Nat "King" Cole & Me (Deluxe)

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"“He was one of a kind. He left such great music – such beautiful things to listen to..." Gregory Porter on Nat "King" Cole

Five EXCEPTIONAL Stars. This is the sensational double Grammy-winning composer, actor, and soul, jazz, and gospel song stylist Gregory Porter in his latest Blue Note recording, "Nat "King" Cole & Me", which is a fabulous tribute to the legendary popular music and jazz music singer and innovative jazz pianist Nat “King” Cole. Cole was a great inspiration for the multiple poll-winning Porter during some tough times in his life and was the basis for an early "autobiographical" musical called “Nat King Cole & Me”. On this latest album, he uses his unique baritone voice to perform mostly well-known and not so well-known Cole hits, even in Spanish from the “Cole Espanol” album. The Blue Note website fittingly refers to Porter’s “extraordinary timbre, style, and ultimate cool”. Porter receives excellent support from the excellent rhythm section of Christian Sands on piano, Rueben Rogers on double bass, and Ulysses Owens on drums, as well as the orchestral support by the London Studio Orchestra (LSO) playing excellent arrangements by Vince Mendoza. Trumpeter Terence Blanchard is the special guest.

The ‘best of the best’ begins with three huge Cole hits: the lovely “Mona Lisa”, the salutary ballad “Smile”, from the Charlie Chaplin film, “Modern Times”, by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons, and the prophetic, singular “Nature Boy” which were perfect vehicles for the velvet baritone of Nat Cole, and fits Porter as well. Porter only uses his own musical persona and vocal approach throughout these performances. “Smile” in particular begins with a lovely harp and french horn introduction, then the full effect of the LSO string section enters with swirling figurations as Porter enters with a marvelous introduction and is very emotional in his delivery throughout. The revitalized “Miss Otis Regrets” has fascinating atmospherics from the LSO as Porter marvelously sells the tragic story. Two bright, uptempo numbers are: the buoyant “Pick Yourself Up” and “Ballerina” both of which have Porter giving ‘life advice’ in highly-personalized performances, as the LSO becomes a swinging jazz big band accentuated by a sparkling piano solo by Sands. From Nat Cole’s last recording session, Porter’s swinging version of “L-O-V-E”, is by Bert Kaempfert and Milt Gabler and was a minor hit for Cole but which he released internationally by recording the song in many languages, including Japanese with English, Spanish, and French. On the often recorded Osvaldo Farrés song “Quizas, Quizas, Quizas” (aka “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps”), Porter sings entirely in Spanish with a passable accent. And perhaps best of all, in an album full of swinging music and dramatic vocal gems, are the gut-wrenching Porter performances of the fairy tale-like “When Love Was King” enhanced by wave after wave of LSO crescendos and a short, invigorating bass solo by Rogers and the ardent Porter performance of “The Lonely One”. “The Christmas Song” is the heartwarming cherry on the cake with Blanchard’s trumpet adding to the ambience. In all, this is Gregory Porter and musical friends giving inspired performances of songs by Nat “King” Cole that once inspired and fascinated Porter as a youngster. Kudos to Vince Mendoza for his arrangements. My Highest Recommendation. Five IMPRESSIVE Stars. (Blue Note records. 12-MP3 tracks, with the “Deluxe” edition having 3 bonus tracks. Time-49:16.)

excellent jazz singer and the arrangements were perfect. Mr. Porter is an excellent jazz singer and I can't wait to see him perform live....his voice reminds me of the old time jazz singers who took pride in their vocal abilities to make the listeners feel the song that they are singing. I have every CD by Mr. Porter and this is one of my top 3. So sit back and listen to this young upcoming jazz singer/producer.

I first heart Gregory Porter on The Graham Norton Show. Had no idea who he was or his music. With his first notes, he won me over and I
immediately ordered his tribute to Nat King Cole. It is wonderful and so satisfying to see new talent return to another time period
and hear the greatness of those who were "Kings". Love the CD and his interpretations. It's always playing somewhere in the house and
belongs in everyone's collection. Hope he comes to NY.

of course, Gregory Porter is an unbelievable talent. Nat King Cole has always been one of my favorite singers .. i heard a bit of Mr. Porter sing one of Nat's songs and was hooked. i don't usually like well known songs not by the original singer but Mr. Porter does Nat King Cole justice ... he sounds like himself, makes the songs his own while still paying tribute to Nat. a real tribute to Nat but a wonderful album by Gregory. LOVE it! oh ... and to get it on vinyl as well, thumbs up!

Love his voice, the choice of songs and the orchestra backing him up. At times the music seems to overpower the song but that does not deter my appreciate for this album.

This is nice and relaxing modern jazz standards. While he does several of Nat's classics, he adds his own style and flair. Saw him in concert in November and he sounds just like his cds!

Blown away.
The resemblance to Mr. Coles voice is indistinguishable.
Grammy contender no doubt.
Buy it without regret i absolutely guarantee it.

Excellent album by Gregory Porter singing Nat "King" Cole music. Everyone needs to get this album.