Capitol Records, Part V (1961-1964)

Nat Cole (v, p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Gillette (pro)

Nat Cole (v, p), John Collins (bkv, g), Charlie Harris (bkv, b), Lee Gillette (pro)

John Collins (bkv) on b-d; Charlie Harris (bkv) on b-d.

Personnel

Someone other than Lee Gillette calls out the slate on the alternate of "Straighten Up And Fly Right", likely one of Capitol's New York-based producers. Andy Wiswell and Manny Kellem were producing nearly all of Capitol's New York sessions in spring 1961. The voice does not sound like Wiswell, so Kellem is, in our opinion, the most likely possibility.

In a 2014 interview, engineer Irv Joel claimed to have done a session or two with Cole's trio, which means he may have been present at this session. However, it is unlikely that the voice is his. If it is the voice of an engineer, Johnny Cue, Frank Abbey, and Bob Arnold are also possibilities, as the three men were responsible for nearly all of Capitol's New York recordings by this point.

Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

unknown (bkv) on a-b, e.

Transcribed Arrangements

While this project did not commission any new arrangements and relied instead on the original scores, in some instances the originals could not be located and transcriptions were made, often by local New York writers. Where known, transcription arrangements will be reported in the notes of a session.

Hank Sylvern may have contributed such an arrangement for "Pretend".

Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), Hank Jones (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

unknown (bkv) on b.

Transcribed Arrangements

Claus Ogerman for "Too Young".

Nat Cole (v), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

Transcribed Arrangements

Claus Ogerman for a., Russ Case for b.

Nat Cole (v, p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Ralph Carmichael (con)

Nat Cole (p) on h.

Alternate Takes

The original master of "Unforgettable" is reported here as 16.2. Gillette was not entirely satisfied with Cole's recording, so he had him overdub a new vocal onto the instrumental tracks of take 16. The overdubbed vocal was slated by Gillette as 'take 2'.

Take 7 of "The Christmas Song" is the only performance with a missing piano solo. Notes indicate that take 16 and a 'take 16 intercut 1' were used to create the final stereo mix. It is not known when Cole overdubbed his piano solo, but it likely occurred over the next few days whilst in New York.

Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), King Curtis [aka Curtis Ousley] (ts), Ernie Hayes (p), Everett Barksdale, Kenny Burrell, John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), Lee Gillette (pro)

King Curtis [aka Curtis Ousley] (ts) on a.

Transcribed Arrangements

Horace Ott for "Send For Me".

Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

unknown (bkv) on t.

Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), Reunald Jones (t), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Richard Wess (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

unknown (bkv) on c.

Composers

"Let True Love Begin" was credited to Barkan, Baron, and George Eddy. Eddy was a pseudonym of George Paxton.

Overdub & Alternate Takes

Take 7 of "Let True Love Begin" does not feature a vocal chorus. The chorus was added to the performance at a later date, and the tracks were mixed to mono for release on a single. To further confuse matters, a posthumous overdub is based on the original take without chorus. Meanwhile, acetates of takes 16 & 23 are known to exist, but have not been heard.

Nat Cole (v), Gabe Baltazar (as), Sam Donahue, Wayne Dunstan, Paul Renzi (ts), Marvin Holladay (bar), Bob Behrendt, Bud Brisbois, Bob Rolfe, Dalton Smith, Marvin Stamm (t), Jim Amlotte, Bob Fitzpatrick, Bud Parker, Jack Spurlock (tb), Paul Smith (p), Al Hendrickson (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jerry McKenzie (d), Larry Bunker (per), Stan Kenton Orchestra (acc), Lee Gillette (pro), Jay Ranellucci, Carson Taylor (eng)

Take Numbers & Overdubs

Recorded directly on two-track master tape, this remake of "Orange Colored Sky" features overdubbed vocals from the Kenton band ('flash, bam, alakazam').

Cole and the orchestra recorded 12 takes, although take 10 was chosen to be the underdub. Three chorus takes were then captured and labeled as takes 13-15 on the original tape reel, despite all being modifications of the tenth take. The Nat King Cole Story and most subsequent issues contain take 15. When the song was reissued by Analogue Productions, however, engineer Steve Hoffman selected take 13 instead, citing tape wear on the latter overdub.

In keeping with traditional designations, the chorus overdubs are also reported here as 1B-3B.

Personnel

In 2006, saxophonist and arranger Lennie Niehaus recalled conducting this session for Cole. While Niehaus participated in the 1960 session with Cole & Kenton and also arranged some material for Cole's live act around the same time, his participation at this date remains unconfirmed.

It's also likely that one of the tenors reported here played alto instead.

