Rating:
Genre:
Vocal Music
Release Date: 05/21/1991
Run Time: 43:33
Nat King Cole's collaborations with
the Count Basie Orchestra and
the Stan Kenton Orchestra (all of which are included on this CD) found him mostly sticking to singing but enjoying the
jazz-oriented backgrounds. He first met up with
Kenton in 1950, recording the memorable
"Orange Colored Sky" and starring on piano during the instrumental
"Jambo." They had a reunion in 1960-1961, cutting a remake of
"Orange Colored Sky" and two more poppish songs. The matchup with
Basie showcased
Cole purely as a singer in 1958;
Gerald Wiggins took
Basie's place at the keyboards. One of
Cole's better
vocal sessions, he is in top form on a variety of
standards (particularly on
"The Late, Late Show" and
"Welcome to the Club"); pity he did not sit in with the band on piano. This CD is recommended for its rare examples of
Nat King Cole as a
big-band singer.
~Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
;)
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