New music: Johnny Marr, Sarah Borges, Urge Overkill, Scorpions, Natalie Cole

Johnny Marr, Sarah Borges, Urge Overkill and Scorpions are back with outstanding new studio albums. Also worth celebrating is the 30th Anniversary Edition of Natalie Cole's acclaimed Unforgettable...With Love available now.

Artist: Johnny Marr

Title: Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 (New Voodoo/BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: The Smiths, Johnny Marr, New Order, The The

Tell me more: Since Johnny Marr embarked on his bona fide solo career in 2013 with the release of his debut effort The Messenger, the British singer-songwriter/guitar master has carved out an essential new chapter in his career that builds on his immense contributions with The Smiths, the Pretenders, The The, 7 Worlds Collide, Modest Mouse and more. Add to that growing legacy the release of his ambitious new album Fever Dreams Pts 1-4. The 16-track album — which runs more than 72 minutes — finds Marr at the top of his game using his sharp vocals, signature guitar work and honed songcraft in the service of another truly incredible album. The thrilling opener "Spirit Power & Soul," hypnotic "All These Days," 1980s-meets-2022 "Hideaway Girl" and fiery modern rocker "Tenement Time" are among the thrilling early entries on the must-hear collection. The second half of the album continues to showcase Marr's razor-sharp approach as evidenced by the spellbinding "The Speed of Love," infectious "Night and Day," driving "The Whirl" and meditative closer "Human." Information: JohnnyMarr.com.

Artist: Sarah Borges

Title: Together Alone (Blue Corn Music)

You might like if you enjoy: Rosanne Cash, Aimee Mann, Sarah Borges

Tell me more: Years from now music historians will likely shine a reflective light on the myriad of masterworks created amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic that stopped the world in its tracks in early 2020. Among the albums deserving of their future attention —  and ours now —  is Sarah Borges' excellent Together Alone. Recorded remotely with her longtime producer Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, Together Alone features 10 original songs anchored by Borges' marvelous talents as singer, songwriter and guitarist. The lead-off track "Wasting My Time" sets up the lyrical themes and inviting soundscape to come with Borges singing: "It's been a while now since I've seen my friends / Don't know when I'm gonna see 'em again / Without them around / It's harder to pretend that I know where I'm going." The buoyant rocker "Lucky Day," rootsy "Wouldn't Know You" (featuring nice lead guitar work and piano playing from Amber), poetic "13th Floor," rollicking "You Got Me On The Boat" and introspective "Together Alone" are among the great songs on the disc. Ambel's liner notes add insight into the challenges and rewards of the way that Borges and a cast of great players —  including members of NRBQ and The Bottle Rockets — were able to complete the recording of this superb album. Information: bluecornmusic.com.  

Artist: Urge Overkill

Title: Oui (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: The Replacements, Husker Dü, Weezer

Tell me more: Back with their first new album since 2011's Rock & Roll Submarine, Chicago-based Urge Overkill's Oui marks a wonderful addition to the discography of the Nash Kato- and King Roeser-led troupe. The duo's loose and energetic Rolling Stones-on-steroids approach shines across the long-awaited album. Urge Overkill's parade of killer cuts on Oui includes a sparkling reworked version of George Michael's Wham!-era "Freedom," the tuneful "I Been Ready," rapid-fire "Forgiven," wistful "Litany" and crunchy "Won't Let Go." Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.  

Artist: Scorpions

Title: Rock Believer (Spinefarm)

You might like if you enjoy: Deep Purple, Scorpions, UFO

Tell me more: Crank it up. Famed German rockers Scorpions are back with the pedal-to-the-metal Rock Believer, created during the global pandemic in Hanover. The venerable hard rock quintet fires through 11 melody-minded rockers including the opening sortie "Gas In The Tank," ripping "Roots In My Boots," soaring "Shining Of Your Soul," poignant "Seventh Sun," inspired "Peacemaker" and lovely closer "When You Know (Where You Come From)." Many of the songs celebrate the band's strong ties with their fans and the music they play; there is a growing appreciation of their lasting place 55+ years into their marathon rock 'n' roll run (the band has reportedly sold more than 100 million records since 1972). Indeed, on the title track lead vocalist Klaus Meine sings: "Scream for me screamer / I'm a rock believer / like you just like you / Come on scream for me screamer / I'm a rock believer, like you just like you." The audio CD release is packaged in a 4-panel digipak and comes with a 16-page booklet. Information: scorpions.com. 

