Continuing with my assessment of Collectors’ Choice’s reissues of Nat King Cole’s great Capitol albums, this twofer contains a pair of albums perfectly suited for a romantic evening. 1955’s Nat King Cole Sings for Two In Love and 1956’s Nat King Cole Sings Ballads of the Day carry heavy thematic similarities, of course, and add up to just over an hour of some splendid traditional balladry from the baritone crooner.

Nat King Cole Sings for Two In Love starts things off with a number of gentle ballads absolutely matched for a candlelit dinner with a special someone. Cole’s kind voice is relaxing and provides an idyllic milieu with the soft glow of candles and the grin on the face of your loved one. Nobody does the romantic ballad better than Nat.

His silkiness on “A Handful of Stars” creates the perfect soundtrack for gazing at the night sky, while a bit of swing on “This Can’t Be Love” jazzes things up.

Cole and his sturdy hit-maker Nelson Riddle knocked Two In Love over the course of two days. The meshing of Riddle’s arrangements and Cole’s faultless vocals is all over this record, particularly exemplified on tracks like the gorgeous French import “Autumn Leaves” with English lyrics by the legendary Johnny Mercer and “Let’s Fall in Love.”

A peek at the program for Nat King Cole Sings Ballads of the Day might fool some into thinking that it’s another Cole concept record, though, and the album positively does have a certain interconnected flavour. Nevertheless, this record is a compilation of singles and best sellers from the two year period beginning in January of 1954.

Even the most cursory of listens reveals enough as to why ten of the songs on the album were Top 30 hits. Sometimes thought of as a companion piece to Unforgettable, Ballads of the Day actually stands up well on its own.

Cole starts things off on the right foot with “A Blossom Fell,” a stunning track which quickly became a perpetual fan favourite. “Angel Eyes,” which was recorded with Billy May instead of Riddle, feels almost like it belongs as part of the soundtrack to a film noir. Another noir-esque track, “Blue Gardenia,” was actually the title song from the Fritz Lang film starring the lovely Anne Baxter.

The appearance of Chaplin’s “Smile” is a welcome indulgence, as Cole sings one of the best versions of it.

This twofer from Collectors’ Choice offers yet another incredible glimpse at one of music’s greatest singers. Nat King Cole’s voice is impeccable throughout the course of these two records and it’s difficult to find a song that doesn’t work. Both records have a consistency and an atmosphere to them that make them among the very best out of the twofers Collectors’ Choice has to offer.

Discriminating Nat King Cole fans would do well to add this set to their collection.