Nat King Cole at the Piano
Nat King Cole · 1949
22 min · 8 tracks · jazz
Elegant jazz piano intertwines with soothing vocals, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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Poor Butterfly Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You) — This track stands out with its poignant melody and heartfelt delivery, illustrating Cole's ability to convey deep emotion through both voice and piano.
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How High the Moon — A showcase of Cole's virtuosity on the piano, this rendition combines intricate rhythms with a playful sense of improvisation that highlights his jazz roots.
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Moonlight in Vermont — The lush arrangement and serene performance create an enchanting atmosphere, exemplifying Cole's talent for blending lyrical beauty with instrumental sophistication.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Cole's piano mastery while blending vocals elegantly, establishing a warm jazz atmosphere.
What we noticed
- Each track maintains a consistent tempo, with most songs hovering around a relaxed mid-tempo, creating a soothing atmosphere throughout.
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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
- soothing background for relaxation
- short bursts of melodic joy
- elegant piano-driven moments
- intimate listening with a partner
Maybe skip if you
- seeking long, sprawling compositions
- prefer upbeat, high-energy tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Nat King Cole's status as a leading jazz figure.
- Themes
- intimate piano evenings· post-war romance· jazz club elegance
- Career context
- Released in January 1949, Nat King Cole at the Piano marked Cole's transition from a successful trio leader to a solo star. This album showcased his mastery of the piano and laid the groundwork for his future as a prominent vocalist, following his earlier success with hits like 'Straighten Up and Fly Right'.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Frank Sinatra· Ella Fitzgerald· Tony Bennett
Tracklist
- 1 Poor Butterfly Start here 2:37
- 2 Blues in My Shower 2:51
- 3 Cole Capers 1:59
- 4 These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You) 3:17
- 5 How High the Moon 2:44
- 6 Moonlight in Vermont 3:16
- 7 I'll Never Be the Same 2:53
- 8 Three Little Words 2:43
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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