Is This Is Nat King Cole a good place to start with Nat King Cole?

Yes, This Is Nat King Cole is recommended as a starting point for new Nat King Cole listeners. Smooth jazz melodies intertwine with heartfelt vocals, creating an intimate atmosphere that resonates through each track. By the time 'This Is Nat King Cole' was released in 1957, Nat King Cole had transitioned from a successful jazz pianist to a celebrated vocalist. This album followed his previous chart-topping success with 'Love Is the Thing', solidifying his status as a mainstream artist and showcasing his ability to blend jazz with popular music appeal.

Who is This Is Nat King Cole for?

This Is Nat King Cole works well if you're into intimate moments of reflection, steady pacing for relaxed listening and smooth melodies for evening wind-down.

How many songs are on This Is Nat King Cole?

This Is Nat King Cole has 16 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

This Is Nat King Cole

Nat King Cole · 1957

47 min · 16 tracks · jazz

Smooth jazz melodies intertwine with heartfelt vocals, creating an intimate atmosphere that resonates through each track.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Dreams Can Tell a Lie Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
→
Too Young to Go Steady — This track features a gentle melody paired with introspective lyrics about youthful love, encapsulating the romantic essence of the album.
→
Nothing Ever Changes My Love for You — With its lush orchestration and heartfelt delivery, this song stands out as a poignant declaration of unwavering affection, showcasing Cole's emotional range.
→
Love Me as Though There Were No Tomorrow — This track's hauntingly beautiful arrangement and vulnerable lyrics convey deep longing, making it a memorable highlight that exemplifies Cole's artistry.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodies and arrangements but lacks a cohesive narrative flow across its length.

What we noticed

Several tracks utilize lush orchestral arrangements that complement Cole's smooth vocal delivery, particularly in ballads.
The last three tracks shift to a more upbeat tempo, creating a contrast with the preceding slower songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

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

intimate moments of reflection
steady pacing for relaxed listening
smooth melodies for evening wind-down
uplifting tunes for nostalgic vibes
easy background for social gatherings

Maybe skip if you

seekers of high-energy tracks
prefer complex sonic experimentation

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Cole's reputation as a leading vocalist in the jazz genre.
Themes: 1950s romance· intimate ballads
Moods: Chill· Introspective
Career context: By the time 'This Is Nat King Cole' was released in 1957, Nat King Cole had transitioned from a successful jazz pianist to a celebrated vocalist. This album followed his previous chart-topping success with 'Love Is the Thing', solidifying his status as a mainstream artist and showcasing his ability to blend jazz with popular music appeal.
Stylistic neighbors: Frank Sinatra· Ella Fitzgerald· Tony Bennett