Nat "King" Cole World Of Nat King Cole CD

2005 compilation for the legendary vocalist/pianist features 28 tracks including: "Smile", "It's Only A Paper Moon", & "Straighten Up & Fly Right".

Personnel: Nat King Cole (vocals, piano); Irving Ashby, Oscar Moore, John Collins (guitar); Johnny Miller, Joe Comfort, Charlie Harris (bass instrument).
Liner Note Author: Natalie Cole.
Easily the longest of any Capitol single-disc compilation, 2005's The World of Nat King Cole also benefits from a fresh remastering of its material to make it the best introduction to the interpretive brilliance of Nat King Cole. Nearly all the hits that need to be here are indeed present: "Straighten Up and Fly Right," "Route 66," "Nature Boy," "Too Young," and "Mona Lisa." The compilers also wisely chose a few representative songs to replace some of the middling hits; the only surprise is the absence of "The Christmas Song" and "Lush Life," although the chart hits -- "Answer Me, My Love," "Pretend," "Looking Back," and the much-maligned "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer" -- are missing for good reasons. In their places are excellent selections like "Let There Be Love" from a 1961 George Shearing collaboration, "Thou Swell" from Cole's 1960 LP at the Sands hotel in Las Vegas, his sublime 1956 version of "Stardust," and the ghost duet on "Unforgettable" between Nat and daughter Natalie Cole that earned seven Grammy awards in 1992. The liner notes include many great photographs as well as an essay written by Natalie. ~ John Bush
If there are radio stations in the afterlife, one thing is certain--at least one channel is eternally playing Nat "King" Cole. With his butter-rich baritone and the intimate warmth of his delivery, Cole cuts straight to the soul and through the ages. Longtime fans will likely own the songs featured here on original studio albums or previously released compilations, but THE WORLD OF NAT KING COLE skims the cream from Cole's pop career, making it an excellent place for beginners or those seeking an economical best-of set.
Some of the finest cuts here are from Cole's early-1960s work with his trio. Spare, mellow, and flawlessly executed, treatments of "It's Only a Paper Moon" and "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons," among others, are enough to melt the heart on first listen. (These tunes also showcase Cole's deft touch on piano.) The remaining tracks feature Cole performing with orchestras led by luminaries Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Les Baxter, and Stan Kenton, along with other highly memorable sides, including "Mona Lisa" and two versions of "Unforgettable" (the original and the posthumous duet with daughter Natalie). Concise and well selected, this is an outstanding collection focusing on the key songs of a truly legendary singer.

Mojo (Publisher) (p.115) - 4 stars out of 5 - "Cole was from a smaller-group jazz background, a training that adds spice to later, ostensibly easy-listening material such as L-O-V-E."