Harri, This from a BBC special: "AN EVENING WITH NAT KING COLE"(1961). Nat recorded over 100 songs was playing the piano at age 4 led his own at 18 and co-wrote some of his songs. What made him unique was he sang, his phrasing was so clear, that he was a favorite of Frank Sinatra. Don't forget that he was tops at piano. Check out his rendition of "WHERE OR WHEN ". And he did some acting " ST LOUIS BLUES ".
Nat King Cole is my favorite singer, alive or dead. I remember when CD players first came out, I wouldn’t buy one until I knew for sure that his music was being released on CDs, lol.
To these ears, one of the Top 5 male vocalists of all time. In trying to figure out what made him unique as well as great, I settled on this: his voice is "the sound of kindness." Therefore it was a great relief to read Natalie Cole's autobiography and find Cole was everything one would hope he was, and more: loving, supportive, patient, always a gentleman. She saw him as pretty much perfect; his only fault in her eyes was that she didn't get enough of him because he had to spend so much time on the road
I love his music and his daughter Natalie's as well. His Christmas album is the absolute best of anyone's I've ever heard.Grateful that my Nana introduced me to this legend.
What a masterpiece. ❤️ Winning the Oscar in 1950 for Best Original song, Nat's velvet voice with perfect pitch and lovely baritone delivery, produced this massive hit with such perfection. Spending 5 weeks at Number 1, Nat's delivery of this special song, has stood the test of time and still sends shivers through my body. The instrumentation is a perfect addition to this wonderful song. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Craig. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
I saw an interview years ago with Cab Calloway talking about Nat King Cole and how in his early career He told Nat that he sings good but he needs to enunciate more clearly. Part of Nat's great phrasing is how he enunciates the lyrics.
Yes, he was having fun with the audience. "Mona Lisa" was certainly his signature song. What's so amazing abut his career is that he was originally known for his piano playing as the leader of the Nat King Cole Trio. The fact that he became ultimately known for his distinctive vocals brings to mind Karen Carpenter and maybe even Phil Collins, among others, who were instrumentalists who came out front and became known for their distinctive vocals.
Brilliant reference to Karen Carpenter - many consider her to have had the most beautiful voice ever in Pop/Rock music, and it was similar to Cole's: deep, warm, rich, mellow and soothing - and a voice one could listen to all day - too bad they never had a chance to sing duets together - this would have been awesome - but she was only 15 and not yet singing when he passed away...
You are absolutely correct about Mr. Cole. There is nobody like him. Such poise and grace. His piano prowess was equally unique and lovely. Thank you Harri.
What a fantastic song and performer to select! He certainly has the magic; I feel very nostalgic and bittersweet listening to this, realizing it’s from a world gone away and a performer who was taken from us when I was just 6 years old and going into first grade. The phrasing and the voice are unbelievable and literally melt my heart.
I love Nat King Cole and the smoothness of his voice! Mona Lisa is one of my favorites songs of his, and i appreciate you listening to and reacting to this song. Back in 1967, i went to Europe, and one of the special pieces of art i saw was the Mona Lisa. Yes, i was looking at a masterpiece, and, this might sound a funny, i could hear this song being sung in my head by Nat King Cole.
Wonderful choice Craig My grandmother introduced me to the beautiful silky voice of the legendary Nat King Cole Loved your reaction Harri Thank you both
I grew up on Nat King Cole music. He was one of my grandmother's favorites. He had such a silky voice. So many hits! My favorite will always be "The Christmas Song" ❤❤
When I was a youngster, maybe 12, I bought a boxed set of his records with 5 records in it. I loved his voice even then. I still have that boxed set, more than 50 years later. This is just golden.
Harri, your smile and face as you are listening says it all. No words necessary, although they yours are good. Your reaction is spot on to such a sublimely beautiful perfomance and such a uniquely smooth voice, talented musician, and consumate perfomer.
I remember Barbara Mandrell once said; while rehearsing a Nat King Cole song (wish I remembered) for a show, that when given the sheet music, she asked her producer to get the rest of it. He replied that was it. She responded she couldn’t sing this, there’s nothing there. How could they perform it? She listened to a recording of it and realized that Nat King Cole’s voice was the song. A few notes and a voice silkier than the finest silkworms made it into a classic. In the vocal cords of anyone else it was nothing.
