What Are You Listening To?

[Music Head]

from my library (cd)



He was a merry old soul. Yes, the King was stolen from the nursery rhyme. Leaving us much too soon in 1965 at the age of 46, from cancer. What a beautiful velvety voice. Used to get him and Johnny Mathis mixed up. Both the same in my book. This covers the Capitol hits from the 40's to the 60's. Signed by them in 1943 after which they became players in the industry. Their well known building in L.A. became known as the house that Nat built. He was that big. Out of 22 tracks here, 14 get a top rating for me, with Ramblin' Rose the best on this spin. With that many, the choice could be different tomorrow. With over 100 charting singles in his day, this set barely scratches the surface. Beginnings as a jazz pianist, it was soon discovered that Nat had a voice. First hit was Straighten Up And Fly Right in 1943. His first #1 was For Sentimental Reasons in 1946. Expanded his popularity in 1956 with the debut of his own NBC tv show. The show lasted for one season due to a lack of sponsors. Racism had reared it's ugly head. Recordings were one thing, a tv show starring a black personality was still tabboo. His name resurfaced in 1992 when daughter Natalie re-recorded his 1952 hit Unforgettable as a duet with daddys vocals included. That led to a Record Of The Year grammy and this excellent compilation.

I LOVE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - If I May

Best Track - Ramblin' Rose

Ramblin' rose, ramblin' rose
Why you ramble, no one knows
Wild and wind-blown, that's how you've grown
Who can cling to a ramblin' rose?

Ramble on, ramble on
When your ramblin' days are gone
Who will love you with a love true
When your ramblin' days are GONE

Ramblin' rose, ramblin' rose
Why I want you, heaven knows
Though I love you with a love true
Who can cling to a ramblin' rose?

One more time, everybody, now

Ramblin' rose, ramblin' rose
Why I want you, heaven knows
Though I love you with a love true
Who can cling to a ramblin' rose?

1) Unforgettable ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDN5rG3wLa4
2) Route 66 **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCYApJtsyd0
3) Orange Colored Sky **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-6QknAOsVo
4) Mona Lisa ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG-A_qTAKEI
5) Walkin' My Baby Back Home **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUlKtLG7rGY
6) Straighten Up And Fly Right **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekaqtBcfhwk
7) Send For Me **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3d_xdX0EXQ
8) Looking Back ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVUeMyVEnFw
9) You Call It Madness (But I Call It Love) **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k656qg23GmY
10) ( I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons ***
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs8wKxezNn8
11) Nature Boy **
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq0XJCJ1Srw
12) Ramblin' Rose ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF3OQCkr5kY
13) Pretend ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciS5GikZ5Jo
14) Too Young ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaFtsqU2V6U
15) Somewhere Along The Way ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVWEeOLBc0o
16) Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer ***
audo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkfVPceai0U
17) Smile ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3bZU0CMdkE
18) Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNzxH3zRU_I
19) Answer Me, My Love ***
20) A Blossom Fell ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9X9Cn136g0
21) If I May **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB2ghvaJZBg
22) Unforgettable *** w/Natalie Cole
live - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDTCla0Y-zI

3's - 14
2's - 8
1's - 0

Grade - 2.4