversation. Jack Sheldon cuts loose vocally near the end: “You made me feel so bad when you came in with grass all over your skirt and your hair messed up and lipstick all over your teeth/Now you’re going to have cry over me.” Wonderful! This is one of the disc’s highlights. It is followed by “I’m Old Fashioned,” with Chet Baker delivering a sweet, cheerful vocal performance. “I’m old-fashioned/But I don’t mind it/That’s how I want to be/As long as you’ll agree/To stay old-fashioned with me.” This track also features some delicious work on trumpet. The album concludes with “Evil Blues,” which begins with some good work on piano before it digs into that rhythm. There is a prominent bass line. Jack Sheldon sings lead on this short, but totally enjoyable rendition.

CD Track List

1. This Can’t Be Love
2. Just Friends
3. Too Blue
4. But Not For Me
5. Historia De Un Amor
6. Once I Loved
7. You Fascinate Me
8. When I Fall In Love
9. I Cried For You
10. I’m Old Fashioned
11. Evil Blues

In Perfect Harmony: The Lost Album is scheduled to be released on CD on April 26, 2024. It will be released on vinyl on Record Store Day, April 20th.