Nat "King" Cole – Love Is The Thing

Nat “King” Cole – Love Is The Thing

Released by Capitol Records in April 1957, Love Is The Thing is one of Nat “King” Cole's most celebrated romantic albums and the first of four collaborations between Cole and arranger/conductor Gordon Jenkins. Recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood in December 1956, the album pairs Cole's unmistakably warm, intimate voice with Jenkins' elegant orchestral arrangements, creating a sophisticated collection of classic American popular songs.

The album opens with Cole's celebrated interpretation of “When I Fall In Love”, followed by Hoagy Carmichael's timeless “Stardust”. Other highlights include “Stay As Sweet As You Are”, “Where Can I Go Without You?”, “Love Letters” and “Ain't Misbehavin'”, with the programme moving effortlessly between romantic ballads and classic jazz standards. Cole's restrained delivery and Jenkins' unhurried orchestral backing give the record its characteristic late-1950s elegance.

“Love Is The Thing” is particularly notable as the beginning of Cole's recording partnership with Gordon Jenkins, whose arrangements became an important part of the singer's celebrated Capitol sound. The album also features “I Thought About Marie”, written by Jenkins himself, alongside standards such as “At Last”, “It's All In The Game” and “When Sunny Gets Blue”.

The recordings date from December 1956, while the album was released in 1957 and subsequently topped the UK Albums Chart. The original LP contained 12 tracks, although the mono and stereo Capitol editions differed slightly in their configurations: “Maybe It's Because I Love You Too Much” and “Love Letters” were unique to the original mono edition.

Tracklist

Side A

1. When I Fall In Love
2. Stardust
3. Stay As Sweet As You Are
4. Where Can I Go Without You?
5. Maybe It's Because I Love You Too Much
6. Love Letters

Side B

1. Ain't Misbehavin'
2. I Thought About Marie
3. At Last
4. It's All In The Game
5. When Sunny Gets Blue
6. Love Is The Thing