Nat King Cole was born into this world on March 17, 1919 as Nathaniel Adams Coles.  He came to prominence first as a jazz pianist and then as a soft toned baritone who performed in big band and jazz genres before succumbing to lung cancer on February 15, 1965.  He is also notable as one of the first black Americans to host a national television variety show, The Nat King Cole Show.

Love Is The Thing is the first of four collaborations between Cole and arranger Gordon Jenkins.  It was released in 1957.  This was Nat King Cole’s first gold album achieving that status in 1960.  This album is nothing short of exemplary as a show case for Cole’s role as a vocalist of ballads.  Quiet eloquently, it matches the restrained vocalizations of Cole with the unhurried strings of Jenkins in a memorable manner.

Perhaps it is in equal part of listening to this album and remembering my father’s fondness for Nat King Cole’s music as well as the superb craftsmanship that makes this an easy 10 out of 10 for Aloha Promises Forever.  An effortless knockout that while obviously telling in its musical era, somehow remains as timeless as it is smooth.

Love Is the Thing may be listened to in its entirety here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtt7fMzDfCt_Xrl-M6Q6QKsoEF2DRetLE