Artist: Natalie Cole

Title: Unforgettable...With Love [30th Anniversary Edition] (Craft Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Natalie Cole, Nat King Cole, David Foster

Tell me more: Long before she recorded Unforgettable...With Love at the dawn of the 1990s, Natalie Cole had often been encouraged to complete a collection of songs that had been recorded by her late father Nat King Cole. Unforgettable...With Love was ultimately Natalie Cole's most successful album, selling more than seven million copies and earning the artist a number of Grammys including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance for the title track. Now the 1991 album has been newly remastered and sounds better than ever. Natalie Cole brings her own signature style to classic material, her soprano bringing technical precision and emotional warmth to uptempo numbers ("Route 66," "This Can't Be Love," "Orange Colored Sky"), slower nuggets ("Mona Lisa," the jazzy "That Sunday That Summer," the gorgeous ballad "Too Young") and many of the most beloved songs of the 20th century (notably Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," George and Ira Gershwin's "Our Love Is Here To Stay," Irving Gordon's "Unforgettable" and Nat King Cole's own "Straighten Up and Fly Right"). In addition to the inclusion of all 22 selections featured on the original release, the 30th Anniversary Edition of Unforgettable...With Love includes two bonus tracks ("At Last" and "Cottage For Sale"). A wonderful 24-page booklet includes extensive liner notes and historical photos of Natalie Cole with her legendary father. Information: CraftRecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler

Classic Christmas songs from The Beach Boys, Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, Nat King Cole and more receive official videos for Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! ...

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS SONGS FROM THE BEACH BOYS, BING CROSBY, BURL IVES, DEAN MARTIN, ELLA FITZGERALD, FRANK SINATRA, THE JACKSON 5, JIMMY DURANTE, MARVIN GAYE AND NAT KING COLE RECEIVE FIRST-EVER OFFICIAL VIDEOS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

UMe’S LATEST HOLIDAY VIDEO OFFERINGS JOIN A HOST OF SEASONAL AUDIO DELIGHTS, INCLUDING OFFICIAL HOURS-LONG PLAYLIST, A HOST OF THEMATIC DIGITAL COLLECTIONS, AND MUCH MORE TO HELP SOUNDTRACK YOUR HOLIDAYS AND TURN UP THE JOY

Los Angeles – December 9, 2021 – This holiday season, UMe has once again teamed up with legendary artists and estates to create official animated videos for some of the most beloved holiday songs in the Christmas canon from the likes of Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, The Jackson 5, Jimmy Durante, Marvin Gaye, and Nat King Cole. Most of the animated videos were produced by Fantoons Animation Studios, with Ella Fitzgerald’s “Sleigh Ride” created by the team at Pixel Park; The Jackson 5’s “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” animated by Troy Browne and Chaz Bottoms, with puppets created by Adam Kreutinger and operated bypuppeteers Alex Griffin and Jayden Libran; and Marvin Gaye’s “I Want To Come Home For Christmas” directed by Tim Fox and animated by Daniel Crossan. The videos span a variety of styles and themes and feature animators from all over the world putting their unique spin on the holidays. 

In addition to the animated videos, several engaging lyric videos have been created for The Beach Boys’ “The Man With All The Toys,” Bing Crosby’s “Do You Hear What I Hear” and “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” Dean Martin’s “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” and Nat King Cole’s “The Happiest Christmas Tree,” which are perfect for holiday gathering sing-alongs. 

