Before Nat King Cole became one of the great popular singers of the twentieth century, he was already an exceptional jazz pianist.
After Midnight brings those two sides of Cole beautifully together.
This is intimate, sophisticated small-group jazz: Cole singing and playing piano with musicians who understand exactly how much space the music needs. The familiar warmth is there, but so is the swing, harmonic intelligence and pianist's instinct that made the original Nat King Cole Trio so influential.
For listeners who primarily know the orchestral records, this is a particularly rewarding side of Nat King Cole to discover.
The sessions return Cole to a small-combo setting, revisiting material including “Sweet Lorraine”, “Route 66”, “Caravan” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon”.
The atmosphere is relaxed but the musicianship is anything but casual. Cole’s piano playing is elegant, economical and rhythmically assured, while his vocal phrasing sits naturally inside the band rather than floating above it.
It is after-hours jazz in the best sense.
New and sealed 2LP 180g audiophile edition from Pure Pleasure Records.
Presented in a gatefold sleeve and containing the complete session across 18 tracks.
Catalogue: PPANW782
Barcode: 5060149620236
Carefully packed and securely dispatched.
After Midnight was conceived as a return to the intimate jazz setting in which Cole had first made his name.
This Pure Pleasure edition expands the programme into The Complete Session: 18 tracks across two 180g LPs in a gatefold package.
For anyone interested in Nat King Cole the jazz musician as much as Nat King Cole the singer, this is a very worthwhile pressing.
Before Nat King Cole became one of the great popular singers of the twentieth century, he was already an exceptional jazz pianist.
After Midnight brings those two sides of Cole beautifully together.
This is intimate, sophisticated small-group jazz: Cole singing and playing piano with musicians who understand exactly how much space the music needs. The familiar warmth is there, but so is the swing, harmonic intelligence and pianist's instinct that made the original Nat King Cole Trio so influential.
For listeners who primarily know the orchestral records, this is a particularly rewarding side of Nat King Cole to discover.
The sessions return Cole to a small-combo setting, revisiting material including “Sweet Lorraine”, “Route 66”, “Caravan” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon”.
The atmosphere is relaxed but the musicianship is anything but casual. Cole’s piano playing is elegant, economical and rhythmically assured, while his vocal phrasing sits naturally inside the band rather than floating above it.
It is after-hours jazz in the best sense.
New and sealed 2LP 180g audiophile edition from Pure Pleasure Records.
Presented in a gatefold sleeve and containing the complete session across 18 tracks.
Catalogue: PPANW782
Barcode: 5060149620236
Carefully packed and securely dispatched.
After Midnight was conceived as a return to the intimate jazz setting in which Cole had first made his name.
This Pure Pleasure edition expands the programme into The Complete Session: 18 tracks across two 180g LPs in a gatefold package.
For anyone interested in Nat King Cole the jazz musician as much as Nat King Cole the singer, this is a very worthwhile pressing.
