Music » Broadway & Vocalist Indie Music

Nat "King" Cole endured more than his share of scorn and rebuke from all manner of fans and critics. He wasn't jazzy enough to satisfy many, not white enough to please the pop cultural obsession with Anglo- and Euro-American stardom. In answer to all of this, Cole simply proceeded, crooning beautifully even after he'd walked away from the piano and become primarily a vocal sensation. This 1956 collection is famous as Cole's riposte to the critique that he wasn't jazzy. The session brings several Swing Era stars on board: violinist Stuff Smith, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, trombonist Juan Tizol, and alto saxophonist Willie Smith. The horns and violin fronted a semistandard jazz setup of guitar, drums, and percussion, along with Cole's own considerable chops on piano. As an improviser, Cole heavily influenced a generation of ivory ticklers, including Oscar Peterson and others, and here he shows himself a stellar pianist. His runs bespeak Cole's utter perfection on the keyboard. This is a crucial document. --Andrew Bartlett

Release Date: 1992-09-30, Audio CD, Asv Living Era

The wide range of show tunes included on 1995's On Broadway makes it feel somewhat like an audition tape. After all, its star, Andrea McArdle, hadn't headlined a new show since the age of 12, and this seems to be an effort to show that she can handle a number of different roles. Does that mean it's bad listening? Of course not. McArdle (and husband/producer Edd Kalehoff) proves her point that she is one of Broadway's greatest and most versatile voices of the last quarter century and is still going strong at the ripe old age of 30. Here she sings numbers from the various places she's been over the years, including State Fair, Les Mis?rables, and, of course, Annie, as well as her wish list--Evita, Oliver! and Meet Me in St. Louis (it's tantalizing to imagine her in the Judy Garland role). Anyone who had tried to file Andrea McArdle under the category of "Whatever happened to..." should pick up this album and enjoy. --David Horiuchi

Release Date: 2000-04-18, Audio CD, Jay Records

Two-on-one reissue combines the 1955 albums, 'That Bad Eartha' & 'Down To Eartha'. 24 tracks including the classics, 'I Want To Be Evil', 'C'est Si Bon (It's So Good)', 'Let's Do It', 'My Heart Belongs To Daddy', 'Uska Dara - A Turkish Tale' & 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes'. 2002.

Release Date: 1996-07-09, Audio CD, Jay Records

Array

Astonishingly enough, the soundtrack to this classic 1972 musical is available only on cassette from MCA in the U.S. The film garnished two Oscars that year: Liza Minnelli got best actress and Bob Fosse got best director. It also co-stars Michael York and Joel Grey. 12 tracks.

These original RCA recordings also feature Harry Belafonte, Ricardo Montalban and Ossie Davis. The Original Broadway Cast album Jamaica is from 1957, Porgy & Bess is from 1959. 28 tracks. Collectables. 2003.

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. SSJ. 2007.