WATCH BING CROSBY’S “I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS” & 
“THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY”

WATCH BURL IVES’ “RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER”

WATCH DEAN MARTIN’S “I’VE GOT MY LOVE TO KEEP ME WARM”

WATCH ELLA FITZGERALD’S “SLEIGH RIDE”

WATCH FRANK SINATRA’S “HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS”

WATCH THE JACKSON 5’S “SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN”

WATCH JIMMY DURANTE’S “FROSTY THE SNOWMAN”

WATCH MARVIN GAYE’S “I WANT TO COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS”

WATCH NAT KING COLE’S “O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL”

WATCH THE BEACH BOYS’ “THE MAN WITH ALL THE TOYS” (LYRIC VIDEO)

WATCH BING CROSBY’S “DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR” (LYRIC VIDEO) &
 “IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS” (LYRIC VIDEO)

WATCH DEAN MARTIN’S “BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE” (LYRIC VIDEO)

WATCH NAT KING COLE’S “THE HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS TREE” (LYRIC VIDEO)

“UMe has created a series of videos for many of UMG’s most cherished and enduring holiday hits as we partner with our artists once again to continue this tradition,” says Bruce Resnikoff, President and CEO of UMe, the global catalog company of UMG. “This year’s videos were created by directors and artists from around the world and embody the holiday spirit as these timeless songs have been reinterpreted in creative new ways.”

In the video for Bing Crosby’s “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” viewers are taken on a Christmas voyage through the perspective of several generations of hopeful, hardworking family members, from the turn of the century to 1970s NYC to modern day, as they attempt to make it home for the holidays, while Bing serenades throughout the decades. In “The Little Drummer Boy,” a similar theme is told as a boy, away from his family, makes a meager living cleaning up backstage nightly. On a particularly depressing evening, as Christmas is fast approaching and the distance from his family becomes all the more somber, the boy transforms some rusty buckets and pails into a drum kit and the theatre, strewn with Crosby references, and its inanimate inhabitants come to life as he offers his sole and modest gift of drumming. In Burl Ives’ “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” a new chapter is added to one of the most famous Christmas tales of all as Rudolph Jr. saves Christmas after the blinking Neurological Observational Sensor Equipment (N.O.S.E.) malfunctions, forcing Rudolph to spring into action just like his famous father. 

Dean Martin is recruited by Santa and Mrs. Claus to handle Christmas duties while they sneak off for a tropical vacation in the hilarious video for “I’ve Got My Love To Keep You Warm,” which features Dean brought to life through an ingenious mix of photo collages and ‘60s-era animation. Meanwhile, in the video for The Jackson 5’s “Santa Claus Is Coming Town,” a delightful hybrid of puppetry and animation, Santa more than embraces his duties and saves the world by gleefully delivering presents and the Christmas spirit around the globe to magically transform people and the areas that need his help the most. Ella Fitzgerald’s “Sleigh Ride” takes viewers on a striking visual adventure around the globe with many “Easter Eggs” to be found along the way from throughout Ella’s career. 

Written and co-directed by David Calcano of Fantoons, the video for Frank Sinatra’s “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” beautifully tells Calcano’s personal story, which is really the universal story about missing home and family during the holidays after leaving one’s country in search of a better life, in his case leaving Venezuela for the U.S. The video, which states in the credits is “Dedicated To Those Who Had To Leave Their Home… Looking For A Better Life,” has gone viral in Latin America and has struck a chord with people around the world who have been sharing their own stories in the thousands of YouTube comments. Jimmy Durante tells a different kind of story in the video for “Frosty the Snowman” which features a larger than life Frosty in this modern, whimsical take on the classic tale. The video for Marvin Gaye’s poignant “I Want To Come Home For Christmas” takes on a more solemn and serious tone as Gaye, depicted as a cab driver during the holidays, drives around the city and helps veterans, as the light on his taxi reads, get “home for Christmas.” Written and recorded in 1972 about supporting America’s prisoners of war and told from a soldier’s perspective, the song was released posthumously in 2019 on the Motown/UMe album, You’re the Man. The video premiered on Veteran’s Day in partnership with the Paralyzed Veterans of America. 

To celebrate the unifying spirit of Christmas, Nat King Cole’s “O Come All Ye Faithful” has brought together 20 different visual styles from artists all over the world to tell “The Greatest Story Ever Told” with their distinctive interpretations. The story of the birth of Christ has been uniquely illustrated by 27 artists from 15 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, USA and Venezuela. 

