This release presents the complete original LP "Nat King Cole Sings/George Shearing Plays" (Capitol SW1675), which marks the only recorded collaboration ever between Cole and Shearing. By the time the LP was recorded, Cole was already recognized by the general public as more of a singer and entertainer than a jazz pianist. Only a few rare exceptions, such as the 1956 small group album After Midnight, feature Cole as a pianist (despite his superb skill on the instrument). For the remainder of his successful career – which ended with his sudden death in 1965 due to lung cancer – he continued singing more and more, and playing less and less.
PERSONNEL:
NAT “KING” COLE, vocals
GEORGE SHEARING, piano
EMIL RICHARDS, vibes
AL HENDRICKSON, guitar
AL McKIBBON, bass
SHELLY MANNE, drums
Plus string choir conducted and arranged by Ralph Carmichael:
Jesse Ehrlich, Hyman Gold, David L. Pratt, William Vandenburg (cello)
Cecil Figelski, Allan Harshman, Sven Reher, Paul Robyn (viola)
Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Emil F. Briano, Jacques ‘Jack’ Gasselin, James Gelzoff, Daniel ‘Dan’ Lube, Erno Neufeld, Isadore Roman, Paul C. Shure, Felix Slatkin, Joseph Stepansky, Gerald ‘Jerry’ Vinci (violin), among others.
On B3 & B7 only, add Lloyd Ulyate (tb), Paul Horn, Wilbur Schwartz, Justin Gordon (flutes, piccolos),
Carlos Vidal (cga), Nick Martinez (Latin perc).
Arrangements by GEORGE SHEARING & RALPH CARMICHAEL.
Capitol Recording Studio, 1750 N. Vine Street, Hollywood, California.
A5, A7 & B1: December 19, 1961.
A1-A4: December 20, 1961.
B2-B3 & B7-B8: December 21, 1961.
A6 & B4-B6: December 22, 1961.
SIDE A:
01. SEPTEMBER SONG
02. PICK YOURSELF UP
03. I GOT IT BAD (AND THAT AIN’T GOOD)
04. LET THERE BE LOVE
05. AZURE-TE
06. LOST APRIL
07. EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO ME (bonus track)
SIDE B:
01. A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP
02. FLY ME TO THE MOON
03. SERENATA
04. I’M LOST
05. THERE’S A LULL IN MY LIFE
06. DON’T GO
07. THE GAME OF LOVE (bonus track)
08. GUESS I’LL GO BACK HOME (bonus track) |