Nat Cole (v), B.J. Baker, Vangie Carmichael, Peggy Clark Schwartz, Bill Cole, Jimmy Joyce, Tom Kenny, Jay Meyer, Loulie Jean Norman, Gene Puerling, Don Shelton, Sally Sweetland, one unidentified, Norma Zimmer (bkv), Jerome Kasper, Harry Klee, Edward Rosa (ww), Jim Decker, Vince DeRosa, Richard Perissi (frh), Kent Larsen, Lloyd Ulyate (tb), George Roberts (btb), Milt Raskin (p, cel), Al Hendrickson, Alvino Rey (g), Joe Comfort (b), Lee Young (d), Mike Pacheco (cga), Dale Anderson (per), Victor Arno, Emil Briano, Harold Dicterow, Dave Frisina, Jimmy Getzoff, Anatol Kaminsky, Joseph Livoti, Dan Lube, Ricky Marino, William Miller, Alex Murray, Lou Raderman, Joe Stepansky, Jerry Vinci (vn), Al Harshman, Virginia Majewski, Alex Neiman, Gary Nuttycombe (vl), Armand Kaproff, Ed Lustgarten, Kurt Reher, Eleanor Slatkin (clo), Kathryn Thompson (hrp), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro), John Kraus (eng)

B.J. Baker (bkv) on b; Vangie Carmichael (bkv) on b; Peggy Clark Schwartz (bkv) on b; Bill Cole (bkv) on a-b; Jimmy Joyce (bkv) on a-b; Tom Kenny (bkv) on a-b; Jay Meyer (bkv) on a-b; Loulie Jean Norman (bkv) on b; Gene Puerling (bkv) on a-b; Don Shelton (bkv) on a-b; Sally Sweetland (bkv) on b; one unidentified (bkv) on a-b; Norma Zimmer (bkv) on b; Jerome Kasper (ww) on a-d; Harry Klee (ww) on a-d; Edward Rosa (ww) on a-d; Jim Decker (frh) on a-d; Vince DeRosa (frh) on a-d; Richard Perissi (frh) on a-d; Kent Larsen (tb) on a-d; Lloyd Ulyate (tb) on a-d; George Roberts (btb) on a-d; Milt Raskin (p) on a-d, (cel) on a-d; Al Hendrickson (g) on a-d; Alvino Rey (g) on a-d; Joe Comfort (b) on a-d; Lee Young (d) on a-d; Mike Pacheco (cga) on e; Dale Anderson (per) on a-d; Victor Arno (vn) on a-d; Emil Briano (vn) on a-d; Harold Dicterow (vn) on a-d; Dave Frisina (vn) on a-d; Jimmy Getzoff (vn) on a-d; Anatol Kaminsky (vn) on a-d; Joseph Livoti (vn) on a-d; Dan Lube (vn) on a-d; Ricky Marino (vn) on a-d; William Miller (vn) on a-d; Alex Murray (vn) on a-d; Lou Raderman (vn) on a-d; Joe Stepansky (vn) on a-d; Jerry Vinci (vn) on a-d; Al Harshman (vl) on a-d; Virginia Majewski (vl) on a-d; Alex Neiman (vl) on a-d; Gary Nuttycombe (vl) on a-d; Armand Kaproff (clo) on a-d; Ed Lustgarten (clo) on a-d; Kurt Reher (clo) on a-d; Eleanor Slatkin (clo) on a-d; Kathryn Thompson (hrp) on a-d.

Personnel

"Calypso Blues" features Cole and Mike Pacheco (congas) only. In a 2006 interview, Pacheco revealed it was the only number he played on at the session.

Only the male chorus members perform on a.

Take Numbers

Take numbers of this session were taken from a low-resolution photo of the original three-track tape boxes, and as such are not clearly distinguishable in several instances.

For "Blue Gardenia", it appears take 1 was used, but there is also a very prominent note indicating an edit by engineer John Kraus, possibly pieced with take 3.

Nat Cole (v), Gene Cipriano, Fred Falensby (ww, ts), Chuck Gentry (ww, bar), Skeets Herfurt, Willie Schwartz (ww, as), Bud Brisbois, Don Fagerquist, Cappy Lewis, Shorty Sherock (t), John Cave, Vince DeRosa, William Hinshaw, Richard Perissi (frh), Kent Larsen, Tommy Shepard, Lloyd Ulyate (tb), George Roberts (btb), Milt Raskin (p), Alvino Rey (g), Joe Comfort (b), Lee Young (d), Dale Anderson (per), Victor Arno, Emil Briano, Harold Dicterow, Dave Frisina, Anatol Kaminsky, Joseph Livoti, Dan Lube, Ricky Marino, William Miller, Alex Murray, Lou Raderman, Marshall Sosson, Joe Stepansky, Jerry Vinci (vn), Alvin Dinkin, Al Harshman, Virginia Majewski, Gary Nuttycombe (vl), Armand Kaproff, Ed Lustgarten, Kurt Reher, Eleanor Slatkin (clo), Kathryn Thompson (hrp), Ralph Carmichael, Billy May, Pete Rugolo (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

Ralph Carmichael (con) on a, d; Billy May (con) on c; Pete Rugolo (con) on b.

Nat Cole (v, org), Gene Cipriano, Willie Schwartz (pic, f, ww, as), Ted Nash (pic, f, ww, ts), Chuck Gentry (ww, bar), Plas Johnson (ww, cl, ts), Frank Beach, John Best, Conrad Gozzo, Reunald Jones (t), Murray McEachern, Bill Schaefer, Tommy Shepard, Lloyd Ulyate (tb), Red Callender (tu), Jimmie Rowles (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), Emil Richards (per), Veryle Mills (hrp), Billy May (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

Gene Cipriano (pic) on d, (f) on b, (ww) on a-c; Ted Nash (pic) on d, (f) on b, (ww) on a-c; Willie Schwartz (pic) on d, (f) on b, (ww) on a-c; Chuck Gentry (ww) on a-c; Plas Johnson (ww) on a-c, (cl) on d; Nat Cole (org) on c-d.

Composers

On the label of Let's Face The Music, Mahlon Merrick is incorrectly credited as being the composer of "Ebony Rhapsody".

Nat Cole (v, org), Buddy Collette, Plas Johnson (ww, ts), Chuck Gentry (ww, bar), Harry Klee, Willie Schwartz (ww, as), Frank Beach, John Best, Conrad Gozzo, Reunald Jones (t), Milt Bernhart, Ed Kusby, Bill Schaefer, Lloyd Ulyate (tb), Red Callender (tu), Jimmie Rowles (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), Emil Richards (per), Israel Baker, Emil Briano, Irving Klase, Ricky Marino, Emanuel Moss, Isadore Roman, Ambrose Russo, Harry Zagon (vn), Veryle Mills (hrp), Billy May (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

Nat Cole (org) on a-b.

Personnel

Harry Zagon does not appear in the Ruppli and Bear Family discographies, but he's included in Jack Mirtle's Billy May discography. His omission from the other two discographies was likely an oversight.

Nat Cole (v, org), Buddy Collette, Plas Johnson (ww, ts), Chuck Gentry (ww, bar), Harry Klee, Ted Nash (ww, as), John Best, Conrad Gozzo, Reunald Jones, Mickey Mangano (t), Ed Kusby, Tommy Pederson, Bill Schaefer, Tommy Shepard (tb), Red Callender (tu), Jimmie Rowles (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), Emil Richards (per), Victor Arno, Dave Frisina, Jacques Gasselin, Joseph Livoti, Ricky Marino, Emanuel Moss, Isadore Roman, Marshall Sosson, Jerry Vinci (vn), Alvin Dinkin, Al Harshman, Virginia Majewski, Gary Nuttycombe (vl), Joseph DiTullio, Hyman Gold, David Pratt, William Vandenburg (clo), Kathryn Julye (hrp), Billy May (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr)

Buddy Collette (ww) on b-d; Chuck Gentry (ww) on b-d; Plas Johnson (ww) on b-d; Harry Klee (ww) on b-d; Ted Nash (ww) on b-d; Nat Cole (org) on d.

Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), Bud Brisbois, Reunald Jones, Cappy Lewis (t), Kent Larsen, Dick Leith, Tommy Pederson, Tommy Shepard (tb), Jimmie Rowles (p), John Collins, Allan Reuss (g), Joe Comfort (b), Lee Young (d), Julius Wechter (per), Victor Arno, Emil Briano, Dave Frisina, Jimmy Getzoff, Joseph Livoti, Dan Lube, Ricky Marino, Isadore Roman, Paul Shure, Jerry Vinci (vn), Gary Nuttycombe, Paul Robyn (vl), Justin DiTullio, David Pratt (clo), Ann Mason Stockton (hrp), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

Songs

The Bear Family box features a take of "Step Right Up" that is slightly different than the original single. On the box set, Cole sings 'stand right up' at one point rather than 'step right up' as heard on the master. The original single likely features an intercut here (probably using takes 2 & 14).

