Page generated on 5/20/24
Introduction
A period of transition for Cole, with personnel changes to the trio and Capitol recording their star in all manner of contexts, as they experimented with various settings in which to feature his increasingly emergent vocal stylings. Cole's most frequent collaborator during these years was Pete Rugolo, as the two men recorded together on several occasions between 1949-1952. Ultimately, though, this period is marked by the emergence of Nelson Riddle, who began writing full time for Cole in 1951 and would continue as his primary arranger until 1960. (Photo: recording with Pete Rugolo in New York, January 14, 1949.)
Date: Late 1948
Location: New York
Demo
Nat Cole (v, p)
a. | demo | I Wake Up Screaming After Dreaming Of You(Nat Cole, Don George) - 2:36 |
unissued |
Demo Recording
An acetate of this demo first surfaced a few years ago and was made available by Gordon Skene at Past Daily. You can listen to it here.
Location
Though the acetate label reveals Studio & Artists Recorders at 6107 Columbia Square, this is probably where the record was pressed but not necessarily where it was recorded. Cole would've used Radio Recorders if this was made in Los Angeles.
However, there's no guarantee it was recorded on the west coast. The song was registered with the copyright office on December 20, 1948, and the trio played and recorded in New York for most of the fall. When Cole finally recorded the song for Capitol in March 1949, it was in New York.
Date: December 21, 1948
Location: Chicago
Label: Capitol
Session #1118
Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), others unknown (acc), Carlyle Hall (con)
a. | 3808-2 | Portrait Of Jennie(J. Russell Robinson, Gordon Burge) / arr: Gus Levene - 2:58 |
b. | 3809-4 | It Only Happens Once(Frankie Laine) - 3:03 |
c. | 3810-1 | My Mother Told Me(Nat Cole, Don George) - 2:41 |
d. | 3811-4 | Bang Bang Boogie(Al Gannaway, Hal Levy, Sid Kuller) - 2:42 |
All titles on: |
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
others unknown (acc) on a; Carlyle Hall (con) on a.
Overdubs, Dates, & Location
Ruppli's Capitol discography indicates that the trio overdubbed their parts on "Portrait Of Jennie" onto a pre-recorded orchestral track, possibly conducted by Carlyle Hall. See the following session for more details about the arrangement of "Jennie".
Ruppli lists the session as occurring in Los Angeles, while Teubig says New York. Yet, Teubig's own chronology of the trio indicates they were playing in Chicago from December 9-22, and arrived in New York by the 24th. Assuming the date is correct, this session must have taken place in Chicago.
Date: January 14, 1949
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #985
Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), others unknown (acc), Carlyle Hall (con)
a. | 3381-3 | Portrait Of Jennie(J. Russell Robinson, Gordon Burge) / arr: Gus Levene
- 3:03 Capitol 7815387 — Portrait Of Jennie / An Old Piano Plays The Blues (1949)
Capitol 78/45(F)1035 — Lost April / Portrait Of Jennie (1950)
|
b. | 3382-1 | Don't Cry, Cry Baby(Clarence Maher, Bennie Martini, Saul Tepper)
- 3:05 Capitol 78/4515418/54-584 — If You Stub Your Toe On The Moon / Don't Cry, Cry Baby (1949)
Pickwick/33 LPSPC-3046 — Love Is A Many Splendored Thing (1966)
|
c. | 3383-2 | An Old Piano Plays The Blues(Don George, Steve Allen)
- 3:15 Capitol 7815387 — Portrait Of Jennie / An Old Piano Plays The Blues (1949)
|
d. | 3384-2 | How Lonely Can You Get(Gene Kilham) - 2:57 |
All titles on: |
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
others unknown (acc) on a; Carlyle Hall (con) on a.
Personnel
Though Carlyle Hall has historically been credited with conducting and arranging "Portrait Of Jennie", it's possible that Gus Levene is responsible for this arrangement. Levene, known to have written a handful of Cole arrangements in the early 1950s, contributed a 1948 arrangement of "Jennie", which is currently housed in the Cole collection at the Schomburg library. No other arrangement of the song is believed to exist in the archive.
This session was probably produced by Pete Rugolo and Walter Rivers. The photograph at the top of this page is likely from this date.
Date: March 22, 1949 [00:00-03:00]
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #1130
Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), Walter Rivers (pro), Clair Krepps (eng)
a. | 3741-2 | Laugh! Cool Clown (Vesti la Giubba)(Ruggero Leoncavallo)
- 3:18 Capitol LPT 592 — Instrumental Classics (1955)
Capitol Jazz CD7-98288-2 — The Best Of The Nat King Cole Trio: The Instrumental Classics (1992)
|
b. | 3742-2 | Bop Kick(Nat Cole)
- 2:35 Capitol LPT 592 — Instrumental Classics (1955)
Capitol Jazz CD7-98288-2 — The Best Of The Nat King Cole Trio: The Instrumental Classics (1992)
Capitol CS/CD Box7-99777-2 — Nat King Cole (1992)
|
c. | 3743-1 | For All We Know(Sam M. Lewis, J. Fred Coots)
- 3:00 Capitol 78/45(F)1663 — Nature Boy / For All We Know (1951)
Capitol LP 10"LC 6594 (UK) — Capitol Presents Nat "King" Cole And His Trio, Volume II (1953)
Capitol LPT 591 — Vocal Classics (1955)
Capitol LPT 2311 — The Nat King Cole Trio (1965)
Capitol CS/CD Box7-99777-2 — Nat King Cole (1992)
Capitol Jazz CD8-33572-2 — The Best Of The Nat King Cole Trio: The Vocal Classics (1947-50) (1996)
|
All titles on: |
Capitol 78 AlbumCC 139 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
Capitol 45 BoxCCF 177 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
Capitol EP AlbumEBF 177 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
Capitol LP 10"H 177 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
Nat Cole (v) on c; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on a-b, (cga) on a-b.
Date: March 29, 1949 #1 [14:00-18:00]
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #1136
Nat Cole (v, p), Sid Cooper (f, cl), Al Richman (frh), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Mel Zelnick (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), George Koch, Zelly Smirnoff, Frank York, George Zoming (vn), Dick Freitag, Rudy Sims (vl), Pete Makas, Ray Sabinsky (clo), Pete Rugolo (con)
a. | 3750-3 | Land Of Love (Come My Love And Live With Me)(Eden Ahbez) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 3:14 Capitol 78/45(F)716 — Land Of Love / Yes Sir, That's My Baby (1949)
|
b. | 3751-3 | Lush Life(Billy Strayhorn) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 3:15 Capitol 78/4557-606, F606 — Lillian / Lush Life (1950)
Capitol EP AlbumEBF 213 — Harvest Of Hits (1950)
Capitol LP 10"H/L 213 — Harvest Of Hits (1950)
Capitol 78/45(F)1672 — I Miss You So / Lush Life (1951)
Capitol CS/CD Box7-99777-2 — Nat King Cole (1992)
EMI CD5-22817-2 — Legends Of The 20th Century (1999)
|
Both titles on: |
Music For Pleasure LPMFP 1049 (UK) — Nat King Cole Sings For You (1965)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Capitol Jazz CD7-80595-2 — Lush Life (1993)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
Date: March 29, 1949 #2 [20:00-23:00]
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #1137
Nat Cole (v, p), The Alyce King Vokettes (bkv), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), Pete Rugolo (cga)
a. | 3752-3 | Lillian(George Warner, Walt Weidler)
- 2:42 Capitol 78/4557-606, F606 — Lillian / Lush Life (1950)
|
b. | 3753-2 | 'Tis Autumn(Henry Nemo)
- 3:06 Capitol 78 AlbumCC 139 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
Capitol 45 BoxCCF 177 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
Capitol EP AlbumEBF 177 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
Capitol LP 10"H 177 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
Capitol LP 10"LC 6587 (UK) — Capitol Presents Nat "King" Cole And His Trio, Volume I (1953)
Capitol Jazz CD8-33572-2 — The Best Of The Nat King Cole Trio: The Vocal Classics (1947-50) (1996)
|
c. | 3754-3 | Yes Sir, That's My Baby(Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn)
- 2:28 Capitol 78 AlbumCC 139 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
Capitol 78/45(F)716 — Land Of Love / Yes Sir, That's My Baby (1949)
|
d. | 3755-1 | I Used To Love You(Albert Von Tilzer, Lew Brown)
- 2:58 Capitol 78 AlbumCC 139 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
Capitol 45 BoxCCF 177 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
Capitol EP AlbumEBF 177 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
Capitol LP 10"H 177 — King Cole Trio Volume 4 (1949)
LaserLight CD Box15 915 — Nat King Cole: The Trio Recordings (1991)
Capitol Jazz CD8-33572-2 — The Best Of The Nat King Cole Trio: The Vocal Classics (1947-50) (1996)
|
All titles on: |
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
The Alyce King Vokettes (bkv) on a; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on c-d, (cga) on c-d; Pete Rugolo (cga) on a.
Date: March 30, 1949 [14:00-17:30]
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #1138
Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), Pete Rugolo (cga)
a. | 3756-5 | Etymology (The Language Of Love)(Roy Alfred) - 2:39 |
b. | 3757-2 | Peaches(Terry Gibbs)
- 2:37 Capitol EP AlbumEBF 2-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LP 10"H 2-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LPW 514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol Jazz CD7-98288-2 — The Best Of The Nat King Cole Trio: The Instrumental Classics (1992)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 870 — 10th Anniversary Album (2007)
|
c. | 3758-3 | Last But Not Least(Terry Gibbs) - 2:33 |
d. | 3759-3 | I Wake Up Screaming After Dreaming Of You(Nat Cole, Don George) - 2:37 |
All titles on: |
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
Nat Cole (v) on a, d; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on a, c-d; Pete Rugolo (cga) on a.
