Nat 'King' Cole - St. Louis Blues (2LP, 45RPM)
St. Louis Blues is a 1958 American film broadly based on the life of W. C. Handy, called the Father of the Blues, with Nat King Cole as W.C. Handy.
Nat King Cole – vocal [click here to see more vinyl featuring Nat King Cole]
Nelson Riddle – arranger, conductor
Written by W.C. Handy (A2 – D3) and Nelson Riddle (A1)
2 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 45 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : RTI
Label : Analogue Productions
Original Label : Capitol Records
Recorded January 29–31, 1958 at Capital Studio, New York
Produced by Lee Gillette
Remastered by Kevin Gray, Steve Hoffman at AcousTech Mastering
Originally released in 1958
Reissued in 2010
Tracks:
Side A:
- Overture: Love Theme - Hesitating Blues
- Harlem Blues
- Chantez Les Bas
Side B :
- Friendless Blues
- Stay
- Joe Turner's Blues
Side C:
- Beale Street Blues
- Careless Love
- Morning Star
Side D :
- Memphis Blues
- Yellow Dog Blues
- St. Louis Blues
Reviews:
“The filmed version of W.C. Handy's life, St. Louis Blues, is a fictional abomination full of every bad cliché that Hollywood could come up with. Its one saving grace was the dignified performance given by Nat King Cole in the lead role (even if Handy was never a singing pianist). This LP, in addition to featuring Nelson Riddle's "Overture" from the film, finds Cole singing ten of Handy's finest compositions (including "Beale Street Blues," "Careless Love" and the title song) while backed by an orchestra playing Riddle's arrangements.” AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow
“Compared to the reverb-drenched, watery and distant sounding original stereo records, Hoffman and Gray introduce just a “kiss” of echo chamber and no more. Enough to pleasantly wet down the aural landscape (much like they always wet the visual one before shooting an automobile commercial), but not so much that it splashes in your face. The result is a thrillingly intimate and honest sonic window that still maintains a respectful distance between listener and performer. These Nat “King” Cole reissues are magical time machines that will transport you back to Capitol Studios in ways the distant, compressed and obscured by reverb original stereo editions do not.” Michael Fremer
Ratings :
AllMusic : 3 / 5 , Discogs : 4,17 / 5