Author: Cole, Nat King
Format: Import
Release Date: 05-06-2001
Details: Amazon.ca Night Lights is the Nat King Cole album that time forgot, recorded with Cole's regular musical director Nelson Riddle over Christmas and New Year 1955/6 yet never released complete until now. This is Cole the pop singer rather than jazz pianist, and while the album is only now making its debut on this 24 bit digitally mastered CD, several numbers were released as singles and became chart hits; "Too Young to Go Steady", "To the Ends of the Earth" and "Never Let Me Go". That still leaves 12 cuts which have never been issued before, and as these were all brand new songs at the time, they're world première recordings. Nostalgic "Sometimes I Wonder" plays virtually as a trial-run for Cole's classic take on "Stardust" while "Once Before" and "I'm Willing to Share" add ethereal voices in distinctive 1950s Hollywood style. Impeccably produced, with sophisticated arrangements by Riddle which balance lush strings, subtle rhythms and instrumental colours from instruments such as flutes and celeste, this is warm-hearted, tender and glowingly romantic music making. Though they don't match the very best in Nat King Cole's catalogue, these 20 ballads still make a fine album. They sat on the shelf for decades but the restored sound is first rate. --Gary S. Dalkin
UPC: 724353196424
EAN: 0724353196424
Languages: English
Binding: Audio CD
Item Condition: New