Every Time I Feel the Spirit
Nat King Cole · 1959
25 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A soulful collection of spirituals and hymns, blending Nat King Cole's smooth jazz vocals with deeply rooted emotional resonance.
Top tracks — play these first
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Every Time I Feel the Spirit Start here — The title track serves as a powerful opener, showcasing Cole's ability to convey deep emotion through simple yet profound melodies that resonate with listeners spiritually.
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Ain't Gonna Study War No More — This track stands out for its poignant message of peace and unity, delivered with a rhythmic energy that highlights Cole's jazz roots while addressing social issues.
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Oh, Mary, Don't You Weep — Cole’s rendition brings a sense of hope and resilience, encapsulating the album’s theme of faith amidst struggle, anchored by his warm vocal delivery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jazz and gospel effectively, showcasing strong vocal performances and cohesive arrangements.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of piano and soft brass arrangements, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere throughout.
- Each track maintains a slow to mid-tempo pace, with the majority focusing on vocal harmonies supported by subtle instrumentation.
- Several tracks include call-and-response elements, enhancing the gospel feel and engaging the listener in a communal experience.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short reflective listening experience
- soulful moments of introspection
- uplifting themes of resilience
- gentle, soothing vocal warmth
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, complex albums
- seek high-energy, fast-paced tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marked a significant turn into gospel, expanding Nat King Cole's appeal and recognition.
- Themes
- spiritual resilience· civil rights anthems· soulful gospel tradition
- Career context
- Released in January 1959, Every Time I Feel the Spirit marked a significant turn for Nat King Cole as he ventured into gospel music, following his mainstream success with pop and jazz standards. This album came after the release of his highly successful albums like Love Is the Thing and showcased his versatility as an artist willing to explore deeper spiritual themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Frank Sinatra· Ella Fitzgerald· Tony Bennett
Tracklist
- 1 Every Time I Feel the Spirit Start here 1:49
- 2 I Want to Be Ready 1:47
- 3 Sweet Hour of Prayer 1:51
- 4 Ain't Gonna Study War No More 2:40
- 5 I Found the Answer 2:00
- 6 Standin' in the Need of Prayer 2:12
- 7 Oh, Mary, Don't You Weep 1:59
- 8 Go Down, Moses 1:52
- 9 Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen 2:46
- 10 In the Sweet by and By 1:55
- 11 I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray 1:54
- 12 Steal Away 2:47
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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