NAT KING COLE -MOSAIC 138 COMP.CAPTIOL RECORDINGS OF...

$

600

The material used in this 27 LP boxed set comes from a variety of sources.  Whenever possible, the original disc or tape has been used.  All of Cole's recordings from his first seven years with Capitol (1943-49) are included here.  All were originally released with the trio receiving credit on the labels, even though in several cases - Nature Boy and Land of Love in particular - there's nothing in style that sounds like the trio. To find out more about the trio you will need to read the 64 page booklet that comes with the set.  Most of the 27 LP's have never been played.  This is a Limited AEdition set #3239/10000.  You can be one of the few to own this beautiful set.

Review   by Ken Dryden

Music fans born after 1960 are less likely to be aware that Nat King Cole began his career as an influential jazz pianist, so much so that the great Art Tatum and the up-and-coming Oscar Peterson formed trios similar to Cole's. What this comprehensive limited-edition boxed set does is put all of Cole's jazz trio recordings, including later groups that added a conga player, selected tracks from sessions that sometimes border on easy listening, and nearly the complete contents of his well-known After Midnight album from the mid-'50s, where he was joined by guests including violinist Stuff Smith, saxophonist Willie Smith, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, and trombonist Juan Tizol. But the main emphasis is onCole's recordings from the early days, including masterpieces like "Straighten Up and Fly Right," "Sweet Lorraine," "Body and Soul," and "Sweet Georgia Brown." By listening to sessions in order, one can hear Cole gradually transform from an instrumentalist into a friendly singing pianist and eventually, a master balladeer. Of course, there are forgettable novelty tunes sprinkled in among the gems, but there are also valuable unissued tracks that appear for the first time in this set. Also, the early recordings have been pitch-corrected, as all issues prior to this 1991 Mosaic issue were slightly off. The 18-CD set is accompanied by a detailed booklet with vintage photos, excellent liner notes by Will Friedwald, and a complete discography of the contents. Unfortunately, this Mosaic box has been out of print since the mid-'90s, so it will typically fetch several times its original price when it pops up occasionally on auction lists.

Record is M-/Cover M-    Buyers pay $15.00 for shp'g & hdl'g.mail -US.  Overseas, and all others out of IS, pay actual shipping costs plus handling fee.  Insurance extra.  Be sure to check our other listngs.  Goodluck and THANKS for LQQKING.