Nelson Riddle

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."

The Nelson Riddle Orchestra was always great enough to play music for film and television soundtracks, and accompany the greatest of stars, including Louis Jordan, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, and Antonio Carlos Jobim, among many others. For the band to back up the 1963 version of the Oscar Peterson trio with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen might have created some tension, with Peterson always wanting to cut loose and go over the top as opposed to the silky smooth sound Riddle favored. Fortunately, Peterson strikes a balance between playing it cool and lettin' 'er rip on this collection of standards with the dinner hour in mind…