Nat Cole (v), Emil Richards (vib), George Shearing (p), Al Hendrickson (g), Al McKibbon (b), Shelly Manne (d), Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Emil Briano, Jacques Gasselin, Jimmy Getzoff, Dan Lube, Erno Neufeld, Isadore Roman, Paul Shure, Felix Slatkin, Joe Stepansky, Jerry Vinci (vn), Cecil Figelski, Al Harshman, Sven Reher, Paul Robyn (vl), Jesse Ehrlich, Hyman Gold, David Pratt, William Vandenburg (clo), Mike Rubin (arco), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette, Tom Morgan (pro)

Nat Cole (v), Emil Richards (vib), George Shearing (p), Al Hendrickson (g), Al McKibbon (b), Shelly Manne (d), Victor Arno, Emil Briano, Jacques Gasselin, Jimmy Getzoff, Joseph Livoti, Dan Lube, Erno Neufeld, Isadore Roman, Mischa Russell, Felix Slatkin, Joe Stepansky, Jerry Vinci (vn), Joseph DiFiore, Alvin Dinkin, Al Harshman, Paul Robyn (vl), Hyman Gold, Armand Kaproff, Eleanor Slatkin, William Vandenburg (clo), Mike Rubin (arco), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette, Tom Morgan (pro)

Nat Cole (v), Justin Gordon, Paul Horn, Willie Schwartz (f, ww), Emil Richards (vib), George Shearing (p), Al Hendrickson (g), Al McKibbon (b), Shelly Manne (d), Nick Martinez, Luis Miranda, Carlos Vidal (per), Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Emil Briano, Harold Dicterow, Dave Frisina, Jacques Gasselin, Emanuel Moss, Erno Neufeld, Isadore Roman, Felix Slatkin, Albert Steinberg, Jerry Vinci (vn), Joseph DiFiore, Alvin Dinkin, Al Harshman, Paul Robyn (vl), Hyman Gold, Kurt Reher, Eleanor Slatkin, William Vandenburg (clo), Mike Rubin (arco), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette, Tom Morgan (pro)

Justin Gordon (f) on a, (ww) on b; Paul Horn (f) on a, (ww) on b; Willie Schwartz (f) on a, (ww) on b; Nick Martinez (per) on a-b; Luis Miranda (per) on a-b; Carlos Vidal (per) on a-b.

Personnel

Trombonist Lloyd Ulyate appears on the AFM paperwork and was credited on the 2000 Capitol Jazz CD. However, careful listening reveals no evidence of any trombone at this session.

Nat Cole (v), Emil Richards (vib), George Shearing (p), Al Hendrickson (g), Al McKibbon (b), Shelly Manne (d), Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Harold Dicterow, Dave Frisina, Jacques Gasselin, Jimmy Getzoff, Erno Neufeld, Isadore Roman, Felix Slatkin, Albert Steinberg, Jerry Vinci (vn), Alvin Dinkin, Al Harshman, Virginia Majewski, Paul Robyn (vl), Hyman Gold, Armand Kaproff, Kurt Reher, Eleanor Slatkin (clo), Mike Rubin (arco), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette, Tom Morgan (pro)

Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), Gene Cipriano, Justin Gordon, Paul Horn, Harry Klee (ww), James McGee, Richard Perissi (frh), Joe Howard, Tommy Shepard, Lloyd Ulyate (tb), George Roberts (btb), Bobby Hammack (p), Bobby Gibbons (g), Pat Senatore (b), Irv Cottler (d), Dale Anderson (per), Israel Baker, Emil Briano, Jimmy Getzoff, Lou Klass, Ricky Marino, Alex Murray, Lou Raderman, Isadore Roman, Ralph Schaeffer, Paul Shure, Joe Stepansky (vn), Cecil Figelski, Al Harshman, Virginia Majewski, Paul Robyn (vl), Margaret Aue, Armand Kaproff, Emmet Sargeant, William Vandenburg (clo), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

This was a split session with Ralph Carmichael, who recorded two songs for his album I Can Dream, Can't I?

Nat Cole (v), Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán (acc), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

Composers

Evangeline Otto is the birth name of Vangie Carmichael, studio singer and then-wife of arranger Ralph Carmichael.

Nat Cole (v), Reunald Jones (t), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

Composers

Ray Gilbert wrote English lyrics ('Without You') for "Tres Palabras" and "Solamente Una Vez" ('You Belong to My Heart').

Nat Cole (v), Trio Los Delfines (v, acc), Marimba Chiapas (acc), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

Personnel

Trio Los Defines consisted of Jose Oloarte, Jesus Oloarte, and Erasmo Perez.

Nat Cole (v), Reunald Jones (t), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

Nat Cole (v), B.J. Baker, others unknown (bkv), Milt Raskin (p), René Hall, Al Hendrickson, Billy Strange (g), Jimmy Bond (b), Earl Palmer (d), Frank Carlson (per), Victor Arno, Robert Barene, Alfred Lustgarten, Emanuel Moss, Isadore Roman, Paul Shure, Joe Stepansky, Jerry Vinci (vn), Alvin Dinkin, Al Harshman (vl), Joseph Saxon, William Vandenburg (clo), Belford Hendricks (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

B.J. Baker (bkv) on a-b, d-e; others unknown (bkv) on a-b, d-e.

Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), Ray Johnson (p), René Hall, Allan Reuss, Billy Strange (g), Red Callender (b), Earl Palmer (d), Victor Arno, Elliot Fisher, Jimmy Getzoff, Alfred Lustgarten, Leonard Malarsky, Emanuel Moss, Isadore Roman, Sidney Sharp (vn), Al Harshman, Virginia Majewski (vl), Justin DiTullio, William Vandenburg (clo), Belford Hendricks (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), Ray Johnson (p), René Hall, Allan Reuss, Billy Strange (g), Red Callender (b), Earl Palmer (d), Victor Arno, Elliot Fisher, Jimmy Getzoff, Alfred Lustgarten, Leonard Malarsky, Emanuel Moss, Isadore Roman, Sidney Sharp (vn), Al Harshman, Virginia Majewski (vl), Justin DiTullio, William Vandenburg (clo), Belford Hendricks (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), Ray Sherman (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Leon Petties (d), Ralph Hansell (per), Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Harry Bluestone, Walter Edelstein, Dave Frisina, Jacques Gasselin, Murray Kellner, Joseph Livoti, Dan Lube, Alex Neiman, Erno Neufeld, Joseph Quadri, Lou Raderman, Mischa Russell, Paul Shure, Felix Slatkin, Marshall Sosson (vn), Alvin Dinkin, Lou Kievman, Ray Menhennick, Paul Robyn, Sanford Schonbach (vl), Armand Kaproff, Ray Kramer (clo), Jack Ryan (arco), Kathryn Thompson (hrp), Gordon Jenkins (con), Patricia Neff (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro), Pete Abbott (eng)

unknown (bkv) on a-b; Ralph Hansell (per) on b.

Nat Cole (v), Ray Sherman (p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Leon Petties (d), Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Harry Bluestone, Walter Edelstein, Dave Frisina, Jacques Gasselin, Murray Kellner, Joseph Livoti, Dan Lube, Alex Neiman, Erno Neufeld, Joseph Quadri, Lou Raderman, Mischa Russell, Paul Shure, Felix Slatkin, Marshall Sosson (vn), Alvin Dinkin, Lou Kievman, Ray Menhennick, Paul Robyn, Sanford Schonbach (vl), Armand Kaproff, Ray Kramer (clo), Jack Ryan (arco), Kathryn Thompson (hrp), Gordon Jenkins (con), Patricia Neff (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro), Pete Abbott (eng)

Nat Cole (v), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Leon Petties (d), others unknown (acc), Belford Hendricks (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

Personnel

Individual personnel is not known for this and the following session. However, the orchestral breakdown is as follows:

9 violins / 2 violas / 2 celli / electric guitar / fender guitar /rhythm guitar / bass / drums / a chorus of 8 women, 4 men.

Nat Cole (v), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Leon Petties (d), others unknown (acc), Belford Hendricks (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

Personnel

The orchestral and choral breakdown is most likely identical to that of the previous session.

Nat Cole (v), Jackie Allen, B.J. Baker, Vangie Carmichael, Bill Cole, Ada Beth Lee, Bill Lee, Jay Meyer, Loulie Jean Norman, Thurl Ravenscroft, Sally Sweetland, one unidentified, Jackie Ward (bkv), Jimmie Rowles (p), Laurindo Almeida, Bobby Gibbons, Al Hendrickson (g), Joe Comfort (b), Frank Carlson (d), Larry Bunker (per), Emil Briano, Arthur Brown, Harold Dicterow, Elliot Fisher, Lou Klass, Sarah Kreindler, Alfred Lustgarten, Emanuel Moss, Alex Murray, Lou Raderman, Isadore Roman, Nat Ross (vn), Rubin Decker, Cecil Figelski, Al Harshman, Gary Nuttycombe (vl), Alex Borisoff, Jesse Ehrlich, Hyman Gold, William Vandenburg (clo), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro), Hank Cicalo (eng)

Jackie Allen (bkv) on b-e; B.J. Baker (bkv) on b-e; Vangie Carmichael (bkv) on b-e; Bill Cole (bkv) on b-e; Ada Beth Lee (bkv) on b-e; Bill Lee (bkv) on b-e; Jay Meyer (bkv) on b-e; Loulie Jean Norman (bkv) on b-e; Thurl Ravenscroft (bkv) on b-e; Sally Sweetland (bkv) on b-e; one unidentified (bkv) on b-e; Jackie Ward (bkv) on b-e.

