Christy Baron—I Thought About You—Chesky One Step Pressing On 180G Vinyl [ 2025]

I Thought About You was one of my favourite test and music CDs of the late ‘90s. Originally released in 1997 on Chesky Records by American jazz singer Christy Baron, it was a beautifully recorded, arranged and most importantly, sung recording of the CD era. That, and Chesky was the gold standard for recording fresh young talent in natural acoustics. They produced many audiophile gems.

Sadly, I lost the CD in one of several moves across Canada, while my laser focus was on rebuilding my vinyl collection.

Christy, I forgot about you!

So it was fortuitous that I was watching my dear friend and colleague’s video on The Pressing Matters “Chesky Original Masters: The New One Step Vinyl Series”. Although Scott didn’t reference Baron’s recording, it jogged my memory. A quick visit to the website and there it was, available for purchase. It arrived at my door within a week for less than $50 to Canada. Bargain.

The production is first rate. The cover is in glossy card stock, nice liner note insert with new information, and hype sticker, etc.

Evosound licensed the recordings from Chesky who provided high resolution digital masters which went untouched by Evosound engineers. I’m not sure where they are pressed but the record was flat and silent. A quality product.

What I loved about the original CD was the beautiful sound from St. Peter’s Church, New York City and Christy Baron’s straight-ahead style—no futzing about with the melodies, no poor attempts to mimic Ella or Billie, just a beautiful voice with a tasteful style of her own. For those, like me, who balk at the plethora female jazz singers that gild the lily, Baron is utterly refreshing.

LP SIDE ONE: 

1. Got to Get You Into My Life

2. 'Round Midnight

3. Knocks Me Off My Feet

4. Ain't No Sunshine

5. Night and Day

LP SIDE TWO: 

1. Misty

2. Somewhere Over the Rainbow

3. I Thought About You

4. If It's Magic

Jump straight to my favourite version of “Night and Day”, a sexy Latin groove which jumps to driving swing propelled by her amazing accompanists (Cliff Korman, piano, David Finck, double bass and Payton Crossley, drums with George Young, saxophone). It’s here where the sound in this glorious acoustic comes alive (Recorded at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, NYC, August 27-30, 1996)—check out Crossley’s tom toms. The beginning may cause concern with song choice—A Beatles cover, uh oh!—but Baron’s taste and musicianship nail “Got to Get You Into My Life”. Same for all nine songs.

Look, if you have the original fantastic CD, you’re good. But the vinyl does bring its pleasures, especially the replication of the acoustics and the spacing between the musicians. Very highly recommended.

Further information: Chesky Records