Nat King Cole was a gifted jazz pianist who played with such greats as Lester Young and Illinois Jacquet. But he was an even better pop singer, enjoying widespread fame in the ‘50s and ‘60s as a mainstream crooner. Recorded at a small club in 1953, Live at the Blue Note Chicago finds the peerless vocalist combining the best of both worlds in a luminous, 25-song set that functions as a roundup of his greatest hits to date. Cole and his wonderfully understated backing trio – John Collins (guitar), Charlie Harris (bass), Lee Young (drums) – glide through beautiful ballads (“Unforgettable”) and engaging toe-tappers (“Walkin’ My Baby Back Home”) with consummate ease, keeping the spotlight on his supple, velvety voice. He swings like crazy when the occasion demands, delivering a suave, cool take on “Route 66” that tops the Stones and Chuck Berry, with plenty of fluid keyboard to recall his roots. This nearly flawless collection will surprise those who consider Cole a syrupy performer and delight longtime fans who know better.