Date: May 20, 1949 #1
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #1147
Nat Cole (v, p, spk), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), others unknown (acc), Pete Rugolo (con)
a. | 3788-5 | It Was So Good While It Lasted(Andrew Ackers, Ruth Poll) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:47 Capitol 78/45(F)818 — Bang Bang Boogie / It Was So Good While It Lasted (1949)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
b. | 3789-2 | Roses And Wine(Elise Bretton, Don Meyer, Sherman Edwards) / arr: Pete Rugolo - 3:13 |
Both titles on: |
Capitol Jazz CD7-80595-2 — Lush Life (1993)
|
Jack Costanzo (bgo) on b, (cga) on b; Nat Cole (spk) on b.
Date: May 20, 1949 #2
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #1148
Nat Cole (v, p), The Alyce King Vokettes (bkv), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), others unknown (acc), Maria Cole (spk)
a. | 3790-5 | I Get Sentimental Over Nothing(Nat Cole, Minette Allton) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 3:06 Capitol 78/45(F)705 — Your Voice / I Get Sentimental Over Nothing (1949)
|
b. | 3791-3 | Who Do You Know In Heaven(Peter DeRose, Al Stillman) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:38 Capitol 78/45(F)680 — Who Do You Know In Heaven / The Trouble With Me Is You (1949)
Music For Pleasure LPMFP 1049 (UK) — Nat King Cole Sings For You (1965)
|
c. | 3792-1 | Your Voice(Sid Lippman)
- 2:17 Capitol 78/45(F)705 — Your Voice / I Get Sentimental Over Nothing (1949)
|
d. | 3793-2 | A Little Yellow Ribbon (In Her Hair)(Benny Davis, Abner Silver) - 2:24 |
All titles on: |
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
The Alyce King Vokettes (bkv) on a-b; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on c-d, (cga) on c-d; others unknown (acc) on b; Maria Cole (spk) on c.
Date: July 26, 1949
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #1475/T-727
Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga)
a. | rt | Part Of Me(Nat Cole)
- 3:21 Capitol Transcription DiscB-447 — B-447 (1949)
|
b. | 4981-1 / ET 51678 | Exactly Like You(Jimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields)
- 2:39 Capitol Transcription DiscB-447 — B-447 (1949)
Capitol 7857-70050 — My Mother Told Me / Exactly Like You (1949)
Capitol 78/45(F)1036 — Exactly Like You / That's What (1950)
Capitol LP 10"LC 6594 (UK) — Capitol Presents Nat "King" Cole And His Trio, Volume II (1953)
Capitol LP Box(D)NFR 7620 — Forever Yours (1968)
Capitol CD Box5-92055-2 — The Classic Singles (2003)
|
c. | 4980-1 / ET 51679 | My Mother Told Me(Nat Cole, Don George)
- 2:55 Capitol Transcription DiscB-447 — B-447 (1949)
Capitol 7857-70050 — My Mother Told Me / Exactly Like You (1949)
Capitol CD Box5-92055-2 — The Classic Singles (2003)
|
d. | rt | What Have You Got In Those Eyes(Don Raye, Gene DePaul)
- 2:31 Capitol Transcription DiscB-447 — B-447 (1949)
|
e. | rt | Top Hat Bop(Irving Ashby)
- 3:12 Capitol Transcription DiscB-448 — B-448 (1949)
|
f. | rt | Go Bongo(Nat Cole, Jack Costanzo)
- 3:05 Capitol Transcription DiscB-448 — B-448 (1949)
AFRS Transcription DiscJust Jazz 76 — Just Jazz 76 (1949)
|
g. | rt | Rhumba Blues(Nat Cole)
- 2:34 Capitol Transcription DiscB-448 — B-448 (1949)
|
h. | rt | Boulevard Of Broken Dreams(Harry Warren, Al Dubin)
- 2:28 Capitol Transcription DiscB-448 — B-448 (1949)
|
All titles on: |
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Blue Note CD Box5-60184-2 — The Complete Capitol Transcription Sessions (2005)
|
Nat Cole (v) on a-d, h; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on b, e-h, (cga) on b, e-h.
Titles are listed in programming order. The range of master numbers for this session are ET 51675 through ET 51682. Only confirmed numbers are reported beside performances.
Date: August 2, 1949
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #1416
Nat Cole (v, p), The Starlighters (bkv), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga)
a. | 4754-4 | All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)(Donald Gardner)
- 2:29 Capitol 78/45(F)2955 — The Christmas Song / All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) (1954)
Capitol CD7-94685-2 — Cole, Christmas, & Kids (1990)
Capitol CD5-27317-2 — Christmas For Kids (2000)
|
b. | 4755-2 | You Can't Lose A Broken Heart(James P. Johnson, Flournoy Miller)
- 2:57 Capitol 78/45(F)749 — (Here Is My Heart) Nalani / You Can't Lose A Broken Heart (1949)
Capitol 78/4557/54-749 — (Here Is My Heart) Nalani / You Can't Lose A Broken Heart (1949)
|
c. | 4756-1 | Bang Bang Boogie(Al Gannaway, Hal Levy, Sid Kuller)
- 2:56 Capitol 78/45(F)818 — Bang Bang Boogie / It Was So Good While It Lasted (1949)
|
All titles on: |
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
The Starlighters (bkv) on a-b; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on a, c, (cga) on a, c.
Personnel
The Starlighters consist of Vince Degen, Tony Paris, Pauline Byrns, Jerry Duane and Howard Hudson.
Date: September 9, 1949 [13:30-18:00]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #1474
Nat Cole (v, p), unknown (bkv), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga, ref)
a. | 4976-1 | (Here Is My Heart) Nalani(Gerda M. Beilenson, Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs)
- 2:57 Capitol 78/45(F)749 — (Here Is My Heart) Nalani / You Can't Lose A Broken Heart (1949)
Capitol 78/4557/54-749 — (Here Is My Heart) Nalani / You Can't Lose A Broken Heart (1949)
|
b. | 4977-1 | The Horse Told Me(Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke)
- 2:58 Capitol 78/45(F)852 — The Horse Told Me / Don't Shove, I'm Leaving (1950)
|
c. | 4978-1 | Don't Shove, I'm Leaving(Cliff Parman, Peggy Murdoch)
- 2:43 Capitol 78/45(F)852 — The Horse Told Me / Don't Shove, I'm Leaving (1950)
|
d. | 4979-1 | Calypso Blues(Nat Cole, Don George, Carmen Clifford)
- 2:59 Capitol 78/45(F)915 — Twisted Stockin's / Calypso Blues (1950)
Capitol 78/45(F)1627 — Lost April / Calypso Blues (1951)
Capitol EPEAP 1-852 — Hit Calypsos! (1957)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
All titles on: |
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
unknown (bkv) on a; Nat Cole (p) on a-c; Irving Ashby (g) on a-c; Joe Comfort (b) on a-c; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on c, (cga) on c-d, (ref) on b.
Composers
While Nat Cole and Don George are now typically credited as the composers of "Calypso Blues", this has not always been the case, and the composers listed here reflect all those who have been credited at one time or another.
The earliest 78 issue credited only Cole. Later singles added Don George. However, a UK single from 1957 credits Cole, George, and Carmen Clifford. In fact, a 1950 newspaper article says that Pittsburgh resident Carmen Clifford (referred to in some sources as Clifford Carmen, further confusing matters) wrote the song with Cole (she the lyrics, he the music). Therefore, all three individuals are credited here.
Date: November 7, 1949
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #1299
Nat Cole (v, p), Woody Herman (v), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), Gene Orloff (vn)
a. | 4314-4 | Mule Train(Johnny Lange, Fred Glickman, Hy Heath) - 2:51 |
b. | 4315-4 | My Baby Just Cares For Me(Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn)
- 2:44 Official (DK) CD812003 — Havin' Fun With Nat "King" Cole (1989)
Capitol CS/CD Box7-99777-2 — Nat King Cole (1992)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
Both titles on: |
Capitol 7857-787 — Mule Train / My Baby Just Cares For Me (1950)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Capitol Jazz CD7-96693-2 — Jazz Encounters (1992)
|
Nat Cole (p) on b; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on a, (cga) on b; Gene Orloff (vn) on a.
Label Credit
"Mule Train" was credited to "Woody Herman & Nat King Cole and His Mule Skinners".
Releases
Some sources suggest these performances were also issued on 45 rpm (F 787), but there remains no evidence of this.
Date: January 5, 1950 [13:00-16:00]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #1588
Nat Cole (v, p), Nellie Lutcher (v), Charlie Barnet (ts), Ernie Royal (t), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Earl Hyde (d), Jim Conkling (pro)
a. | 5366-3 | For You My Love(Paul Gayten)
- 2:22 Music For Pleasure CDCDDL 1305 — This Is Nat King Cole (1995)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
b. | 5371-4 | Can I Come In For A Second?(Sammy Cahn)
- 2:50 Capitol CS/CD Box7-99777-2 — Nat King Cole (1992)
|
Both titles on: |
Capitol 78/45(F)847 — For You My Love / Can I Come In For A Second? (1950)
Official (DK) CD812003 — Havin' Fun With Nat "King" Cole (1989)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Capitol Jazz CD7-96693-2 — Jazz Encounters (1992)
|
Personnel
Ruppli incorrectly claims that Earl Hyde was a pseudonym of Lee Young.
Label Credit
Nellie Lutcher and Nat "King" Cole
Date: February 9, 1950 [12:00-18:00]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #1621
Nat Cole (v, p), Girl Trio, The Starlighters (bkv), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Lee Young (d), Jim Conkling (pro)
a. | 5159-2 | Baby, Won't You Say You Love Me(Joseph Myrow, Mack Gordon)
- 2:57 Capitol 78/45(F)889 — Baby, Won't You Say You Love Me / I Almost Lost My Mind (1950)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
b. | 5160-2 | I Almost Lost My Mind(Ivory Joe Hunter)
- 3:00 Capitol 78/45(F)889 — Baby, Won't You Say You Love Me / I Almost Lost My Mind (1950)
Capitol LP 10"LC 6587 (UK) — Capitol Presents Nat "King" Cole And His Trio, Volume I (1953)
Capitol CD Box5-92055-2 — The Classic Singles (2003)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
c. | 5161-2 | A Little Bit Independent(Edgar Leslie, Joe Burke)
- 3:11 Capitol 78/45(F)1068 — A Little Bit Independent / I'll Never Say "Never Again" Again (1950)
|
d. | 5162-2 | I'll Never Say "Never Again" Again(Harry M. Woods)
- 2:49 Capitol 78/45(F)1068 — A Little Bit Independent / I'll Never Say "Never Again" Again (1950)
Music For Pleasure LPMFP 1049 (UK) — Nat King Cole Sings For You (1965)
Capitol CS/CD Box7-99777-2 — Nat King Cole (1992)
|
e. | 5526-1 | Twisted Stockin's(Joe Greene)
- 2:52 Capitol 78/45(F)915 — Twisted Stockin's / Calypso Blues (1950)
|
All titles on: |
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
Girl Trio (bkv) on b-c; The Starlighters (bkv) on a, d-e.
Personnel
The Starlighters consisted of Imogene Lynn Clark, Jerry Duane, Vince Degen, Howard Hudson and Tony Paris. Although most discographies list Pauline Byrns on this date, she had left the group just prior to this session.
Date: March 9, 1950
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #T-796
Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), Ken Nelson (pro)
a. | 52211-1rt | Third Finger Left Hand(Ken Nelson)
- 3:05 Capitol Transcription DiscB-467 — B-467 (1950)
|
b. | 52212rt | After My Laughter Came Tears(Roy Turk, Charles Tobias)
- 2:45 Capitol Transcription DiscB-467 — B-467 (1950)
|
c. | 52213-1rt | If I Were You, Baby, I'd Love Me(Timmie Rodgers)
- 3:06 Capitol Transcription DiscB-467 — B-467 (1950)
Capitol CD5-27316-2 — Rockin' Boppin' & Blues (2000)
|
d. | 52214-1rt | Calico Sal(Allan Roberts, Irving Gordon)
- 2:28 Capitol Transcription DiscB-467 — B-467 (1950)
|
e. | 52215rt | 'Deed I Do(Walter Hirsch, Fred Rose)
- 2:13 Capitol Transcription DiscB-468 — B-468 (1950)
|
f. | 52216-1rt | Ooh, Kickeroonie(Nat Cole, Billy May, Harold Dickinson)
- 2:12 Capitol Transcription DiscB-468 — B-468 (1950)
Capitol Jazz CD8-33572-2 — The Best Of The Nat King Cole Trio: The Vocal Classics (1947-50) (1996)
|
g. | 52217rt | All Aboard(Nat Cole)
- 2:12 Capitol Transcription DiscB-468 — B-468 (1950)
|
h. | 52218-1rt | Don't Let Your Eyes Go Shopping (For Your Heart)(Gene Austin, Sheldon Smith)
- 2:22 Capitol Transcription DiscB-468 — B-468 (1950)
Capitol Jazz CD8-33572-2 — The Best Of The Nat King Cole Trio: The Vocal Classics (1947-50) (1996)
|
i. | 52219-1rt | Peaches(Terry Gibbs)
- 2:33 Capitol Transcription DiscB-468 — B-468 (1950)
|
All titles on: |
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Blue Note CD Box5-60184-2 — The Complete Capitol Transcription Sessions (2005)
|
Jack Costanzo (bgo) on d-g, i, (cga) on d-g, i.
Personnel
It is suspected that Ken Nelson, later A&R head of Capitol's country division, produced this session. Nelson was in charge of Capitol's transcription department at the time — AFM documentation finds him producing one such session for Cole in 1949 — and the presence of his song "Third Finger Left Hand" only furthers this assumption.
Location
All previous sources (Mosaic, Teubig, Ruppli) have placed this final transcription session in New York. This seems incredibly unlikely. According to Teubig himself, the trio played the Oasis in Los Angeles from March 7-12. And we know that Cole was in Los Angeles on March 11, which is the session that produced "Mona Lisa". Assuming the date of this session is correct, it simply could not occur in New York.
Master Numbers
The Mosaic and Teubig discographies do not list master numbers for "Third Finger Left Hand", "After My Laughter Came Tears", "All Aboard", and "'Deed I Do". Ruppli assigns master numbers, although he questions each number. Based on the numbering sequence, Ruppli has slightly adjusted the order of the songs compared to Mosaic/Teubig, which reports the songs as they appear on the ET. Ruppli is observed here, although the designations should be deemed tentative.
Composers
Numerous sources differ on who should be credited with composing "Ooh, Kickeroonie". In some places it is simply Cole, others list Cole and Billy May, some say May and Harold 'Hal' Dickinson (a member of the Modernaires), while still others list all three men. All three men are reported here until new information suggests otherwise.
"All Aboard" is nearly identical to "Congaroo", which Cole performed just prior to this in a Universal short with Benny Carter. Carter discographer Ed Berger believes "Congaroo" is a Carter composition, while Teubig lists no one. Cole will be listed for both until documentation suggests otherwise.
Date: March 11, 1950 [14:00-18:30]
Location: Studio C, Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #1658
Nat Cole (v, p), unknown (bkv), Buddy Cole (p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Lee Young (d), Jack Costanzo (per), Sam Cytron, Dave Frisina, Murray Kellner, Mark Levant, Dan Lube, Lou Raderman, Paul Shure, Felix Slatkin (vn), Al Harshman, Dave Sterkin (vl), Cy Bernard, Eleanor Slatkin (clo), Les Baxter (con), David Klein (mgr), Lou Busch (pro), John Palladino (eng)
a. | 5641-1 | Always You(Will Jason, Sydney Robin, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky) / arr: Gus Levene
- 2:56 Capitol 78/45(F)1401 — Always You / Destination Moon (1951)
Capitol CD Box5-92055-2 — The Classic Singles (2003)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
b. | 5642-2 | The Magic Tree(Marty Snider, Charles Snider) / arr: Gus Levene
- 3:02 Capitol 78/45(F)1365 — Jet / The Magic Tree (1951)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 874 — Unforgettable (2007)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
c. | 5664-2 | Mona Lisa(Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:13 Capitol 78/45(F)1010 — The Greatest Inventor (Of Them All) / Mona Lisa (1950)
Capitol 78/45(F)1673 — Mona Lisa / No Moon At All (1951)
|
d. | 5665-4 | The Greatest Inventor (Of Them All)(Ruby Raksin, Dok Stanford) / arr: Les Baxter
- 2:15 Capitol 78/45(F)1010 — The Greatest Inventor (Of Them All) / Mona Lisa (1950)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
e. | 5666-1 | Who's Who(Marvin Fisher, William D. Dunham)
- 2:58 Capitol LPEMS 1279 (UK) — The Unreleased Nat King Cole (1987)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
unknown (bkv) on a-b, d; Buddy Cole (p) on a-c; Nat Cole (p) on e; Jack Costanzo (per) on d; Sam Cytron (vn) on a-c; Dave Frisina (vn) on a-c; Murray Kellner (vn) on a-c; Mark Levant (vn) on a-c; Dan Lube (vn) on a-c; Lou Raderman (vn) on a-c; Paul Shure (vn) on a-c; Felix Slatkin (vn) on a-c; Al Harshman (vl) on a-c; Dave Sterkin (vl) on a-c; Cy Bernard (clo) on a-c; Eleanor Slatkin (clo) on a-c; Les Baxter (con) on a-d.
Composers
Marty Snider was a pseudonym for Douglas Arthur, and Charlie Snider was a pseudonym for Herb Handler, a manager for Ralph Flanagan.
Date: May 11, 1950 #1
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #1675
Maria Cole (v), Nat Cole (v, p), The Alyce King Vokettes (bkv), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (cga), others unknown (acc), Pete Rugolo or Walter Rivers (con), Walter Rivers (pro)
a. | 5750-6 | Get Out And Get Under The Moon(Charles Tobias, William Jerome, Larry Shay) / arr: Pete Rugolo - 2:46 |
b. | 5751-2 | Hey, Not Now! (I'll Tell You When)(Roy Alfred) / arr: Pete Rugolo - 3:00 |
Both titles on: |
Capitol 78/45(F)1176 — Get Out And Get Under The Moon / Hey, Not Now! (I'll Tell You When) (1950)
Official (DK) CD812003 — Havin' Fun With Nat "King" Cole (1989)
Capitol Jazz CD7-80595-2 — Lush Life (1993)
|
The Alyce King Vokettes (bkv) on b; Jack Costanzo (cga) on b.
Personnel
Pete Rugolo arranged all the titles recorded at this and the following session (1676), and it has long been assumed that he conducted as well. All issues of these titles have credited Rugolo as conductor. However, Walter Rivers' name appears on the conductor score (prominently under the song title) for the songs recorded at these two sessions, casting doubt as to whether it was Rugolo who conducted or Walter Rivers, who also produced. Therefore, we have elected to include the 'Rugolo or Rivers' credit until confirmation can be made.
Session Numbers
Cole recorded five titles for Capitol on May 11, 1950. However, these were spread out over two sessions (1675 & 1676), rather than one long session, likely in an effort to avoid paying the musicians overtime.
Date: May 11, 1950 #2
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #1676/1676-A
Maria Cole (v), Nat Cole (v, p), The Alyce King Vokettes (bkv), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (per), others unknown (acc), Pete Rugolo or Walter Rivers (con), Walter Rivers (pro)
a. | 5752-5overdub | Tunnel Of Love(Frank Loesser) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 3:04 Capitol 78/45(F)1133 — Home (When Shadows Fall) / Tunnel of Love (1950)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
b. | 5753-2overdub | The Way I'm Loving You(unknown) / arr: Pete Rugolo - 2:41 |
c. | 5754-2 | It's A Man Every Time(Marvin Fisher, Roy Alfred) / arr: Pete Rugolo - 2:54 |
All titles on: |
Capitol Jazz CD7-80595-2 — Lush Life (1993)
|
Maria Cole (v) on c; The Alyce King Vokettes (bkv) on a-b; Jack Costanzo (per) on b-c.
Personnel
See note for May 11, 1950 (Session #1675) for discussion of who conducted.
Songs
According to Capitol files, Nat overdubbed his vocals on "Tunnel Of Love" and "The Way I'm Loving You" on May 26, 1950 (Capitol Session #1676-A).
Date: May 19, 1950
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #1677/1677-A
Maria Cole (v), Nat Cole (v, p), The Alyce King Vokettes (bkv), Sid Cooper (f, cl), Al Richman (frh), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Mel Zelnick (d), Stan Karpenia, George Koch, Zelly Smirnoff, Lou Stone, Frank York, George Zorning (vn), Dick Freitag, Rudy Sims (vl), Pete Makas, Ray Sabinsky (clo), others unknown (acc), Pete Rugolo or Walter Rivers (con), Walter Rivers (pro)
a. | 5755-5 | Time Out For Tears(Abe Schiff, Irving Berman) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 3:10 Capitol 78/45(F)1270 — Time Out For Tears / Get To Gettin' (1950)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Capitol Jazz CD7-80595-2 — Lush Life (1993)
|
b. | 5756-3 | My Brother(Mel Waters, Ted Jacoby) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:48 Capitol 78/45(F)1565 — My Brother / Early American (1951)
Capitol Jazz CD7-80595-2 — Lush Life (1993)
|
c. | 5757-4 | Home (When Shadows Fall)(Harry Clarkson, Jeff Clarkson, Peter Van Steeden) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 3:09 Capitol 78/45(F)1133 — Home (When Shadows Fall) / Tunnel of Love (1950)
Capitol Jazz CD7-80595-2 — Lush Life (1993)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
d. | 5758-3 | A Woman's Got A Right To Change Her Mind(Robert Burk, Sammy Mysels) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 3:05 unissued
|
e. | 5759-2overdub | Ev'ry Day(Irving Kahal, Sammy Fain) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:59 Capitol CS/CD Box7-99777-2 — Nat King Cole (1992)
Capitol Jazz CD7-80595-2 — Lush Life (1993)
|
Maria Cole (v) on d-e; Nat Cole (v) on a-c, e; The Alyce King Vokettes (bkv) on a-c.
Personnel
As with the May 11, 1950 sessions, there is some doubt as to who conducted this session. See the note from that session for more information.
The orchestral personnel for Nat's 1949-50 New York sessions should be considered speculative at best. Previous discographies have listed nearly identical personnel for the March 1949 ("Lush Life") session and this May 1950 date, which is highly unlikely.
Songs
According to Capitol files, Nat overdubbed his vocal for "Ev'ry Day" on May 26, 1950 (Capitol Session #1677-A). It is not known if Maria Cole also overdubbed her vocals for this performance at the later date.
It is assumed that Nat played piano on Maria Cole's "A Woman's Got A Right To Change Her Mind", which explains its listing here.
Date: August 16, 1950 [14:00-17:00]
Location: Studio A, Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #1883
Nat Cole (v, p), Art Pepper, Bud Shank (as), Bart Caldarell, Bob Cooper (ts), Bob Gioga (bar), Chico Alvarez, Buddy Childers, Maynard Ferguson, Shorty Rogers, Jimmy Salko (t), Milt Bernhart, Harry Betts, Bob Fitzpatrick, John Haliburton, Herbie Harper (tb), Stan Kenton (p, dir), Laurindo Almeida, Irving Ashby (g), Don Bagley, Joe Comfort (b), Shelly Manne (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), Stan Kenton Orchestra (acc), Jim Conkling (pro)
a. | 6513-6 | Orange Colored Sky(Milton DeLugg, Willie Stein, Frank Loesser) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:30 Capitol CS/CD Box7-99777-2 — Nat King Cole (1992)
Capitol CD Box5-92055-2 — The Classic Singles (2003)
|
b. | 6514-6 | Jam-Bo(Shorty Rogers) / arr: Shorty Rogers - 2:51 |
Both titles on: |
Capitol 78/45(F)1184 — Orange Colored Sky / Jam-Bo (1950)
Capitol Jazz CD7-96259-2 — Big Band Cole (1991)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
Nat Cole (v) on a; Stan Kenton (p) on b; Laurindo Almeida (g) on b; Irving Ashby (g) on a; Don Bagley (b) on b; Joe Comfort (b) on a.
Personnel
Cole and Kenton play piano together on "Jam-Bo".
Composers
Some early issues of "Orange Colored Sky" incorrectly credit Frank Loesser as the song's only composer. According to Milton DeLugg, Loesser did write the last 16 bars ('flash, bam, alakzam...') but he's remained uncredited on all ensuing releases.
Date: August 25, 1950 [13:00-18:00]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #1893
Nat Cole (v, p, cel), The Jud Conlon Rhythmaires (bkv), Julie Kinsler (f, cl, as), Harry Steinfeld (ob, bcl, bar), Buddy Childers (t), Irving Ashby (g), Dave Barbour (g, con), Lou Busch (cel, pro), Joe Comfort (b), Shelly Manne (d, slb), Jack Costanzo (bgo), George Kast (vn), Cy Bernard, Armand Kaproff, Ed Lustgarten, Eleanor Slatkin (clo), Pete Rugolo (con)
a. | 6542-1 | Make Believe Land(Benny Davis, Abner Silver) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 3:09 Capitol 78/45(F)1747 — Make Believe Land / I'll Always Remember You (1951)
Music For Pleasure CDCDDL 1305 — This Is Nat King Cole (1995)
|
b. | 6543-2 | Get To Gettin'(Jimmy MacDonald, Billie Weber) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:19 Capitol 78/45(F)1270 — Time Out For Tears / Get To Gettin' (1950)
Capitol 78CL 13744 (UK) — Paint Yourself A Rainbow / Get To Gettin' (1952)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Capitol Jazz CD7-80595-2 — Lush Life (1993)
|
c. | 6544-5 | Frosty The Snowman(Steve Nelson, Jack Rollins) / arr: Lou Busch
- 2:17 Capitol 78/45(F)1203 — Little Christmas Tree / Frosty The Snowman (1950)
Capitol EPEAP 1-9026 — The Christmas Song (1954)
Capitol CD7-94685-2 — Cole, Christmas, & Kids (1990)
Capitol CD5-27317-2 — Christmas For Kids (2000)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
d. | 6545-2 | Little Christmas Tree(Mickey Rooney) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 3:11 Capitol 78/45(F)1203 — Little Christmas Tree / Frosty The Snowman (1950)
Capitol EPEAP 1-9026 — The Christmas Song (1954)
Capitol CD7-94685-2 — Cole, Christmas, & Kids (1990)
Capitol CD5-27317-2 — Christmas For Kids (2000)
|
e. | 6562-4 | Song Of Delilah(Victor Young, Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) / arr: Heine Beau
- 2:40 Capitol 78/45(F)1501 — Song Of Delilah / Because Of Rain (1951)
Music For Pleasure LPMFP 1049 (UK) — Nat King Cole Sings For You (1965)
Capitol LP Box(D)NFR 7620 — Forever Yours (1968)
Capitol CD7-99373-2 — Nat King Cole At The Movies (1993)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
Nat Cole (v) on a, c-e, (p) on b, d-e, (cel) on a, d; The Jud Conlon Rhythmaires (bkv) on a-c; Julie Kinsler (f) on a, d, (cl) on e, (as) on b; Harry Steinfeld (ob) on d, (bcl) on a, e, (bar) on b-c; Buddy Childers (t) on a-c; Irving Ashby (g) on a-b, d-e; Dave Barbour (g) on e, (con) on e; Lou Busch (cel) on c; Shelly Manne (d) on a-b, d-e, (slb) on c; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on e; George Kast (vn) on a; Cy Bernard (clo) on d-e; Armand Kaproff (clo) on d-e; Ed Lustgarten (clo) on d-e; Eleanor Slatkin (clo) on d-e; Pete Rugolo (con) on a-d.