Look into some of the videos of the King Cole trio, and prepare to be blown away. I forget the bassists name, but the guitarist, Oscar Moore is criminally under appreciated. Nat’s piano virtuosity is of course well known.
Such a legend. Love his smooth silky voice. He was a singer, jazz pianist & actor. He recorded over 100 songs that became hits on the pop charts. He is best known for "Mona Lisa" & "Unforgettable" but he had so many great hits such as "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66", "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons", "There! I've Said It Again", "Nature Boy", "Ramblin' Rose", "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" etc.
Also "Autumn Leaves" (and "Les Feuilles Mortes"), "The Very Thought Of You", "Lush Life", "Red Sails In The Sunset", "Stardust", "Straighten Up And Fly Right", and "Sweet Lorraine".
Harri your reaction is spot on. I love everything about him. I have a CD of Christmas music Nat King Cole sings. It is not Christmas time till I hear him sing "The Christmas song" 🌲
I just love everything about Nat King Cole. However, as a child, I saw him on his TV show and for reasons I will never understand, he scared me! His voice just can't be matched, though.
Yeah he was being cheeky. This was one of his signature tunes at the time of this recording. I believe this special was filmed not long before he passed away at the far too young age of 45.
Truer words have never been spoken Harri, Nobody sounds like Nat King Cole! So smooth, so perfect. My sweet mother's favorite! Thank you for the reaction Harri, it took me back!
This is a very short version of this song. If you want to hear a different version of this song try Conway Twitty's version of "Mona Lisa" from 1959. Both versions of this song is great.
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From my childhood days, I have considered his voice like the finest silk velvet.
This is also from my childhood. We were blessed with wonderful and talented entertainers.
Both Him and Johnny Mathis have such iconic voices. Great memories!
Super classy. I grew up listening to him.
Definitely one of the greatest voices ever.
Absolutely love Nat "King" Cole ❤❤❤
I can imagine Nat, Bing, Tony and Louis singing in a Barbershop quartet up in heaven
Harri, This from a BBC special: "AN EVENING WITH NAT KING COLE"(1961). Nat recorded over 100 songs was playing the piano at age 4 led his own at 18 and co-wrote some of his songs. What made him unique was he sang, his phrasing was so clear, that he was a favorite of Frank Sinatra. Don't forget that he was tops at piano. Check out his rendition of "WHERE OR WHEN ". And he did some acting " ST LOUIS BLUES ".
Nat King Cole is my favorite singer, alive or dead. I remember when CD players first came out, I wouldn’t buy one until I knew for sure that his music was being released on CDs, lol.
THIS WAS A BIG HIT. i THINK nAT WAS KIDDING WITH THE AUDIENCE. nOTICE HOW THEY APPLAUDED WHEN THE SONG BEGAN. iT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITES BY HIM.
A beautiful man with a beautiful voice my dad loved him and we played his songs at his funeral thank you take care x x
I was born in 1950 in Chicago, my Dad was a huge fan of Nat. We always watched his TV show in the 50's and my Dad had his albums.
Lord, what a pleasure. It's been so long since I heard this song, I really miss this music.
One of the greatest singers of all time
His voice has always wrapped around me like a hug ❤! Great request and reaction
Syrup, smooth, silky voice. There's only one Nat King Cole.
To these ears, one of the Top 5 male vocalists of all time. In trying to figure out what made him unique as well as great, I settled on this: his voice is "the sound of kindness." Therefore it was a great relief to read Natalie Cole's autobiography and find Cole was everything one would hope he was, and more: loving, supportive, patient, always a gentleman. She saw him as pretty much perfect; his only fault in her eyes was that she didn't get enough of him because he had to spend so much time on the road
Nat King Cole is my favorite-angelic, gorgeous, haunting. He’s the best!
This song (his studio version) was #1 on the "pre-Billboard" charts the week I was born (1950).
As a very young child, Ramblin’ Rose was my favorite Nat King Cole song.
One of the greatest! And Christmas is coming. He has the best Christmas songs of all time. 🙂
By far my favorite Nat King Cole song, the lyrics are just timeless, and they way he sings it.
I love his music and his daughter Natalie's as well. His Christmas album is the absolute best of anyone's I've ever heard.Grateful that my Nana introduced me to this legend.
He had such a great voice
His Christmas album is still my favorite for the holidays! ❤❤❤
And now, I have to get my copy out! And consume a Martini.
Mine, too.