For those looking for more holiday entertainment, The Ed Sullivan Show’s Official YouTube Channel will be adding classic performances to The Ed Sullivan Show holiday playlist from its archives of seasonal favorites all month long, including “The Christmas Song” by Dolores Gray, “Baby’s First Christmas” by Connie Francis, “Jingle Bells” by Shari Lewis and her adorable sidekicks, Lamb Chop and Charlie Horse; cherished standards “Ave Maria” by Joselito, a medley by Sandler & Young singing “Do You Hear What I Hear? / Silent Night / O Holy Night,” the Mexican Boystown Choir with “Auld Lang Syne;” and a holiday-themed medley from Bobby Sherman. The videos also will be available here: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheEdSullivanShow 

These videos are just some of the many ways that UMe is celebrating its unmatched Christmas catalog and helping to turn up the joy this holiday season. A variety of new thematic digital collections are available to stream now on your favorite streaming service and include the “Christmas For Kids” series, which features classic Christmas songs specially curated for children of all ages from the likes of Bing Crosby, Burl Ives and Peggy Lee; “Christmas Carols” from Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, and 98°; a pair of George Straight“Strait To Christmas” collections, “Classics” and “Holiday Jams;” and a variety of other sets from Dean Martin (“White Christmas,” “Let It Snow”), Nat King Cole (“Joy To The World”), and 98° (“Festive Christmas”). 

Also available for your streaming pleasure is UMe's Christmas playlist, which features some of the most popular songs and artists across the holiday music canon, pairing timeless classics with contemporary favorites. The hours-long –and ever-expanding – playlist is available now for streaming on Spotify and Apple. Listen here: https://stream.lnk.to/ChristmasPR

uDiscover Music is also getting into the spirit with their just launched holiday hub which includes a variety of gift guides for all types of music lovers, eclectic playlists and the memorable stories behind classic holiday tunes. Visit it here: https://www.udiscovermusic.com/christmas/

2021 Holiday music roundup

What would the season be without new holiday music? A myriad of new releases, as well as highly-anticipated and expanded reissues are available this year.

Artist: Blackmore's Night

Title: Winter Carols (earMUSIC)

You might like if you enjoy: Blackmore's Night, Renaissance music

Tell me more: Originally released in 2006, the newly-remastered and expanded edition of the Blackmore's Night classic Winter Carols is available as a 2CD and digital album. Previous favorites such as the luxurious "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," spectacular "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"/"O Come All Ye Faithful" medley, Baroque-flavored "I Saw Three Ships" and instrumental classical guitar gem "Winter Base Dance)" are here. "Coventry Carol," an English carol dating back to the 16th century, is reworked here with additional lyrics by amazing lead vocalist Candice Night and new arrangement by guitar master Ritchie Blackmore. There are also several other tracks new to the collection, including the shimmering "Here We Come A-Caroling," "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" and "Silent Night." The 2CD version includes a wonderful 20-page booklet with photographs, lyrics for all the selections and album credits. Information: blackmoresnight.com.

Artist: Eagles of Death Metal

Title: Eagles of Death Metal Presents A Boots Electric Christmas (UMe)

You might like if you enjoy: Eagles of Death Metal, holiday music

Tell me more: Leave it to the Palm Desert-spawned Eagles of Death Metal to release one of the most delightful and old-fashioned Christmas music collections of 2021. The six songs on Eagles of Death Metal Presents A Boots Electric Christmas (available on Nov. 19) recall the cheer of the best holiday music-minded sets of the 1960s. There is a warmth, intimacy and authenticity to the group's affecting versions of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Put A Little Love In Your Heart," "O Holy Night," "Little Drummer Boy" and "Little Town Of Bethlehem." The disc's closer is a shining a cappella rendition of "O Holy Night" featuring the tandem vocals of Jesse Hughes and Joshua Homme. Information: EaglesOfDeathMetal.com.

