Nat King Cole (2)

NAT KING COLE - A MIS AMIGOS (1959)

1. Ay, Cosita Linda     
2. Aquellos Ojos Verdes     
3. Suas Maos     
4. Capullito de Aleli     
5. Caboclo Do Rio     
6. Fantastico [Instrumental]     
7. Nadie Me Ama     
8. Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Negros     
9. Perfidia     
10. El Choclo     
11. Ansiedad     
12. Nao Tenho Lagrimas     

After the phonetically overdubbed approach to Nat King Cole's first Spanish-language album, 1958's Cole Español, this follow-up took a more authentic tack. In the middle of a South American tour the next year, Cole recorded A Mis Amigos (To My Friends) in Rio de Janeiro, backed by a band of Brazilians. Although Cole's heavy gringo accent pervades--gratingly so on the "Fantastico" [sic]--this record far outshines its predecessor, with the lion's share of the credit due to the native musicians and Cole's proximity to them in the studio. "Nadie Me Ama" ("Nobody Loves Me") benefits from bright horns--which adorn a number of these songs--and lovely backing vocals.

NAT KING COLE & NELSON RIDDLE - WILD IS LOVE (1995)

1. Introduction
2. Wild Is Love
3. Hundreds And Thousands Of Girls
4. It's A Beautiful Evening
5. Tell Her In The Morning
6. Are You Disenchanted?
7. Pick-Up
8. Beggar For The Blues
9. World Of No Return
10. In Love Again
11. Stay With It
12. Wouldn't You Know (Her Name Is Mary)
13. He Who Hesitates
14. Wild Is Love Finale

The smoky, smooth pop vocals of Nat "King" Cole make us tend to forget that, at heart, he was essentially a jazz performer. His piano proficiency, vocal phrasings, and utter coolness all hark back to his jazz roots, even in his decidedly pop repertoire or arrangements. Whether singing "Nature Boy", jamming with guitarist Oscar Moore, or performing posthumous duets with his daughter Natalie Cole, Nat "King" Cole will always be an unforgettable titan of 50s.