Personnel

In a 2014 interview, Hank Cicalo recalled working as the second engineer on this session. One of the many photographs taken by Capitol during this session shows the lead engineer in the control booth of Studio B, along with engineer Bill Robinson, but he has yet to be identified. He is not any of the primary Capitol mixers of the period—Pete Abbott, John Kraus, Joe Polito, Hugh Davies, or Carson Taylor—although he does bear some resemblance to the latter.

Nat Cole (v), B.J. Baker, Vangie Carmichael, others unknown (bkv), Tommy Johnson (tu), Milt Raskin (p), Bobby Gibbons, Al Hendrickson, Alvino Rey (g), Joe Comfort (b), Frank Carlson (d), Larry Bunker (per), Victor Arno, Arnold Belnick, Emil Briano, Jimmy Getzoff, Nat Ross, Sidney Sharp, Paul Shure, Jerry Vinci (vn), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

Composers

As done previously, Cole, Gillette, and Ralph Carmichael adapted several songs in the public domain. Gillette was often credited as Edith Bergdahl. These included:

On The Sidewalks Of New York (Cole/Bergdahl)
After The Ball (Cole/Bergdahl/Carmichael)
There Is A Tavern In The Town (Cole/Bergdahl)
On A Bicycle Built For Two (Cole/Gillette)
In The Good Old Summertime (Cole/Bergdahl)

Nat Cole (v), B.J. Baker, Vangie Carmichael, Bill Lee, Gene Merlino, Loulie Jean Norman, Sally Sweetland, others unknown, Jackie Ward (bkv), Tommy Johnson (tu), Milt Raskin (p), Bobby Gibbons, Al Hendrickson, Alvino Rey (g), Joe Comfort (b), Irv Cottler (d), Larry Bunker (per), Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Harold Dicterow, Elliot Fisher, Dave Frisina, Jimmy Getzoff, Paul Shure, Jerry Vinci (vn), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

Composers

Cole and Gillette (as Edith Bergdahl) adapted "You Tell Me Your Dream".

Nat Cole (v, p)

Recorded during Cole's UK tour of July 1963, this recording was first documented by discographer Roy Holmes. A private pressing (possibly from Holmes' personal collection) can be reviewed on Discogs. Although this is not a Capitol recording, it stems from a studio session and is therefore included on a studio page, rather than being orphaned elsewhere.

Nat Cole (v), Buzz Brauner (f, sax), Reunald Jones, Clyde Reasinger, Walt Stuart (t), Vince Forchetti (tb), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Leon Petties (d), David Arben, Jerry Wigler (vn), others unknown (acc), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

Location

From September 9-29, 1963, Cole was performing at The Latin Casino, just east of Philadelphia in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, as part of his Sights & Sounds tour. Premiering in Los Angeles in August, the tour would keep Cole and company on the road, mostly in the northeast and midwest, until early December. Since Cole was working in the evening, these sessions most likely took place from around 1-4 pm, which was fairly standard for him.

It has never been revealed exactly why Lee Gillette chose to have Nat record the album in Philadelphia. Cole recorded extensively at Capitol's New York studio, and this album could just as easily have been done there instead of in a ballroom in Philadelphia, albeit one that was often used by The Philadelphia Orchestra during their own recording sessions.

There has also been a little confusion about recording venue. In his autobiography, Ralph Carmichael indicated that it was held at the Philadelphia Athletic Club, while Louise Stuart Davis, a Philadelphia native and background singer on the album, revealed in an interview that it was held at the Broadwood Hotel. The Broadwood Hotel was then listed in the Bear Family discography as the location for these sessions. Turns out, everyone is correct. The Broadwood Hotel became the Philadelphia Athletic Club around 1962.

Personnel

The personnel listed for all four My Fair Lady sessions is based primarily on interviews with various session participants. Interviewees include: Ralph Carmichael, Frank Hunter, Billie Barnum, Walt Stuart, Louise Stuart Davis, Clyde Reasinger, David Arben, and Jerry Wigler.

Arben and Wigler were both violinists with the Philadelphia Orchestra. While neither man could recall other names from the sessions, it's believed that the string section, woodwinds, and French horns were comprised of musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra. The remaining personnel are either Cole's personal musicians or New York session players who made the short trip down for the dates.

Nat Cole (v), The Merry Young Souls, Louise Stuart Davis (bkv), Buzz Brauner (f, sax), Reunald Jones, Clyde Reasinger, Walt Stuart (t), Vince Forchetti (tb), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Leon Petties (d), others unknown (acc), Phyllis Battleson (spk), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

The Merry Young Souls (bkv) on a-b; Louise Stuart Davis (bkv) on a-b; Reunald Jones (t) on a-b; Clyde Reasinger (t) on a-b; Walt Stuart (t) on a-b; Vince Forchetti (tb) on a-b; Phyllis Battleson (spk) on b.

