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This is essential listening, an essential part of your vocal jazz collection.In listening to this 1956 masterpiece, I'm struck by many things. I'm talking about Juan Tizol's valve trombone solo on "The Lonely One." If this isn't the most gorgeous trombone solo ever, it certainly is one of them.Possibly the most remarkable thing about this remaster is the added tracks of "I Was a Little Too Lonely," "You Can Depend On Me," "What Is There to Say," "Two Loves Have I," and the alternate take to track #1, "You're Looking at Me." Normally when a great recording like this is reissued with "bonus tracks," they are inferior to what was on the original. IMO, it should have been ranked higher. I'm thinking that Nat King Cole was one of the most underrated jazz pianists ever.And this c.d. In June of 2004, Frank-John Hadley polled 73 of the top living jazz singers in the world for their favorite 30 all-time recordings.
Buy it, even (and especially) if you have the original l.p. And if you do, you cannot not love this. contains one of the most gorgeous jazz solos in existence on a vocal recording. If you're reading this, chances are you love jazz. Likewise with "Route 66." If Louis Armstrong had had a melodious and pleasing singing voice, he would have been Nat King Cole.Or listen to Cole's piano chops. Thank you, reissue producer Michael Cuscuna.What an album. Listen to "Sweet Lorraine," for example, and hear how Cole plays with, bends and straightens out the melody. These 5 are every bit the equal of what was on the original l.p.
This one was ranked #12. Not so here. RC First and foremost, Nat King Cole was the logical extension of Louis Armstrong. Check out his beautiful, logical, economic solo on "It's Only a Paper Moon." Or listen to the dizzying way he trades fours with the equally dizzying Stuff Smith (violin) on "I Know That You Know." A thrilling experience, everytime you listen.
For me this CD (After Midnight) endures much better than his Love Songs with strings. This entire CD sounds great to my ears in 2009. I like this better than the King Cole Trio, although I like that a lot. I especially like You Can Depend on Me and Just You, Just Me (a song I first heard in the movie New York, New York, and I also recommend Liza Minnelli's version on the soundtrack, even though I am not a big Liza fan). No sappy strings. Great musicians and jazz -- not pop -- arrangements.
For these four reasons, this is the best Cole disc to own. The Trio musicians are top notch. This disc lacks the identification with pop music and showcases BOTH Cole's jazz vocal and jazz piano playing talents unlike most of his later work. The sound production is quite good unlike most of his early recordings.
This CD receives as high a recommendation as any jazz recording I own. Actually, my piano instructor told me that Nat was a really great pianist, and The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings: Eighth Edition (Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings) also mentions Cole's virtuosity. Believe me: If you've heard Nat sing and you liked it, you'll like him even more when he's playing along with himself on piano with his trio behind him.
You did. It's a Grammy nominated recording that doesn't disappoint. Oh sure, you've heard of Nat "King" Cole. You can probably even name one or two of the songs he made famous (like Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" or Evans' and Livingston's "Mona Lisa"). So, while I can't say I was surprised by just how good this CD is, I can say I was amazed and delighted. As I write this, I have several other new CD's that I just purchased that I haven't listened to yet because I'm so reluctant to take this one out of my player.
After you buy this one, you can get a similar but more modern take on some different tunes by checking out Nat's brother, Freddy Cole, on Music Maestro Please. The sound is clean and the production first rate. Each one has its own timeless essence that comes from superior execution and solid songwriting. You'll feel like Nat is in the room with you, showing you how much fun it is to sing and play jazz music. This is another gem of great vocal jazz with a solid backing band threatening to steal the limelight at every turn. There really isn't another CD quite like this. But did you know that Nat Cole is also a consummate piano player.
The songs are occasionally quaint but always riveting and interesting. I listened to it once through and was so taken by it, I just sat right down and listened to most of it again. I don't believe you. Every song just leaves an incredibly indelible impression.
Without doubt the best Nat Cole album you can buy. When you listen to this album everything he plays (and sings for that matter) seems effortless, and thats because as a pianst he was blessed with great technique. Both a fabulously laid back Jazz album and a vehicle for Nat's wonderful vocals. Nat Cole was one of the great Jazz Pianists before his vocal skills stole the limelight.
So buy this album and you get the best of both worlds. In the 1940's he won numerous awards as best Jazz Pianist. Every word and syllable is clear. Nat King Cole, great Piano playing and great voice, plus wonderful guests = 5 star CD. The only other singer I know with a comparable voice is Johnny Hartman. Some of his classic Jazz Trio albums may be more important, and his easy listening vocal albums were better sellers but this is the best compromise.
However this album also shows off that pure and eloquent voice. Add in guests Harry Edison on Trumpet, Willie Smith on alto Sax, Juan Tizol Trombone and Stuff Smith on violin and you have a perfect album. He was a big influence on Oscar Peterson.
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