Artist: Goo Goo Dolls

Title: It's Christmas All Over (Warner Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Goo Goo Dolls, Fastball

Tell me more: Celebrated rockers Goo Goo Dolls have released a deluxe edition of It's Christmas All Over, which follows on the heels of the group's latest compilation album titled Rarities. The 12-song "It's Christmas All Over" reintroduces the first-ever holiday music release from John Rzenik and Robby Takac. The collection includes a brand new sentimental original "One Last Song About Christmas" and previously-unreleased cover of "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm," the latter a classic made famous by Dean Martin. My other faves on the album include the group's version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "This Is Christmas." Information: GooGooDolls.com.

Artist: Billy Idol

Title: Happy Holidays (Dark Horse Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Billy Idol, Steve Stevens

Tell me more: Billy Idol's 2006 Christmas studio album Happy Holidays is out now for the first time on vinyl and streaming platforms via Dark Horse Records. This gem features a mix of cool originals ("Happy Holidays," "Christmas Love") and reworked covers ("Frosty the Snowman," "Silver Bells," "Let It Snow," "Blue Christmas"). A new original bonus track also appears on the album; the mid tempo rocker "On Christmas Day" features long-time Idol collaborator Steve Stevens on electric guitar. My favorite on the collection is Idol's rocking cover of Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run." Fans can purchase the LP on black vinyl, audio CD and on limited edition white vinyl. Information: BillyIdol.net.

Artist: Paul Kelly

Title: Paul Kelly's Christmas Train (Gawd Aggie/Cooking Vinyl Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Paul Kelly, Bob Dylan

Tell me more: There is a parade of diverse material on Paul Kelly's first-ever Christmas album (Paul Kelly's Christmas Train). Among the terrific selections on the expansive 22-track double album set is the lovely Americana-styled version of "Silent Night" draped with Hawaiian guitars and ukuleles, a cappella traditional joy "Coventry Carol," rollicking power pop-styled take on the Chris and Wes Harrington cut "Christmas," bewitching "Little Drummer Boy," shining reading of the early 1960s classic "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)" and absolutely stunning version of "O Holy Night" ("Papu Te Pō") sung in English and Māori featuring singer Marlon Williams and the Dhungala Children's Choir. In keeping with the spirit of the season, Kelly even includes a Hanukkah song ("Shalom Aleichem") while Islam is honored when Waleed Aly recites the vivid poetry of Surah Maryam on the collection. Information: CookingVinyl.com.

Photo credit: Gina Binkley 

Artist: Pistol Annies

Title: Hell of a Holiday (UMe)

You might like if you enjoy: Ashley Monroe, Miranda Lambert, Angaleena Presley

Tell me more: Celebrated country music trio Pistol Annies has ushered in Christmas with the aptly-titled Hell of a Holiday, a spirited collection of mostly-original tracks that are are as ambitious as they are wonderful. There are some lovely originals to be sure — the '50s-mining "Make You Blue" and poignant "The Only Thing I Wanted" immediately come to mind — there is a plucky attitude across much of the disc. The lively title track features some artful and sublime vocal harmonies. The playful "Snow Globe" is literate and melodic, totally capturing the spirit of the holiday season. "Harlan County Coal" is a bit more irreverent than your average Christmas track, as evidenced by the catchy chorus: "Making decorations out of shotgun shells, making it up as we go / Making something out of nothing so you better straighten up, Or all you're gonna get's a chunk of Harlan County coal." Other standouts on the wonderful album include the jazzy "Come On Christmas Time," gospel jewel "Leanin' on Jesus," soaring "Believing" and acoustic Americana jewel "Joy." In addition to the 10 original tracks on "Hell of a Holiday," Ashley Monroe, Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley make "Sleigh Ride," "Auld Lang Syne" and Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December" their own. Information: PistolAnnies.com. 