What a masterpiece. ❤️ Winning the Oscar in 1950 for Best Original song, Nat's velvet voice with perfect pitch and lovely baritone delivery, produced this massive hit with such perfection.
Spending 5 weeks at Number 1, Nat's delivery of this special song, has stood the test of time and still sends shivers through my body. The instrumentation is a perfect addition to this wonderful song.
Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Craig. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
You’re welcome!
Great info as always 🥰 Love from DK 🤗🤩😍😇
One of my favorite Artists and one of my favorite songs. Thank you so much!
The voice of a generation! That is LIVE!
What a Great Voice ! My parents would play his records ..My parents are gone now .But I still have my Memories ! Enjoy
I saw an interview years ago with Cab Calloway talking about Nat King Cole and
how in his early career He told Nat that he sings good but he needs to enunciate more clearly.
Part of Nat's great phrasing is how he enunciates the lyrics.
Yes, he was having fun with the audience. "Mona Lisa" was certainly his signature song. What's so amazing abut his career is that he was originally known for his piano playing as the leader of the Nat King Cole Trio. The fact that he became ultimately known for his distinctive vocals brings to mind Karen Carpenter and maybe even Phil Collins, among others, who were instrumentalists who came out front and became known for their distinctive vocals.
Brilliant reference to Karen Carpenter - many consider her to have had the most beautiful voice ever in Pop/Rock music, and it was similar to Cole's: deep, warm, rich, mellow and soothing - and a voice one could listen to all day - too bad they never had a chance to sing duets together - this would have been awesome - but she was only 15 and not yet singing when he passed away...
Starting my morning with Nat King Cole has made my day. Have loved him since I was a child...his music is like a warm, loving hug.
You are absolutely correct about Mr. Cole. There is nobody like him. Such poise and grace. His piano prowess was equally unique and lovely. Thank you Harri.
He could sing a telephone book and it would be a #1 hit
Always a favourite. Such a lovely voice
What a fantastic song and performer to select! He certainly has the magic; I feel very nostalgic and bittersweet listening to this, realizing it’s from a world gone away and a performer who was taken from us when I was just 6 years old and going into first grade. The phrasing and the voice are unbelievable and literally melt my heart.
Yes, a world gone away…
I have loved that man's voice all of my life and I an 72 years old now. Perfection. ❤
I love Nat King Cole and the smoothness of his voice! Mona Lisa is one of my favorites songs of his, and i appreciate you listening to and reacting to this song. Back in 1967, i went to Europe, and one of the special pieces of art i saw was the Mona Lisa. Yes, i was looking at a masterpiece, and, this might sound a funny, i could hear this song being sung in my head by Nat King Cole.
A voice like sunshine.
Wonderful choice Craig
My grandmother introduced me to the beautiful silky voice of the legendary Nat King Cole
Loved your reaction Harri
Thank you both
Thanks!
My favorite crooner. Golden voice.
I think Nat made his name as a brilliant jazz pianist
Quite Lovely Harri .
Thanks for this All Timer!
I grew up on Nat King Cole music. He was one of my grandmother's favorites. He had such a silky voice. So many hits! My favorite will always be "The Christmas Song" ❤❤
Thank you Craigh for a fantatic submission 🥰 One of my all time favorites and Thank you Harri great reaction
THANKS FOR THE ❤
My mother used to tell me that my father loved Nat King Cole, too. Such a wonderful voice.❤
Nat had such a smooth, polished, velvety tone no one else came close to.
When I was a kid, he was one of my favorite singers. He had such a beautiful voice
when I was a teenager, I would stay up late and watch reruns of his variety show on PBS.
What a beauty! Watched it twice. Thanks to Craig and Harri, great choice and great reaction. 👏👏👏
Thanks!
Such a lovely voice. One of the very few singers who's performances i always listen to from start to finish . Thanks Harri
A voice like no other. Loved anything Nat King Cole sang. Great choice Craig, thanks so much Craig and Harri. 👏👏🇨🇦
Thanks!
When I was a youngster, maybe 12, I bought a boxed set of his records with 5 records in it. I loved his voice even then. I still have that boxed set, more than 50 years later. This is just golden.
My favorite singer Johny Mathis said nat king Cole is his favorite singer
Nat "King" Cole was called "Mr. Smooth." Love his voice. No one could EVER be his equal.