Personnel

The Merry Young Souls: Bob Allen; Billie Barnum; Phyllis Battleson; Fred Burton; Gwendolyn Crawford; Patrick Crotty; John Harris; Ralph Jones; Gunilla Hutton; Roberta Rosser; Edith Gay Webb; Don Wyatt.

Nat Cole (v), Buzz Brauner (f, sax), Reunald Jones, Clyde Reasinger, Walt Stuart (t), Vince Forchetti (tb), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Leon Petties (d), others unknown (acc), Fred Burton (spk), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

Fred Burton (spk) on b.

Nat Cole (v), The Merry Young Souls (bkv), Buzz Brauner (f, sax), Reunald Jones, Clyde Reasinger, Walt Stuart (t), Vince Forchetti (tb), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Leon Petties (d), David Arben, Jerry Wigler (vn), others unknown (acc), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

The Merry Young Souls (bkv) on a.

Personnel

Refer to session of September 18th for the personnel of the Merry Young Souls.

Nat Cole (v), The Merry Young Souls (bkv), Dick Nash, Lloyd Ulyate (tb), Kenny Shroyer (btb), Don Robertson (p), James Burton, Glen Campbell, John Collins, Milt Norman (g), Joe Comfort (b), Irv Cottler (d), Dale Anderson, Milt Holland (per), Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Robert Barene, Emil Briano, Jacques Gasselin, Jimmy Getzoff, Lou Klass, Lou Raderman, Paul Shure, Joe Stepansky, Jerry Vinci (vn), Alvin Dinkin, Al Harshman, Lou Kievman, Paul Robyn (vl), Justin DiTullio, Ed Lustgarten, Emmet Sargeant, William Vandenburg (clo), Ralph Carmichael (con), Lee Gillette (pro)

The Merry Young Souls (bkv) on a-e, g; Dick Nash (tb) on f; Lloyd Ulyate (tb) on f; Kenny Shroyer (btb) on f; Victor Arno (vn) on a-f; Israel Baker (vn) on a-f; Robert Barene (vn) on a-f; Emil Briano (vn) on a-f; Jacques Gasselin (vn) on a-f; Jimmy Getzoff (vn) on a-f; Lou Klass (vn) on a-f; Lou Raderman (vn) on a-f; Paul Shure (vn) on a-f; Joe Stepansky (vn) on a-f; Jerry Vinci (vn) on a-f; Alvin Dinkin (vl) on a-f; Al Harshman (vl) on a-f; Lou Kievman (vl) on a-f; Paul Robyn (vl) on a-f; Justin DiTullio (clo) on a-f; Ed Lustgarten (clo) on a-f; Emmet Sargeant (clo) on a-f; William Vandenburg (clo) on a-f.

Personnel

The personnel of the Merry Young Souls was most likely the same, or very similar, as on the My Fair Lady album from September 1963. By spring 1964, Edith Gay Webb had been replaced by Jean Sewell and Bob Allen was replaced by John Stannard. Refer to the September 1963 sessions for more detail.

While the chorus received credit on singles that resulted from this session, MYS member Billie Barnum did not recall the group's participation on this date.

Nat Cole (v), B.J. Baker, others unknown (bkv), Don Robertson (p), Glen Campbell, John Collins, Bobby Gibbons, Bill Pitman (g), Joe Comfort (b), Leon Petties (d), Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Emil Briano, Harold Dicterow, Dave Frisina, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld, Isadore Roman, Joe Stepansky, Jerry Vinci (vn), Alvin Dinkin, Al Harshman, Gary Nuttycombe (vl), Kurt Reher, Joseph Saxon, William Vandenburg (clo), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

Composers

Al Trace appears as Clem Watts on the original label.

Overdubs

Though no titles from this session were issued with overdubs, Capitol apparently overdubbed drums (Hal Blaine) for at least the first four titles on June 13, 1966 [10:00-13:00].

Nat Cole (v), B.J. Baker, others unknown (bkv), Don Robertson (p), Bob Bain, John Collins, Bobby Gibbons, Howard Roberts (g), Joe Comfort (b), Leon Petties (d), Victor Arno, Israel Baker, Harold Dicterow, Dave Frisina, Jimmy Getzoff, Erno Neufeld, Isadore Roman, Joe Stepansky, Jerry Vinci (vn), Alvin Dinkin, Al Harshman, Gary Nuttycombe (vl), Ray Kramer, Ed Lustgarten, Joseph Saxon (clo), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

Dates

Capitol files list this session as having occurred May 5, 1964. While a session may have been originally scheduled for that day, there is no evidence it actually took place.

Overdubs

Though no titles from this session were issued with overdubs, Capitol apparently overdubbed drums (Hal Blaine) for at least the first five titles on April 27, 1966 [09:30-12:30].