Artist: Jeremiah Lockwood

Title: A Great Miracle: Jeremiah Lockwood’s Guitar Soli Chanukah Record (Reboot)

You might like if you enjoy: Hanukkah music, "The New Possibility: John Fahey's Guitar Soli Christmas Album," instrumental guitar music, Richard LaForge's "Coloring Trees" album

Tell me more: With the first night of Hanukkah having arrived on Sunday, Nov. 28, there is no time like the present to listen to Jeremiah Lockwood's A Great Miracle: Jeremiah Lockwood’s Guitar Soli Chanukah Record. Released on Nov. 22, A Great Miracle: Jeremiah Lockwood’s Guitar Soli Chanukah Record is a beautiful solo guitar celebration of the Festival of Lights. Inspired in part by the groundbreaking 1968 album The New Possibility: John Fahey's Guitar Soli Christmas Album, Lockwood's new 8-track album delivers a stunning selection for each night of the Chanukah holiday. Spanning from the lovely "Ritual" and more forceful "Al Hanisim" to several pieces centered on the magic of the Dreydl (the bluesy take on Samuel Goldfarb's "Little Dreydel" and original arrangement of Moishe Oysher's "Drey Dreydl") and touching closer "Chanukah Oy Chanukah," this is a wonderful album that will brighten any music lover's holiday season. Information: JeremiahLockwood.com. 

Artist: Ronnie Milsap

Title: Christmas with Ronnie Milsap (Craft Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Ronnie Milsap

Tell me more: Ronnie Milsap's 1986 album Christmas with Ronnie Milsap has returned via a terrific new reissue. Listening to the legendary country music artist's only holiday title it's crazy that it was ever out of print. The performances are terrific and the symphonic approach works as Milsap delivers touching versions of favorites such as the uptempo "Only One Night of the Year," sweeping "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and soaring "O Holy Night." Information: CraftRecordings.com. 

Artist: Carrie Underwood

Title: My Gift: Special Edition (Capitol Nashville)

You might like if you enjoy: Carrie Underwood

Tell me more: Originally released in 2020, Carrie Underwood's My Gift has been released as a Special Edition set that includes all 11 tracks from the original version along with three new tracks ("Favorite Time Of Year," "All Is Well," "Let There Be Peace/Something In The Water") performed on her recent HBO Max television special. Information: CarrieUnderwood.com. 

HOLIDAY SOUNDTRACK CLASSIC

Title: Elf: The Deluxe Edition (Varèse Sarabande Records)

Composer: John Debney's scores for "Iron Man 2" and "The Jungle Book"

You might like if you enjoy: Christmas music

Tell me more: When the holiday movie "Elf" was released in 2003, the film starring Will Farrell became an instant classic. Although the soundtrack was initially released in connection around the time of the movie's arrival in theaters, its enduring popularity made releasing an expanded edition a wonderful idea. Elf: The Deluxe Edition features an expanded score (44 tracks in all!), as well as the alternate and edited tracks from the 2003 audio CD. Liner notes by Tim Grieving feature new interview content with director Jon Favreau, composer John Debney and one of the film's stars, Mary Steenburgen. Information: VareseSarabande.com.

Robert Kinsler

Sights and Sounds: Centennial Celebration of Nat King Cole coming via significant releases

There is major news as it relates to Nat King Cole, one of the greatest and more celebrated artists of the 20th century...

New ‘Ultimate Nat King Cole’ and Limited Edition ‘International Nat King Cole’

Collections to be Released March 15 by Capitol/UMe

Marvin Gaye’s ‘A Tribute To The Great Nat King Cole’ Album Expanded for

New Digital Edition to be Released March 15 by Motown/UMe 

Los Angeles – January 17, 2019 – With the direct participation of the Nat King Cole Estate, and as part of the celebration of the global entertainment legend’s centennial year, Capitol/UMe will release two new collections showcasing Cole’s music on March 15: Ultimate Nat King Cole (CD and digital; 2LP vinyl to follow June 14) and International Nat King Cole (CD). The former includes an exclusive new duet of “The Girl From Ipanema,” pairing Cole’s original vocals with newly recorded vocals by GRAMMY®-winning Blue Note Records artist Gregory Porter, whose much lauded 2018 album tribute to Cole, Nat King Cole and Me, is GRAMMY-nominated this year. On the same date, a newly expanded edition of Marvin Gaye’s 1965 album, A Tribute To The Great Nat King Cole, will be released by Motown/UMe for download purchase and streaming.

