Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Nat King Cole Trio

Piano: Cole, Nat King

Bongo: Costanzo, Jack

Vocals: James, Ida

(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Sweet Lorraine

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Little Girl

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Home (When Shadows Fall)

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

The Trouble With Me Is You

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Calypso Blues

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

That's My Girl

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Captain Carey, U.S.A.

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Because of Rain

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Too Young

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

This Is My Night to Dream

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

You Call It Madness (But I Call It Love)

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Got a Penny, Benny

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Come to Baby, Do

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

I'm an Errand Boy for Rhythm

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

I'm a Shy Guy

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Who's Been Eating My Porridge

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

The Frim-Fram Sauce

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Oh, Kickeroony

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Now He Tells Me

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Breezy and the Bass

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Solid Potato Salad

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

It Is Better to Be by Yourself

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

Always You

Vocals: Cole, Nat King

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Catalogue Number: IDVD1017

UPC: 022891901792

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Before achieving international pop stardom with his vocal recordings for the Capitol label during the early 50's, the great Nat "King" Cole (1917-1965) enjoyed considerable success fronting his own trio in Hollywood and resorting to a repertoire of jazzy/jivey/novelty numbers that made for irresistible listening. Initially backed by guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Wesley Prince, singer-pianist Cole set for a smooth, crisp, appealing sound that gained him early popularity. Best exemplified in hit tunes such as Rout 66, Scotchin' With the Sode, Sweet Lorraine or Hit That Hive Jack, the peculiar Nat Cole style somewhat came to define the spirit of the war years.

A first-class singer and a very talented pianist, Nat Cole did frequent soundies during this initial period of his career, and this recording is a fascinating collection of those early film shorts produced for theaters and television. Backed by sideman guitarists Oscar Moore, bassists Irving Ashby, Johnny Miller and Joe Comfort and Latin percussionists Jack Costanzo, Cole was in peak artistic form in these true musical gems from his early West Coast period. Recommended to old-time fans and jazz enthusiasts alike, the music in this anthology sounds as enjoyable as ever.