The Very Thought Of You Review

07/13/2005 5:32 AM, AMG


Nat King Cole possessed one of the most accessible and appealing voices of any singer in the 1950s. This ballad-oriented set puts the emphasis completely on his voice (there is no piano playing or any hint of his jazz-oriented past) and features Cole accompanied by Gordon Jenkins' sweet arrangements for a string orchestra. Many other singers might find it difficult to overcome, much less uplift this type of accompaniment, but Cole's basic and honest delivery works quite well in this setting. Two additional songs left off the original LP ("Don't Blame Me" and "There Is No Greater Love") are added to the audiophile CD reissue and continue the mellow mood. Highlights include "The Very Thought of You," "But Beautiful," "This Is All I Ask," "For All We Know" and "The More I See You." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide