Bee Gees' 1st

Nat King Cole | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Label: Polydor
• ASIN: B00000JCHF
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,421,119 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Nat "King" Cole endured more than his share of scorn and rebuke from all manner of fans and critics. He wasn't jazzy enough to satisfy many, not white enough to please the pop cultural obsession with Anglo- and Euro-American stardom. In answer to all of this, Cole simply proceeded, crooning beautifully even after he'd walked away from the piano and become primarily a vocal sensation. This 1956 collection is famous as Cole's riposte to the critique that he wasn't jazzy. The session brings several Swing Era stars on board: violinist Stuff Smith, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, trombonist Juan Tizol, and alto saxophonist Willie Smith. The horns and violin fronted a semistandard jazz setup of guitar, drums, and percussion, along with Cole's own considerable chops on piano. As an improviser, Cole heavily influenced a generation of ivory ticklers, including Oscar Peterson and others, and here he shows himself a stellar pianist. His runs bespeak Cole's utter perfection on the keyboard. This is a crucial document. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nat answers his critics, March 10, 2001

By 

"pspa" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bee Gees' 1st (Audio CD)

Often criticized for being just a pretty voice, Nat King Cole proves once and for all in this wonderful session that his jazz credentials are beyond question. The voice still sounds wonderful, but even more impressive are Nat's piano stylings and the hip, cool backup he receives. No crooning here, just superb music that swings. The definitive versions in my opinion of many of Nat's classics including the marvelous Only a Paper Moon and Sweet Lorraine. Very good sound too, although one wonders if yet another remastering along the lines of the Louis Armstrong sessions of WC Handy and Fats Waller could improve it even more.

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Understated Group Tour De Force, June 18, 2004

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Complete After Midnight Sessions (Audio CD)

Supposedly Nat's return to his jazz roots (after his subjecting us to "Ramblin' Rose" and "The Lazy Hazy Days of Summer"), "After Midnight" always left me unimpressed. Nat sings on all the numbers, each of which is too carefully programmed to permit meaningful, extended jazz improvisation. But upon mature retrospection and revaluation, I've had to reconsider and add this to my collection.

If you're going to feature a singer-pianist in the setting of a small combo, this is the way to do it. The vocals are not an excuse for the musicians to jam. Instead, each of the solos, including Nat's piano offerings, augments and complements the distinctive vocal interpretations. Even when in the background, the instrumental voices of Sweets Edison, Stuff Smith, Willie Smith, and Juan Tizol are so unmistakably personal that no further showcasing of their contributions is required. The rhythmic support of John Collins (gtr), Charlie Harris (bass), and Lee Young (drums--Lester's brother) is the model of efficiency and empathy. In short, this is an exemplary session--extemporaneous jazz that is as tight as an arranged, orchestrated session yet as free-flowing as a spontaneous one.

Not the least of the album's attributes is the song selection--17 altogether, 5 of which were not included on the original LP. It's a perfect mix of old and new, sentimental and sophisticated. Just listen to Nat's easy assurance on the up-tempo "I Know That You Know" followed by his equally masterful delivery of the relatively esoteric ballad "Blame It On My Youth," capped by a medium-tempo version of the timeless "When I Grow Too Old to Dream." Then ask yourself who else could pull off such a trinity of tunes so triumphantly--and he does it for 14 remaining songs! This album is a tour de force for Nat but, even more importantly, it's collaborative music-making of the highest order.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impeccable, February 5, 1999

By 

R. Sunshine "reading addict" (New York City) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Complete After Midnight Session (Audio CD)

If you're going to own only one Nat King Cole record, this should be it. From his vocal phrasing, to his mastery of accomanying himself on the piano, to his vastly underappreciated soloing--I can't think of a better showcase of his talents on one record. The recording itself is also top-quality. Old-style small band swing record with great guest appearances by Sweets Edison, Stuff Smith, Willie Smith and Juan Tizol. Lester Young's brother Lee on drums swings his butt off. Many of his classics revamped, as well as rarer performances of lesser known songs. The previously unreleased version of "Candy" alone is worth the price. This is truly a desert island disc. Nothing sets a better mood.