A Sentimental Christmas with Nat “King” Cole and Friends: Cole Classics Reimagined (Universal Music Canada)
Nat King Cole & Friends
Released in 2021
JazzTimes 2021 Holiday Jazz Album
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mP2_SFNqulTzpC5JlghYXt3rtOGFivza4
Spotify:
About:
Co-produced by Jay Landers (Barbra Streisand, Neil Diamond, Barry Gibb) and GRAMMY® Award winner and Oscar nominee Jorge Calandrelli (Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga), who also arranged and conducted, the album’s material was sourced from Cole’s timeless album, The Christmas Song, and other recordings from his esteemed catalog. The album was co-produced, mixed, and mastered by multi-GRAMMY-winning engineer and mixer Dave Reitzas (Natalie Cole, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion). Reitzas was responsible for mixing the historic Grammy®-winning virtual duet, “Unforgettable,” by Natalie and Nat King Cole.
Born in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1919, Nathaniel Adams Coles was one of four sons of the First Baptist Church’s pastor Edward Coles. Nat’s mother, Perlina Coles, a choir director at the church, taught him piano at four. In 1921, the family moved to Chicago, seeking a better life in the prospering towns of the north. Nat became obsessed with the inescapable sound of Chicago jazz. Mastering the piano at a young age was central to his artistic development. Cole developed his style as a teenager adding in his own flair for the blues. His unique playing style and sultry baritone voice were fully formed when he worked his way from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Signed to Capitol Records in 1943, Cole released his initial album as the lead vocalist of “The King Cole Trio” in 1945, at the dawn of the LP format, and topped Billboard’s inaugural album chart. In his brief 20-year career, he recorded more than 150 singles that reached Billboard’s pop, R&B, and country charts and sold more than 50 million records. His phenomenal success led to Capitol’s iconic round building on Vine Street in Hollywood to be known as “The House That Nat Built.” Cole’s impressive catalog has since garnered six platinum and two gold album awards, with six-times RIAA- platinum-certified The Christmas Song initially released in September 1964.
In addition to his recognition as a musical trailblazer, Cole is also recognized as a champion for civil rights. The revolutionary American singer’s impact continues across the world’s cultural and political landscape. In 1946, he broadcasted a 15-minute national radio program, King Cole Trio Time, the first of its kind to be hosted by an African American musician. In 1956, he became the first African American to host his own national network television show, NBC’s The Nat King Cole Show. In addition to his warm and welcoming stage personality, Cole was a featured actor in films including China Gate and the Oscar-winning Cat Ballou.
Track Listing:
1. Deck the hall/joy to the world (Traditional) – duet with johnny mathis 3:03
2. O come all ye faithful (adeste fideles) / the first noel (Traditional) 4:39
3. The very thought of you (Ray Noble) – duet with kristin chenoweth 4:19
4. Auld lang syne (interlude) (Traditional) 0:32
5. (i love you) for sentimental reasons (Deek Watson / William Best) 3:18
6. O holy night – duet with calum scott 3:05
7. O little town of bethlehem/silent night (Traditional) 5:01
8. We wish you a merry christmas (interlude) (Traditional) 0:41
9. A nightingale sang in berkeley square – duet with gloria estefan 4:59
10. The little boy that santa claus forgot (James Leach / Michael Carr / Thomas Connor) 2:41
11. The christmas song (chestnuts roasting on an open fire) (Mel Tormé / Robert Wells) – duet with john legend) 3:30
Personnel:
Nat King Cole: piano (5)
Jorge Calandrelli: piano (2-4, 6-11), programming (2, 6, 7, 11)
Tim Davis: backing vocals (1, 3, 9, 11)
Kevin Axt: bass (1-3, 6, 9-11)
David Reitzas: percussion (1, 6, 7), synth bass (1, 6), paino, programming (1)
Randy Waldman: piano (1-3, 6, 9-11)
Larry Williams: programming (1, 6, 11)
Bruce Dukov: violin (1-6, 8-11)
Gregg Field: drums (2, 3, 6, 9, 11)
Larry Koonse: guitar (2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 11)
T.J. Lindgren: programming (2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11)
Jeremy Rubolino: programming (5, 6, 9, 11)
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Capitol Studios, Crescent Moon Studios and The Village Studios
Produced by Jay Landers & Jorge Calandrelli
Arranged & Conducted by Jorge Calandrelli
Co-Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Dave Reitzas
Duet Vocal Production by Tim Davis
Executive-Producer: Seth Berg
Review:
I guess since Natalie Cole kicked off the whole “record yourself with the past” trend with her “Unforgettable” duet with her father in 1991, I can’t be too judgmental about someone going back to that well, even though the practice opened the door most recently to a live Kenny G playing with a dead Stan Getz, conditions that many jazz fans might wish reversed. In the case of Nat King Cole’s Christmas songs, the material does feel like hallowed ground, at least to older listeners. Younger music fans might need a crash course in his legacy, though. Accordingly, most of the collaborators on this album are from the pop world, including John Legend, Gloria Estefan, Calum Scott, and the aforementioned Ms. Chenoweth. Each did their best to complement the legendary Mr. Cole with these post-mortem duets. The album also includes Cole singing his tunes without help from contemporary pop stars, and somehow that manages to be the highlight, including a song I hadn’t heard before: “The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot.” A little corny, but beautiful still.
Lee Mergner (JazzTimes)
