Ahh, the days when an album was quite literally a collection of singles. Of course, Nat King Cole's debut album with his trio is more than just an old record - in ways, it birthed the idea of the album cover as we know it, and it also became Billboard's first number one album. An interesting history note off of that alone, and yet there's more to the album than just some fun facts. King's jazz trio can get the work done with these eight songs, specifically recorded for this album. The result is smooth, relaxing, and a surprisingly cohesive body of work for the 1940s - if you thought that Sinatra invented the album with
The Wee Small Hours, give this a listen and watch as this reality melts away. Nat Cole is pulling his weight as arranger, talented piano player, and a rich singer, and tracks like "Sweet Loraine" or the lovely "Embraceable You" showcase his talents. Oscar Moore is a damn-good guitar player, and Johnny Miller's bass playing is subtle, yet effective. The downside? The instrumentals often lack a punch, and leave me with little to come back to. A fascinating historical note, and a more than enjoyable listen in its own right with any historical context rubbed away - it's almost remarkable how this album has been largely forgotten.
RATING: ✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Listen to The King Cole Trio.
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