Let's get lost

Chet Baker

Deja Pseu's post about Bad Boys made me think about this bad boy, jazz trumpeter and singer Chet Baker. 

[The Man I Love] has been watching and listening to Chet Baker music and video recently, and I was reminded of when, early in our relationship, we watched the Bruce Weber documentary "Let's Get Lost" about this tragic yet compelling jazz musician.




This embed is the complete documentary, all two hours of it. If you have the time, watch it. Plug in your earphones, click to "full screen" and watch it all. The sad contrast between the beautiful and compelling young man that he was, and the damaged older man he became is sobering. Even the difference between his personal appearance is astonishing. The amazing thing is - despite all the ravages of his life, the music remained.

If you don't have time for the film, then at least listen to this short video of Baker singing the song that most people know him for:



It's only now that I live at the coast in Los Angeles that I see this film in a different context.

For - while I'm absorbed, horrified, saddened, and filled with emotion about this wreck of a great talent, another part of me is going

Hey - Isn't that the California Incline?

Isn't that the Villa de Leon?

Aren't they hanging out by the Pier?

What restaurant are they drinking margaritas in, anyway? Do I know it?

It's weird, living in LA where your everyday landscape has been filmed for decades.

One of my favorite Baker tunes is this one:



"I Get Along Without You Very Well" - Hoagy Carmichael

I get along without you very well
Of course, I do
Except when soft rains fall
And drip from leaves
Then I recall
The thrill of being sheltered in your arms
Of course, I do
But I get along without you very well

I've forgotten you just like I should
Of course, I have
Except to hear your name
Or someone's laugh that is the same
But I've forgotten you just like I should

What a guy
What a fool am I
To think my breaking heart
Could kid the moon
What's in store
Should I phone once more
No, it's best that I stick to my tune

I get along without you very well
Of course, I do
Except perhaps in Spring
But I should never think of Spring
For that would surely break my heart in two

What's in store
Should I phone once more
No, it's best that I stick to my tune

I get along without you very well
Of course, I do
Except perhaps in Spring
But I should never think of Spring
For that would surely break my heart in two