You can argue until you’re blue in the face as to who the greatest American singer was. (Hint: it’s NOT Michael Buble’)It always comes down to four: Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and Nat “King” Cole. This retrospective of Cole through his entire career is a pretty good argument for his supporters, as it shows not only his musical range, but how style and class always triumphs over technique.
You could complain that this collection is a bit short of his early days when he sang with his trio. OK, we’ve got the no brainer “Route 66,” but not even “Sweet Lorraine”? This collection emphasizes his more MOR era-things like “LOVE” and “Walkin’ My Baby Back Home” and of course the obligatory “Unforgettable” and “Mona Lisa.” No major surprises here, and there are some bonuses like previously unreleased takes, some hip duet stuff with Dean Martin and a cute couple pieces with his daughters, so if you have nothing of his at all, start right here and then head for his trios.
Universal