Lush Life

Read About This Recording

Nat King Cole had two very different but equally successful careers. In the 1940s he was one of the truly great swing pianists, leading the popular King Cole Trio, alternating heated instrumentals with occasional vocals. In the '50s, after his recording of Mona Lisa became a major hit, Cole switched gears, largely gave up playing piano in public and became one of the most famous of all ballad crooners. Many of his later fans did not even realize that he was also a pianist!

Fortunately Cole was not only well documented during both of his overlapping careers but during the fascinating period when he was gradually shifting his emphasis from the piano to his voice. Lush Life has all of his recordings that were made with arranger Pete Rugolo, music from 1949-52 that teams Cole and his trio (usually guitarist Irving Ashby and bassist Joe Comfort) with an orchestra led by Rugolo. The music is quite transitional for, although Cole's vocals are emphasized, he also takes plenty of piano solos.

Among the highlights are the definitive version of Billy Strayhorn's Lush Life, Get Out and Get Under the Moon, Time Out For Tears, Home, That's My Girl, Red Sails in the Sunset, It's Crazy and You Stepped Out Of a Dream. With 25 selections on the CD (including two previously unreleased numbers), the quality of the music is matched by its quantity, making Lush Life a must for Nat King Cole fans.

-Scott Yanow

Contents

Lush Life; You Stepped Out Of A Dream; Hey, Not Now! (I'll Tell You When); I'll Always Remember You; Where Were You?; Tunnel Of Love; It's Crazy; Funny; That's My Girl; Roses and Wine; It's A Man Every Time; Time Out For Tears; Get To Gettin'; It Was So Good While It Lasted; The Way I'm Moving You; Ev'ry Day; Wish I Were Somebody Else; Home (When Shadows Fall); You Can't Make Me Love You; Red Sails In The Sunset; Get Out And Get Under The Moon; My Brother; Land Of Love (Come My Love And Live With Me); Poor Jenny Is A Weepin'; Summer Is A Comin' In.

Nat King Cole With The Pete Rugolo Orchestra.