Monty Alexander - Calypso Blues: The Songs of Nat King Cole (2009) [Hi-Res]

Monty Alexander follows up his tribute to Tony Bennett with an homage to another classic jazz singer, Nat King Cole. Also recorded in New York City at St. Peter's Episcopal Church with the same trio of Chicagoans Lorin Cohen on bass and drummer George Fludas, the veteran pianist seems more in his element with this artist's repertoire, one that sharply defined his own sound and thinking about popular jazz. Though all of the tunes selected are not so closely linked to Cole's hit parade songbook, the way Alexander plays them with subtlety and depth does reflect what made Cole the king in the late '50s and early '60s. With the immaculate sound and performance by this fine trio--not to mention that they don't play Cole's songbook by rote or by the numbers--it's hard to fault the effort, heart, and soul behind a concept album that should delight many jazz listeners.

Monty Alexander - Piano, melodica
Lorin Cohen - Bass
George Fludas - Drums

Lorin Cohen - Bass
George Fludas - Drums

Tracklist:
1. Monty Alexander - Calypso Blues Part 1
2. Monty Alexander - Ramblin' Rose
3. Monty Alexander - To the Ends of the Earth
4. Monty Alexander - Again
5. Monty Alexander - Send For Me
6. Monty Alexander - Almost Like Being In Love
7. Monty Alexander - Hajji Baba
8. Monty Alexander - Too Young / Faith Can Move Mountains
9. Monty Alexander - Never Let Me Go
10. Monty Alexander - Can't See For Looking
11. Monty Alexander - Fascination
12. Monty Alexander - Sweet Georgia Brown
13. Monty Alexander - Calypso Blues Part 2