Nat King Cole – Let’s Face The Music – Reviewed in 2013

Rich and tubey vocals on exceptionally quiet vinyl. Swingin’ Billy May Big Band arrangements. Nat plays the Hammond organ on no less than five tracks.

All the copies we played were stereo. We’ve had very poor luck with mono Nat King Cole records (for albums that were recorded in stereo) and tend to avoid them.

Side One

A++. Skip the first track, it’s way too bright and thin. Things get much better right away though, with all the rest of the side showing us what we love about sound of the early ’60s — richness, warmth and plenty of Tubey Magic. This is the right sound for a Nat King Cole album; you will have a very hard time finding one that works its magic the way that this one does.

Listen to how big and clear the orchestra is — not many copies can pull off that kind of size and clarity.

Side Two

A+ to A++, not quite as good, with not as much richness as we would have liked, not enough to be Super Hot but close to it. Still, the vocals are present and clear and undistorted, all to the good. With enough tubes in the chain you may find it just right.

TRACK LISTING

Side One

Day In – Day Out 
Bidin’ My Time 
When My Sugar Walks Down the Street
Warm and Willing
I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter 
Cold, Cold Heart

Side Two

Something Makes Me Want to Dance With You
Moon Love 
The Rules of the Road
Ebony Rhapsody
Too Little, Too Late 
Let’s Face the Music and Dance

AMG Review

Recorded in November 1961, but not released until 1964, Nat King Cole’s Let’s Face the Music!, a swinging album of rhythm tunes, is notable in his catalog for two reasons: it marked another reunion (the last, as it turned out) with arranger/conductor Billy May, and it is the only instance of an LP on which Cole was heard playing the Hammond organ…

Up- or medium tempo, Cole maintained his cool and his smooth delivery, always sounding unhurried, articulate, and correct, whether he was singing of romantic joy or sorrow… Cole fans had reason to welcome his versions of some classic songs he had not addressed before and to be thankful that Capitol finally let them out of the vault.