Format: CD Release Date: 3/3/2009 UPC: 09036803396 Item ID: 1081623 Studio: CHESKY RECORDS ProductID: CKY339.2 Adam Minkoff (Session Assistant) David Chesky (Liner Notes, Producer) George Fludas (Drums) Ira Gitler (Liner Notes) Lisa Hershfield (Production Assistant) Lorin Cohen (Bass) Luigi Giugliano (Session Assistant) Monty Alexander (Melodica, Piano) Nicholas Prout (Editing, Engineer, Mastering) Norman Chesky (Executive Producer, Liner Notes) Rick Eckerle (Engineer, Session Coordinator)
1. Calypso Blues, Pt. 1 - 3:13 2. Ramblin' Rose - 4:55 3. To the Ends of the Earth - 5:17 4. Again - 4:56 5. Send for Me - 3:57 6. Almost Like Being in Love - 5:25 7. Hajji Baba - 4:51 8. Too Young/Faith Can Move Mountains - 3:26 9. Never Let Me Go - 7:45 10. Can't See for Looking - 3:40 11. Fascination - 2:48 12. Sweet Georgia Brown - 2:38 13. Calypso Blues, Pt. 2 - 3:12 Editorial Reviews: Monty Alexander follows up his tribute to Tony Bennett with an homage to another classic jazz singer, Nat "King" Cole. Also recorded in New York City at St. Peter's Episcopal Church with the same trio of Chicagoans Lorin Cohen on bass and drummer George Fludas, the veteran pianist seems more in his element with this artists repertoire that sharply defined his personal sound and thinking about populist jazz. Though all of the tunes selected are not so closely linked to Cole's hit parade songbook, the way Alexander plays them with subtlety and depth certainly is the operative of what made Cole the king in the late '50s and early '60s. Though a competent singer, Alexander does not attempt vocalizing them, and that's alright. What he does is lovingly construct these melodies and extrapolates on them later - the best way of honoring these great American popular songs. Though "Straighten Up & Fly Right" is not credited as it is in Ira Gitler's liner notes, it's a distinct part of and extant in the theme of the bluesy, two fisted and breezy "Can't See For Looking," "Ramblin' Rose" is not at all typical in a bouncy, cowpoke swing, while "Send For Me" has Alexander staggering the chord phrases as if he's juggling them, with double stops and bouncy stride or boogie woogie inferences. Most typically Nat is the straight ahead take of "Almost Like Being In Love," the short and sweet "Fascination," or the steamrolling "Sweet Georgia Brown," a tune Cole loved to tear it up on, showcasing Alexander at his best. The most unusual selections go into ethnic overtones, as "Hajji Baba" is Arabic in nature with its mystical exoticism, while the storybook, childlike version of "Never Let Me Go" refers to Alexander's Caribbean roots, mixing a bossa nova and reggae feel into a light, cool whip. The CD is bookended with versions of the title track, where Alexander wields the melodica playfully, again in spicier Latin frames. With the immaculate sound and performance by this fine trio, not to mention they didn't exactly play Cole's songbook rote or by the numbers, it's hard to fault the effort, heart and soul behind this concept album that should delight many jazz listeners. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide