This superb compilation of Snader Telescriptions demonstrates to perfection the two sides of Nat “King” Cole - the smooth, velvey- voiced crooner and the creative, influential jazz pianist. In his trio or quartet, these two aspects were usually combined to stunning effect. These three-minute performances, made as fillers for TV, were the forerunners of videos, but unlike the modern version these are actual filmed performances:What you hear is what you also see.
Cole (1917-1965) clearly regarded them as invaluable promotional aids for his recordings, as most of the 15 featured tunes, including several of his big hits, had been recorded for Capitol by the Cole combo between 1943 and 1950. According to jazz movie historian David Meeker, the majority of these short flicks were produced in 1951 when Nat had become perhaps the number one black entertainer of the post-war era.
The pianist’s trail-blazing trio was expanded to quartet size in 1949 with the addition of conga drummer Jack Costanzo, and this is the group which figures as an entity on nine numbers. On two (“For Sentimental Reasons” and “ You Call It Madness”) Nat reverts to his original trio format, while for six ballad interpretations the quartet is joined by a lush Hollywood string section.

Costanzo’s palms are put to good use on the Cole solo vocal vehicle,“Calypso Blues”, a paean to the Trinidadian lifestyle. It’s interesting that there are versions of “Home” and “Nature Boy” by both the quartet and the expanded ensemble, whereas “Sweet Lorraine” is offered in two takes, both by the quartet. Even more remarkable is the fact that two of these shorts with strings (“Always You” and “Nature Boy”) are offered here in colour, having survived the changes of ownership of the Snader company. As for Nat Cole’s voice, it has charmed generations of listeners with the unique qualities which are on show here. Irrespective of whether he was giving a hip treatment to a jump tune like “Route 66” or caressing a commercial concoction such as “Mona Lisa”, Nat always delivered a flawless interpretation. Watch, listen and believe it! ~ Mark Gardner.

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