Customer Reviews

Night Lights

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

 

 

NIGHT LIGHTS (an unissued studio album from 1955-56) is the missing link in the recorded history of Nat King Cole.

For NIGHT LIGHTS, Cole and his longtime arranger and conductor Nelson Riddle planned a lovely, thoughtful collection of new songs. These were the work of composers ranging from such established hitmakers as Jimmy McHugh to comparative newcomers like Moose Charlap (father of contemporary jazz pianist, Bill Charlap). Cole and Riddle recorded 20 tracks over several sessions, yet the album was never released in that form, and 12 of the tracks have never been heard at all.

A handful of tracks did see the light of day as singles. And all of these singles became milestones in the Cole career, being both chart hits and Cole perennials: "Too Young To Go Steady," "To The Ends Of The Earth," "Never Let Me Go" and "I Just Found Out About Love." It should come as no surprise then, that the songs that were not released are of the same high caliber. Fans will appreciate hearing these songs for the first time which come from a high point in Cole's vocal career.

1. Night Lights (#11 Pop 9/56) 2. I Got Love * 3. Stay * 4. Mr. Juke Box * 5. I Just Found Out About Love (from the musical STRIP FOR ACTION) 6. Dame Crazy (from STRIP FOR ACTION) 7. Too Young To Go Steady (from STRIP FOR ACTION) (#21 Pop 3/56) 8. Love Me As Though There Were No Tomorrow (from STRIP FOR ACTION) 9. The Shadows * 10. Believe * 11. To The Ends Of The Earth (#25 Pop 9/56, flip side of Night Lights) 12. Never Let Me Go (from Paramount Pictures' "The Scarlet Hour" 1955) (#79 Pop 3/56) 13. I Promise You 14. The Way I Love You * 15. Once Before * 16. Make Me * 17. Sometimes I Wonder * 18. I Need A Plan * 19. I'm Willing To Share This With You * 20. The Story's Old * * previously unreleased track

Take a trip on a CD time-machine to a different era, and enjoy a "brand new" Nat King Cole album that was recorded more than 45 years ago, but which somehow never saw release. Except for a few singles that came out of these sessions, the album was buried in the Capitol Records' vaults until now. Night Lights has been expertly remastered by Bob Norberg, and the songs sound fresh in clean in their original mono format. There are also nice liner notes written by Nat King Cole expert Will Friedwald that give insight into who wrote the songs, how they were recorded, etc.

The songs themselves are a treat--lovely confections arranged by the legendary Nelson Riddle. And Nat's voice is in top form--sensuous or jaunty depending on the song. When Nat sings "Believe in what you're doing/And do what you believe in/And Life will offer love and laughter/Ever after--just believe!" you'll smile and probably get a mood boost that will last the rest of the day. About the half of the songs are jazzy, brassy, uptempo, numbers, while the other half are three minute string laden romantic epics of the kind they just don't make anymore (although I guess Diana Krall is helping them make a comeback). If you're a Nat King Cole fan, you owe it to yourself to buy this great disc which gets my vote as one of the best new albums of the year.

It is utterly remarkable that this set of recordings, never previously released, fits so uniformly in a package that is so superb. It is Nat King Cole in his early days as a vocal giant, but it is crystal clear he knows that America in 1955 wanted a softly swinging, sincerely sentimental approach in music. He nails it in this package. Mind you, I don't think it's Nat at his balladeer best; for that you go to "The Touch of Your Lips" and for Nat at his flat out musical best, you go to "Let's Face the Music." I've been a big fan of Nat's for 40 years, when I first heard Ramblin' Rose at age 7. The "Night Lights" release deserves some kind of Grammy, but I don't see that happening.
Anyhow, any serious American music collection should contain this one (and if you want "Face the Music" just order the three-cd Billy May sessions package--it's in there, intact, Nat doin' the jammin Hammond and otherwise lightin' it up big time)

From the vaults of Capitol Records with lush arrangements and swinging brass by Nelson Riddle from the mid '50s with have "Night Lights", another smooth release featuring Nat "King" 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 twofer album are wonderful ballads complete with romantic lyrics...some are timeless and remain classics, while others are songs that have never seen the light of day....but this release is a dream come true...more selections from the greatest entertainer of our time!

Among the highlights "NIGHT LIGHTS", brilliant counter melody interwoven for the Capitol label, "STAY", a wonderful tune from an unknown composer that keeps your adrenaline going, "I FOUND OUT ABOUT LOVE", a terrific arrangement by Riddle that instantly became a classic, "TOO YOUNG TO GO STEADY", beautiful and heartfelt ballad with a classic arrangement, "THE SHADOWS", picture a desert and the sands blowing across the dunes, "TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH", another classic from Nat, and Riddles arrangement is simply captivating, "NEVER LET ME GO", from the film "The Scarlet Hour" the main theme stirs your musical pulse, "SOMETIMES I WONDER", composed by an unknown with tender lyrics that bring two lovers together, "I NEED A PLAN", Nat gives this tune a special twinkle in his eye when he sings about his beautiful wife Maria, "I'M WILLING TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU", almost like your wedding vows, Nat sings this from the heart and you're loving it, "THE STORY'S OLD", beautiful waltz melody that will keep you dancing throughout the evening with your favorite partner, sample each track as Nat completely takes charge and you're in for a real treat.

Hats off to Lee Gillette, Carole Cole and Paul Atkinson for this one of a kind compilation of the past recordings that will keep you swingin' and completely satisfied...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 album are timeless songs and remain classics, while others are songs that have never seen the light of day...the sound quality of this album is 24-Bit Digitally Remastered...this release is a dream come true...more selections from the greatest entertainer of our time!

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: 53:59 on 20 Tracks ~ Capitol 5166163 ~ (6/05/2001)

and is worth having. Cole and his regular musical director at the time was the great Nelson Riddle and they cut these tracks
from late 1955 through early 1956 and they haven't seen the light of day until 2001! I guess it was a posthumous release honoring the talents of both men, both legends in their own right, but why did they wait so long to release this?
All of the songs here are good and shows us what a great laid back vocalist Nat King Cole was and how versatile an
orchestrator Riddle was. Everyone should get this album.

What can I say? The incomparable Nat King Cole was a wonderful singer and these lost songs are a treasure to own. I especially like "Too Young To Go Steady" and "I Promise You".
Buy this CD; you won't regret it. Mr. Cole's mellow voice and jazzy style are always a hit.