Personnel
The Jud Conlon Rhythmaires probably consisted of Conlon, Mac McLean, Charlie Parlato, Louie Jean Norman, and Gloria Wood. On "Frosty The Snowman", the background singers were billed as 'The Singing Pussycats' (the chorus vocals are sped up on this recording only). Meanwhile, the label of the "Make Believe Land" single acknowledges the presence of a chorus, but does not provide credit.
The AFM contract for this session indicates that four men were paid for arranging: Pete Rugolo, Lou Busch, Heinie Beau, and Harold Mooney. Mooney's appearance on the contract makes it possible that he arranged "Make Believe Land" and "Little Christmas Tree", while Rugolo wrote only "Get to Gettin'". However, Rugolo's name appears on the score for all three titles and they are all in the same hand. At best, Mooney may have have assisted Rugolo.
Composers
Some copies of "Make Believe Land" incorrectly credit Mark Hurley. Hurley composed a different song by the same name.
Date: December 11, 1950
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #1814
Nat Cole (v, p), The Ray Charles Singers (bkv), Artie Drelinger, Toots Mondello, Hank Ross, Stanley Webb, Murray Williams (ww, sax), Chris Griffin, Jimmy Maxwell, Dick Poole, Shorty Rogers (t), Will Bradley, Buddy Morrow, Kai Winding (tb), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Shelly Manne (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), others unknown (str), Neal Hefti, Joe Lipman (con), Walter Rivers (pro)
a. | 6239-6 | Jet(Harry Revel, Bennie Benjamin, George David Weiss) / arr: Joe Lipman
- 2:47 Capitol 78/45(F)1365 — Jet / The Magic Tree (1951)
Capitol CS/CD Box7-99777-2 — Nat King Cole (1992)
Capitol CD Box5-92055-2 — The Classic Singles (2003)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
b. | 6240-4 | Paint Yourself A Rainbow(Peter DeRose, Carl Sigman) / arr: Neal Hefti
- 2:23 Capitol 78CL 13744 (UK) — Paint Yourself A Rainbow / Get To Gettin' (1952)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 874 — Unforgettable (2007)
|
c. | 6241-3 | Destination Moon(Marvin Fisher, Roy Alfred) / arr: Neal Hefti
- 2:40 Capitol 78/45(F)1401 — Always You / Destination Moon (1951)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Capitol CD5-30302-2 — The King Swings (2001)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
The Ray Charles Singers (bkv) on a; Artie Drelinger (ww) on a, (sax) on b-c; Toots Mondello (ww) on a, (sax) on b-c; Hank Ross (ww) on a, (sax) on b-c; Stanley Webb (ww) on a, (sax) on b-c; Murray Williams (ww) on a, (sax) on b-c; Nat Cole (p) on c; others unknown (str) on a; Neal Hefti (con) on b-c; Joe Lipman (con) on a.
Personnel
Known personnel stems from a Down Beat article of 1951.
Composers
According to a Billboard article from early 1951, initial pressings of "Jet" gave songwriter credit to Weiss, Benjamin, and Warne. Later runs corrected this, replacing Warne with Harry Revel.
Label Credit
On the UK 78 issue of "Paint Yourself A Rainbow", Pete Rugolo received conductor credit.
Date: February 1, 1951 [14:30-17:30]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2044
Nat Cole (v, p), Bill Hamilton, Ronald Pirozzi (as), Jimmy Giuffre, Julie Kinsler (ts), Chuck Gentry (bar), Buddy Childers, Ray Linn, Ralph Muzzillo, Jimmy Salko (t), Ray Conniff, Jerry Rosa, Harold Smith (tb), Tony Rizzi (g), Joe Comfort (b), Louie Bellson (d), Jack Costanzo (cga), Pete Rugolo (con), Louis Wood (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 7050-9 | That's My Girl(Ray Ellington, Barbara Tobias) / arr: Pete Rugolo - 2:19 |
Capitol 78/45(F)1449 — Too Young / That's My Girl (1951)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Capitol Jazz CD7-80595-2 — Lush Life (1993)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
Personnel
Cole split this session with Mel Tormé, who recorded just one song as well. Pianist Al Pellegrini is listed on the AFM contract, however it is most likely that he played only on the Tormé song, with Cole himself taking the piano part, and solo, on "That's My Girl".
Date: February 6, 1951 [14:30-17:30]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2049
Nat Cole (v), Buddy Cole (p, cel), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Lee Young (d), Harry Bluestone, Benny Gill, Seymour Kramer, Dan Lube, William Miller, Mischa Russell, Jack Shulman, Bob Sushel, Jerry Vinci (vn), Joseph DiFiore, Lou Kievman (vl), Armand Kaproff, Eleanor Slatkin (clo), Milt Kestenbaum (arco), Kathryn Julye (hrp), Les Baxter (con), Benjamin Barrett (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 7107-10 | Early American(Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:00 Capitol 78/45(F)1565 — My Brother / Early American (1951)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 878 — Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer (2007)
|
b. | 7108-8 | Too Young(Sylvia Dee, Sid Lippman) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:09 Capitol 78/45(F)1449 — Too Young / That's My Girl (1951)
Capitol 78/45(F)1674 — Too Young / (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons (1951)
|
c. | 7109-7 | Because Of Rain(Nat Cole, William O. Harrington, Ruth Poll) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:06 Capitol 78/45(F)1501 — Song Of Delilah / Because Of Rain (1951)
Capitol CD Box5-92055-2 — The Classic Singles (2003)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
d. | 7110lost | The Lighthouse In The Sky(Morty Nevins, Hal David)
unissued
|
Buddy Cole (cel) on c.
Personnel
The AFM contract indicates that in addition to a three-hour session from 14:30-17:30, three men, including Baxter (conductor), Ben Barrett (orchestra manager), and pianist Buddy Cole were all paid for an extra hour of work. That might indicate some piano and/or celeste overdubbing, although it is speculative.
Songs
"The Lighthouse In The Sky" was rejected and presumably destroyed. It was remade exactly one month later in New York. Refer to March 6, 1951 for details.
Date: February 12, 1951 [14:30-18:30]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2056
Nat Cole (v), The King Sisters (bkv), Skeets Herfurt, Jules Kinsler (f, as), Jimmy Giuffre (af, ts), Chuck Gentry (bf, bar), Babe Russin (ts), Buddy Childers (t), Buddy Cole (p, cel), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Louie Bellson (d), Jack Costanzo (per), Pete Rugolo (con), David Klein (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 7110-8 | I Wish I Were Somebody Else(Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:42 Capitol EP AlbumEBF 2-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LP 10"H 2-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LPW 514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 870 — 10th Anniversary Album (2007)
|
b. | 7119-10 | You Can't Make Me Love You(Don George, Bee Walker) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:25 Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
c. | 7134-5 | Red Sails In The Sunset(Wilhelm Grosz [as Hugh Williams], Jimmy Kennedy) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 3:13 Capitol 78/45(F)1468 — Little Child / Red Sails In The Sunset (1951)
Capitol EP AlbumEBF 357 — Unforgettable (1952)
|
d. | 7135-7 | I'll Always Remember You(Jack Hoffman, Jimmy MacDonald) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 3:08 Capitol 78/45(F)1747 — Make Believe Land / I'll Always Remember You (1951)
Music For Pleasure LPMFP 1049 (UK) — Nat King Cole Sings For You (1965)
|
e. | 7136-9 | Poor Jenny Is A-Weepin'(Lew Jacobson, Howard Lucraft) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:43 Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
All titles on: |
Capitol Jazz CD7-80595-2 — Lush Life (1993)
|
The King Sisters (bkv) on a-d; Buddy Cole (p) on a-b, e, (cel) on c-d; Jack Costanzo (per) on e.
Date: March 9, 1951
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #1825
Nat Cole (v, p), The Ray Charles Singers (bkv), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), unknown (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), others unknown (acc), Joe Lipman (con), Dave Cavanaugh (pro)
a. | 6273 | The Day Isn't Long Enough(Gene Howard, Bill Carey) / arr: Joe Lipman
- 2:49 Music For Pleasure CDCDDL 1305 — This Is Nat King Cole (1995)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
b. | 6274 | Little Child(Peter DeRose, Carl Sigman) / arr: Joe Lipman
- 2:59 Capitol 78/45(F)1468 — Little Child / Red Sails In The Sunset (1951)
Capitol LP Box(D)NFR 7620 — Forever Yours (1968)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
c. | 6275-3 | A Robin And A Rainbow And A Red, Red Rose(Jules Lowe, Jerome Sachs) / arr: Joe Lipman
- 2:31 Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
d. | 6276-3 | The Lighthouse In The Sky(Morty Nevins, Hal David) / arr: Joe Lipman
- 2:37 Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 868 — Every Time I Feel The Spirit (2007)
|
e. | 6277-4 | Pigtails And Freckles(Harold Barlow, Jack Wolf)
- 2:30 Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
|
The Ray Charles Singers (bkv) on d; Nat Cole (p) on c-e; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on c, (cga) on c-d; Joe Lipman (con) on a-c.
Personnel
Though Walter Rivers was still the East Coast head of Capitol at this time, near the end of 1950 Capitol announced that Rivers would transition into artist relations and promotion. Meanwhile, Dave Cavanaugh, who played a major role for the remainder of Cole's career, would backfill Rivers on A&R responsibilities in New York. Therefore, it is assumed that Cavanaugh produced this session.
