CONRAD S. (conrad777) from ENGLEWD CLFS, NJ Reviewed on 2/25/2007...
IMO the best Nat Cole jazz vocal CD
CD Reviews
Silky Smooth
M. Allen Greenbaum | California | 11/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Music to neck and drink Martinis by
Nicholas Edwards | Belchertown, MA United States | 10/09/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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.)"
Smooth as silk...
John O'Neill | Alpharetta, GA | 09/18/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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?)"
Fine early classics from The Nat King Cole Trio...
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 08/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD gives us a fine assortment of hits by The Nat King Cole Trio recorded between 1942 and 1946. The sound is great and from the very start of this album you can tell Nat was destined for great stardom.
The CD track set begins with "All For You;" this ballad showcases Nat's youthful voice as he croons a love ballad to his lover. The musical arrangement shines with great piano by Cole with Johnny Miller on bass and guitarist Oscar Moore. The piano playing during the musical interlude shows how Cole never missed a beat.
Cole, Moore and Miller harmonize to perfection on the next track, "Straighten Up And Fly Right." Nat's voice is recorded much more clearly on this number; and the peppy number also highlights Cole's talent as a tunesmith, too! The CD reverts to a slower love ballad with "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You." "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You" starts with a great piano solo and Nat sings this flawlessly. The melody charms and haunts you long after you listen to this track.
"Embraceable You" lets the trio infuse new life into a classic Gershwin tune; Nat croons this without a superfluous note. The musical arrangement plays softer than before in order to highlight Nat's vocals. I predict that you will enjoy "Embraceable You" very, very much.
"I'm A Shy Guy" is another tune written by Nat Cole; and the piano works well along with the bass and the guitar. The lyrics aren't as sophisticated as the lyrics for "Straighten Up And Fly Right;" and this is the probable reason why this tune didn't go as far as "Straighten Up And Fly Right." "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You" again demonstrates just how well this trio could massage a classic love ballad and make it shine in their own special way.
"The Frim Fram Sauce" is one of my personal favorites: I love its playful nature and I can just imagine how good all that food must taste! SMILE "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" is a very early example of Nat performing a song he loved to sing so frequently in his later solo career. Nat sings well and the musical arrangement bolsters "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66." "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons" was one of the trio's bigger hits during this period; and it's no secret why. Nat delivers this passionately; and the arrangement never misses a beat.
The CD track set ends with "You're The Cream In My Coffee." The arrangement begins with a peppy start and when Nat comes in it's a heavenly number! This romantic ballad provides a strong ending for this album.
The liner notes give us a great essay about Nat and his trio; and you get the song credits and recording dates, too. The picture of the trio on the front cover reflects good judgment.
I highly recommend this CD for fans of Nat "King" Cole; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals will treasure this CD for years to come.
Enjoy!
"
King Cole Trio, No Greater Small Jazz Band
G. E. Williams | White Plains, Westchester County, New York | 03/04/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Vocal Classics, Volume 1" by the King Cole Trio documents along with "Instrumental Classics" that the Trio was always at its best. It is the equivalent of Ted Williams hitting .406 in 1941, Jim Brown gaining 6 yards a carry every time he touched the ball, Wilt Chamberlain averaging 50.4 points and 25.4 rebounds in 1961-1962 and Wayne Gretzky scoring over 200 points in four out of five seasons.
Most of these songs are great art. "All For You" could have been left off this CD album since it was recorded for Excelsior Records in 1942 before the Trio recorded for Capitol Records as well as "How Does It Feel" since it was never released commercially until 1991 when it was part of Mosaic Records box set entitled "The Complete Capitol Recordings of the King Cole Trio." Also the other version of "Embraceable You", which was released in 1944 on the first King Cole Trio album should have been included in lieu of the V-Disc version. A better version of "What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry" was the Trio's 1946 master that was actually commercially released in 1946 on "King Cole Trio, Volume 2" album. The 1945 version was not released the first time until 1955. Capitol Records would have served the fan better by issuing in this package 1946 recording rather the 1945. In my opinion "I Can't See For Lookin' " is more of a classic than "All For You," this version of "What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry" and "How Does It Feel" and should have been included instead. And certainly "The Christmas Song" by Robert Wells and Mel Torme recorded by the Trio in 1946 with a string choir is more of a classic than these three songs and should have been part of the release.
The greatest thing about this album is it exclusively consists of what Will Friedwald called the greatest edition of the King Cole Trio (Trio Leader Nat Cole at the piano and doing the vocals, Oscar Moore, guitar and Johnny Miller, bass). No other edition before Miller's arrival in 1942 and Moore's leaving in 1947 ever equalled what these three men accomplished. Other editions of the Trio pale in comparison. Moore as a guitarist and Miller as a bassist, besides being great jazz players, could also sing in tight harmony with Cole as you will hear on Cole's and Irving Mills' composition entitled "Straighten Up And Fly Right." It is unfortunate that two other classic vocals by all three men were not included in the album, Cole's "It Is Better To Be By Yourself" and Ella Fitzgerald's "Oh But I Do." Besides being a great pianist and vocalist, Cole was a phenomenal leader and arranger when he led the King Cole Trio. The inferior quality of "All For You," "What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry," and "How Does It Feel" is more than compensated by superior treatment that they provide on the other nineteen selections. It is due in no small measure to Cole's arranging skills. It is his talent as an arranger that makes this a classic album as it is also true of the "Instrumental Classics" album by the King Cole Trio.
I have been a fan of the King Cole Trio since 1963 when I was fourteen years old. Please enjoy this music by a band that was incomparable.
G. E. Williams, White Plains, Westchester County, New York"
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1
CONRAD S. (conrad777) from ENGLEWD CLFS, NJ 