The releases are among a host of special events, projects and programs commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the birth of Nat King Cole, widely acknowledged as one of the most honored and iconic performing and recording artists of all time. Born March 17, 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama, the masterful pianist and vocalist’s initial focus was the jazz idiom, having formed the Nat King Cole Trio while in his 20s. The group was an almost immediate sensation and proved influential to the extent that no less an authority than Count Basie marveled, “Those cats used to read each other’s mind -- it was unbelievable.” Ray Charles inducted Cole into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and readily admitted to Cole’s monumental influence on him.

Cole was signed to Capitol Records in 1943 and The King Cole Trio, his initial album released in 1945 at the dawn of the LP format, topped Billboard’s inaugural album chart. He went on to record nearly 700 songs for Capitol, including 150 singles that charted on Billboard’s Pop, R&B and/or Country charts. That phenomenal success led to Capitol’s iconic round building on Vine Street in Hollywood to be informally known as “The House That Nat Built.”

Preorder Ultimate Nat King Cole:  https://UMe.lnk.to/UltimateNKCPR

Preorder International Nat King Cole:  https://UMe.lnk.to/InternationalNKCPR

Ultimate Nat King Cole features 21 tracks, including the aforementioned new duet with Gregory Porter as well as 20 classic Nat King Cole hits and favorites, including “Unforgettable,” “Mona Lisa,” “Straighten Up And Fly Right,” “L-O-V-E,” “The Very Thought Of You,” “Stardust,” and “Nature Boy.”

International Nat King Cole is exclusively available for preorder from uDiscoverMusic.com. The limited-edition CD presents 14 beguiling songs Cole recorded in languages other than English at Capitol Studios in August 1964, including “L-O-V-E” in French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Italian; “Muetterlein” (“Answer Me, My Love”) in German; and “Autumn Leaves” in French and Japanese. Ultimate Nat King Cole and International Nat King Cole both include newly-written essays by actor and award-winning writer James Ritz.

Nat King Cole’s huge influence is evident in the new expanded edition of Marvin Gaye’s A Tribute To The Great Nat King Cole. In addition to album’s original mono mix, which is making its digital debut, the new edition features more than a dozen bonus tracks, including six alternate takes from the studio sessions.

Along with his trailblazing musical career, Cole is recognized for his contributions to the struggle for civil rights and racial equality. His efforts were done in his own unique style. In 1946, Cole broadcast a 15-minute national radio program, “King Cole Trio Time,” the first of its kind to be hosted by an African American musician. In 1956, he also became the first major African American entertainer to host his own national network TV show. NBC’s “Nat King Cole Show” aired weekly from November 1956 to December 1957, the cancellation of which was caused by a paucity of sponsors since marketers were afraid to offend white viewers with a program hosted by an African American. Cole also appeared in several films, including his top-billed portrayal of W.C. Handy in 1958’s St. Louis Blues and his final big screen star turn as Shouter / Sunrise Kid in 1965’s Cat Ballou.

In 1948, Cole purchased a house for his family in the all-white Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. The Ku Klux Klan burned a cross on the family’s front lawn, and members of the neighborhood’s property owners association told Cole they did not want any "undesirables" moving into the neighborhood. Cole responded, "Neither do I. And if I see anybody undesirable coming in here, I'll be the first to complain." He helped overturn the 1920s Los Angeles statute that had kept the neighborhood segregated. The KKK targeted Cole and struck again in 1956 when Klansmen rushed the stage and beat Cole at a concert performance in Birmingham, Alabama. He would never perform in the south again.

In 1959, Cole won the GRAMMY Award for Best Performance by a "Top 40" Artist for “Midnight Flyer.” In 1963, he was honored with a Special Achievement Award from the Golden Globes.

Cole’s final album, L-O-V-E, was recorded in December 1964 and released in January 1965, just before his untimely death on February 15 at the age of 45. The album reached No. 4 on the Billboard albums chart. At the time, it was reported that Capitol Records had sold more than nine million Nat King Cole records. From “Mona Lisa” to “Unforgettable,” Nat King Cole’s songs are incomparable; it is difficult to contemplate a holiday season without the warmth of Cole’s evergreen rendition of “The Christmas Song.”

