Customer Reviews

Jazz Encounters

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Capitol Records presents "Jazz Encounters", featuring the voice of Nat King Cole and an all-star cast of the '40s and early '50s...sample one of the finest collections ever recorded by an artist who was always on top of the charts. No other singer in the business had the warmth that this man gave during a performance. Along with Frank Sinatra, Cole built the Capitol Towers and brought them fame and fortune. Cole in my estimation did more for Capitol Records than any other recording artist of that time (and that my friend is saying something), but it is the true gospel.

Nat 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 compilation are 21 heartfelt ballads and upbeat tunes...Some are timeless that remain classics, while others are songs that have never seen the light of day...a collectors dream come true...more selections from the greatest entertainer of our time!

In alphabetical order and with an all-star guest cast are the 21 selections:

LEAP HERE
LEAP HERE (ALT. TAKE)
METRONOME RIFF
the above features The Metronome All-Stars with Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Harris, Buddy De Franco, Flip Phillips, Buddy Rich, Billy Bauer, Eddie Safransky and arranger Pete Rugolo (recorded December 21, 1947 - New York City)
IF I COULD BE WITH YOU
RAFFAMAROLE
RIFFAMAROLE (ALT. TAKE)
STORMY WEATHER
YOU CAN DEPEND ON ME
YOU CAN DEPEND ON ME (ALT. TAKE)
the above features The Capitol International Jazzmen with Bill Coleman, Buster Bailey, Benny Carter, Coleman Hawkins, Oscar Moore, John Kirby, Max Roach and Kay Starr (March 30, 1945 - Hollywood)
BABY, WON'T YOU PLEASE COME HOME
CINDY
RIDING ON THE GRAVY TRAIN
I'LL BE HOME WITH YOU IN APPLE BLOSSOM TIME
the above features Jo Stafford, Paul Weston, Herbie Haymer, Heinie Beal, Fred Stulce, Harry Schuman, Art Shapiro, Nick Fatool and arranger Ray Linn (recorded March 28, 1946 - Hollywood)
CAN I COME IN FOR A SECOND
FOR YOU MY LOVE
the above features Nellie Lutcher, Ernie Royal, Charlie Barnet, Irving Ashy, Joe Comfort and Earl Hyde (recorded January 5, 1950 - Hollywood)
MULE TRAIN
MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME
the above features Woody Herman & The King Cole Trio with Irving Ashy, Joe Comfort and Gene Orloff (recorded November 7, 1949 - New York City)
HARMONY
MY BABY LIKES TO BE-BOP
SAVE THE BONES FOR HENRY JONES
YOU CAN'T MAKE MONEY DREAMIN'
the above features Johnny Mercer (co-founder of Capitol Records), Johnny Moore and Johnny Miller (recorded August 20, 1947 - Hollywood)

Entire collection is a stand out in my book...America never had a more widely beloved ambassador (except for Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong), hope this is a glimpse into the future of better things coming our way if the recording industry ever wakes up to the listeners and fans of good music.

You can't go wrong with any of Cole's albums that are now on CD...many are hard-to-find and some not well known...highlights and stand outs are the entire album with brilliant arrangements and Nat performing them...beautiful and heartfelt ballads and fun tunes...featuring Nat's original style are simply captivating...Nat sings this from the heart and you're loving it...now we can relive the songs that gave us so much pleasure...remember Nat was with us for such a short time...just sit back, give a listen and enjoy the sounds we grew up with...songs we've come to love over these past plus sixty years...gotta love it!

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: 60:00 on 21 Tracks ~ Capitol 96693 ~ (4/21/1992)

This disc bolsters my argument for more information on the back of the CD jewell case. For example, with a career as diverse as Cole's was, you really need to know whether or not these are "jazz singing" sides (ala The After Midnight Sessions) which is what I was looking for, or "jazz playing" sides of the earlier trio and post-trio period. Well, this disc has both which is OK but I really wanted to hear more jazz singing since so much of Cole's vocal performances are of a pop nature. The first 13 tracks are from Nat's various 1940's collaborations on jazz piano with groups assembled by Metronome and Capitol records. But the real treat for me is a collection of jazz vocal duets (tracks 14 - 21) with icons like Woody Herman, Johnny Mercer and Nellie Lutcher. These sessions remind you just was a soulful and sensitive singer Cole was and what a strong sense he had for lyrical jazz and blues. Overall, worth the price but I would love to have purchased a disc with more true jazz vocals.