Born March 17, 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama, Nat King Cole reigns among a very short list of music royalty as one of the most identifiable and most memorable voices in American music. In 1942, Cole was one of the first artists to sign with Capitol Records, and he recorded nearly 700 songs for the label, becoming the first Number One artist on Billboard‘s first album chart. During his 30-year recording career, Cole recorded more than 150 charting singles on Billboard‘s Pop, R&B and Country charts, a staggering record that remains unbroken by any other artist ever signed to Capitol Records, which led to the label being affectionately tagged, “The House That Nat Built.”
In 1956, Cole also became the first person of color to host his own national network television show, NBC’s “Nat King Cole Show.” 1965 saw the release of Cole’s classic album, Unforgettable, and his untimely passing that year at the age of 47. At the time of his death, it was reported that Capitol Records had sold more than nine million Nat King Cole records. From “Mona Lisa” to “Unforgettable,” Nat King Cole’s songs are incomparable; it is difficult to contemplate a holiday season without the warmth of Cole’s evergreen rendition of “The Christmas Song.” Cole’s catalog continues to sell in excess of one million albums per year around the world.
In January 2005, Nat King Cole made his first return in 40 years to Billboard‘s Top 50 with the #41 debut of The World Of Nat King Cole (Capitol/EMI). Cole’s last album to reach the Top 50, Unforgettable, peaked at #30 in 1965. In 1991, Natalie Cole’s Unforgettable: With Love, featuring her warm virtual duet of “Unforgettable” with her father, topped charts around the world and won the coveted Album Of The Year Grammy Award, introducing Nat King Cole to a new generation of music fans.
For the March 2009 release of Nat King Cole’s RE:GENERATIONS (Capitol/EMI), many of the world’s most pioneering hip-hop, Latin, reggae and rock musicians, producers and DJs joined together to bring each of their distinct styles to 13 of Cole’s outstanding recordings. Evocative of a sleek and stylish metrolounge where music and the visual arts converge, RE:GENERATIONS honors Nat King Cole’s continued cultural influence around the planet, 90 years after his birth.
Interest in Nat King Cole’s story continues to grow as younger generations discover his music as well as his role as the quiet catalyst in a host of musical and social movements. The arc of Cole’s life is a study in success despite adversity, and the triumph of civility, respect and raw talent in equal measure with political, cultural and business savvy.
Title: Extraordinary
Format: CD
Release Date: 22 Aug 2014
Artist: Nat King Cole
Sku: 2274665
Catalogue No: 3778807
Category: Easy Listening
Disc Count: 2
Transfer Format: Compact Disc
Video Format: Jazz
Primary Audio: 3778807
Language: 0602537788071
Subtitles: Universal Music
DISC 1
L-O-V-E
Walkin'
(i Would Do) Anything For You
The Song Is Ended (but The Melody Lingers On)
Unforgettable
Walkin' My Baby Back Home
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (and Write Myself A Letter)
Midnight Flyer
Send For Me
Open Up The Doghouse (two Cats Are Coming In) - Dean Martin, Nat King Cole
(get Your Kicks On) Route 66
Love
Papa Loves Mambo
You've Got The Indian Sign On Me
Mona Lisa
Let's Face The Music And Dance
Almost Like Being In Love
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Orange Colored Sky
Long, Long Ago - Dean Martin, Nat King Cole
Breezin' Along With The Breeze
You're Wrong All Wrong
DISC 2
You Weren't There
How (how Do I Go About It?)
Sweet William (and Lily At The Valley)
Sleeping Beauty
When I'm Alone
The Magic Window
Little Fingers
Ain't She Sweet - Nat King Cole, Carole Cole, Natalie Cole
What To Do - Nat King Cole, Carole Cole, Natalie Cole
Straighten Up And Fly Right
(i Love You) For Sentimental Reasons
Unforgettable
Mona Lisa
The Christmas Song