Nat Cole (v), Buddy Collette (f, cl, ts), Paul Horn, Bud Shank (f, af, cl, as), Bill Perkins (f, af, bcl, ts), Jack Nimitz (cl, cbc, bar), Bobby Bryant, Don Fagerquist, Uan Rasey, Shorty Sherock, Tony Terran (t), Kent Larsen, Murray McEachern, Tommy Shepard (tb), George Roberts (btb), Paul Smith (p), Bob Bain, John Collins (g), Joe Comfort (b), Leon Petties (d), Victor Arno, Emil Briano, Harold Dicterow, Bonnie Douglas, Dave Frisina, Alex Murray, Erno Neufeld, Stan Plummer, Jerome Reisler, Isadore Roman, Albert Steinberg, Joe Stepansky (vn), Joseph DiFiore, Ray Menhennick, Gary Nuttycombe, Robert Ostrowsky (vl), Margaret Aue, Ed Lustgarten, Emmet Sargeant, William Vandenburg (clo), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

Personnel

Instrumentation for the sax section is reported as listed on the AFM session contract. Without examining the scores for each song, it's difficult to match players to instruments. Thus, collective personnel is reported here.

Songs

The AFM session contract lists the running time of "L-O-V-E" as only 1:50. Two acetates, one from late July and the other from August 18, also list the running time as 1:50; the latter, though, does reveal it to be an 'edited version'.

Nat Cole (v), Lee Gillette (pro)

Lee Gillette (pro) on a-f.

Location

Capitol files indicate that Cole overdubbed his vocals in Las Vegas in August. If so, Bill Putnam's United Recording (URCON), located at 3143 Industrial Road, is the most likely location for this session. However, there exist a series of photographs that place Nat at the microphone in Capitol Studio A, which, at the very least, casts doubt on where this session was held.

In the photos, Cole is studying a piece of music at his microphone and next to him is a young German woman coaching him on his pronunciation. Visible in her hand is the sheet music to "Mutterlein", which was one of the vocal overdubs Cole recorded on August 18, 1964. These images may be from a rehearsal prior to recording overdubs in Las Vegas, or it could be an indication that the overdubs were done in Los Angeles.

Also confusing matters is the entry for these images in Capitol's official photo log, which suggests that photographs were possibly taken sometime in mid-September.

Overdubs

Cole recorded his vocals on top of pre-recorded orchestral tracks. All versions of "L-O-V-E" stem from June 3, 1964, while "Mutterlein" uses the backing track of "Answer Me, My Love" from March 24, 1961, as well as the chorus of Cole's English vocals from that date.

Nat Cole (v), B.J. Baker, Vangie Carmichael, others unknown (bkv), Jimmie Rowles (p), Laurindo Almeida, Bobby Gibbons (g), Carl Fortina (acor), Joe Comfort (b), Irv Cottler (d), Dale Anderson (per), Emil Briano, John De Voogdt, Harold Dicterow, Bonnie Douglas, Jimmy Getzoff, Lou Klass, Alex Murray, Isadore Roman, Joe Stepansky, Jerry Vinci (vn), Cecil Figelski, Virginia Majewski, Gary Nuttycombe (vl), Vance Beach, Nino Rosso, Joseph Saxon (clo), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)

Carl Fortina (acor) on b.

Overdubs

Capitol files indicated that Cole overdubbed his vocals later in Las Vegas. If true, this likely would be during Cole's last appearance at the Sands (November 1-22). Accordionist Carl Fortina recalled that Cole was present for the session. Cole may have attempted the vocals and then overdubbed the final versions of all, or some, of the tunes in Vegas.

At noon, an hour before the session began, Cole met with local press for an interivew-luncheon just down the street from the Tower at the Brown Derby, an event covered by Capitol photographers.

Nat Cole (v), Bill Calkins, Harry Klee, Bud Shank (f, af), Jimmie Rowles (p), Laurindo Almeida, Bobby Gibbons, Al Hendrickson (g), Kazue Kudo (kot), Carl Fortina (acor), Joe Comfort (b), Irv Cottler (d, per), Dale Anderson (per), Robert Barene, Emil Briano, John De Voogdt, Harold Dicterow, Bonnie Douglas, Walter Edelstein, Dave Frisina, Jacques Gasselin, Lou Klass, Erno Neufeld, Isadore Roman, Joe Stepansky (vn), Samuel Boghossian, Joseph DiFiore, Harry Hyams, Gary Nuttycombe (vl), Justin DiTullio, Armand Kaproff, Emmet Sargeant, Joseph Saxon (clo), Ralph Carmichael (con), Hy Lesnick (mgr), Lee Gillette (pro)