Date: August 17, 1951 [13:00-16:00]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2288
Nat Cole (v), Buddy Cole (p, cel), Bob Bain (g), Joe Comfort (b), Nick Fatool (d), Jack Costanzo (per), Alex Beller, Harry Bluestone, Walter Edelstein, Henry Hill, Dan Lube, Erno Neufeld, Mischa Russell, Marshall Sosson (vn), Paul Robyn, Dave Sterkin (vl), Cy Bernard, Eleanor Slatkin (clo), Ann Mason Stockton (hrp), Nelson Riddle (con), David Klein (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 7937-9 | Unforgettable(Irving Gordon) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:08 Capitol 78/45(F)1808 — Unforgettable / My First And Last Love (1951)
Capitol LP 10"H 9102 — Today's Top Hits, Vol. 2 (1951)
|
b. | 7938-8 | My First And My Last Love(Marvin Fisher, Remus Harris) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:15 Capitol 78/45(F)1808 — Unforgettable / My First And Last Love (1951)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 874 — Unforgettable (2007)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
c. | 7940 | Lovelight(Redd Evans, Robert J. Harris) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:15 Capitol EP AlbumEBF 2-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LP 10"H 2-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LPW 514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 870 — 10th Anniversary Album (2007)
|
Personnel
Costanzo is listed on the AFM contract, though it does not sound as if he plays on any of these recordings.
Take Numbers
Ruppli incorrectly cites take 9 as master for "My First And My Last Love".
Date: September 4, 1951 [17:30-21:00]
Location: Studio C, Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2297
Nat Cole (v), Skeets Herfurt, Willie Schwartz (as), Fred Falensby, Ted Nash (ts), Chuck Gentry (bar), John Best, Conrad Gozzo, Mannie Klein, Ray Linn (t), Ed Kusby, Murray McEachern, Tommy Pederson, Jimmy Priddy (tb), Jimmie Rowles (p), Barney Kessel (g), Phil Stephens (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Billy May (con), David Klein (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 7973-6 | Walkin' My Baby Back Home(Roy Turk, Fred E. Ahlert) / arr: Billy May
- 2:37 Capitol 78/45(F)2130 — Walkin' My Baby Back Home / Funny (Not Much) (1952)
Capitol LP 10"H 9108 — Today's Top Hits, Vol. 6 (1952)
|
b. | 7974-9 | What Does It Take(Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke) / arr: Billy May
- 2:40 Capitol 78/45(F)2069 — What Does It Take / Somewhere Along The Way (1952)
|
c. | 7975-5 | Walkin'(Mary Lou Williams, Lindsay Steele) / arr: Billy May
- 2:45 Capitol 78/45(F)1863 — Walkin' / I'm Hurtin' (1951)
Capitol CD5-27316-2 — Rockin' Boppin' & Blues (2000)
Capitol CD Box5-92055-2 — The Classic Singles (2003)
Capitol/Universal CD3778807 — The Extraordinary Nat King Cole [Deluxe Edition] (2014)
|
d. | 7976-8 | I'm Hurtin'(Skeets McDonald) / arr: Billy May
- 2:40 Capitol 78/45(F)1863 — Walkin' / I'm Hurtin' (1951)
Capitol EPEAP 1-500 — Songs By Nat "King" Cole (1954)
|
All titles on: |
Capitol Jazz CD7-89545-2 — The Billy May Sessions (1993)
|
Date: September 14, 1951 #1
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2305
Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv, acc), Les Baxter (con), David Klein (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 9004 | I Still See Elisa(Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe) / arr: Gus Levene
- 3:02 Capitol 78/45(F)1815 — O.K. For T.V. / I Still See Elisa (1951)
Capitol LP(D)W 91452 — The Broadway Moods of Nat King Cole (1969)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 877 — Nat King Cole Sings My Fair Lady (2007)
|
b. | 9005-7 | Miss Me(Bob Marcus, Gail Ash) / arr: Gus Levene
- 2:59 Capitol 78/45(F)1893 — Here's To My Lady / Miss Me (1951)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
c. | 9006 | A Weaver Of Dreams(Victor Young, Jack Elliott)
- 2:43 Capitol 78/45(F)1925 — A Weaver Of Dreams / Wine, Women, And Song (1952)
Capitol LP 10"H 9104 — Today's Top Hits, Vol. 3 (1952)
|
Personnel
The AFM paperwork for this and the following session no longer exist. According to union records, however, this date lasted for 3.5 hours and featured 23 musicians (including Les Baxter and orchestra manager David Klein).
It is not known for certain who arranged "A Weaver Of Dreams". Keith Pawlak, former curator of the Les Baxter Collection at the University of Arizona, after examining a page of the score, believes it is the work of Hal Daniels working in collaboration with Les Baxter.
Date: September 14, 1951 #2
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2306
Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv, acc), Les Baxter, Harry Geller (con), David Klein (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 9007 | Wine, Women And Song(Al Dexter, Aubrey Gass) / arr: Harry Geller
- 2:21 Capitol 78/45(F)1925 — A Weaver Of Dreams / Wine, Women, And Song (1952)
|
b. | 9008-7 | Here's To My Lady(Johnny Mercer, Rube Bloom) / arr: Tony Iavello
- 3:00 Capitol 78/45(F)1893 — Here's To My Lady / Miss Me (1951)
Music For Pleasure LPMFP 1049 (UK) — Nat King Cole Sings For You (1965)
Capitol LP Box(D)NFR 7620 — Forever Yours (1968)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 877 — Nat King Cole Sings My Fair Lady (2007)
|
c. | 9009 | O.K. For T.V.(Johnny Mercer) / arr: Gus Levene
- 2:24 Capitol 78/45(F)1815 — O.K. For T.V. / I Still See Elisa (1951)
Capitol LP(D)W 91452 — The Broadway Moods of Nat King Cole (1969)
Capitol CD5-30303-2 — Songs From Stage & Screen (2001)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 877 — Nat King Cole Sings My Fair Lady (2007)
|
d. | 9010-2 | The Ruby And The Pearl(Ray Evans, Jay Livingston)
- 3:11 Capitol 78/45(F)2230 — The Ruby And The Pearl / Faith Can Move Mountains (1952)
Capitol LP 10"H 9110 — Nat King Cole's 8 Top Pops (1952)
|
e. | 9011 | The Story Of My Wife(Pete Rugolo, Leah Worth)
- 2:38 Capitol EP AlbumEBF 1-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LP 10"H 1-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LPW 514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 870 — 10th Anniversary Album (2007)
|
unknown (bkv) on a, c; Les Baxter (con) on b-e; Harry Geller (con) on a.
Personnel
The AFM paperwork for this and the previous session no longer exist. According to union records, however, this date lasted for 3.5 hours and featured 20 musicians (including Les Baxter and orchestra manager David Klein).
"The Ruby And The Pearl" was possibly arranged by Baxter.
Date: January 2, 1952
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Session# 20992 (Sister Kenny Foundation)
Nat Cole (v, p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), Joe Lansky (eng)
a. | 92052 | Too Marvelous For Words(Richard Whiting, Johnny Mercer)
- 1:56 Capitol CD8-29393-2 — Spotlight On Nat King Cole [Great Gentlemen Of Song] (1995)
Capitol CD5-25008-2 — Songs From The Heart (2000)
|
b. | 92053 | Unforgettable(Irving Gordon) - 3:05 |
c. | 92054 | Walkin' My Baby Back Home(Roy Turk, Fred E. Ahlert) - 2:13 |
d. | 92055 | Too Young(Sylvia Dee, Sid Lippman) - 2:35 |
e. | 92056 | That's My Girl(Ray Ellington, Barbara Tobias) - 1:47 |
f. | 92057 | It's Only A Paper Moon(Harold Arlen, Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg) - 2:11 |
All titles on: |
Sister Elizabeth Kenny Foundation Transcription DiscKB 26 — Guest Star Time: 1952 Fund Appeal (1952)
Capitol Jazz CD4-94504-2 — Penthouse Serenade (1998)
Pure Pleasure LPPPAN W332 — Penthouse Serenade (2008)
|
Jack Costanzo (bgo) on a, c, e-f, (cga) on a, c, e-f.
Dates
The date given in the Capitol files for this session is January 2, 1952. However, this is unlikely since Cole was playing in Los Angeles at the time, and most likely refers instead to the date that Capitol purchased these masters from MGM.
Master Numbers
Master numbers and session number were both assigned in 1975.
Date: January 10, 1952
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2482
Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (con, mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 9557 | You Will Never Grow Old(Ruth Rand) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 2:46 Capitol 78/45(F)1968 — You Will Never Grow Old / You Weren't There (1952)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 871 — Top Pops (2007)
|
b. | 9565 | Easter Sunday Morning(Ervin Drake, Nat Cole, Jimmy Shirl) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 2:53 Capitol 78/45(F)1994 — Summer Is A-Comin' In / Easter Sunday Morning (1952)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 868 — Every Time I Feel The Spirit (2007)
|
c. | 9570 | You Weren't There(Alec Wilder, Ruth Poll) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:01 Capitol 78/45(F)1968 — You Will Never Grow Old / You Weren't There (1952)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 874 — Unforgettable (2007)
Capitol/Universal CD3778807 — The Extraordinary Nat King Cole [Deluxe Edition] (2014)
|
d. | 9571-9 | Somewhere Along The Way(Jimmy Van Heusen [as Kurt Adams], Sammy Gallop) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 2:49 Capitol 78/45(F)2069 — What Does It Take / Somewhere Along The Way (1952)
Capitol LP 10"H 9108 — Today's Top Hits, Vol. 6 (1952)
|
unknown (bkv) on a.
