Search - Nat King Cole :: A Mis Amigos

Nat King Cole
A Mis Amigos
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists

Track Listings (18) - Disc #1
1. Ay, Cosita Linda
2. Aquellos Ojos Verdes
3. Suas Maos
4. Capullito De Aleli
5. Cabocio Do Rio
6. Fantastico
7. Nadie Me Ama
8. Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Negros
9. Perfidia
10. El Choclo
11. Ansiedad
12. Nao Tenho Lagrimas
13. Tu Eres Tan Amable
14. Ninguem Ma Ama
15. L-O-V-E (Spanish Version)
16. Lisbon Antigua
17. Come To the Mardi Gras
18. Come Closer To Me

CD Details

All Artists: Nat King Cole
Title: A Mis Amigos
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Collector's Choice
Release Date: 2/26/2008
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists
Styles: Swing Jazz, Traditional Jazz & Ragtime, Vocal Jazz, Easy Listening, Oldies, Vocal Pop, Traditional Vocal Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 617742087321

Synopsis

Amazon.com

After the phonetically overdubbed approach to Nat King Cole's first Spanish-language album, 1958's Cole Español, this follow-up took a more authentic tack. In the middle of a South American tour the next year, Cole recorded A Mis Amigos (To My Friends) in Rio de Janeiro, backed by a band of Brazilians. Although Cole's heavy gringo accent pervades--gratingly so on the "Fantastico" [sic]--this record far outshines its predecessor, with the lion's share of the credit due to the native musicians and Cole's proximity to them in the studio. "Nadie Me Ama" ("Nobody Loves Me") benefits from bright horns--which adorn a number of these songs--and lovely backing vocals. (This re-issue also includes "Ninguem Ma Ama," the Portuguese version.) Among other songs seeing CD release for the first time here, "Tu Eres Tan Amable" ("You Are So Kind") rides the swells and pizzicatos of a spirited string ensemble, "Amor" translates Cole's famous "L-O-V-E," and three songs--"Come Closer to Me," "Lisbon Antigua," and "Come to the Mardi Gras"--constitute the album's only English offerings. All told, A Mis Amigos comes across as sufficiently ragged, eclectic, and sincere that one can almost believe it was truly recorded with the enjoyment of friends as its top priority. --Jason Kirk

CD Reviews

¡Fantástico! BRAVO, NAT KING COLE !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A Mis Amigos is a charming Nat King Cole CD; and even if you don't understand a word of Spanish you'll enjoy this for sure! Nat is at his very best here; his voice is truly a fine tuned instrument. The artwork is wonderful; and the quality of the sound leaves nothing to be desired.

The track set starts off with Nat performing "Ay, Cosita Linda." Nat sings with a Brazilian beat about how he set eyes on a beautiful young woman the previous night. Nat's excellent diction bolsters his performance and I love this starting tune! "Aquellos Ojos Verdes" features Nat front and center with a great arrangement for the strings and percussion. Nat sings of his woman's beauty and how their romantic time alone together means so much to him. There's also "Caboclo Do Rio;" this tune has Nat handling tempo changes like the pro he always was. I believe the lyrics for this song are in Portuguese.

"Fantastico" sports a feisty beat and Nat sings this to perfection; he's so happy that he has his one true love in his life. "Nadie Me Ama" is another highlight of this album; this gentle torchy love ballad is both melancholy and yet somewhat sweet at once. Only Nat could pull that off! "Perfidia" has a stunning arrangement and Nat sings beautifully of how he wants his one true love with all his heart--and he sings this with all his heart and soul as well! The beautiful Latin arrangement greatly enhances the natural beauty of this number.

"Nao Tenho Lagrimas" is sung in Portuguese; this lively ballad gets you moving as Nat sings this with energy, zest and enthusiasm unlike almost any other male singer ever could! The percussion and the drums help to carry the melody along very well. "Tu Eres Tan Amable" switches back to Spanish; Nat again sings so wonderfully of the woman he loves and wants to be his soul mate. The strings work wonders for "Tu Eres Tan Amable" and Nat never misses a beat!

There's also the Spanish version of "L-O-V-E;" of course Nat sings this more wonderfully than any other crooner ever could; and the elegant arrangement for the piano makes the melody very pretty and memorable.

"Come To The Mardi Gras" is in a language I think I recognize--it's English! LOL Nat delivers this with panache and the complicated vocal arrangement poses no problem for Nat; he was THAT good. The album ends with Nat performing "Come Closer To Me." "Come Closer To Me" works well as Nat sings this with great work from the strings.

Overall, A Mis Amigos is a great album by the immortal Nat King Cole. I recommend this for his fans; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals in Spanish will never want to part with this CD.

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