Customer Reviews

Complete After Midnight Sessions

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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.

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.

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.

It's easy to forget what a brilliant improvisational pianist Cole was before he went more commercial and recorded with an orchestra. He won Esquire and Metronome awards in the years 1946-1949 for his piano. Just by itself, a return of the trio and its style would be treat enough. But when you add some of the very best sidemen in the business, this is ambrosia. Sweets Edison was Basie's star for 13 years and, after 1950, was in demand for all kinds of big names. Sinatra loved to use him. Same for Juan Tizol, who cut his eye teeth on Ellington and Harry James before his valve trombone was in demand for Sinatra and others in the Capitol stable. Willie Smith - who developed the slurping saxophone sound with Ellington, I think, later ended up doing some great alto work for Billy May alongside Skeets Herfurt. Stuff Smith on violin was new to me - kind of a cross between Stephane Grapelli and Florian Zabach. Cole's voice is as mellow as ever, but it is so smoothly laid in this instrumental bed that it blends like another instrument - except, of course, when it soars. The ballads have some sophistication and the rest just plain swings. I could listen to this CD over and over and over again. Watch your purchase - there is a 12 track Japanese import out there - which is actually the way the LP came out in 1957. The CD listed here has six bonus tracks that were recorded in the same sessions and are every bit as good as the original dozen. ....You'll wear it out appreciating new nuances each time you listen to it. And that will be often! Oh, P.S. Check out Jack Costanzo's wild bongos on "Caravan."

One of the unfortunate consequences of Nat "King" Cole's exquisite career as a vocalist is that many fans have forgotten--or never knew--what an exceptional Jazz pianist he was. Moreover, Cole influenced pianists as chronologically and geographically divergent as Canadians Oscar Peterson and Diana Krall, and Brazil's Tania Maria.

AFTER MIDNIGHT serves up equal doses of Cole's vocals and piano playing. From the lush beauty of "What Is There To Say" to the mid-tempo swing of "When I Grown Too Old To Dream" to the lightening quick "I Know That You Know", Cole confirms his place in both Popular Vocalist history and Jazz Piano history as well.

In a recording featuring such luminaries as Harry "Sweets" Edison on trumpet, and the often forgotten violinist Stuff Smith, AFTER MIDNIGHT is the perfect offering for any fan of the Nat "King" Cole Trio as well as those fans who are more familiar with Cole as a vocalist. A perfect blend is found here.

An excellent album for those who want to hear Nat King Cole the musician, versus the vocalist. However those who prefer the vocalist will not be disappointed as Mr. Cole sings on all tracks. This album basically reunites the Nat King Cole trio during the height of his vocal career. Also added is a guest instrumentalist on each song. Mr. Cole re-records his greatest trio hits, Route 66, Sweet Lorraine, Paper Moon, etc. However don't overlook the album because of this. There are many wonderful gems on this album including Blame It On My Youth, Just You, Just Me, Caravan, and Sometimes I'm Happy. This is one of Mr. Cole's best albums and I promise the sound will never grow old!

From the vaults of Capitol and Blue Note Records, never to be forgotten tunes with Nat on the keyboard "After Midnight Sessions", digital mastering monaural...another command performance release featuring the man himself Mr. Nathaniel Adams Cole...he had a tenderness in his voice, completely flawless...he could never deliver a bad tune...his style and signature of making a song his own has never been duplicated...within this album are wonderful timeless ballads complete with romantic lyrics...all remain classics from the greatest entertainer of our time!

Entire album is a highlight with Nat's special four guests...Willie Smith on Sax, Harry "Sweets" Edison on trumpet, Stuff Smith on violin and Juan Tizol on trombone...also other personnel John Collins on guitar, Charlie Harris on bass and Lee Young on drums...recording dates were August & September of 1956 in studio A of the Capitol Tower in Hollywood...remastered by Larry Walsh at Capitol Recording Studios, outstanding job and gig.

The seventeen tracks include:
1. JUST YOU, JUST ME (Willie Smith) - fast & furious
2. SWEET LORRAINE (Harry "Sweets" Edison)- the Ultimate Cole Classic
3. SOMETIMES I'M HAPPY (Stuff Smith) - classic American standard performed by our favorite artist.
4. CARAVAN (Juan Tizol) - a Duke Ellington Classic.
5. IT'S ONLY A PAPER MOON (Harry "Sweets" Edison) - another Cole gem.
6. YOU'RE LOOKING AT ME (Willie Smith) - not as well known, but a Cole classic.
7. LONELY ONE (Juane Tizol) - in the frame of "Nature Boy", but Cole puts his signature on it.
8. DON'T LET IT GO TO YOUR HEAD (Willie Smith) - novelty tune that Nat has fun with.
9. I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW (Stuff Smith) - unknown tune, but Nat makes it his own
10. BLAME IT ON MY YOUTH (Juane Tizol) - wonderful performance by Nat
11. WHEN I GROW TOO OLD TO DREAM (Stuff Smith) another gem that surfaced.
12. ROUTE 66 (Harry "Sweets" Edison) - Ultimate Cole Classic
13. WHAT IS THERE TO SAY (Juan Tizol) (previously unreleased from original recording sessions)
14. YOU CAN DEPEND ON ME (Harry "Sweets" Edison) (previously unreleased from original recording sessions)
15. I WAS A LITTLE TOO LONELY (Willie Smith) (previously unreleased from original recording sessions)
16. TWO LOVES HAVE I (Stuff Smith) (previously unreleased from original recording sessions)
17. CANDY (Harry "Sweets" Edison) (previously unreleased from original recording sessions)
Nat completely takes charge and you're in for a real treat from beginning to end...so fasten your seatbelts, cause you're in for a musical journey with all the trimmings.

This Capitol release is a compilation of past recordings that will keep you completely satisfied...tracks are mono but the sound quality is quite amazing with it's 24-Bit Digitally Remastered technology...a release to savor for many years...this is a dream come true...more selections from the greatest entertainer of our time...and still more to come later this year 2005 with a DVD package.

Nat was awarded a posthumous plaque to the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame, naming him one of the major early influences on rock 'n' roll...they'll never be another pass this way again...thank you Captiol for this release of Nat "King" Cole for the decades of music that followed...his songs will remain with us always and forever...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 60:22 on 17 Tracks ~ Capitol/Blue Note 48328 ~ (6/29/1999)

If you only know King Cole through his big, heavily orchestrated hits, then you don't know him all that well.
"After Midnight" showcases the extraordinary talent of this man as a vocalist and pianist, with spare, perfect accompaniment by top-notch jazzmen. It is a treasure to discover, and rediscover with every listening.

There is some great stuff here that you won't find anywhere else, including one of my favorites, "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" (Lavene/Nast/Hadamik), that I simply can't find anywhere else and sheet music for it doesn't seem to exist. Willie Smith plays some sweet sax, too.

"greatest hits" collections are nice but usually they have a quality of being too familiar. These are just familiar enough. These songs became standards, and the title says it all. After midnight has a relaxed quality to Nat's piano playing. Not to be rushed, he sings with ease of a late night jam with enough intensity to warm your insides. "You can depend on me" alone is worth the entire purchase price and you still get 17 more songs!!!