Customer Reviews

Dear Mr Cole

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this early John Pizzarelli record, he honors the great Nat "King" Cole the same way Diana Krall would do a little later in the also excellent "All for You". Pizzarelli knows that no one can sing like Cole, so he is smart enough to focus on what he does best: expert guitar playing in superb arrangements. It's not that he can't sing, though. On the contrary: as you will discover, his voice is very pleasant to hear  and getting increasingly so with time. Benny Green (piano) and Christian McBride (bass) are incredibly competent and leave nothing to be desired (be sure to listen closely to "Sweet Georgia Brown"). However, I would suggest that special attention be paid to the first track, in which we can hear the great playing of (John's brother) Martin Pizzarelli (b) and Ray Kennedy (p), the other two members of the now very successful John Pizzarelli Trio. By the way, that Style Is Coming Back In Style is what we music fans really learn here. Finally, it must be noted that there was an interesting follow-up to this album. Its called P.S. Mr. Cole and also available from amazon.com.

What do you expect when you put a trio of great musicians and a collection of timeless songs popularized by the unforgettable Nat King Cole? This fantastic CD! It's one of the jazziest and the best John Pizzarelli recordings of all-time. The creative trio is composed of bassist Christian McBride, pianist Benny Green and John Pizzarelli, a fine guitarist/vocalist. On the first track, "Style Is Coming Back In Style" Mr. Pizzarelli's equally talented back-up musicians are his brother, Martin on bass, Ray Kennedy on piano and John Guerin on drums.

This is a great tribute to the legendary Nat King Cole, who had the kind of voice that was so smooth and velvety. It features some of his best songs interpreted fabulously by the trio. My personal choices are "What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry," It's Only A Paper Moon," "L-O-V-E," "Unforgettable" and Richard Whiting and Johnny Mercer's "Too Marvelous For Words."

"You're just too marvelous
Too marvelous for words
Like glorious, glamorous
And that old standby amorous

It's all too wonderful
I'll never find the phrase
That says enough, tells enough
I mean just aren't swell enough

You're much too much, and just too very very
To ever be in Webster's dictionary
And so I'm borrowing a love song from the birds
To tell you that you're marvelous. . .
Too marvelous for words."

For Nat King Cole and John Pizzarelli fans or any music lover, this is a wonderful addition to your collection. Very highly recommended.

"Unforgettable", "Too Marvelous For Words" are songs on this CD but they also describe this blend of John Pizzarelli's artistry with Nat King Cole memorabilia perfectly. "Straighten up and Fly Right" zips along and the rhythmic pace of "Sweet Georgia Brown" may leave you breathless. It's toe-tapping, hand-clapping, finger - snapping and body swinging time. Mr Pizzarelli sings and brings new energy and brilliance to this music. Andre Segovia might envy John's guitar virtuosity. Like us, I imagine he would sit in wonderment of "how does he do it?" If you enjoyed John Pizzarelli's "Brazil" with Rosemary Clooney and his "Kisses in the Rain", you will want this CD too. It is just too marveleous for words.

there are no bad John Pizzarelli CD's. this one focuses ont he music of Nat King Cole, and it's a really enjoyable listen. He doesn't try to "copy" Cole's style, but puts his own stamp on the music. Laid back, and swings easy. Nice.

Wow! John Pizzarelli's guitar genius, along with his smooth vocals reminiscent of Chet Baker, has come up with a winning album here, on this tribute to Nat 'King' Cole. With Benny Green on piano and Christian McBride on bass, this is an album not to be missed. Just listen to "Sweet Georgia Brown". It's just about the best rendition of it that I have ever heard. I have a few John Pizzarelli albums, but this is by far my favourite. I highly recommend it to all jazz fans.

Not a dull moment on the entire cd. OUTSTANDING musicianship throughout, as those of you familiar with the Pizzarelli family have come to expect.
Of particular favor in my eyes are the songs with the "bowed bass"- just too cool.
"Sweet Georgia Brown" MAY burn up your player; look out!

John Pizzarelli is a really, really good guitarist in the Herb Ellis/Barney Kessel mold; he plays that 'Freddie Green' style of rhythm superbly, when he's not soloing with grace, finesse, and fire at times. His voice...well, it grows on you - and in order to do this kind of a tribute, you gotta sing. Luckily, he knows the limitations of his voice and uses 'Colesque' phrasing in order to make his vocal point. Some of his vocals are outstanding, though - as on "Route 66". His playing is, however what makes this a 4-star effort. Along with Benny Green and Christian McBride, his non-vocal Trio version of "Sweet Georgia Brown" is truly 5-star, and at times even sounds like the old Oscar Peterson Trio. That's the highest compliment I can think of for Green, McBride, and Pizzarelli. Nobody ever solo-ed as well as John on guitar in Peterson's Trio. Fans of Cole, and stylish jazz trios, will dig this.

I found this CD by accident; it was being played in the CD store and I left the other items and decided to buy this one.

It's very relaxing. The piano, the guitar and the voice are joined to give you a set of beatiful songs. Enjoy them.