Hit That Jive Jack: Trio 1940-41
These trio performances predate the trio's Capitol hits, but they show without a doubt that Nat Cole had his formula firmly in place well before "Straighten Up and Fly Right". The jivey, early-'40s cocktail swing is already in full flower. While the Trio's Capitol Records output is truly the most dazzling work of Cole's career, these early Decca sides leave nothing to be desired, and the added advantage of more Cole dazzling piano is worth owning this CD for. While Nat "King" Cole was not yet a legend, he was certainly already a major talent at the time of these sessions, and the music holds up beautifully.--Skip Heller