jtaylor

Check out "West Coast Jazz" by Ted Gioia. Not perfect, but a pretty good read. I second that. It's as good as you're going to get on the subject. Discusses many of the figures who certainly were not "West Coast Cool" but still a vital part of the LA scene.

I think it's great, but I'm a little biased. Anything in particular you'd care to know about it? Jordan

Copy for Volume 2: JUST RELEASED: In stock now and ready to ship bcd16717 NAT KING COLE: L-O-V-E - The Complete Capitol Recordings 1960 - 1964 BCD 16717-KL 11-CD Box Set (LP size) with 184-page hardcover book Nat King Cole (1919-1965) was the most popular male singer of his generation, and, along with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, one of the four best known male vocalists of all time. Making Cole's story all the more remarkable, he began his career not as a pop singer but as one of the greatest of all jazz pianists. Yet by the time he had made the transition from jazz to pop, he had sold more records and racked up more hit singles than anyone in the immediate post-war era, even Frank Sinatra. He was also the first Afro-American pop music superstar - and still the greatest. Cole's baritone voice was sweet and pretty, and most of his greatest successes were with love songs. Still, he had the greatest time of any singer ever, and was equally well-versed in swinging rhythm numbers and blues. In his combination of tenderness and bluesy energy, Cole was a founding father of R&B and a major influence on the soul movement – as cited by Charles Brown, Ray Charles and many other later stars. Like Frank Sinatra, he collaborated closely with the greatest pop orchestrators of all time, particularly Gordon Jenkins, Billy May, Ralph Carmichael, and in particular, Nelson Riddle. In many ways, the last five years of his recording career was his most successful period: despite the insurgence of rock 'n' roll and other non-traditional pop musics, Cole was riding higher than ever. He had more big hits in these years than ever before, and he mastered the technique of turning hit singles into best selling albums. The years 1960-1964 found Cole collaborating extensively with a new and outstanding musical director, the highly talented Ralph Carmichael, as well as creating some of his best -remembered albums with old friends like Billy May and Gordon Jenkins. There also were wonderful one-shot projects like his team-up with the great pianist George Shearing and Cole’s only official live recording. This new 11-CD set is the first complete collection of all of Nat Cole's recordings from the final half -decade of his career, a total of 292 masters. - The set includes all of the following albums, in many cases including rare 'bonus' material from the same sessions: - Cole's only in-concert recording, 'Live At The Sands' (1960) – universally regarded as one of the great live albums of all time. - 'Wild Is Love' – Cole's only original-story concept album, containing the classic title song, and his last collaboration with the great arranger Nelson Riddle (1960). - 'The Magic Of Christmas' – The King's only all-original Christmas concept album, a collection of traditional carols that marked his first project with the wonderful musical director Ralph Carmichael (1960). - 'The Touch Of Your Lips' – One of Cole's all-time greatest ballad albums, with sumptuous arrangements by the brilliant Mr. Carmichael (1960). - 'Nat King Cole Sings / George Shearing Plays' – Another brilliant collection of love songs, Cole's only meeting with the marvelous jazz pianist, backed by more deluxe string arrangements from Ralph Carmichael – including many bonus tracks (1961). - 'The Nat King Cole Story' – Cole's massive autobiographical statement of 1961, in which he recreated his classic hits of the '40s and '50s in state of the art stereo with the original orchestrations in an elaborate three-LP package – including several bonus tracks. - 'Let’s Face The Music!' – Cole's last teaming with his old chum Billy May proved to be one of the hardest-swinging albums of his career, in which he not only swung the hell out of 12 great songs but contributed five solos (the only ones of his career) on electric organ (1961)! - 'More Cole Espanol' – Cole's final Spanish-language album brought him South of the border to Mexico City, both musically and literally! With Ralph Carmichael (1962). - 'Ramblin’ Rose' – Cole’s first mega-hit of this period, a blockbuster country song "by two Jewish boys from Brooklyn" that became one of his all-time best-sellers and led to an equally succesful album (1962). - 'Dear Lonely Hearts' – The second of Cole's country albums. (1962). - 'Where Did Everyone Go' – The only time that Cole recorded a set of saloon-and-suicide songs in the style of Frank Sinatra’s 'Only The Lonely.' An all-time classic if under-appreciated album of quality pop music, orchestrated in high style by the great Gordon Jenkins and featuring several all-time Cole classics, such as the title song and the haunting I Keep Going Back To Joe’s (1962). - 'My Fair Lady' – Cole's marvelous but little-known recording of the complete score to the 1956 classic musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Lowe, with marvelous orchestrations by Ralph Carmichael (1963). - 'Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days Of Summer' – One of the biggest hits of the early '60s, and a song that all but defined an era, expanded into a marvelous sing-a-long album – 12 warmly nostalgic songs of the good old summertime, featuring Cole, Carmichael's orchestra and a large chorus. Includes That Sunday, That Summer, among the most beautiful songs Cole recorded in the later period (1963). - 'I Don't Want To Be Hurt Anymore ' – Cole’s final country album, the most modern sounding of the three, with sophisticated charts by Ralph Carmichael, and including many bonus tracks and singles (1964). - 'L-O-V-E' – Cole's last hit was a German import by Bert Kaempfert that he and Ralph Carmichael worked into a classic album, all of hard-swinging, Basie-esque love songs with a continental flavor. Cole's final album featured some of the best singing (and swinging!) of his entire career. - Plus over 40 singles, nearly none of them ever reissued on LP or CD, including some wonderful, hidden gems, such as : - Several outstanding showtunes, such as Look No Further from 'No Strings,' and Magic Moment from 'The Gay Life.' - Cole's little-known 1960 reunion session with Stan Kenton and his Orchestra. - Cole's only date with arranger Richard Wess, which resulted in the swinging Cappuccina. - A marvelous selection of foreign language versions of his hit songs, most never commonly available in any country! - Several outstanding movie songs, including Cole's vocals from his last film, the classic comedy-western 'Cat Ballou. - Most of these singles tracks have only been heard in the last 40 years with over-dubbed rhythm section – this package marks their first compilation in the orginal, untampered masters, as they were meant to be heard. The hardcover book features the usual Bear Family amenities: 184 pages of full-color photos from the Capitol vault, extensive analysis and background by Will Friedwald, the definitive Cole scholar, as well as a complete discography and tune index by Michel Ruppli, Jordan Taylor, Russell Wapensky & Richard Weize