Harri, your smile and face as you are listening says it all. No words necessary, although they yours are good. Your reaction is spot on to such a sublimely beautiful perfomance and such a uniquely smooth voice, talented musician, and consumate perfomer.
Unforgettable is a big one for Nat
Closest human voice to silk.
voice as warm as a cup of Cocoa 😊
What a voice he had, and such charisma, so sad his daughter died relatively young recently.
Nate King Cole is a precious treasure! ❤ Such a beautiful voice and always puts a Smile on my face 😊 He is truly Unforgettable 🌟
From my childhood I've loved his voice. Liquid gold
I remember Barbara Mandrell once said; while rehearsing a Nat King Cole song (wish I remembered) for a show, that when given the sheet music, she asked her producer to get the rest of it. He replied that was it. She responded she couldn’t sing this, there’s nothing there. How could they perform it? She listened to a recording of it and realized that Nat King Cole’s voice was the song. A few notes and a voice silkier than the finest silkworms made it into a classic. In the vocal cords of anyone else it was nothing.
Craig - This is one of so many outstanding Nat King Cole performances and a fine choice to submit. Very well done, Craig and Harri!
NKC had one of the smoothest voices. He died way too soon.
RIP NAT
This brought back memories of seeing Clark Peters one man show about NKC, wonderful ,thank you.
The greatest male singer ever
Look into some of the videos of the King Cole trio, and prepare to be blown away. I forget the bassists name, but the guitarist, Oscar Moore is criminally under appreciated. Nat’s piano virtuosity is of course well known.
Often heard him as a child...my mother loved him...
Great request and reaction! Thanks Craig and Harri 🌺✌️
He manages to bring tears to one's eyes!
Such a legend. Love his smooth silky voice. He was a singer, jazz pianist & actor. He recorded over 100 songs that became hits on the pop charts. He is best known for "Mona Lisa" & "Unforgettable" but he had so many great hits such as "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66", "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons", "There! I've Said It Again", "Nature Boy", "Ramblin' Rose", "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" etc.
also my favorite-"That Sunday, That Summer"
Also "Autumn Leaves" (and "Les Feuilles Mortes"), "The Very Thought Of You", "Lush Life", "Red Sails In The Sunset", "Stardust", "Straighten Up And Fly Right", and "Sweet Lorraine".
Harri your reaction is spot on. I love everything about him. I have a CD of Christmas music Nat King Cole sings. It is not Christmas time till I hear him sing "The Christmas song" 🌲
I just love everything about Nat King Cole. However, as a child, I saw him on his TV show and for reasons I will never understand, he scared me! His voice just can't be matched, though.
I love Nat King Cole. (Frank Sinatra I can live without.)
Yeah he was being cheeky. This was one of his signature tunes at the time of this recording. I believe this special was filmed not long before he passed away at the far too young age of 45.
I remember his TV show!! Beautiful voice!!!
Smooth, effortless singing. There just aren't many today that come close to him, or Frank; Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, or Mel Tormé.
Yes sir. Now that is classy music.
His voice is memorizing.
What a fantastic voice he had !
Truer words have never been spoken Harri, Nobody sounds like Nat King Cole! So smooth, so perfect. My sweet mother's favorite! Thank you for the reaction Harri, it took me back!
Love love love this man and his voice ❤
I'm always torn between him and Tony Bennett and Frank as my favorite but what a wonderful dilemma
If velvet and silk have a voice, this is it!
When they rated the Top 50 Jazz Singers Of All Time, the top 4 were
Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Billie Holiday.
He definitely joking about his association with the song. It was one of his biggest hits by that time
I agree.
The man was so smooth
❤❤❤❤❤
Yep,i agree,also a big fan of Brook Benton,how about Barclay square!
ER,SORRY MAKE THAT 'A NIGHTINGALE SANG IN BERKELEY SQUARE' (TYPING ON THE FLY)
Excellent choice. You should give the song "Send For Me" by Nat a listen.
Hopefully you can give a listen to some of his Christmas songs the next few weeks, they are really good
Give a listen to his version of "Stardust." Wonderful.
it doesn't get any better
So elegant
Nat was the best.
Nat King Cole had a voice like velvet, I think there is only one other man that came close to that velvet voice and that would have been Dean Martin.
You REALLY need to check out Lenny Welch - Since I fell for you. The Man could SING!!
This is a very short version of this song. If you want to hear a different version of this song try Conway Twitty's version of "Mona Lisa" from 1959. Both versions of this song is great.