"Embraceable You" is a studio album by noted jazz trumpeter and vocalist, Chet Baker. The album was released in 1995, several years after Baker's death in 1988, and features his interpretations of ten classic pieces by George and Ira Gershwin.
Although Baker is renowned as both a trumpeter and vocalist, in "Embraceable You," he mainly showcases his talent as a trumpeter. This is partly due to the fact that the tracks were recorded in the late 1950s, a period when Baker's vocal cords were affected by his addiction to drugs. The record includes tracks such as "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "I've Got a Crush on You," performed in Baker's soulful, intimately lyrical style.
The album sees Baker accompanied by some of the specialized musicians of the west coast jazz scene, including Russ Freeman on piano, Carson Smith on bass, and Larry Bunker on drums. It is considered a classic example of cool jazz and is still widely admired today.
The album offers listeners a chance to experience Baker's musicianship at its most pure and unadorned. The overall resonance of the album is tender and melancholic, channelling the vulnerabilities and struggles of Baker's personal life into a mesmerizing musical experience.
The album "Embraceable You" serves as a lasting testament to Baker's musical genius and his unique ability to interpret and express the emotional depth of jazz standards.
