Nat King Cole ‎– Legendary Song Stylist

Nat King Cole – Legendary Song Stylist

Originally issued in 1998, Legendary Song Stylist is a superb 18-track collection showcasing Nat King Cole's effortless vocal style alongside the intimate jazz sound of his early trio recordings. This Castle/MAC compilation brings together performances that capture Cole at the heart of the American jazz and popular-song tradition, with recordings drawn largely from the 1940s.

The collection opens with “Sweet Lorraine”, the 1940 recording that became Cole's first major hit and helped establish him not only as a remarkable jazz pianist but as one of the most distinctive vocalists of his generation. His understated phrasing, immaculate timing and conversational delivery became a defining part of the Nat King Cole sound. The repertoire here is packed with similarly enduring standards, including “It's Only A Paper Moon,” “Embraceable You,” “How Deep Is The Ocean?,” “There Will Never Be Another You” and “My Funny Valentine.” Cole's 1940 “Sweet Lorraine” recording was made with Oscar Moore on guitar and Wesley Prince on bass.

The compilation also demonstrates Cole's extraordinary ability to make familiar songs sound completely personal. “For Sentimental Reasons”, recorded in August 1946, became one of his signature recordings, while “I Don't Know Why,” “Besame Mucho,” “Laura,” “What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry?” and “Too Marvellous For Words” highlight the elegant blend of jazz, swing and traditional pop that made his records so enduring. His early 1940s work with the King Cole Trio is particularly important in the development of the small-group jazz sound that preceded his later career as a major mainstream vocalist.

With “Just You, Just Me (Instrumental)” providing an opportunity to hear Cole's piano-led approach without the vocal spotlight, the set finishes with the romantic standards “If Yesterday Could Only Be Tomorrow” and “I'm In The Mood For Love.” Together, these 18 tracks make Legendary Song Stylist an appealing introduction to Nat King Cole's early recordings and a useful collection for listeners interested in classic vocal jazz, traditional pop and the golden age of American popular song.

Tracklist

1. Sweet Lorraine
2. It's Only A Paper Moon
3. Embraceable You
4. I Thought You Ought To Know
5. You Must Be Blind
6. How Deep Is The Ocean?
7. There Will Never Be Another You
8. My Funny Valentine
9. For Sentimental Reasons
10. I Don't Know Why
11. Besame Mucho
12. Just You, Just Me (Instrumental)
13. Laura
14. I Realise Now
15. What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry?
16. If Yesterday Could Only Be Tomorrow
17. Too Marvellous For Words
18. I'm In The Mood For Love