|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| The World Of Nat King Cole Nat King Cole resides near the top of a very short list of the most identifiable and most memorable voices in American music. 41 years after the 1965 release of Cole's Unforgettable and his premature death at the age of 47, a new documentary film, The World Of Nat King Cole, explores his 30-year recording and television career and transformative events in his life. The film's debut includes DVD and limited edition deluxe DVD/CD packages scheduled for release on May 16 by Capitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing and a national television premiere on PBS' "American Masters" series on Wednesday, May 17. On May 2, Capitol/EMI will release The Very Best Of Nat King Cole, a career-spanning single-disc anthology of 28 remastered Cole classics, from his 1940s cuts with his Trio to his 1960s solo singles. The new anthology also includes a previously unreleased version of "Morning Star, " as it was originally recorded for the classic film St. Louis Blues. PBS is airing The World Of Nat King Cole as part of the 20th anniversary season of the acclaimed AMERICAN MASTERS series, which is produced by Thirteen/WNET New York. To coincide with the PBS premiere broadcast, Capitol/EMI will release an expanded, 90-minute edit of the documentary, plus 30 minutes of bonus footage, on DVD and in a deluxe, limited edition DVD/CD package. The trailer for The World Of Nat King Cole is available for viewing at www.natkingcolemusic.com. The World Of Nat King Cole completes the portrait of a groundbreaking American icon whose impact continues to surmount the world's cultural and physical boundaries. Featuring a who's-who of music greats and other world-famous entertainment luminaries, the documentary presents a moving portrait of one of the world's most beloved entertainers, shedding new light on Cole's enduring universal appeal and his most pioneering achievements. Produced by UK-based Double Jab Productions in conjunction with the Cole family's King Cole Productions and Capitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing, the film includes archival performance and behind the scenes film footage of Cole, as well as inspired and informative interviews with members of the Cole family, Stevie Wonder, film director Baz Luhrmann, B.B. King, Andre 3000 of Outkast, Harry Connick, Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Les Paul, Quincy Jones, Eartha Kitt, Isaac Hayes and many more. In 1942, Nat King Cole was one of the first artists to sign with Capitol Records, and he recorded nearly 700 songs for the label, becoming the first No.1 artist on Billboard's first album chart. During his 30-year recording career, Cole recorded more than 150 charting singles on Billboard's Pop, R&B and Country charts, a staggering record that remains unbroken by any other artist ever signed to Capitol Records, which led to the label becoming known as "The House That Nat Built." In 1956, Cole also became the first person of color to host his own national network television show, NBC's "Nat King Cole Show." At the time of his death, it was reported that Capitol Records had sold more than nine million Nat King Cole records. Cole's catalog continues to sell in excess of one million albums per year around the world. Despite his many accomplishments and historical 'firsts' as one of America's most beloved entertainers, Cole and his family endured overt racism close to home as the first African American residents in Los Angeles' Hancock Park neighborhood, and Cole was regularly met with Klan protests at his concert appearances in the South. The World Of Nat King Cole honors a man who challenged and rose above arbitrary limitations placed on his way of life by others, with grace and fortitude that unified Americans during a divisive time in the country's history. It is difficult to contemplate a holiday season without the warmth of Nat King Cole's rendition of "The Christmas Song" -- from "Mona Lisa" to "Unforgettable, " his songs are incomparable. With annual album sales topping the one million mark around the world, Cole continues to be one of Capitol Records' best-selling artists. Nat King Cole's global success was bolstered by his open embrace of the world's cultures and languages, and many of the songs he recorded with lyrics in different languages became major international hits, including his single "L-O-V-E, " sung in Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Japanese. In January 2005, Nat King Cole made his first return in 40 years to Billboard's Top 50 with the #41 debut of The World Of Nat King Cole CD (Capitol/EMI). Cole's last album to reach the Top 50, Unforgettable, peaked at #30 in 1965. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |