Nat King Cole - the voice of last century.

Christmas is a month ago, and 2023 is rolling on, with some massive losses in terms of rock legacy, Jeff Beck and David Crosby.

My deepest change from last years x-mas, was that i dug deeper into Nat King Coles back story, spessialy listening to hes best known album, Unforgettable. My biggest find is that i did not know that well how much of a good piano player he was. And it was just by accident somebody figured out that he also was had a voice like nobody else. A richness and tonal quality that few other can replicate the same songs. Like you can not hear any other sing Nessun Dorma but Pavarotti, only Nat can sin A Chrismas Song and Unforgettable.


But i also like hes direction and jazz trio conduction, i love how hes tunes sounds like. I noticed but also found out by google Robert Fripp was influenced by King Cole. There are some hints of that in the debute of King Crimson. Some of the delicate instrumentation is reminicent of details ive heard in albums like Unforgettable.

This reminds me of an interview answer made by Steve Hackett when asked what was different by learning an instrument in the 50s - 60s, compared to kids today in 00s - 10s, when asked about how today, music and media is a click away, a million songs in one search, compared to, when you owned music in the 60s, which you found interesting, you learned that album. So i imagine that also makes it more logical, some in early King Crimson, have probable been into Nat King Cole which might be heard in the music.

Edited by Icarium - January 31 2023 at 16:36

A genious. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RQIVkKqCb98

Nat King Cole originally 'made his bones' playing piano.  The legend has it that while his trio was playing at a bar the audience wanted him to play some songs that usually required a vocal accompany.  Cole initially rejected the idea of himself singing the parts.  The owner of the joint basically made Cole an offer he couldn't refuse.  Sing or pack up (or something along that line).  Cole agreed and the rest is history.

This is not unforgettable, hes phracing was ace class. Also, very good stage presence and stature, healthy confidence.

Sadly Nat King Cole also experienced discrimination and violence as he dared to cross over into new audiences. Not everyone welcommed that

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JFyuOEovTOE

Edited by Icarium - February 01 2023 at 15:24

Somehow hes piano playing today is not as known as it probably deservs. Heard on youtube from some jazz reactors that he is a crossover between swing jazz and more modern bop, hes playing style and musicality made hes playing stand out. Found this reccording where hes not named as part of the trio, but the Lesley Young Buddy Rich Trio, includes Nat as the third part. A very nice way to hear the athelthisisme of Nat King Cole behind hes true passion which was the piano.

https://open.spotify.com/album/1SACHmqe7HhiVV4w4QCYls?si=k28AGH6wQNW6Ipnb7XQvZw

Saperlipopette! wrote: Oh god yes. His voice like butter works best with an intimate arrangement. Either just Nat and his piano or accompanied by small jazz ensemble - preferably a trio. As with most great singers of his era, I steer clear of all extrovert orcestrated "Vegas horn-section" material, which ruins everything for me. I don't mind the occasional sirupy Nelson Riddle-string arrangement though. Btw: I'd reccomend the luxuriously elegant 1955-album Penthouse Sernenade for anyone interested in a purely instumental album (on the CD-version you'll get seven bonus vocal tracks). It sounds like the cover art.

Thanks for the recommendation and. I’ll be sure to check it out…