It would be difficult to think of a more perfectly matched pair than this. Shearing and Cole had so much in common--both were brilliant pianists, both had combined good jazz with popular success. They were even born in the same year. Nat Cole's velvet voice sounds even better with the rhythmic spice of Shearing's quintet, plus strings and percussion. The numbers on this 1961 album are all superb examples of classic American song, by such composers as Duke Ellington, Jerome Kern, and Matt Dennis. Each one is given a fresh and original treatment by arranger Ralph Carmichael. One of the tracks, "Let There Be Love," went on to become a hit single. The overall impression is of emotional warmth beneath a cool, elegant surface. Not surprisingly, Shearing still cherishes this album as one of his favorites in a long career. All that plus three bonus tracks. Unmissable. --Dave Gelly

2008-06-08 -- 5/5:: Nat and George - What a Great combination!
Since childhood, I have been a Big Nat King Cole fan. I was so influenced by my parents who loved him, too. On Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon, the house was filled with the sounds of Nat along with other favorites Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Ella, Sarah and Rosemary Clooney.

As a adult,I have often loved to kick back and listen to the song stylings of Nat who was often accompanied by Nelson Riddle and Gordon Jenkins who were were the greatest of orchrestra leaders. My husband was the one however who introduced me to the pairing of Nat King Cole and George Shearing. This recording is just the icing on the cake. I have a very strong appreciation for George Shearing now.

Anyone who purchases this CD is in for a musical treat. Enjoy.

2007-09-06 -- 5/5:: Listen and marvel--over and over again !!!
This excellent CD features the legendary Nat King Cole singing with George Shearing on piano. The Shearing quintet and string choir do wonders to enhance the natural beauty of these numbers. Just one listen and you'll be hooked!

The CD track set begins with "September Song." George on piano and the strings create a beautiful flourish for the beginning; and when Nat comes in this number positively takes flight! Nat's voice is in excellent form and he never misses a beat. Wow! "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" equals the beauty of "September Song" in every way; Nat King Cole delivers "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" without a superfluous note; and the musicians play flawlessly. The combination of Nat's vocals and the Shearing masters creates a singular beauty that shines remarkably brilliantly.

"Let There Be Love" start off with the piano and percussion playing an upbeat melody; when the strings come in they work wonders for the arrangement. Nat sings "Let There Be Love" with great sensitivity, too. "Fly Me To The Moon" features Nat singing a rarely heard opening verse; and "Everything Happens To Me" sports a sophisticated melody as Nat's character laments his bad luck in life. "Everything Happens To Me" is a great bonus track on this album.

Fortunately for us, there are two more bonus tracks on this CD. "The Game Of Love" gives us a love ballad with a great late1950s/early 1960s Latin melody; and "Guess I'll Go Back Home" creates a pensive mood with its sensitive use of piano, percussion, strings--not to mention the amazing vocals by Nat King Cole. "Guess I'll Go Back Home" makes a strong ending to this charming CD.

The liner notes include an extensive, informative essay by Pete Welding; and you get the song credits, too. The excellent artwork impresses me; and the reverse cover of the artwork includes a brief commentary by George Shearing himself.

At the end of the day, Nat King Cole and George Shearing made a wonderful set of tracks for this fine CD. The three bonus tracks at the end truly make it worth buying. I highly recommend this CD for fans of Nat King Cole and George Shearing; and people who like classic pop vocals will cherish this CD for years to come.

Enjoy!

2006-07-23 -- 5/5:: classic cd
excellent remaster of two of the best artists who ever performed. I wish they would reissue more of these oldies.

2005-11-09 -- 5/5:: A beautiful friendship...
To me the birth of the super group didn't start with Crosby, Stills and Nash, it happened a few years earlier when the combined talents of Nat Cole and George Shearing recorded this album for Capitol Records. Shearing's playing is impeccable and Cole is in great voice. Both artists had perfected a very distinctive sound and the blending of their sounds is a feat of musical alchemy unrivaled. "Fly Me To The Moon", a song that landed on every album recorded in the early sixties is done superbly. "Azure-Te", is one of my all time favorite recordings. I can't help feeling sad everytime I listen to "Guess I'll Go Back Home", it makes me miss Cole's simple expression of sentiment. We should be greatful that recordings such as these keep his legacy alive.

2005-08-30 -- 5/5:: An album for the ages.
Though Cole and Shearing came from totally different backgrounds, their approach to music was similar, and in this remastered CD of the original 1961 album, the two find the perfect blend of sound and mood, allowing each to be himself while complementing the other. Cole is a crooner here, singing mellow, usually romantic ballads, and often sliding down the scale to his lower notes. Shearing plays quiet, inventive, and "tinkly" accompaniments in the background, without ever stepping on Cole's notes. Both are gentlemen of the old school who maintain a professionalism and formality which shows clear respect for the audience and for each other, while at the same time conveying a sense of controlled passion and warmth for the music.

Varying the sound from the easy swing beat of "Pick Yourself Up," in which Cole offers gentle advice, rather than an assertive recommendation, to the Latin beat of "Serenata" and "The Game of Love," the very slow ballads of "Lost April" and "I Got It Bad," and the less familiar songs of "There's a Lull in My Life" and "Don't Go," Cole uses phrasings which make overly familiar lyrics suddenly come alive. Shearing, keeping his piano accompaniments relatively simple, adds to the moods Cole creates, while Ralph Carmichael, with the String Choir, fills in the arrangements.

Three songs stand out: "Let There Be Love" begins with a bluesy piano intro and light percussion, until Cole and Shearing guide the song into somewhat louder and jazzier realms near the end. "Fly Me to the Moon" is sung much more slowly than usual, sounding more intimate and private as a result, as if Cole is singing directly to the audience in phrasings that sound conversational. "The Game of Love," with its syncopated Latin beat has a great piano solo by Shearing, flute-y piccolo sounds, and a more integrated accompaniment with the strings. Cole's phrasing is reminiscent of Belafonte here.

For listeners more accustomed to the minimalist percussion and piano accompaniments of modern jazz and ballad soloists, the inclusion of the heavy strings of the String Choir may sound a bit dated and a bit intrusive, an overly romantic (Nelson Riddle-like) element commonly included on recordings at that time. Cole and Shearing adapt to the strings beautifully, leaving room for them while keeping their own styles simple. With beautiful songs rendered even more beautiful by the partnership of Cole and Shearing, this is an album for the ages. n Mary Whipple