NAT KING COLE - ESSENTIAL ORIGINAL ALBUMS [CD]

• DELUXE 3-CD DIGIPACK BOX SET WITH 10 PANELSIn the last decade of his career-–which ended with his sudden death in 1965 due to lung cancer--the great Nat “King” Cole was considered more of a singer and entertainer than a jazz pianist. However, he was superb and influential in both facets, as proven by this 3-CD set, which presents six of Cole’s best albums ever in their entireties. On After Midnight, he is heard both singing and at the piano, while in other albums here, such as his collaboration with George Shearing or Welcome to the Club-–which features de Count Basie Orchestra--he is featured as just a singer. The last LP, Penthouse Serenade, on the other hand, is devoted to Nat’s amazing piano skills.PERSONNEL:NAT “KING” COLE, piano & vocals on all tracks, plus:Collective personnel:HARRY “SWEETS” EDISON, trumpet; WILLIE SMITH, alto sax; JUAN TIZOL, valve trombone; STUFF SMITH, violin; GEORGE SHEARING, JIMMY ROWLES, piano; JOHN COLLINS, guitar; CHARLIE HARRIS, bass; LEE YOUNG, drums; The BILLY MAY, NELSON RIDDLE and COUNT BASIE Orchestras, among othersRecorded in Los Angeles, 1952-61CD ONE [1-12]: AFTER MIDNIGHT (Capitol Records W-782)CD ONE [13-24]: JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS (Capitol Records W-903)CD TWO [1-12]: NAT KING COLE SINGS / GEORGE SHEARIN PLAYS (Capitol Records SW-1675)CD TWO [13-24]: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN (Capitol Records SW-1190)CD THREE [1-12]: WELCOME TO THE CLUB (Capitol Records SW-1120)CD THREE [13-24]: PENTHOUSE SERENADE (Capitol Records T-332)TRACKS:CD ONE (7:24 Min.)01 Just You, Just Me02 Sweet Lorraine03 Sometimes I’m Happy04 Caravan05 It’s Only a Paper Moon06 You’re Looking at Me07 The Lonely One08 Don’t Let It Go to Your Head09 I Know That You Know10 Blame It on My Youth11 When I Grow Too Old to Dream12 Route 6613 When Your Lover Has Gone14 A Cottage for Sale15 Who’s Sorry Now?16 Once in a While17 These Foolish Things18 Just For the Fun of It19 Don’t Get Around Much Anymore20 I Understand21 Just One of Those Things22 The Song Is Ended23 I Should Care24 The Party’s OverCD TWO (61:32 Min).01 September Song02 Pick Yourself Up03 I Got It Bad04 Let There Be Love05 Azure-Te06 Lost April07 A Beautiful Friendship08 Fly Me to the Moon09 Serenata10 I’m Lost11 There’s a Lull in My Life12 Don’t Go13 To Whom It May Concern14 Love-Wise15 Too Much16 In the Heart of Jane Doe17 A Thousand Thoughts of You18 You’re Bringing Out the Dreamer in Me19 My Heart’s Treasure20 If You Said No21 Can’t Help It22 Lovesville23 UnfairV24 This Morning It Was SummerCD THREE (66:01 Min.)01 Welcome to the Club02 Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere03 The Blues Don’t Care04 Mood Indigo05 Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home06 The Late, Late Show07 Avalon08 She’s Funny That Way09 I Want a Little Girl10 Wee Baby Blues11 Look Out For Love12 Madrid13 Penthouse Serenade14 Somebody Loves Me15 Laura16 Once in a Blue Moon17 Don’t Blame Me18 Little Girl19 Polka Dots and Moonbeams20 Down by the Old Mill Stream21 If I Should Lose You22 Rose Room23 I Surrender Dear24 It Could Happen to You