Love Joe Gordon's work despite their not being much of it available. Another album featuring him on a few numbers is Benny Carter's big band date of 1958, "Aspects." Orginially done on United Artists it was reissued a few years ago on a Blue Note disc. Also features excellent solos from Frank Rosolino, Carter, and typically excellent drumming by Shelly Manne.

Just found out it looks like BF is shooting for a December 4 release.

Still no word on a release date yet; as soon as I hear something I'll pass it along. Looking forward to hearing what you selected for tonight's program.

Here's the track listing for Bear Family, Volume 2: CD-1: 1. : Ballerina 2. : Funny (Not Much) 3. : The Continental 4. : I Wish You Love 5. : You Leave Me Breathles 6. : Thou Swell 7. : My Kinda Love 8. : The Surrey With The Fringe On Top 9. : Where Or When (instrumental) 10. : Miss Otis Regrets (She's Unable To Lunch ...) 11. : Joe Turner's Blues 12. : Mr. Cole Won't Rock And Roll 13. : Introduction 14. : Wild Is Love 15. : Wild Is Love 16. : Hundreds And Thousands Of Girls 17. : It's A Beautiful Evening 18. : Tell Her In The Morning 19. : Are You Disenchanted? 20. : Pick-Up 21. : Beggar For The Blues 22. : World Of No Return 23. : In Love Again 24. : Stay With It 25. : Wouldn't You Know 26. : He Who Hesitates 27. : Wild Is Love (reprise) CD-2: 28. : Steady 29. : My Love-1 30. : Magic Night 31. : Is It Better To Have Loved And Lost? 32. : Someone To Tell It Too 33. : Baby Blue 34. : When It's Summer 35. : You Are Mine 36. : Away In A Manger 37. : I Saw Three Ships 38. : Silent Night 39. : The First Noel 40. : Joy To The World 41. : Deck The Halls 42. : Hark The Herald Angels Sing 43. : Adeste Fideles 1 44. : Adeste Fideles 2 45. : O Tannenbaum 46. : A Cradle In Bethlehem 47. : God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen 48. : Caroling, Caroling 49. : O Little Town Of Bethlehem 50. : The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) 51. : Buon Natale Means (Merry Christmas To You) 52. : The Happiest Christmas Tree 53. : Toys For Tots (Marine Corps Release) CD-3: 54. : If I Knew 55. : I Remember You 56. : Sunday, Monday Or Always 57. : A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square 58. : My Need For You 59. : Poinciana 60. : The Touch Of Your Lips 61. : You're Mine, You! 62. : Illusion 63. : Funny (Not Much) 64. : Not So Long Ago 65. : Only Forever 66. : Lights Out 67. : It's Only A Paper Moon 68. : Sweet Lorraine 69. : (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 70. : Straighten Up And Fly Right 71. : (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons 72. : Embraceable You 73. : Answer Me My Love 74. : Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup 75. : Smile 76. : Pretend CD-4: 77. : The Sand And The Sea 78. : A Blossom Fell 79. : Nature Boy 80. : Too Young 81. : Somewhere Along The Way 82. : Unforgettable 83. : Monas Lisa 84. : Send For Me 85. : If I May-1 86. : Looking Back 87. : Goodnight Little Leaguer 88. : Take A Fool's Advice 89. : The First Baseball Game 90. : Because You Love Me 91. : Make It Last 92. : Capuccina 93. : Let True Love Begin (Let's Begin Again) 94. : Let True Love Begin (Let's Begin Again) (with 95. : chorus) 96. : Love 97. : I Heard You Cried Last Night 98. : Orange Colored Sky 99. : To The Ends Of The Earth 100. : Non Dimenticar 101. : Blue Gardenia 102. : Night Lights 103. : Calypso Blues 104. : I Am In Love 105. : Lush Life 106. : Walkin' My Baby Back Home 107. : Ballerina (Dance, Ballerina, Dance) CD-5: 108. : Ebony Rhapsody 109. : Day In, Day Out 110. : Too Little, Too Late 111. : When My Sugar Walks Down The Street 112. : Cold, Cold Heart 113. : Let's Face The Music And Dance 114. : Something Makes Me Want To Dance With You 115. : I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself... 116. : The Rules Of The Road 117. : Warm And Willing 118. : Bidin' My Time 119. : Moon Love 120. : Azure-Te 121. : A Beautiful Friendship 122. : Everything Happens To Me 123. : Pick Yourself Up 124. : September Song 125. : Let There Be Love 126. : I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good 127. : Serenata 128. : The Game Of Love 129. : Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) 130. : Guess I'll Go Back Home 131. : I'm Lost 132. : Don't Go 133. : There's A Lull In My Life 134. : Lost April CD-6: 135. : Step Right Up 136. : Magic Moment 137. : The Right Things To Say 138. : Look No Further 139. : La Feria De Las Flores 140. : Guadalajara 141. : La Golondrina (The Swallow) 142. : Tres Palabras (Withut You) 143. : Piel Canela 144. : Solamente Una Vez (You Belong To My Heart) 145. : Las Chiapanecas (While There's Music, ...) 146. : Vaya Con Dios (May God Be With You) 147. : Adios Mariquita Linda (Adios And Farewell...) 148. : No Me Platiques 149. : Aqui Se Habla En Amor (Love Is Spoken Here) 150. : A Media Luz 151. : Dear Lonely Hearts 152. : Ramblin' Rose 153. : Nothing Goes Up Without Coming Down 154. : The Good Times 155. : Who's Next In Line? 156. : When You're Smiling 157. : Wolverton Mountain 158. : One Has My Name, The Other Has My Heart 159. : Skip To My Lou 160. : Sing Another Song (And We'll All Go Home) 161. : Your Cheatin' Heart 162. : Goodnight, Irene, Goodnight 163. : I Don't Want It That Way 164. : Twilight On The Trail 165. : He'll Have To Go CD-7: 166. : Farewell To Arms 167. : Happy New Year 168. : When The World Was Young 169. : Spring Is Here 170. : No, I Don't Want Her 171. : Say It Isn't So 172. : Am I Blue? 173. : Laughing On The Outside 174. : I Keep Going Back To Joe's 175. : The End Of A Love Affair 176. : That's All There Is 177. : Someone To Tell It To 178. : If Love Ain't There 179. : Where Did Everyone Go? 180. : Miss You 181. : Oh How I Miss You Tonight 182. : All Over The World 183. : Lonesome And Sorry 184. : My First And Only Lover 185. : Near You 186. : Why Should I Cry Over You? 187. : Yearning 188. : All By Myself 189. : It's A Lonesome Old Town 190. : Misery Loves Company CD-8: 191. : In The Cool Of The Day 192. : Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days Of Summer 193. : Felicia 194. : You'll See 195. : Mr. Wishing Well 196. : On The Sidewalks Of New York 197. : Get Out And Get Under The Moon 198. : After The Ball Is Over 199. : There Is A Tavern In The Town 200. : On A Bicycle Built For Two 201. : In The Good Old Summertime 202. : That Sunday, That Summer 203. : Our Old Home Town 204. : Don't Forget 205. : You Tell Me Your Dream 206. : That's What They Meant 207. : Wouldn't It Be Loverly? 208. : I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face 209. : I Could Have Danced All Night 210. : With A Little Bit Of Luck 211. : You Did It 212. : Show Me 213. : I'm An Ordinary Man 214. : Hymn To Him 215. : Get Me To The Church On Time 216. : The Rain In Spain 217. : On The Street Where You Live CD-9: 218. : Silver Bird 219. : My True Carrie Love 220. : I Don't Want To Be Hurt Anymore 221. : A Rag, A Bone, A Hank Of Hair 222. : People 223. : Let Me Tell You, Babe 224. : Brush Those Tears From Your Eyes 225. : You're Crying On My Shoulder 226. : Was That The Human Thing To Do? 227. : Only Yesterday 228. : Road To Nowhere 229. : Go, It You're Going 230. : I'm Alone Because I Love You 231. : Don't You Remember? 