buyers - Nat Cole Box?

[Jim R]

Not knowing the licensing issues (esp. globally) .. What's the odds are that Mosaic/blue note is going to release some of this stuff at some point in the future?

Unlikely, since Mosaic usually focuses on material that is not currently available elsewhere, and, also, this set is not primarily a jazz set. Much of the material would most likely be categorized as "pop". There is a fair amount of Nat Cole already available on Capitol, including, I believe, a lot of what's on this set.

Exactly. Like I said, go find an inexpensive sample disc or two.

[tranemonk]

now here's another question/issue....

It looks like on the face of it.. there's some overlap with this box set?

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?...320218009&BAB=E

Whats the scoop on this one? (4 cds is a lot better than 11)?

the simple dilemma I face is this....

The Nat box was one of the 2 Mosaics that I missed and desperately wish I had... (the other being the Paul Desmond box, which is another story for another day).... Since he, like Duke, and a few others recorded SO much and SO many labels reproduce/reissue/re-re-re-re-issue/butcher his stuff... I find it impossible to know which are his legit recordings (with good worthwhile remastering or alt./unreleased tracks) and which are crap...

So that's one of my inclinations toward this set... I get a lot of him in a legit set. I did order the 3CD Capitol Transcription Sessions.. but haven't receieved it yet... I have 4 single CD's including the After Midnight Sessions...

So if... I don't get this Bear Family set... what WOULD you recommend?

SO....

[Guest]

now here's another question/issue....

It looks like on the face of it.. there's some overlap with this box set?

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?...320218009&BAB=E

Whats the scoop on this one? (4 cds is a lot better than 11)?

the simple dilemma I face is this....

The Nat box was one of the 2 Mosaics that I missed and desperately wish I had... (the other being the Paul Desmond box, which is another story for another day).... Since he, like Duke, and a few others recorded SO much and SO many labels reproduce/reissue/re-re-re-re-issue/butcher his stuff... I find it impossible to know which are his legit recordings (with good worthwhile remastering or alt./unreleased tracks) and which are crap...

So that's one of my inclinations toward this set... I get a lot of him in a legit set. I did order the 3CD Capitol Transcription Sessions.. but haven't receieved it yet... I have 4 single CD's including the After Midnight Sessions...

So if... I don't get this Bear Family set... what WOULD you recommend?

SO....

How important is to you to have a well written booklet and a complete discography? Not that I would recommend you basing your purchase on these criteria alone, but if that is worth something I suggest you open your wallet because this set will have the most complete essay/discography written on Cole's career. The Mosaic booklet was 60-something pages; this is 208!

While Capitol has done an adequate job of re-issuing many of Cole's original albums, they have poorly neglected many of his non-hit singles. This set will feature dozens of songs that stand an excellent chance of not being issued any time soon, if not ever again. If that is important to you, open your wallet.

But if you don't wanna splurge for the set, pick up the original vinyl. It might take you longer, but it would be cheaper and probably quicker than waiting for Capitol to do justice to Nat's catalog.

Jordan

Edited March 19, 2006 by jtaylor

[Ron S]

An excellent CD with 18 of Nat King Cole's 1943-1947 and 1949 piano trio sides is The Best of the Nat King Cole Trio: The Instrumental Classics, Capitol 98288. The CD was released in 1992; the transfers were done by Jay Ranellucci and Malcolm Addey. Highly recommended!

Always great to learn of a high quality more modest option out there in these type of threads, thanks! And Malcom Addey on the credits too eh? I'll put it on my hunting list.

If you can afford it, I'd recommend that instead you spring for the 3-CD box set that includes this disc, plus 2 discs of the trio sides with Nat's vocals from the same period (which are actually the more famous, e.g., "Sweet Lorraine", "Route 66", etc.), for a total of 62 tracks:

Here's the complete track listing.

And Tranemonk, this set plus the new Capitol transcriptions set (which also is on my wish list) should get you a lot--although certainly not all and maybe not even most--of the meat of the Mosaic set (6 CDs vs. 18 CDs).

[Ron S]

The Nat box was one of the 2 Mosaics that I missed and desperately wish I had... (the other being the Paul Desmond box, which is another story for another day)....

You know, you can put together almost all of the tracks from the Desmond Mosaic with 5 CDs that are currently available:

First Place Again (reissued on Gambit)

Take Ten (RCA)

Bossa Antigua (RCA)

Glad To Be Unhappy (RCA)

Easy Living (RCA)

So quit your whining already!

[tranemonk]

thank u ron...

The Nat box was one of the 2 Mosaics that I missed and desperately wish I had... (the other being the Paul Desmond box, which is another story for another day)....

You know, you can put together almost all of the tracks from the Desmond Mosaic with 5 CDs that are currently available:

First Place Again (reissued on Gambit)

Take Ten (RCA)

Bossa Antigua (RCA)

Glad To Be Unhappy (RCA)

Easy Living (RCA)

So quit your whining already!

[Brad]

I had the box but sold it (did make burns however). I have listened to part of it but 18 CDs is a lot. If this new box is non jazz, I will pass.