Music Review: Nat King Cole: The Christmas Song

N one sings "The Christmas Song" better than Nat King Cole.  It is just pleasing to listen to.  There are two version, one with his daughter Natalie Cole and the other single.  "Away in a Manger" is done with such reverence and humility it is one of my favorite.  A choir takes over the second verse, but aCole sings the first and third.  While in a contrary vein, but also works is the upbeat version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."  "I Saw Three Ships" is also very nice.

Music Review: Nat King Cole An Evening With Nat King Cole HD

I really loved the music for this BBC concert special, 1963.  Nat King Cole starts with "Unforgettable" and just continues from one hit to another.  "Just the Way You Look Tonight" really moves me.  "When I fall In Love" is beautiful, and Cole performs this song better than anyone.  "When I fall in love it will be forever...When I give My Heart It Will Be Completely." Cole does a few song with a quartet, bass, drums, trumpet and guitar while Cole is the fifth on piano and vocals.  He starts with "Paper Moon" a personal favorite.  "Let There Be Love" is also beautifully done.  This group has incredible talent and there playing is very moving.  Cole's jazz piano is superb.  "Mona Lisa" is also very nice.  Later in the show Cole does a series of songs with a small choir.  I did not care for this section as much.

Music Review: Natalie Cole - The Unforgettable Concert (1992)

This is a wonderful collection of Natalie Cole.  In this concert she covers some of her father's music.  This makes for excellent jazz.  Her father, Nat King Cole was so successful and such an artist; and nothing is lost in these covers.  There are places where Nat King Cole is invited to the stage through media.  He plays the piano, or sings and nothing is lost.  I would suggest that a person seek out these songs for listening, "Nature Boy" which ends with the important statement "The greatest thing you'll ever do is to love and be loved in return;" "Mona Lisa with her crazy smile;" "Almost Like Being in Love" from Brigadoon;" "Route 66;" "The song is ended" put the melody goes on; "L-O-V-E;" "Autumn Leaves" (included in the medley) and then of course "Unforgettable."  Unforgettable is a song that is timeless, and beautiful.  In this case Natalie Cole sings a duet with her father, while pictures of her father are displayed as a tribute to him. This set really is exciting, and moving.  It even includes some jazz scat.
January 1992, Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, CA, USA
Songs:
The Very Thought of You
This Can't Be Love
Paper Moon
Nature Boy
Mona Lisa
Lush Life
Non Dimenticar
Almost Like Being In Love
Route 66
Straighten Up and Fly Right
This Will Make You Laugh
Frim Fram Sauce
For All We Know
The Song Is ended
Smile
That Sunday That Summer
L-O-V-E
Orange Colored Sky
Thou Swell
Medley: For Sentimental Reasons, Tenderly, Autumn Leaves
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Dance Ballerina Dance
Unforgettable
Unforgettable (reprise)
Avalon