|
Complete After Midnight Sessions | 
| Artist: Nat King Cole
Label: Blue Note Records
Category: Music
Buy New: $11.94
as of 9/9/2010 14:06 CDT details
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  reviews
Sales Rank: 21673
Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Extra tracks
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 4.9 x 0.5
UPC: 724352008728
EAN: 0724352008728
ASIN: B00000K45T
Release Date: July 19, 1999
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
| |
| Tracks:
| • | Just You, Just Me | | • | Sweet Lorraine | | • | Sometimes I'm Happy | | • | Caravan | | • | It's Only A Paper Moon | | • | You're Looking At Me | | • | The Lonely One | | • | Don't Let It Go To Your Head | | • | I Know That You Know | | • | Blame It On My Youth | | • | When I Grow Too Old To Dream | | • | (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 | | • | I Was A Little Too Lonely (And You Were A Little Too Late) | | • | You Can Depend On Me | | • | What Is There To Say | | • | Two Loves Have I | | • | Candy | | • | You're Looking At Me (Alt Take) |
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Nat "King" Cole endured more than his share of scorn and rebuke from all manner of fans and critics. He wasn't jazzy enough to satisfy many, not white enough to please the pop cultural obsession with Anglo- and Euro-American stardom. In answer to all of this, Cole simply proceeded, crooning beautifully even after he'd walked away from the piano and become primarily a vocal sensation. This 1956 collection is famous as Cole's riposte to the critique that he wasn't jazzy. The session brings several Swing Era stars on board: violinist Stuff Smith, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, trombonist Juan Tizol, and alto saxophonist Willie Smith. The horns and violin fronted a semistandard jazz setup of guitar, drums, and percussion, along with Cole's own considerable chops on piano. As an improviser, Cole heavily influenced a generation of ivory ticklers, including Oscar Peterson and others, and here he shows himself a stellar pianist. His runs bespeak Cole's utter perfection on the keyboard. This is a crucial document. --Andrew Bartlett
|
| Customer Reviews:
Essential Listening January 23, 2010
Rick Cornell (Reno, Nv USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
In June of 2004, Frank-John Hadley of "Down Beat" Magazine polled 73 of the top living jazz singers in the world for their favorite 30 all-time recordings. This one was ranked #12. IMO, it should have been ranked higher. This is essential listening, an essential part of your vocal jazz collection.
In listening to this 1956 masterpiece, I'm struck by many things. First and foremost, Nat King Cole was the logical extension of Louis Armstrong. Listen to "Sweet Lorraine," for example, and hear how Cole plays with, bends and straightens out the melody. Likewise with "Route 66." If Louis Armstrong had had a melodious and pleasing singing voice, he would have been Nat King Cole.
Or listen to Cole's piano chops. Check out his beautiful, logical, economic solo on "It's Only a Paper Moon." Or listen to the dizzying way he trades fours with the equally dizzying Stuff Smith (violin) on "I Know That You Know." A thrilling experience, everytime you listen. I'm thinking that Nat King Cole was one of the most underrated jazz pianists ever.
And this c.d. contains one of the most gorgeous jazz solos in existence on a vocal recording. I'm talking about Juan Tizol's valve trombone solo on "The Lonely One." If this isn't the most gorgeous trombone solo ever, it certainly is one of them.
Possibly the most remarkable thing about this remaster is the added tracks of "I Was a Little Too Lonely," "You Can Depend On Me," "What Is There to Say," "Two Loves Have I," and the alternate take to track #1, "You're Looking at Me." Normally when a great recording like this is reissued with "bonus tracks," they are inferior to what was on the original. Not so here. These 5 are every bit the equal of what was on the original l.p. Thank you, reissue producer Michael Cuscuna!
What an album! If you're reading this, chances are you love jazz. And if you do, you cannot not love this. Buy it, even (and especially) if you have the original l.p. RC
Sounds great in 2009 January 1, 2009
Bill Staley (Santa Monica, CA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This entire CD sounds great to my ears in 2009. No sappy strings. Great musicians and jazz -- not pop -- arrangements. For me this CD (After Midnight) endures much better than his Love Songs with strings. I especially like You Can Depend on Me and Just You, Just Me (a song I first heard in the movie New York, New York, and I also recommend Liza Minnelli's version on the soundtrack, even though I am not a big Liza fan). I like this better than the King Cole Trio, although I like that a lot.
The BEST of Cole December 22, 2008
James (Indianapolis, IN United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This disc lacks the identification with pop music and showcases BOTH Cole's jazz vocal and jazz piano playing talents unlike most of his later work. The sound production is quite good unlike most of his early recordings. The Trio musicians are top notch. For these four reasons, this is the best Cole disc to own.
The best piano player you've never heard of November 8, 2008
Eric C. Sedensky (Madison, AL, US)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Oh sure, you've heard of Nat "King" Cole. You can probably even name one or two of the songs he made famous (like Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" or Evans' and Livingston's "Mona Lisa"). But did you know that Nat Cole is also a consummate piano player? You did? I don't believe you. Actually, my piano instructor told me that Nat was a really great pianist, and The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings: Eighth Edition (Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings) also mentions Cole's virtuosity. So, while I can't say I was surprised by just how good this CD is, I can say I was amazed and delighted. This is another gem of great vocal jazz with a solid backing band threatening to steal the limelight at every turn. Every song just leaves an incredibly indelible impression. I listened to it once through and was so taken by it, I just sat right down and listened to most of it again. As I write this, I have several other new CD's that I just purchased that I haven't listened to yet because I'm so reluctant to take this one out of my player. Believe me: If you've heard Nat sing and you liked it, you'll like him even more when he's playing along with himself on piano with his trio behind him. The sound is clean and the production first rate. The songs are occasionally quaint but always riveting and interesting. Each one has its own timeless essence that comes from superior execution and solid songwriting. There really isn't another CD quite like this. You'll feel like Nat is in the room with you, showing you how much fun it is to sing and play jazz music. This CD receives as high a recommendation as any jazz recording I own.
After you buy this one, you can get a similar but more modern take on some different tunes by checking out Nat's brother, Freddy Cole, on Music Maestro Please. It's a Grammy nominated recording that doesn't disappoint.
Jazz Classic September 7, 2007
S J Buck (Kent, UK)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Without doubt the best Nat Cole album you can buy. Some of his classic Jazz Trio albums may be more important, and his easy listening vocal albums were better sellers but this is the best compromise.
Both a fabulously laid back Jazz album and a vehicle for Nat's wonderful vocals. Add in guests Harry Edison on Trumpet, Willie Smith on alto Sax, Juan Tizol Trombone and Stuff Smith on violin and you have a perfect album.
Nat Cole was one of the great Jazz Pianists before his vocal skills stole the limelight. He was a big influence on Oscar Peterson. When you listen to this album everything he plays (and sings for that matter) seems effortless, and thats because as a pianst he was blessed with great technique. In the 1940's he won numerous awards as best Jazz Pianist.
However this album also shows off that pure and eloquent voice. Every word and syllable is clear. The only other singer I know with a comparable voice is Johnny Hartman. So buy this album and you get the best of both worlds. Nat King Cole, great Piano playing and great voice, plus wonderful guests = 5 star CD.
|
|
|
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
 
| |
