Nicolas Bearde – I Remember You – The Music Of Nat King Cole – Right Groove Records 39:57****
In commemoration of the centenary of Nat King Cole, San Francisco based vocalist Nicolas Bearde has released I Remember You: The Music Of Nat King Cole on Right Groove Records and a fitting acknowledgement it is. With his distinctive baritone voice and easy going delivery, Bearde has delivered an “homage” to one of jazz/pop’s touchstones.
Helping to solidify this session, Bearde wisely brought on Los Angeles-based pianist Josh Nelson. In addition to his deft playing, he also wrote the arrangements for the majority of the tracks including those on which tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander is featured. As Bearde swaggers through “That Sunday, That Summer” and warmly glides from one end to the other of “Funny (Not Much)” Alexander’s tenor swings impishly on the first selection and offers smart texture throughout the second.
Their final collaboration is on the Rodgers and Hart classic “Thou Swell”. Bearde captures adroitly its bright catchy lyrics, and Alexander’s tenor supports his vocal with his attentive stylish pacing.
A couple of the other tracks were arranged by Bearde and pianist Peter Horvath including the title track “I Remember You” and “L-O-V-E”. The former is delivered in ballad style fashioned by Bearde’s polished dexterity, and the latter is mid-tempo swinger that slips bye effortlessly.
Undoubtedly there will be many recordings released dedicated to the music of Nat King Cole during this centennial, but Nicolas Bearde has delivered a sincere acknowledgement of Nat’s birthday, by producing a polished display of songs in a moving and satisfying style.
Musicians:
Nicolas Bearde – vocals; Josh Nelson piano #2,3,4,7,8,9,10; Peter Horvath – piano #1,5; Eric Alexander – tenor sax #2,3,6; Alex Boneham – bass #2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10; Don Feiszli – bass #1,5; Dan Schnelle – drums #2,3,6,9; Lorca Hart – drums # 7,8,9; Jason Lewis drums # 1,5
TrackList:
I Remember You
That Sunday, That Summer
Funny (Not Much)
Sweet Lorraine
L-O-V-E
Thou Swell
The Rules Of The Road
Straighten Up And Fly Right
Tenderly
I Wish You Love
—Pierre Giroux
