Southern California-based singer/songwriter Robert Francis has recorded a cover of the entirety of trumpeter and vocalist Chet Baker’s 1954 classic, Chet Baker Sings, and will release it as Valentine this Friday as a limited, 500-piece, autographed 10” vinyl edition (same as the original), with the digital release of the album following on December 11 through Aeronaut Records.
Francis is backed on Valentine by the members of actor Jeff Goldblum’s band: John Storie on guitar, Tim Emmons on bass, Kenny Elliot on drums, and the final recorded performance of sax man Zane Musa, who passed away in February.
Needless to say, Robert had big shoes to fill; “My Funny Valentine” is the track most associated with Baker, who died in 1988, when Francis was just a toddler. We think he more than does the tune justice. Have a listen and see if you don’t agree.
