After Midnight: The Complete Session

1	Just You, Just Me / Nat King Cole 3:00
2	Sweet Lorraine / Nat King Cole 4:34
3	Sometimes I'm Happy / Nat King Cole 4:08
4	Caravan / Nat King Cole 2:44
5	It's Only a Paper Moon / Nat King Cole 3:05
6	You're Looking At Me / Nat King Cole 4:13
7	The Lonely One / Nat King Cole 3:46
8	Don't Let It Go to Your Head / Nat King Cole 3:10
9	I Know That You Know / Nat King Cole 2:28
10	Blame It on My Youth / Nat King Cole 4:09
11	When I Grow Too Old to Dream / Nat King Cole 3:32
12	Route 66 / Nat King Cole 3:40
13	I Was A Little Too Lonely (And You Were A Little Too Late) / Nat King Cole Bonus Track 2:59
14	You Can Depend On Me / Nat King Cole Bonus Track 3:52
15	What Is There to Say? / Nat King Cole Bonus Track 3:34
16	Two Loves Have I / Nat King Cole Bonus Track 2:44
17	Candy / Nat King Cole Bonus Track 3:52
18	You're Looking At Me / Nat King Cole Bonus Track / Alternate Take 4:12

Barnes & Noble

Fans of the great Nat "King" Cole tend to divide into two camps: Those captivated by the warm, dusky voice -- his silky-smooth renditions of popular ballads made him a household name -- and others, jazz purists, who esteem his work as a remarkable pianist, a pioneer in jazz-trio arrangements. Wherever you choose to pitch your tent, this atypical session, recorded for Capitol in 1956, will gratify. Nat acts as his own accompanist for a program of lightly swinging vocal standards backed by the members of his famous trio and noteworthy guests. "Caravan," made famous by the Ellington band, is a standout arrangement. The presence of composer Juan Tizol on trombone and a battery of Latin percussionists help carry its exotic flavor. Cole's tender version of "Sweet Lorraine" includes trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison; violinist Stuff Smith adds a chatty solo to a swinging "I Know That You Know." Breezy and intimate, these sessions capture the relaxed after-hours quality alluded to in the album's title. Lara Pellegrinelli

All Music Guide

After several years of hearing criticism from the jazz press about his decision to break up his trio and become a pop singer, Nat "King" Cole was persuaded to record this jazz set. Joined by a strong rhythm section (including guitarist John Collins), Cole welcomed four guests for several selections apiece: altoist Willie Smith, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, violinist Stuff Smith, and valve trombonist Juan Tizol. The performances on this CD (which include five selections released for the first time) are quite enjoyable, highlighted by "Just You, Just Me," "Sweet Lorraine," "It's Only a Paper Moon," and "Route 66." Cole did hedge his bet a bit by not recording any instrumentals or having any performances feature his trio without a guest. Despite that, this is a great set, and the last time that Nat King Cole would perform an album's worth of jazz material. Scott Yanow