In 1990, Cole was posthumously awarded the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award. He has four recordings in the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame: "The Christmas Song" (1946), "Nature Boy" (1948), "Mona Lisa" (1950), and "Unforgettable" (1951). Cole’s 1944 hit, “Straighten Up And Fly Right,” and the Jazz at the Philharmonic album series in which he is a featured artist have been selected for preservation by the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, which honors "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" American recordings.

In 1991, Cole’s daughter Natalie Cole released Unforgettable: With Love, featuring her virtual duet of “Unforgettable” with her father. The album topped charts around the world and won the coveted Album Of The Year GRAMMY Award. Just three years thereafter, the U.S. Postal Service issued a Nat King Cole commemorative stamp in its "Legends of American Music" series. In 2000, Nat King Cole was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Established in 2008 by his twin daughters Timolin and Casey Cole, Nat King Cole Generation Hope honors the legacy of their father and mother, Maria Cole. The 501(c)(3) organization dedicates their resources to build sustainable music programs for schools across the United States.

Interest in Nat King Cole’s story continues to grow as each new generation discovers his music, as well as his trailblazing, catalytic role in several important cultural and sociopolitical advancements, including the U.S. civil rights movement. The arc of Cole’s life is a study in success despite adversity, and the triumph of civility, respect and talent married with political, cultural and business savvy.

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Ultimate Nat King Cole [CD; digital; 2LP vinyl]

1.  (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 

2.  Straighten Up And Fly Right 

3.  (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons 

4.  Sweet Lorraine 

5.  Unforgettable 

6.  Walkin' My Baby Back Home 

7.  Mona Lisa 

8.  Pretend 

9.  Quizas, Quizas, Quizas (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps) 

10. Love Me As Though There Were No Tomorrow 

11. Stardust 

12. Orange Colored Sky 

13. When I Fall In Love 

14. The Very Thought Of You 

15. Perfidia 

16. Let There Be Love 

17. Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer 

18. L-O-V-E 

19. Smile 

20. Nature Boy 

21. The Girl From Ipanema (with Gregory Porter)

International Nat King Cole [CD]

1.  L-O-V-E (French Version)

2.  Les Feuilles Mortes (Autumn Leaves / French Version)

3.  Crois-Moi Ca Durera (You’ll See / French Version)

4.  Le Bonheur C'est Quand On S'aime 

5.  Vous Qui Passez Sans Me Voir (Passing By / French Version)

6.  L-O-V-E (German Version)

7.  Muetterlein (Answer Me, My Love / German Version)

8.  L-O-V-E (Japanese Version)

9.  I Don't Want To Be Hurt Anymore (Japanese Version)

10. Kareha (Autumn Leaves / Japanese Version) 

11. L-O-V-E (Spanish Version)

12. Tu Eres Tan Amable 

13. L-O-V-E (Italian Version)

14. Tu Sei Cosi Amabile

Marvin Gaye: A Tribute To The Great Nat King Cole (Expanded Edition) [digital]

1.  Goodbye

2.  I Wish You Love

3.  If I Had To Go

4.  So In Love

5.  The End Of A Love Affair

6.  The More I See You

7.  Violets For Your Furs

8.  You're All That Matter To Me

9.  Nature Boy / original mono LP mix

10. Ramblin' Rose / original mono LP mix

11. Too Young / original mono LP mix

12. Pretend / original mono LP mix

13. Straighten Up and Fly Right / original mono LP mix

14. Mona Lisa / original mono LP mix

15. Unforgettable / original mono LP mix

16. To the Ends of the Earth / original mono LP mix

17. Sweet Lorraine / original mono LP mix

18. It's Only a Paper Moon / original mono LP mix

19. Send for Me / original mono LP mix

20. Calypso Blues / original mono LP mix

21. Unforgettable / original California version, take 2

22. Send for Me / original California version, take 1

23. Send for Me / original California version, take 3

24. Ramblin' Rose / alternate vocal

25. Too Young / alternate vocal, take 1

26. Send for Me / alternate vocal, take 1