Customer Reviews

Lush Life

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In his liner notes to "Lush Life," author/compiler Will Friedwald notes that Nat Cole "devised an entirely original approach and a whole new sound...an alternative vision both as valid and as productive as Sinatra's." This despite Cole's working with many of Sinatra's arrangers: Billy May, Gordon Jenkins and, of course, Nelson Riddle.

But before these giants helped craft Cole's beloved hits, he and arranger Pete Rugolo joined for eight orchestral sessions anthologized in "Lush Life." The generous result (25 songs, more than 70 minutes) captures Cole and Rugolo at several crossroads: between jazz and pop crooner; swing, bebop and Latin-flavored styles; between musics progressive and intimate.

Not every track here stands with classic Cole: you get the sappy faux-social comment "My Brother" and, despite several thrilling Cole piano fills, the silly "You Can't Make Me Love You" probably has an unknown writer's credit for a reason. Moreover, "Time Out For Tears" and "I'll Always Remember You" depend too much on Pied Pipers-style vocal blend.

But then you get comfy, fun duets between Cole and wife Maria ("It's A Man Every Time," "Ev'ry Day," "Hey, Not Now," which recalls Cole's hit "Orange Colored Sky") punctuated by big-band horns, jazzy guitar and Latin-style bongo percussion. The swinging "Get To Gettin'" recalls the Cole Trio days, while he also delivers gentle versions of Alec Wilder's "Summer Is Comin' In" and the standard "Red Sails In The Sunset."

The LP's best songs, including Billy Strayhorn's classic title song and "You Stepped Out Of A Dream," present an urban, sophisticated approach to big band jazz Cole abandoned for the sentimental, Riddle-arranged hits ("Unforgettable," "Pretend") that are his legacy. But "Lush Life" is a recommended addition to any Cole collection, catching one of music's most distinctive musicians and vocalists at top musical form with progressive, simpatico accompaniment.

From the vaults of Capitol Records, never to be forgotten arrangements "Lush Life", with the Pete Rugolo Orchestra 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...two dozden classics from the greatest entertainer of our time...recorded various dates March 29 & May 20, 1949, May 11 & 20 1950 in New York, August 25, 1950, February 1 & 2 1951 and January 11, 1952 in Los Angeles.

Brilliant counter melodies interwoven for the Capitol label with original sessions arrangements...some stand outs "LUSH LIFE", "YOU STEPPED OUT OF A DREAM", "ROSES AND WINE", "RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET" and "POOR JENNY IS A WEEPIN", beautiful and heartfelt ballads sprinkled with the classic arrangement featuring The King Cole Trio each tune stirs your musical pulse...Nat had a special twinkle in his eye when he sings with his beautiful wife Maria are priceless...Nat sings this from the heart and you're loving it with gorgeous arrangements...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.

Hats off to Will Friedwald & Michael Cucuna (reissue producers), Jay Ranellucci & Malcolm Addey (digital transfers), Pete Rugolo & Lee Gillette (producers of original sessions) and Capitol Jazz for this one of a kind past recordings that will keep you completely satisfied...some 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 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: 72:00 on 25 Tracks ~ Capitol Jazz 80595 ~ (4/06/1993)

Lush Life Nat Cole is probably one of the three top vocalists in my estimation and is my favorite of all time. The other two are Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett. This CD (Lush Life) is a great example of his style. I am very pleased with this CD.