With the L-O-V-E LP, the Nat King Cole legacy came to a bittersweet close.
When Cole passed away on February 15, 1965, he left a life that was filled with moments of extraordinary splendour and magnificence. He was the quintessential baritone; a legendary singer whose faultless tones captured the hearts of millions. The perfect entertainer, Nat had amassed a career in which he tried to cover just about every musical genre worthy of his voice. His television and film appearances were legendary, too.
Nat King Cole went into the studio to record the tracks for L-O-V-E just a few days before entering the hospital for lung cancer treatment. The album was released just prior to his death.
While we are faced with the disheartening notion that the 1965 record is indeed his last, there is also a sense of hope and jubilance upon listening to it. Cole returns to his jazz roots after a few pop music detours and the songs are lightly coated with gorgeous Ralph Carmichael arrangements and an orchestra filled with graceful strings and inspiring brass.
One of the most arresting things about the record is how upbeat it is. Cole swings like crazy all over L-O-V-E, handling his favourite topic with cheerfulness and energy. The songs are merry, each swinging with a blissful sense of get-up-and-go. Some tracks are evidently more subtle than others, but the themes of hope and love inculcate the recording from start to finish.
With the common thread of love moving fluently through the album, Cole takes on familiar hits and gives them new swagger. The title track bounces gleefully and finds him pleading but never overstating his case. The light bounce of the song leads into the straightforward retooling of “The Girl from Ipanema” wonderfully.
“Thanks to You” is the closest the record comes to including a ballad. The Bob Marcus tune is lovely and makes a perfect adjunct to a candlelit dinner.
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1 - André Paillé
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