The MARK’S VINTAGE VINYL page features something from Mark’s collection of recordings from over the years. Most of it is on vinyl – hence the name – though there will be a few entries from his CDs (remember those?).
Unforgettable, by Nat King Cole
- Eleventh studio album released by Nat King Cole. The original 10 inch vinyl album was released in 1952. I have a re-released 12 inch vinyl album released in 1954 – this version has 4 additional songs as compared to the 1952 version.
- My earliest memories of music are of my sister playing folk guitar, and listening to records that my parents owned. While initially I didn’t care much for Mom and Dad’s kind of music, as a teenager I soon learned to appreciate amazing vocals – and Nat King Cole was as good as it got. Dad had several albums by Cole, and I asked Dad if I could have them, and he said yes. Unforgettable is one of those albums.
- Cole had many huge hits in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Four of his #1 hits are on this album – Unforgettable, Too Young, (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons and Mona Lisa. Other top 10 hits from the album were Answer Me My Love, and Pretend.
- I remember many many nights in the late 70s and early 80s, playing darts with friends at “The Sportsman’s Pub” and playing Mona Lisa on the juke box – usually after several beers, which allowed me to sound just like Nat King Cole as I sang along with the song (at least, we thought so after those beers).
- As with most of his songs, he is backed by a string orchestra, often with a electric guitar, piano, and stand-up bass and drums. The accompanying instruments are performed in a “cool jazz” style.
- Still today, I put Nat King Cole as the coolest of crooners. Take a few minutes and watch him sing Unforgettable and Mona Lisa. These songs are fabulous, and Cole’s vocals define romance from that era.