Nat King Cole Christmas Songs & Music
It
just doesn't feel like Christmas until you've heard Nat King Cole.
If ever a voice was equipped to take on a festive classic it was
his. With a homespun charm and unmistakable tone hearing him just
makes you feel warm inside. Inevitably there
have been umpteen posthumous Nat King Cole Christmas compilations
since his death in 1965 but during his lifetime Nat King Cole only
recorded one Christmas album, 'The Magic of Christmas' in 1960. The
album was awash with traditional standards like 'Deck The Halls',
'I Saw Three Ships', 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' and 'The First
Noel' and included orchestral arrangements by Ralph Carmichael.
Hard to believe this
was Cole's sole full-length contribution to the season when you
consider the grip he has had on what we play each Christmas. The
crooner did however record several Christmas singles earlier in his
career (listed below). One of them, initially released in 1946,
would define his career and in many ways Christmas as we know it.
The timeless Mel Tormé/Bob Wells number 'The Christmas
Song' was written with Nat King Cole in mind and he didn't let the
composer down as his wonderful interpretation has never been
equaled. Nat King Cole has become so associated with the song that
he recorded it 4 times and it is the final rendition in 1961 that
is generally accepted to be the definitive recording. There is no
doubt that Cole was a maverick as well as a talent, and his
eponymous TV show became the first one to be fronted by an African
American. Despite its short run (lasting only one year, primarily
due to lack of sponsorship) it has left an indelible impression and
many of Cole's performances, including one that you can watch
below, have become the stuff of legend.
Nat King
Cole's Christmas Singles
1946: The Christmas Song (recorded as the Nat
King Cole Trio)
1950: A-Side:
Frosty The Snowman / B-Side: Little Christmas Tree
1953: A-Side: The Little Boy That Santa Claus
Forgot / B-Side: Mrs. Santa Claus
1959: A-Side: Buon Natale / B-Side: The Happiest
Christmas Tree
Nat King
Cole's Christmas Album
1960: The Magic of
Christmas