Personnel
AFM paperwork for this session no longer exists. The session lasted 4.5 hours and included 23 musicians, including Riddle who served as both conductor and orchestra manager.
Piano/celeste probably Buddy Cole.
Date: January 11, 1952 [14:00-18:00]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2485
Nat Cole (v, p), Gus Bivona, Alex Gershunoff (as), Bob Cooper, Don Lodice (ts), Chuck Gentry (bar), Conrad Gozzo, Uan Rasey, Shorty Rogers, Joe Triscari (t), Walter Benson, Jimmy Priddy, Si Zentner (tb), Buddy Cole (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Shelly Manne (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), Pete Rugolo (con), David Klein (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 9224-7 | It's Crazy (But I'm In Love)(Al Fields, Timmie Rogers) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:20 Capitol 78/45(F)2887 — Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup / It's Crazy (1954)
Capitol 78/45(F)2897 — Smile / It's Crazy (But I'm In Love) (1954)
Capitol LPW 9122 — Today's Top Hits, Vol. 12 (1954)
|
b. | 9249-6 | You Stepped Out Of A Dream(Gus Kahn, Nacio Herb Brown) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:34 Capitol LPT 420 — Nat 'King' Cole Sings For Two In Love (1955)
Capitol LPT 420 — Nat King Cole Sings For Two In Love (1962)
|
c. | 9572-7 | Where Were You(Leonard Feather) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:15 Capitol EP AlbumEBF 2-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LP 10"H 2-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LPW 514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 870 — 10th Anniversary Album (2007)
|
d. | 9579-5 | Summer Is A-Comin' In(Alec Wilder, Marshall Barer) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 3:05 Capitol 78/45(F)1994 — Summer Is A-Comin' In / Easter Sunday Morning (1952)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 878 — Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer (2007)
|
e. | 9580-3 | Funny (Not Much)(Marcia Neil, Philip F. Broughton, Bob Merrill, Hughie Prince) / arr: Pete Rugolo
- 2:56 Capitol 78/45(F)2130 — Walkin' My Baby Back Home / Funny (Not Much) (1952)
Capitol LP 10"H 9110 — Nat King Cole's 8 Top Pops (1952)
|
All titles on: |
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Capitol Jazz CD7-80595-2 — Lush Life (1993)
|
Buddy Cole (p) on b-e; Nat Cole (p) on a.
Personnel
The piano solo on "It's Crazy" is likely the only piano that Nat plays on this session.
Date: March 31, 1952
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #2245
Nat Cole (v, p), Carl Prager, Hymie Schertzer (as), Phil Bodner, Al Klink (ts), Art Drellinger (bar), Mickey McMickle, Bernie Privin, Rickey Trent (t), Larry Alpeter, Jack Lacey (tb), Lou Stein (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Bunny Shawker (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo), Dave Cavanaugh (con)
a. | 9470 | Rough Ridin'(Henry Jones, Bill Tennyson, Jr., Ella Fitzgerald)
- 2:51 Capitol EP AlbumEBF 1-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LP 10"H 1-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LPW 514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol CD5-30302-2 — The King Swings (2001)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 870 — 10th Anniversary Album (2007)
|
b. | 9471 | Can't I?(Leroy Lovett) / arr: Sid Feller, Hank Sylvern
- 2:43 Axis (NZ) LP164 (NZ) — Favourites (1985)
|
c. | 9472lost | Penthouse Serenade(Will Jason, Val Burton)
unissued
|
Nat Cole (v) on a-b, (p) on c; Lou Stein (p) on a-b; Dave Cavanaugh (con) on a-b.
Personnel
The personnel for this session was sourced from a Down Beat listing, which also mentions the use of a vocal group. However, no chorus is heard on the resulting masters, therefore a chorus has not been included in the personnel listing for this session.
The Capitol Records manuscript collection at BYU contains two original scores of "Rough Ridin'", both apparently written for Cole. An online finding aid, created by a former music student at BYU, credits at leasts one of these to Billy May.
Songs
"Penthouse Serenade" was rejected and destroyed. It was remade in Los Angeles; refer to July 18, 1952 for details.
Date: April 3, 1952
Location: WMGM Studios, 711 5th Avenue, New York
Label: Capitol
Session #2246
Nat Cole (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Bunny Shawker (d)
a. | 9473lost | Rose Room(Art Hickman, Harry Williams) |
b. | 9474lost | Polka Dots And Moonbeams(Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke) |
c. | 9475lost | Somebody Loves Me(George Gershwin, Buddy DeSylva, Ballard MacDonald) |
d. | 9476lost | Once In A Blue Moon(Burt Bacharach) |
e. | 9477lost | If I Should Lose You(Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger) |
f. | 9478lost | Down By The Old Mill Stream(Tell Taylor) |
g. | 9479lost | Laura(David Raksin, Johnny Mercer) |
All titles unissued. |
Personnel
Michel Ruppli lists Charlie Blackwell as a possibility for the bongo player on this session. The remakes in July featured Jack Costanzo.
Songs
All titles were rejected and destroyed. Each was remade in Los Angeles; refer to July 18, 1952 for details.
Date: July 18, 1952 #1 [13:00-16:00]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2245-A
Nat Cole (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 9472-23 | Penthouse Serenade(Will Jason, Val Burton)
- 3:08 Capitol CD3-59324-2 — The Very Best of Nat King Cole (2006)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
b. | 9473-22 | Rose Room(Art Hickman, Harry Williams)
- 2:48 Capitol LP 10"LC 6593 (UK) — Capitol Presents Nat "King" Cole At The Piano (1953)
|
c. | 9478-23 | Down By The Old Mill Stream(Tell Taylor) - 2:21 |
d. | 9479-35 | Laura(David Raksin, Johnny Mercer)
- 2:45 Capitol LP 10"LC 6593 (UK) — Capitol Presents Nat "King" Cole At The Piano (1953)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
All titles on: |
Capitol LP 10"H 332 — Penthouse Serenade (1952)
Capitol LPT 332 — Penthouse Serenade (1956)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Capitol Jazz CD4-94504-2 — Penthouse Serenade (1998)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 826 — Penthouse Serenade / The Piano Style Of Nat King Cole (2007)
Pure Pleasure LPPPAN W332 — Penthouse Serenade (2008)
|
Jack Costanzo (bgo) on b-c, (cga) on b-c.
Personnel
Drummer Bunny Shawker has been traditionally been credited as this album's drummer. However, Shawker was only the drummer for the rejected New York sides. For the July remakes, and the 1955 session that expanded the album to 12-inch, it is in fact Lee Young who plays drums.
Master/Take Numbers
July 18, 1952 featured Nat and the combo remaking eight sides that had been recorded a few months earlier in New York (refer to March 31 & April 3, 1952) that were rejected and ultimately destroyed by Capitol. New master numbers were not assigned to these July remakes. It is, therefore, also reasonable to assume that the take numbers that appear for this and the next session are a continuation of the number of takes that were laid down earlier in New York. For example, it is highly unlikely that 35 takes of "Laura" were attempted on July 18; it's more plausible that 35 takes represents the total number of attempted takes between the two sessions. The unusually high number of takes for all sides recorded on these sessions would seem to confirm this.
Date: July 18, 1952 #2 [16:30-19:30]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2246-A
Nat Cole (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 9474-21 | Polka Dots And Moonbeams(Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke) - 3:05 |
b. | 9475-23 | Somebody Loves Me(George Gershwin, Buddy DeSylva, Ballard MacDonald)
- 3:05 Capitol LP 10"LC 6593 (UK) — Capitol Presents Nat "King" Cole At The Piano (1953)
|
c. | 9476-25 | Once In A Blue Moon(Burt Bacharach)
- 2:57 Capitol LP 10"LC 6593 (UK) — Capitol Presents Nat "King" Cole At The Piano (1953)
|
d. | 9477-21 | If I Should Lose You(Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger) - 3:13 |
All titles on: |
Capitol LP 10"H 332 — Penthouse Serenade (1952)
Capitol LPT 332 — Penthouse Serenade (1956)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Capitol Jazz CD4-94504-2 — Penthouse Serenade (1998)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 826 — Penthouse Serenade / The Piano Style Of Nat King Cole (2007)
Pure Pleasure LPPPAN W332 — Penthouse Serenade (2008)
|
Jack Costanzo (bgo) on b-c, (cga) on b-c.
See note from previous session.
Date: July 24, 1952 [13:30-18:00]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2714
Nat Cole (v), Earl Bergman, Jim Schneider (as), Billy Usselton, Buddy Wise (ts), Leo Anthony (bar), Bruce Bruckert, Dean Hinkle, Jack Laubach (t), Keith Butterfield, Dick Reynolds, Walter Shields, Ken Trimble (tb), Fred 'Buddy' Savarise (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Archie Freeman (d), The Ray Anthony Orchestra (acc), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 10436-3 | Don't Let Your Eyes Go Shopping (For Your Heart)(Gene Austin, Sheldon Smith) / arr: Nelson Riddle - 2:27 |
Capitol 78/45(F)2346 — Pretend / Don't Let Your Eyes Go Shopping (1953)
Mosaic LP/CD Box138 — The Complete Capitol Recordings Of The Nat King Cole Trio (1991)
Capitol CD Box5-92055-2 — The Classic Singles (2003)
|
Personnel
The personnel listed here is taken directly from the AFM contract of July 24, 1952, a split session between Ray Anthony and Nat Cole. Previous personnel listings of this session, notably the discography in the Mosaic box and Ruppli's Capitol Discography, have not been entirely accurate, omitting Knobby Lee while erroneously adding Chris Griffin and Martin White (trumpets), respectively.
Though he likely played on other tunes on this date, it is not believed that Ray Anthony played trumpet on Cole's master.
Despite the prominent piano in the first chorus and the billing (on the original single) of 'King Cole and the Trio', it is believed that Buddy Savarise, Ray Anthony's pianist, played on this song and not Cole.
Nelson Riddle has been credited with conducting his own arrangement. While he may in fact have conducted, his name appears nowhere on the AFM contract, something that more than likely would have occurred had he conducted.
In addition to the listed personnel, reed player Julie Kinsler and percussionist Ralph Hansell are both listed on the AFM contract. They likely played on the other Ray Anthony titles from this session, although neither man appears in any Ray Anthony discographies for this session.
Date: July 28, 1952 [14:00-18:00]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2716
Nat Cole (v), Bob Lawson (bar), Pete Candoli, Mickey Mangano (t), Joe Howard, Ed Kusby, Bill Schaefer, Paul Tanner (tb), Buddy Cole (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo, cga), Victor Bay, Alex Beller, Harry Bluestone, Walter Edelstein, Jacques Gasselin, Henry Hill, Erno Neufeld, Mischa Russell (vn), Stan Harris, Paul Robyn (vl), Armand Kaproff, Eleanor Slatkin (clo), Ann Mason Stockton (hrp), Nelson Riddle (con), David Klein (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 10442-14 | Strange(John Latouche, Marvin Fisher) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 2:26 Capitol CD Box5-92055-2 — The Classic Singles (2003)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
b. | 10443 | How (How Do I Go About It?)(Irving Gordon) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 2:43 Collectors' Choice CDCCM 871 — Top Pops (2007)
Capitol/Universal CD3778807 — The Extraordinary Nat King Cole [Deluxe Edition] (2014)
|
Both titles on: |
Capitol 78/45(F)2309 — Strange / How (How Do I Go About It?) (1952)
|
Jack Costanzo (bgo) on a, (cga) on a.
Overdubs
Ruppli's discography claims that the orchestral parts for these two songs were recorded on July 24, while Cole overdubbed his vocals on July 28. This is most likely in error.
Date: July 31, 1952 [14:00-19:00]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2718
Nat Cole (v), Bob Lawson (ww, bar), Pete Candoli, Mannie Klein, Carlton McBeath, Ollie Mitchell (t), Joe Howard, Ed Kusby, Paul Tanner, Si Zentner (tb), Buddy Cole (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo), Victor Bay, Alex Beller, Harry Bluestone, Walter Edelstein, Jacques Gasselin, Henry Hill, Erno Neufeld, Mischa Russell (vn), Stan Harris, Dave Sterkin (vl), Victor Gottlieb, Armand Kaproff (clo), Ann Mason Stockton (hrp), Nelson Riddle (con), David Klein (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 10448-8 | Sweet William(Sid Wayne, Joe Sherman) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:20 Capitol LPPRO 4303-4304 — Nat King Cole Cancer Foundation (1967)
Capitol/Universal CD3778807 — The Extraordinary Nat King Cole [Deluxe Edition] (2014)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
b. | 10449-8 | Because You're Mine(Sammy Cahn, Nicholas Brodszky) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:08 Capitol 78/45(F)2212 — Because You're Mine / I'm Never Satisfied (1952)
Capitol LP 10"H 9110 — Nat King Cole's 8 Top Pops (1952)
|
c. | 10450-3 | Sleeping Beauty(Sylvia Dee, Sid Lippman) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:00 Capitol LPPRO 4303-4304 — Nat King Cole Cancer Foundation (1967)
Capitol/Universal CD3778807 — The Extraordinary Nat King Cole [Deluxe Edition] (2014)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
d. | 10451 | I'm Never Satisfied(Herb Perry) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 2:11 Capitol 78/45(F)2212 — Because You're Mine / I'm Never Satisfied (1952)
Capitol LP 10"H 9110 — Nat King Cole's 8 Top Pops (1952)
|
Bob Lawson (ww) on a-b, (bar) on d; Mannie Klein (t) on d; Ollie Mitchell (t) on d; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on d; Victor Bay (vn) on a-c; Alex Beller (vn) on a-c; Harry Bluestone (vn) on a-c; Walter Edelstein (vn) on a-c; Jacques Gasselin (vn) on a-c; Henry Hill (vn) on a-c; Erno Neufeld (vn) on a-c; Mischa Russell (vn) on a-c; Stan Harris (vl) on a-c; Dave Sterkin (vl) on a-c; Victor Gottlieb (clo) on a-c; Armand Kaproff (clo) on a-c; Ann Mason Stockton (hrp) on a-c.
Personnel
This was a split session with June Christy, who recorded "Some Folks Do And Some Folks Don't" following the four Cole/Riddle titles. Tenor saxist Maxwell Davis was featured on the Christy title and may also appear on Cole's "I'm Never Satisfied".
Date: August 12, 1952 [20:00-00:30]
Location: Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2726
Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), Harry Klee, Ted Nash, Champ Webb (ww), Pete Candoli, Mickey Mangano (t), Vince DeRosa (frh), Joe Howard, Jimmy Priddy (tb), Buddy Cole (p, cel), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), Jack Costanzo (bgo), Victor Bay, Alex Beller, Harry Bluestone, Walter Edelstein, Henry Hill, Nat Ross, Mischa Russell, Felix Slatkin (vn), Stan Harris, Dave Sterkin (vl), Armand Kaproff, Eleanor Slatkin (clo), Ann Mason Stockton (hrp), Nelson Riddle (con), David Klein (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 10488 | My Flaming Heart(Leo Robin, Nicholas Brodszky) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 2:45 Capitol 78/45(F)2459 — I Am In Love / My Flaming Heart (1953)
Capitol CD7-99373-2 — Nat King Cole At The Movies (1993)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 869 — This Is Nat "King" Cole (2007)
|
b. | 10489-8 | Faith Can Move Mountains(Ben Raleigh, Guy Wood) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:08 Capitol 78/45(F)2230 — The Ruby And The Pearl / Faith Can Move Mountains (1952)
Capitol LP 10"H 9110 — Nat King Cole's 8 Top Pops (1952)
|
c. | 10490 | Too Soon(Sunny Skylar, Bob Harris) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 2:40 Capitol EP AlbumEBF 1-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LP 10"H 1-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LPW 514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 870 — 10th Anniversary Album (2007)
|
d. | 10491 | Small Towns Are Smile Towns(Leo Robin, Nicholas Brodszky) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 2:44 Capitol CD7-99373-2 — Nat King Cole At The Movies (1993)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 869 — This Is Nat "King" Cole (2007)
|
unknown (bkv) on b; Pete Candoli (t) on a-b; Mickey Mangano (t) on a-b; Buddy Cole (cel) on d; Jack Costanzo (bgo) on a.
Personnel
While "My Flaming Heart" is credited to 'Nat King Cole and His Trio', aural evidence suggests that Buddy Cole is at the piano instead of Nat.
Date: December 30, 1952
Location: Studio C, Capitol Studios, 5515 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood
Label: Capitol
Session #2862
Nat Cole (v), Buddy Cole (p, cel), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (con, mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)
a. | 10945 | When I'm Alone(Erwin King, Harry Carlson) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 2:47 Capitol LPEMS 1279 (UK) — The Unreleased Nat King Cole (1987)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 871 — Top Pops (2007)
Capitol/Universal CD3778807 — The Extraordinary Nat King Cole [Deluxe Edition] (2014)
|
b. | 10949 | Mother Nature And Father Time(Fred Wise, Ben Weisman, Kay Twomey) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 3:08 Capitol EP AlbumEBF 2-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LP 10"H 2-514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Capitol LPW 514 — 10th Anniversary Album (1954)
Axis (NZ) LP164 (NZ) — Favourites (1985)
Capitol CD Box5-92055-2 — The Classic Singles (2003)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 870 — 10th Anniversary Album (2007)
|
c. | 10950-12 | Pretend(Cliff Parman, Lew Douglas, Dan Belloc, Frank Lavere) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 2:42 Capitol 78/45(F)2346 — Pretend / Don't Let Your Eyes Go Shopping (1953)
Capitol 78/45(F)1689 — Unforgettable / Pretend (1953)
|
d. | 10956 | A Fool Was I(Jimmy Van Heusen [as Kurt Adams], Roy Alfred) / arr: Nelson Riddle
- 2:49 Capitol 78/45(F)2540 — A Fool Was I / If Love Is Good To Me (1953)
Capitol LP 10"H 9115 — Today's Top Hits, Vol. 10 (1953)
Capitol EPEAP 1-500 — Songs By Nat "King" Cole (1954)
Capitol CD Box5-92055-2 — The Classic Singles (2003)
Collectors' Choice CDCCM 871 — Top Pops (2007)
Universal CD/DVD Box5-359776-7 (EU) — Nat King Cole: His Musical Autobiography (2015)
|
Personnel
The AFM contract for this session no longer exists. However, records indicate that the session was four hours long, five sides were recorded, and 26 musicians (including Riddle as conductor and orchestra manger), were paid.
Despite the note about five sides being recorded, Capitol files indicate only the four listed titles.