232. : I'm All Cried Out 233. : I Don't Want To See Tomorrow 234. : You're My Everything 235. : L-O-V-E 236. : Wanderlust 237. : Marnie 238. : More And More Of Your Amore 239. : The Ballad Of Cat Ballou 240. : They Can't Make Her Cry 241. : How I'd Love To Love You 242. : Coquette (Little Coquette) CD-10: 243. : More 244. : Your Love 245. : My Kind Of Girl 246. : Thanks To You 247. : There's Love 248. : Swiss Retreat 249. : The Girl From Ipanema 250. : Three Little Words 251. : No Other Heart 252. : Je Ne Repartirai Pas (french version) 253. : Les Feuilles Mortes (french version) 254. : Le Bonheur C'est Quand On S'aime (french) 255. : Crois-Moi Ca Durera (french version) 256. : Passing By (french version) 257. : L-O-V-E (italian version) 258. : Tu Sei Cosi Amabile (italian version) 259. : Amor (spanish version) 260. : Tu Eres Tan Amable (spanish version) 261. : Muetterlein (german version) 262. : L-O-V-E (german version) 263. : I Don't Want To Be Hurt Anymore (japanese) 264. : L-O-V-E (japanese version) 265. : Kareha (japanese version) CD-11: 266. : Magic Night 267. : Is It Better To Have Loved And Lost? 268. : Baby Blue 269. : When It's Summer 270. : You Are Mine 271. : It I Knew 272. : Looking Back 273. : Take A Fool's Advice 274. : Because You Love Me 275. : Make It Last 276. : Capuccina 277. : Let True Love Begin (Let's Begin Again) 278. : Magic Moment 279. : Farewell To Arms 280. : Happy New Year 281. : Felicia 282. : You'll See 283. : Mr. Wishing Well 284. : Silver Bird 285. : People 286. : Let Me Tell You, Babe 287. : Marnie 288. : No Other Heart 289. : Unforgettable 290. : Felicia 291. : A Rag, A Bone, A Hank Of Hair 292. : I Don't Want To See Tomorrow 293. : Song Of Raintree Country

I was just going over the 50-54 material the other day to see what was what. While there does seem to be less in the way of completely unreleased material than I initially thought, there is a fair amount that has yet to be released on CD. Many tracks have not been released since their initial 45 release while others show up only on cheap European discs. Can't say at this point if BF will want to do another Cole project. I would hope so as they would surely package the material better (and with better sound) than would Capitol, IMO. Jordan

No release date has yet been set, but Bear Family is now advertising the 60's box over on the website (with a picture of the cover). Your quibble about the essay is right on. In fact, I know Friedwald suggested they provide a list like the one you mention, but for whatever reason they chose not to include that. I am a little surprised they've elected to release this box so soon after the first. It is, as you say, a lot to digest, and so it might have been a bit more prudent to wait a while. Either way, I am glad to see this material finally released as Nat's 60s work has been rather critically dismissed when compared to his trio work or his collaborations with Riddle in the 50s. Lots of gems here as well as quite a bit of interview material (in the essay) with Cole's most frequent 60s collaborator, Ralph Carmichael. Jordan

As far as Columbia is concerned, didn't Jimmy Rushing do a series of albums for them in the mid/late 50s? I know I've got one somewhere that he did with Buck Clayton. Seems like they would make a good Mosaic Select. Jordan