Swiss Radio Days Vol. 43 / Nat King Cole Trio
) | Label: TCB Catalog: TCB 02432 Format: CD NAT KING COLE TRIOStraighten up and fly right… to Zurich 1950! To discover an unreleased concert is a priceless gift. All the more so, as the recording of this 1950 performance given at the Kongresshaus in Zurich recreates faithfully what was played that evening, in a quality worthy of praise for the sound engineer. In 1950 Nat King Cole presented a brilliant trio, using the formula tried and approved by him consisting of guitar, piano and double bass. It is the impeccable Irving Ashby and Joe Comfort who share the stage with him, along with a recent discovery, percussionist Jack Costanzo, aka Mr. Bongo. The three musicians plus one are thick as thieves on the Zurich stage, alternating between standards and the trio’s hits with a verve and a good humor which are pure pleasure to listen to. Nat isn’t too concerned about delivering perfection, and lets himself go here and there with little “slips” and nicely risky flights, ideas owing in uninterrupted improvisation, giving these interpretations a unique flavor and freshness. The arrangements, stuffed with tasty and rhythmically impeccable morsels, are a constant treat for today’s listeners.  Price: $25.98 |