The Best of the Nat King Cole Trio: The Vocal Classics, Vol. 1 (1942-1946)

Nat King Cole

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 31, 1995)
• Original Release Date: October 31, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000005H11
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,497 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Silky Smooth, November 27, 2001

By	M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is smooth jazz at its finest--not the contemporary non-jazz that usurped that name-- but the light, feathery, and unmistakably jazz work of early Nat Cole. Smooth as silk, really, he has a warm, easy-going, and mellifluous voice (yet it's never bland). While some of the songs are strictly for fun (the great "The Frim Fram Sauce" and the less memorable "But She's My Buddy's Chick") he adds a bit more gravitas to such ballads as "Sweet Lorraine" and lays blue shadings onto "Embraceable You."

The comping is wonderful, a classic trio sound with Johnny Miller's beautifully articulated bass, and Oscar Moore's versatile guitar. At times, Moore coaxes a ukulele sound out of his instrument; other times he has an incandescent sound that recalls Django Reinhardt. The trio also sings together: "Straighten Up and Fly Right " is like a Do-Wop jazz song. Cole's piano is the height of insouciance, a soft but always swinging style that gets the most out of the minimum. Other highlights include the signature "Route 66," "I'm Thru with Love," "Come to Baby, Do", and "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons."

This is not the "popular" (and over-produced, in my opinion) Cole of latter years ("Lazy Hazy Days of Summer," "Ramblin' Rose," etc.) but a man firmly rooted in jazz. It's been said by many that his later vocal success overshadows the innovations and influence he showed as a young pianist. (For instrumentals only, I recommend his "Penthouse Serenade"). This album gives you both Cole's voice and piano in the great Cole sans-drummer trio; an excellent selection of songs played by a master, backed with empathy and basking in warmth.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music to neck and drink Martinis by, October 9, 2003

By	Nicholas Edwards (Belchertown, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Everything else has been said about this music that needs to be said - hard to be nostalgic for something you weren't around for (I'm only 26, for cryin' out loud) but good grief! The idea that this was some of the pop music enjoyed by millions - this elegant, sophisticated, intimate music - only underscores the aridity of all of the stuff that makes Billboard nowadays. Cole's
art was above all an art of subtely, of small touches that add up to a distinct and unmistakeable whole - much as the small, decisive brushstrokes of Monet yielded those iconic, idyllic rivers and bridges. Listen to how Cole phrases the penultimate line of "I'm Thru With Love" , that fractional hesitation, that delicate caesura between "For I must have you" and "or no one",
and you'll see what I mean. For a romantic evening indoors on a cold winter night, look no further than the Trio for exactly the right mood. (The instrumental stuff is equally fine too, by the way - he was an amazing piano player. Red Garland didn't come out of nowhere, you know.)

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooth as silk..., September 18, 2001

By	John O'Neill (Alpharetta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Everyone knows of Nat King Cole's "pop" recordings - "Mona Lisa", "Too Young", "The Christmas Song" but to me the real treasure lies in these recordings (and those on the companion CD covering 1947 - 1950).

Cole is an incredible jazz pianist with a light and gently swinging style. Add to that Oscar Moore on guitar and Johnny Miller on bass and you've got a tight ensemble delivering 22 wonderful performances. The tracks range from classic ballads ("Embraceable You", "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons") to fun novelty numbers ("The Frim Fram Sauce", "But She's My Buddy's Chick"). Of course you add Cole's smooth vocals to these wonderful backing arrangements and you've got a great collection.

Considering the age of these recording and the quiet nature of the material - even when the trio swings they swing "softly" - there is some hiss noticeable throughout but in general these recordings have been nicely "cleaned up" and restored.

(In addition to the two vocal collections there is a third strictly instrumental disc which is also very good but when you put on Nat King Cole don't you want to hear that voice?)