CD: Nat King Cole, Central Avenue Breakdown

If you're like most people, chances are you associate Nat "King" Cole first and foremost with lushly orchestrated pop ballads like "Mona Lisa" and "Unforgettable." But that stuff's only part of the story. Before Cole turned to full-blown pop in the 1950s, he led a remarkable series of small jazz groups that showcased his bubbly piano playing and ever-suave singing. And it's music from that earlier era, captured on both studio recordings and radio transcriptions, that makes up the track list of this disc. Of all the music he made in his short life - he died of lung cancer in February 1965 - it's the trio work that stands out, boasting a joie de vivre that's… well, unforgettable.

Song Listing (14 Tracks):
1. Yes Sir, That's My Baby
2. Central Avenue Breakdown
3. Black Spider Stomp
4. Sweet Lorraine
5. Honeysuckle Rose
6. That Ain't Right
7. Hit that Jive Jack
8. Jack the Bellboy
9. Blue Because of You
10. This Will Make You Laugh
11. You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
12. Gone With the Draft
13. Hit the Ramp
14. Babs