The Nat King Cole Story

~ Release by Nat King Cole (see all versions of this release, 7 available)

Annotation

In 2011, the Analogue Productions label reissued the album as a 2-disc hybrid SACD set and a 5-disc 45 rpm vinyl set. Both versions feature a new stereo mix of the entire album by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray, while the SACD also includes a discrete three-channel mix of most songs. Two bonus tracks ("Ramblin' Rose" and "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer") are also included on both versions.

Annotation last modified on 2014-08-08 12:10 UTC.

Tracklist

1▶Hybrid SACD (CD layer)
2▼Hybrid SACD (SACD layer, 2 channels)
#TitleRatingLength
1Straighten Up and Fly Right
producer:
Lee Gillette
double bass:
Charlie Harris (jazz bassist) (on 1961-03-23)
guitar:
John Collins (US jazz guitarist) (on 1961-03-23)
piano:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-23)
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-23)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1961-03-23)
recording of:
Straighten Up and Fly Right (on 1961-03-23)
writer:
Nat King Cole and Irving Mills
publisher:
American Academy of Music, Inc., EMI Mills Music (ASCAP-affiliated) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング CMP外国事業部 (sub‐publisher for foreign (non‐Japanese) works) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
sub-publisher:
Mills Music, ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and コンソーシアム音楽出版 C・F事業部 (Consortium Music Publishing, CF Division) (until 2021-06-30)
52:37
2Sweet Lorraine
producer:
Lee Gillette
double bass:
Charlie Harris (jazz bassist) (on 1961-03-22)
guitar:
John Collins (US jazz guitarist) (on 1961-03-22)
piano:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-22)
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-22)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1961-03-22)
recording of:
Sweet Lorraine (on 1961-03-22)
lyricist:
Mitchell Parish (in 1928)
composer:
Cliff Burwell (in 1928)
publisher:
EMI Mills Music Inc. (ASCAP-affiliated), Everbright Music Co. and Mills Music, Inc.
3:22
3It's Only a Paper Moon
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1961-03-22)
producer:
Lee Gillette
double bass:
Charlie Harris (jazz bassist) (on 1961-03-22)
guitar:
John Collins (US jazz guitarist) (on 1961-03-22)
piano:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-22)
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-22)
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1961-03-22)
recording of:
It’s Only a Paper Moon (on 1961-03-22)
lyricist:
E.Y. Harburg (in 1933) and Billy Rose (lyricist and Broadway producer) (in 1933)
composer:
Harold Arlen (in 1933)
publisher:
Anne-Rachel Music Corp., Chappell & Co., Chappell Music Ltd., Gloccamorria Music, Next Decade Entertainment, S.A. Music Co., SA Music, Shapiro Bernstein & Co. Ltd. and Warner Bros. Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
2:58
4(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (on 1961-03-23)
producer:
Lee Gillette
double bass:
Charlie Harris (jazz bassist) (on 1961-03-23)
guitar:
John Collins (US jazz guitarist) (on 1961-03-23)
piano:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-23)
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-23)
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael
recording of:
(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66 (on 1961-03-23)
lyricist and composer:
Bobby Troup
publisher:
Chappell Morris Ltd., E. H. Morris, LondonTown Music, Inc., Troup-London, LLC, ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label), ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division) and Burke-Van Heusen, Inc. (on 1946-04-22)
2:56
5(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons
producer:
Lee Gillette
double bass:
Charlie Harris (jazz bassist) (on 1961-03-23)
guitar:
John Collins (US jazz guitarist) (on 1961-03-23)
piano:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-23)
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-23)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States
cover recording of:
(I Love You) for Sentimental Reasons (on 1961-03-23)
lyricist:
Ivory “Deek” Watson (Singer, guitarist, and songwriter)
composer:
William “Pat” Best
publisher:
MCA Duchess Music Corporation and Peter Maurice Music Co. Ltd.
43:04
6The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)
producer:
Lee Gillette
piano:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-30)
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-30)
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael (on 1961-03-30)
orchestrator:
Charles R. Grean and Pete Rugolo
part of:
Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-27 (number: 6), Billboard Hot 100: 2026-01-03 (number: 6), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-20 (number: 8), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-13 (number: 9), Billboard Hot 100: 2025-12-06 (number: 18) and Billboard Hot 100: 2025-11-29 (number: 29)
cover recording of:
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (on 1961-03-30)
lyricist:
Robert Wells (songwriter) (in 1945-07) and Mel Tormé (“The Velvet Fog”) (in 1945-07)
composer:
Mel Tormé (“The Velvet Fog”) (in 1945-07)
publisher:
Chappell/Morris Ltd., MPL Music Publishing Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia Pty Ltd., Sony/ATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP), Warner Chappell, Warner Chappell Ltd., Warner Chappell Music (publisher as Warner/Chappell Music), Warner/Chappell Music Australia Pty. Ltd. and Edwin H. Morris & Co., Inc. (a division of MPL Communications Inc.) (from 1946 to present)
3.753:11
7Nature Boy
producer:
Lee Gillette
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-27)
orchestra:
The Ralph Carmichael Orchestra and Chorus (on 1961-03-27)
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael (on 1961-03-27)
recording of:
Nature Boy (on 1961-03-27)
lyricist and composer:
eden ahbez (in 1947)
publisher:
Burke-Van Heusen, Inc., Crestview Music Corp., David J. Janowiak d/b/a Golden World (music publisher, ASCAP-affiliated), Edwin H. Morris & Company (a division of MPL Communications Inc.) and Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
sub-publisher:
ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
2:53
8Lush Life
producer:
Lee Gillette
double bass [bass]:
Joe Comfort (on 1961-07-20)
drums (drum set):
Lee Young (40s-60s US jazz drummer, then producer/A&R) (on 1961-07-20)
guitar:
Alvino Rey (on 1961-07-20)
percussion:
Dale Anderson (percussionist) (on 1961-07-20)
piano:
Milton Raskin (Milton Raskin) (on 1961-07-20)
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-07-20)
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael (on 1961-07-20)
arranger:
Ralph Carmichael
recorded at:
Capitol Tower in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1961-07-20)
recording of:
Lush Life (on 1961-07-20)
lyricist and composer:
Billy Strayhorn (from 1933 until 1938)
publisher:
Billy Strayhorn Songs, Inc., Campbell Connelly & Co. Ltd., Chrysalis One Music, Reservoir Media Music, ミュージック・セールス (Music Sales, Japan, subsidiary of Shinko Music Entertainment) and Tempo Music, Inc. (Duke Ellington’s music publishing company) (from 1949 to present)
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, volume I)
3:46
9Calypso Blues
producer:
Lee Gillette
piano:
Nat King Cole
vocals:
Nat King Cole
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael
recorded at:
Capitol Tower in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1961-07-19)
recording of:
Calypso Blues (on 1961-07-19)
lyricist:
Don George (US songwriter/composer, 1909–1987)
composer:
Nat King Cole
3:25
10Mona Lisa
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-03-30)
orchestra:
Ralph Carmichael Orchestra (on 1961-03-30)
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael (on 1961-03-30)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1961-03-30)
cover recording of:
Mona Lisa (on 1961-03-30)
lyricist:
Raymond B. Evans (American songwriter)
composer:
Jay Livingston
publisher:
Famous Chappell and Famous Music Corporation (renamed since 2007‐05 as Sony/ATV Harmony/Melody)
sub-publisher:
BMG Unisong Music Publishers BV
part of:
The 23rd Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1) and Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1950 winner)
3:28
11Orange Colored Sky
producer:
Lee Gillette
piano:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-07-06)
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-07-06)
orchestra:
Stan Kenton and His Orchestra (on 1961-07-06)
conductor:
Stan Kenton (on 1961-07-06)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (Hollywood, CA, founded 1956) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1961-07-06)
recording of:
Orange Colored Sky (on 1961-07-06)
writer:
Milton DeLugg and William Stein
publisher:
Amy Dee Music Corp.
42:34
12Too Young
producer:
Lee Gillette
piano:
Nat King Cole
vocals:
Nat King Cole
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1961-03-29)
recording of:
Too Young (on 1961-03-29)
lyricist:
Sylvia Dee (American lyricist)
composer:
Sidney Lippman (American songwriter)
publisher:
Aria Music Co.
3:25
13Unforgettable
producer:
Lee Gillette
piano:
Nat King Cole (in 1961)
vocals:
Nat King Cole (in 1961)
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael (in 1961)
recording of:
Unforgettable (in 1961)
lyricist and composer:
Irving Gordon (US songwriter)
publisher:
Bourne Co. (not for release label use, this is a music publisher) and Bourne Music Ltd.
3.853:27
14Somewhere Along the Way
producer:
Lee Gillette
vocals:
Nat King Cole
orchestra:
The Ralph Carmichael Orchestra and Chorus (on 1961-03-29)
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1961-03-29)
cover recording of:
Somewhere Along the Way (on 1961-03-29)
lyricist:
Sammy Gallop
composer:
Kurt Adams
publisher:
United Music Corp.
3:00
15Walkin' My Baby Back Home
producer:
Lee Gillette
bass:
Joe Comfort (on 1961-07-20)
drums (drum set):
Lee Young (40s-60s US jazz drummer, then producer/A&R) (on 1961-07-20)
guitar:
Alvino Rey (on 1961-07-20)
piano:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-07-20)
vocals:
Nat King Cole (on 1961-07-20)
conductor:
Billy May (on 1961-07-20)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (Hollywood, CA, founded 1956) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1961-07-20)
cover recording of:
Walkin’ My Baby Back Home (on 1961-07-20)
lyricist:
Roy Turk (in 1930)
composer:
Fred Ahlert (in 1930)
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA), Redwood Music Ltd. (Carlin) and Warner/Chappell North America Limited (formerly incorporated as Marmalade Music Ltd., from 1968/09/19–1999/11/09)
42:43
16Pretend
double bass [bass]:
Charlie Harris (jazz bassist) (on 1961-03-24)
guitar:
John Collins (US jazz guitarist) (on 1961-03-23)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (New York City) in New York, New York, United States (on 1961-03-24)
2:46
17Blue Gardenia
producer:
Lee Gillette
piano:
Nat King Cole
vocals:
Nat King Cole
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael
recording of:
Blue Gardenia (on 1961-07-19)
writer:
Lester Lee and Bob Russell (US songwriter/lyricist Sidney Keith “Bob” Russell)
publisher:
Harms, Inc., Harrison Music Corp., WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
3:04
18I Am in Love
producer:
Lee Gillette
piano:
Nat King Cole
vocals:
Nat King Cole
conductor:
Ralph Carmichael
recorded at:
Capitol Tower in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1961-07-20)
recording of:
I Am in Love (Can-Can musical) (on 1961-07-20)
lyricist and composer:
Cole Porter (composer) (in 1953)
2:33
3▶Hybrid SACD (SACD layer, multichannel)
4▶Hybrid SACD (CD layer)
5▶Hybrid SACD (SACD layer, 2 channels)
6▶Hybrid SACD (SACD layer, multichannel)