Search - Nat King Cole :: Complete After Midnight Sessions

Jazz Classic

S J Buck | Kent, UK | 09/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Without doubt the best Nat Cole album you can buy. Some of his classic Jazz Trio albums may be more important, and his easy listening vocal albums were better sellers but this is the best compromise.



Both a fabulously laid back Jazz album and a vehicle for Nat's wonderful vocals. Add in guests Harry Edison on Trumpet, Willie Smith on alto Sax, Juan Tizol Trombone and Stuff Smith on violin and you have a perfect album.



Nat Cole was one of the great Jazz Pianists before his vocal skills stole the limelight. He was a big influence on Oscar Peterson. When you listen to this album everything he plays (and sings for that matter) seems effortless, and thats because as a pianst he was blessed with great technique. In the 1940's he won numerous awards as best Jazz Pianist.



However this album also shows off that pure and eloquent voice. Every word and syllable is clear. The only other singer I know with a comparable voice is Johnny Hartman. So buy this album and you get the best of both worlds. Nat King Cole, great Piano playing and great voice, plus wonderful guests = 5 star CD.

"

The best piano player you've never heard of

Eric C. Sedensky | Madison, AL, US | 11/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh sure, you've heard of Nat "King" Cole. You can probably even name one or two of the songs he made famous (like Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" or Evans' and Livingston's "Mona Lisa"). But did you know that Nat Cole is also a consummate piano player? You did? I don't believe you. Actually, my piano instructor told me that Nat was a really great pianist, and The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings: Eighth Edition (Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings) also mentions Cole's virtuosity. So, while I can't say I was surprised by just how good this CD is, I can say I was amazed and delighted. This is another gem of great vocal jazz with a solid backing band threatening to steal the limelight at every turn. Every song just leaves an incredibly indelible impression. I listened to it once through and was so taken by it, I just sat right down and listened to most of it again. As I write this, I have several other new CD's that I just purchased that I haven't listened to yet because I'm so reluctant to take this one out of my player. Believe me: If you've heard Nat sing and you liked it, you'll like him even more when he's playing along with himself on piano with his trio behind him. The sound is clean and the production first rate. The songs are occasionally quaint but always riveting and interesting. Each one has its own timeless essence that comes from superior execution and solid songwriting. There really isn't another CD quite like this. You'll feel like Nat is in the room with you, showing you how much fun it is to sing and play jazz music. This CD receives as high a recommendation as any jazz recording I own.



After you buy this one, you can get a similar but more modern take on some different tunes by checking out Nat's brother, Freddy Cole, on Music Maestro Please. It's a Grammy nominated recording that doesn't disappoint.

"

Essential Listening

Rick Cornell | Reno, Nv USA | 01/23/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In June of 2004, Frank-John Hadley of "Down Beat" Magazine polled 73 of the top living jazz singers in the world for their favorite 30 all-time recordings. This one was ranked #12. IMO, it should have been ranked higher. This is essential listening, an essential part of your vocal jazz collection.



In listening to this 1956 masterpiece, I'm struck by many things. First and foremost, Nat King Cole was the logical extension of Louis Armstrong. Listen to "Sweet Lorraine," for example, and hear how Cole plays with, bends and straightens out the melody. Likewise with "Route 66." If Louis Armstrong had had a melodious and pleasing singing voice, he would have been Nat King Cole.



Or listen to Cole's piano chops. Check out his beautiful, logical, economic solo on "It's Only a Paper Moon." Or listen to the dizzying way he trades fours with the equally dizzying Stuff Smith (violin) on "I Know That You Know." A thrilling experience, everytime you listen. I'm thinking that Nat King Cole was one of the most underrated jazz pianists ever.



And this c.d. contains one of the most gorgeous jazz solos in existence on a vocal recording. I'm talking about Juan Tizol's valve trombone solo on "The Lonely One." If this isn't the most gorgeous trombone solo ever, it certainly is one of them.



Possibly the most remarkable thing about this remaster is the added tracks of "I Was a Little Too Lonely," "You Can Depend On Me," "What Is There to Say," "Two Loves Have I," and the alternate take to track #1, "You're Looking at Me." Normally when a great recording like this is reissued with "bonus tracks," they are inferior to what was on the original. Not so here. These 5 are every bit the equal of what was on the original l.p. Thank you, reissue producer Michael Cuscuna!



What an album! If you're reading this, chances are you love jazz. And if you do, you cannot not love this. Buy it, even (and especially) if you have the original l.p. RC"