Nat King Cole: Stardust—The Rare Television Performances. (2CD Set)

Was there ever a performer in the history of American popular music who produced such a diverse body of work, over such an extended period of time, as Nat King Cole? In a career that spanned nearly 30 years—despite his untimely death in 1965 at age 45—Nat sang and played just about everything at one time or another, from jazz and pop to country and spirituals and all else in between. To this day, his music—all of it—endures. In late 1956, at a time when Cole was arguably the most successful entertainer on the planet, he began a 13-month run as host of his own NBC television show, The Nat King Cole Show. Over the years, bits and pieces of music and footage from the show have surfaced, mostly on unauthorized bootlegs. This new collection from Real Gone Music includes more than two dozen of the rarest and choicest performances from The Nat King Cole Show, coupled with nearly 30 minutes of additional music from a 1963 appearance on Australian television being released for the very first time in America. On display, particularly in the material from his own show, is Nat’s willingness to tackle a variety of material and genres rather than simply trotting out renditions of his most familiar and successful records. Appearing in this 2-disc set are many songs that Cole never recorded commercially or even sang again in public, with arrangements by such giants as Nelson Riddle, Billy May and Gordon Jenkins. And when he does sing one of his hits (like “Mona Lisa,” “Too Young,” or “Ramblin’ Rose”), they often scarcely resemble the studio recordings. Remastered by Mike Milchner—who engineered Real Gone’s acclaimed set of Peggy Lee radio performances—and offering liner notes by Cole expert Jordan Taylor festooned with photos taken from the Nat King Cole estate archives, Stardust—The Rare Television Performances represents a major addition to the Nat King Cole discography. It also reminds us what a fantastic entertainer and visionary artist he truly was.  SONGS:  Disc 11. Button Up Your Overcoat2. It's Not For Me To Say3. Sweet Lorraine 4. April Love5. I Am in Love6. C'est Si Bon7. Passing By8. A Blossom Fell9. Maybe It's Because I Love You Too Much10. Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel)11. With You On My Mind12. My One Sin13. When Rock And Roll Come to Trinidad14. Once In A While 15. I'm in the Mood For Love16. I Thought About Marie17. My Heart Stood Still18. St. Louis Blues        
 Disc 21. Love Is Sweeping the Country2. It's All in the Game 3. Life is Just A Bowl of Cherries   4. Rosetta5. The Nearness of You6. Careless Love7. My Personal Possession8. Stardust9. The Way You Look Tonight10. When I Fall in Love11. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down & Write Myself a Letter12. Mona Lisa13. Too Young14. Where or When15. Dear Lonely Hearts16. I Love A Piano17. Ramblin' Rose