Search - Nat King Cole :: Sings the Great Songs

TWO MORE GREAT NAT KING COLE ALBUMS

Giovanni | Chicago, IL | 04/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"EMI has done it again; they've given us two great albums (one of which I don't believe was available here in the USA) on one spectacular disc. While the songs aren't necessarily "new" recordings (both albums were "pick ups", that is, comprised of previously recorded material) they certainly will sound "new" to fans of all ages. Capitol went into the vaults in the late 60's to come up with both of these great albums, with unreleased material or "B" sides that never made much impact and came up with two winners. The majority of the tracks were arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle, the master arranger and conductor who first recorded with Nat on "UNFORGETTABLE", a pairing that inevitably lasted decades, even through the Riddle/Sinatra years (although it was Riddle's occupation with Sinatra that would eventually cause he and Cole to drift away from each other, professionally) Just listen to the chart for AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER, impeccably framing Nat's subtle voice are strings and light percussion written as only Nelson could. Where the "hit version" of this song (by Vic Damone) was near-operatic, Nat's version is obviously toned down to suit his voice, but it never loses any of its beauty in lyric or performance. Just wonderful. Nat and Nelson have a go at the old standard FASCINATION, and the arrangement mirrors that of Unforgettable, complete with the special tag on the ending. A very nice treatment of this classic song. Nat was known for taking lesser known songs or brand new songs and making them great. One such song here, THERE'S A GOLD MINE IN THE SKY, harkens one back to Nat's "Ramblin' Rose" album, with it's country flavored beat and simple message. Nelson's chart will have you drifting to the stars. Gordon Jenkins, Capitol's other premire arranger and conductor, and Nat King Cole were no strangers either. Nat returns the favor to Gordon Jenkins for so many wonderful years (and albums)together here by singing Jenkins' own HAPPY NEW YEAR. Gordon also did the chart for his melancholy masterpiece (this chart is similar to the one Gordon wrote for Judy Garland's spectacular version of this song; nice to hear a "male" version of this one!) As always, the original liner notes and artwork has been restored here for you to enjoy. Hoping EMI finds something to pair up Nat's MY FAIR LADY album with and gets that out on CD; that appears to be the only album of this musical icon's that hasn't been on CD yet! Nat King Cole left us far too early in life; it's so great to know EMI keeps his music alive for generations to enjoy."

"many hard-to-find releases ~ Nat King Cole"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 01/10/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Purchased this compact disc from Amazon, received in less than five days and the shipping was FREE...the last of Nat King Cole twofer albums put on CD "Nat Cole Sings The Great Songs!" and "Thank You, Pretty Baby", arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jenkins, David Cavanaugh and Ralph Carmichael with romance in the air and the magic of Nat's voice brings back the thrill.



You can't go wrong with any of Cole's albums that are now on CD...both are excellent, many are hard-to-find B-sides not well known...such as "BE STILL MY HEART", "BRAZILIAN LOVE SONG", "FAREWELL TO ARMS", "FOR THE WANT OF A KISS", "HAPPY NEW YEAR", composed by Gordon Jenkins, "I WISH I KNEW", "MAGIC MOMENT", "MAGIC NIGHT", "MAKE IT LAST", "MR. WISHING WELL", "ONE SUN", "THANK YOU, PRETTY BABY", "UNFAIR" and "UNITED", when it comes to interpretation and expertly performed, Nat is the master at his craft.



More familiar songs like "AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER", "AROUND THE WORLD", "FASCINATION", "I HAD THE CRAZIEST DREAM", a favorite of mine from the Betty Grable days of the '40s, "PEOPLE", hit song from the musical "Funny Girl", Nat has a way of making this his own, "THERE'S A GOLD MINE IN THE SKY", "YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU", performed and made popular by Al Jolson, Judy Garland and Harry James, "YOU'RE MY THRILL", a wonderful Joni James hit, but listen as Nat lays out his signature style and it's a classic again.



This collection is available on EMI/Capitol Import label and is only in the Mono version, but the care that was taken is incredible...a must have for all the fans of this beloved man...they'll never be another pass this way again...thanks to this UK release of Nat "King" Cole...just the way we like 'em!



Total Time: 55:37 on 22 Tracks ~ EMI/Capitol 538414 ~ (3/25/2002)"

NAT KING COLE- "Sings the Great Songs/Thank You,Pretty Baby

L. Dequesada | JAMAICA,, NY United States | 12/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Little else can be said that hasn't already been said about the great and immortal Nat King Cole. In this two in one CD which includes Nat's two great albums "Sings the Great Songs" and "Thank You, Pretty Baby" Nat King Cole gives us his unique versions of so many captivating hit love songs of his extensive repertoire. There are previously hard to find songs included here like the nostalgic "There's a Gold Mine in the Sky" and Nat's version of the 1957-58 hit "An Affair To Remember" which is the theme song of Leo Mc Carey's great love story staring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. I highly recommend this CD to anyone and its contents bring back a lot of wonderful memories of my youth and I'm sure that of so many of his fans.

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