Straighten Up and Fly Right - VINTAGE JAZZ
Artist: King Cole Trio

This CD consists of some of the Nat King Cole Trio's radio appearances, including guest shots on shows hosted by Bing Crosby, Perry Como and Frank Sinatra; Ol' Blue Eyes sits in with the trio on "I've Found a New Baby" and "Exactly like You." Considering that 12 of these 25 songs were never recorded commercially by the Trio, this set is quite... Read More

The Greatest Hits - CAPITOL
Artist: Nat King Cole

For all the resurgence in interest in Nat King Cole since 1991, when his daughter Natalie recorded a duet patching her new vocal with his from 40 years earlier and scored a gold-selling hit, Capitol Records lacked a single-disc hits collection that covered Cole's most successful singles for the label. This 22-track, 62-plus minute CD/cassette... Read More

WWII Transcriptions
Artist: Nat King Cole

With the exception of a couple of Anita Boyer vocals from 1941, this CD (which contains 30 broadcast transcriptions by Nat King Cole's Trio) dates from 1944. Two numbers apiece feature vocals from a young Anita O'Day and Ida James, but otherwise, Cole and his Trio only sing four other songs. The emphasis is on instrumentals (including two... Read More

Hit That Jive Jack: The Earliest Recordings
Artist: Nat King Cole

Nat "King" Cole's 16 trio recordings for Decca have been reissued many times (including on this CD), and rightfully so. Cole was already one of the top swing pianists by 1940, his vocal style (best displayed on his first hit "Sweet Lorraine") was quite recognizable, and his trio with guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Wesley Prince had a... Read More

1940-1941
Artist: Benny Carter

Most of the selections on the sixth and final Classics' CD to reissue all of Benny Carter's pre-war recordings as a leader feature the altoist's commercially unsuccessful big band. With such major soloists as the leader, trumpeter Jonah Jones and Sidney DeParis, trombonists Benny Morton and Jimmy Archey and pianist Sonny White, it is surprising... Read More

The Best of the Nat King Cole Trio: The Instrumental Classics
Artist: King Cole Trio

For those needing a reminder of Cole's very original and expert piano playing, this 18-track roundup of some of his best instrumentals should fit the bill. Part of Capitol's three-volume series of Cole's classic trio sides (the other two cover the vocals), The Best of the Nat King Cole Trio includes gem after gem from the group's 1943-1949 prime... Read More

A Melody From the Sky
Artist: Flip Phillips

This CD is a straight reissue of a Flying Dutchman LP and features all four of tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips' recording sessions as a leader prior to 1949. At the time, he was a key member of Woody Herman & the First Herd, and these performances have short solos from other Herman sidemen (including trombonist Bill Harris and Neal Hefti on... Read More

Jumpin' at Capitol
Artist: Nat King Cole

For those who cannot afford or get a hold of the magnificent Mosaic 18-CD box set, this single CD offers a fine sampling of Nat King Cole's talents as a pianist and jazz singer with his popular trio in the 1940s. These 16 selections (highlighted by "Straighten up and Fly Right," "Sweet Lorraine" and "Route 66") are still quite enjoyable a... Read More

Jazz Encounters
Artist: Nat King Cole

This CD has many of Cole's most interesting Capitol dates away from his trio. The great jazz pianist is heard with the 1947 Metronome All-Stars, jamming with the all-star Capitol International Jazzmen, backing the straight vocals of Jo Stafford, and collaborating with Nellie Lutcher, Woody Herman (on a remarkable version of "Mule Train"), and... Read More

Anatomy of a Jam Session
Artist: Nat King Cole

Cole is heard on this quintet session purely as a pianist, co-starring with trumpeter Charlie Shavers and tenor saxophonist Herbie Haymer; bassist John Simmons and drummer Buddy Rich play mainly in support. The quintet only actually performs five songs but seven alternate takes fill in the program and it is very interesting hearing the musicians... Read More

The Nat King Cole Trio Recordings, Vol. 5
Artist: King Cole Trio

The fifth of five CDs in this series by the budget label Laserlight differs from the first four in that it spans 16 years in pianist/singer Nat King Cole's career. He is heard with his original trio (which included guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Wesley Prince) on six selections from 1940-41 and with his 1949 quartet (which had Jack Constanzo... Read More

The Nat King Cole Trio Recordings, Vol. 4
Artist: King Cole Trio

The fourth of five CDs in this series features Nat King Cole's wartime Trio (with guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Johnny Miller) on 14 radio transcriptions. Highlights include "After You've Gone," "A Pile of Cole" and "If You Can't Smile and Say Yes (Please Don't Cry and Say No)." A special bonus are five selections on which a young Anita... Read More

The Nat King Cole Trio Recordings, Vol. 3
Artist: King Cole Trio

The third of five CDs in this series of radio transcriptions features pianist/singer Nat King Cole, guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Johnny Miller on 17 selections, many of which they never recorded commercially; certainly The King Cole Trio was not known for cutting such numbers as "You Must Be Blind," "If Yesterday Could Only Be Tomorrow,"... Read More

The Nat King Cole Trio Recordings, Vol. 2
Artist: King Cole Trio

The second of five CDs in this series (which are also all available as a five-CD box set) features the Trio on 17 selections from radio transcriptions dating from 1945. The jazz-oriented program is highlighted by "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby," "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "Rosetta" and "Solid Potato Salad." Each of these sets offer... Read More

The Jazz Collector Edition: Nat King Cole Trio Recordings
Artist: King Cole Trio

This five-CD set, despite the lack of definitive liner notes, is highly recommended. The bulk of this package (most of four discs) features the Trio on radio transcriptions during 1944-45 and these renditions are easily the equal of their more famous studio recordings. The fifth disc is a hodgepodge that reaches back to 1940 for six numbers and... Read More

The MacGregor Years, 1941-1945
Artist: Nat King Cole

On this four-CD set are included the bulk of Nat King Cole's radio transcriptions of 1941 and 1944-45. Although the programming could be a little better (the complete sessions are not compiled strictly in chronological order), the music has a strong unity and is consistently enjoyable. Pianist-vocalist Cole and his trio (which also includes... Read More