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Title: Excellent Read
Review: This biography is very well done. Mr. Gavin never tries to sensationalize Chet Baker's life and, if anything, seems at times to not care much for the trumpeter. He praises what he feels are quality works by Baker, but never hesitates to be critical of poor or money-grabbing performances. He refers often to the ethereal, emotive, less-is-more style that so endeared Baker to his fans, but likewise gives voice to opinions that Chet's ascension to fame was due more to his good looks and skin color than his talent.Gavin also looks long and hard at Baker the son, the husband, the father, the lover, the person. He frames the man as having two obsessions: dope and music, both of which depended heavily on the other. Everything else in life was secondary, with much of it merely a nuisance to Chet. Jazz and heroin were the only things that were easy for him, and he devoted every possible moment to both. Gavin does a superior job of bringing this life to focus.
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