Nat King Cole: Just One Of The Things (And More) CD Track Listing

A list by checkmate

Nat King Cole Just One Of The Things (And More) (1957)
Originally Released 1957\nCD Released March 1987, June 18, 1991, and July 23, 1996\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Just One Of Those Things is a theme album comparable to one of Frank Sinatra's uptempo swing albums of the same period (Come Fly With Me, etc.), and employing the same arranger/conductor, Billy May. Cole is a bit less effective than Sinatra at uptempo material; he tends to undersing these sprightly standards, and May saves his dramatic horn charts and percussion shots for moments when Cole is away from the microphone. Even so, by the fifth track, "These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You," May has retreated to ballad time, and though his embellishments threaten to break out behind the singer, Cole gives an assured, unhurried performance. And that's the point: That Cole has tamed the rambunctious May does not mean he doesn't give wonderful interpretations to some wonderful songs -- "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "Just One Of Those Things," "The Song Is Ended (But The Melody Lingers On)." And the light-handed swing supports those efforts well. (Originally released in November 1957, Just One Of Those Things was reissued on CD in March 1987 under the title Just One Of Those Things (And More). The reissue contained three bonus tracks previously released on the 1964 album Let's Face The Music!, an album on which Billy May took a more aggressive posture and, notably on "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down [And Write Myself A Letter]," included here, Cole matched him note for note.) -- William Ruhlmann\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nNat and Billy May make a great combination, June 23, 2001\nReviewer: The Fancy One "blackprincess" (New York, NY)\nJUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS from 1957 kind of takes Nat away from the lush work of Nelson Riddle and Gordon Jenkins (with whom he had the #1 LP LOVE IS THE THING out the same year) and places him with Billy May, who used lots of brass and horns in his arrangements. Upbeat and lively, and also surprisingly tender and warm, Nat seems right at home with these playful songs, with his amazing delivery and timing. Two of the most outstanding tunes on this LP has to be "These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)"...probably the best version of that song ever recorded, and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". Nat's finesse with the lyrics on these two songs are incomparable to anything we've ever heard. \nThe AND MORE part of the CD includes three cuts from another Cole/May pairing from 1961, LET'S FACE THE MUSIC, and Nat's rendition of "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter" is a knock-out. But all around, JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS (AND MORE) delivers! Get it.\n\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nCole at his best!, July 8, 1998\nReviewer: A music fan\nIt was 1957 and Capitol records had it all. Two of the top recording artists, Nat "King" Cole and Frank Sinatra. "Just One of Those Things" was released in December and peaked at number 18 on the charts. Had it not been released during the run of "Love is the Thing" it might have reached greater heights, but it truly is Cole at his best. Although the recordings lack some of the spontaneity of his earlier work, his professionalism and voice, more than make up for it. He was able to turn some average songs and bring them up to his level. In particular, "Once in a While" and "These Foolish Things Remind Me of You" are Cole at his introspective apex. 1957 was quite a year and fortunately Cole's recordings remind us of a talent we will never have the pleasure of hearing again.
This misc cd contains 15 tracks and runs 41min 31sec.
Freedb: c309b90f
Buy: from Amazon.com

Categories

Latest lists

Nat King Cole: Just One Of The Things (And More) CD Track Listing

Category

Tags

cyList

Legal