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Rating: Great |
Grammy-winning vocal sensation Gregory Porter—one of the most successful jazz artists of his generation—released the album “Nat King Cole & Me” on October 27, 2017 on the Decca/Blue Note Label. It’s a deeply personal tribute to Nat King Cole—the legendary crooner who sparked Gregory’s love of music. “It’s only natural that I go to the source of my inspiration and where I come from. And that root is my mother and gospel music and Nat King Cole,” he says.
The 12-track album was recorded at AIR Studios in London and features some of Gregory's favorite Nat King Cole songs, including 'Smile', 'LOV-E' and 'Nature Boy'. There's also a Nat-inspired arrangement of Gregory's own song 'When Love Was King', originally released on his multi-million selling hit album, 'Liquid Spirit'.
For Gregory Porter, the influence of Nat King Cole on his life and music runs deep, a lineage that stretches back to some of his earliest childhood memories, and culminates in the release of his new album, ‘Nat King Cole & Me’. Gregory explains: “When I was five or six years old, Nat’s music filled a void in me. My father wasn’t in my life or interested in me or raising me and Nat’s words were the life lessons, words of wisdom and fatherly advice that I needed.”
Gregory’s love for Nat’s music blossomed so much that he wrote a semi-autobiographical musical, also called “Nat King Cole & Me,” which premiered in 2004. “After the play, I felt lighter about my father and a deeper appreciation for both my mother and the great music of Nat King Cole,” Gregory says. He also found his voice through his own songwriting – “It wasn’t until I wrote the musical that I could call myself a songwriter. Before that, I wrote several poems, but they didn’t have music.”
'Nat King Cole & Me' follows his Grammy-winning albums 'Liquid Spirit' (2013) and 'Take Me to the Alley' (2016). 'Liquid Spirit' took Gregory from the biggest name on the jazz scene to one of the most sought-after singers working today, playing sell-out shows across the UK and being invited to perform on high profile TV shows including The Graham Norton Show, Strictly Come Dancing and the BBC Music Awards. He has become a national treasure in the UK, having sung for the Queen on multiple occasions, as well as at major music festivals such as Glastonbury, where he performed on the Pyramid Stage alongside the likes of Muse, Adele and Coldplay. Gregory's ability to transcend genres even extends to his surprise dance hit 'Liquid Spirit Claptone Remix', which became one of the most popular tracks in Ibiza.
After winning over audiences with his rich and soulful voice, there couldn’t be a better time for Gregory to return to the music that inspired him to become a singer in the first place. Speaking about Nat’s legacy and influence, Gregory says: “He was one of a kind. He left behind such great music – such beautiful things to listen to that you can’t help but be affected by that extraordinary timbre, style, and ultimate cool.
= Full Album Play List =
= Track List =
