Nat 'King' Cole - The Very Thought of You (2LP, 45RPM)
Nat King Cole – vocal [click here to see more vinyl featuring Nat King Cole]
Gordon Jenkins – arranger, conductor
Gordon Jenkins And His Orchestra : Armand Kaproff, Arnold Koblentz, Bernie Leighton, Beverly Jenkins, Bill Schaeffer, Bobby Hackett, Bunny Shawker, Charles Griffard, Conrad Gozzo, Dan Lube, David Frisina, David Sterkin, Dick Cathcart, Gordon Jenkins, Israel Baker, Jack Chaney, Jack Lesberg, Jacques Gasselin, John Cave, Joseph Livoti, Joseph Quadri, Kathryn Thompson, Kurt Reher, Lou Raderman, Louis Kievman, Marshall Sosson, Matty Matlock, Meyer "Mike" Rubin, Milt Yaner, Mischa Russell, Moe Schneider, Murray Kellner, Nick Fatool, Paul Robyn, Paul Shure, Raphael Kramer, Richard Marino, Richard Perissi, Stan Wrightsman, Tony Mottola, Uan Rasey, Victor Arno, Vincent DeRosa, Walter Edelstein, Wayne Songer, Wilbur Schwartz
2 LP, Six-panel booklet with rare photos and essays from Chris Hall and Michael Fremer
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 45 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Quality Record Pressings
Label : Analogue Productions
Original Label : Capitol Records
Recorded May 2, 6, 8, 1958 at Capitol Studio, New York
Produced by Lee Gillette
Mastered by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at AcoustTech
Originally released in 1958
Reissued in 2010
Tracks:
Side A :
- The Very Thought of You
- But Beautiful
- Impossible
- I Wish I Knew (Notorious)
Side B:
- I Found a Million Dollar Baby
- Magnificent Obsession
- My Heart Tells Me
- Paradise
Side C:
- This Is All I Ask
- Cherie, I Love You
- Making Believe You're Here
- Cherchez la Femme
Side D:
- For All We Know
- The More I See You
- Don't Blame Me
- There Is No Greater Love
Reviews:
“Compared to the reverb-drenched, watery and distant sounding original stereo records, Hoffman and Gray introduce just a “kiss” of echo chamber and no more. Enough to pleasantly wet down the aural landscape (much like they always wet the visual one before shooting an automobile commercial), but not so much that it splashes in your face. The result is a thrillingly intimate and honest sonic window that still maintains a respectful distance between listener and performer. These Nat “King” Cole reissues are magical time machines that will transport you back to Capitol Studios in ways the distant, compressed and obscured by reverb original stereo editions do not. The original, rich sounding monophonic After Midnight seemed impossible to improve upon, but the AcousTech team did.” Michael Fremer
“Nat King Cole possessed one of the most accessible and appealing voices of any singer in the 1950s. This ballad-oriented set puts the emphasis completely on his voice (there is no piano playing or any hint of his jazz-oriented past) and features Cole accompanied by Gordon Jenkins' sweet arrangements for a string orchestra. Many other singers might find it difficult to overcome, much less uplift this type of accompaniment, but Cole's basic and honest delivery works quite well in this setting. Highlights include "The Very Thought of You," "But Beautiful," "This Is All I Ask," "For All We Know," and "The More I See You."” AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4 / 5 , Discogs : 4,28 / 5