Labor of Love

Nelson Riddle And His Orchestra - An Orchestral Portrait of Nat King Cole (2019) {Everest Records rec 1965, remastered}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44.1kHz - Official Digital Download (highresaudio.com) -> 180 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 86 Mb | Cover | 5% repair rar
© 1965, 2019 Everest Records
Jazz / Orchestral / Easy Listening / Traditional Pop

This album was recorded in Hollywood USA using the finest studio musicians around, many of whom played in the great bands of America in the swing era. One notable musician who was a jazz pianist himself in the early days of swing was Jimmy Rowles who was a personal friend of Nat. "Arranger Nelson Riddle leads his orchestra, with special guest pianist Jimmy Rowles, through 12 elegant renditions of classic songs associated with Nat King Cole, the majority of which Riddle had initially arranged for him. Originally released on Reprise in 1965, this tribute set includes instrumental versions of "Straighten Up and Fly Right," "Mona Lisa," "Ramblin' Rose," "Too Young," and "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)." Although not essential, this is a respectable reissue that traditional pop fans should be aware of."

What should be described as a true labor of love for drummer Chris G was finally completed. The recorded work, a tribute CD of the music of his late brother Andrew Gorczyca, is the culmination of four years effort devoted to countless recording studio sessions. At its core, the music would fall into the progressive rock category - given some of the notable influences and instrumentation. Yet the music in this tribute collection balances the technical playing side of classic progressive rock with a songwriting sensibility devoted to melody and lush vocal arrangements. A total of eighteen progressive rock players were recorded in twelve different studios located in six different American cities. This host of artists associated with the genre (including Adrian Belew, Nick D Virgilio, Phil Keaggy, and Mike Keneally) provided the cast of players sought by Chris to re-create Andrew s music with professional flair and credibility.

Australian rock veterans Cold Chisel may have continued to remain a crowd-drawing, if slightly sporadic, live presence throughout the last decade, but up until now have been strangely reluctant to add to their back catalog of national treasures. However, following the death of their drummer Steve Prestwich earlier in the year, Jimmy Barnes and company have regrouped for their first new compositions in over 13 years, ensuring that All for You is more intriguing than your average cynical cash-in compilation. Indeed, alongside the emotive barroom balladry of the title track and the old-school rockabilly of "HQ454 Monroe," both of which fit comfortably next to the other 18 more familiar favorites, the track list, selected by thousands of visitors on their official website, also highlights the fact that this is very much a fan-friendly affair.

A personal insight, from the world's favourite naturalist, into Darwin's theory of evolution, exploring why it is more important now than ever before. Beautifully shot, this is the start of a series of celebrations of the man behind the theory that changed the world's thinking. But more than that, this is a labor of love for a man who has been at the forefront of natural history programming or decades.