LOS ANGELES (Capitol/EMI Music) - In conjunction with the
Nat King Cole Family and DoubleJab Productions, Capitol/EMI
Music Catalog Marketing is preparing for the January 25, 2005 global release of two definitive new
Nat King Cole music and film titles in three separate configurations. Marking the 40th Anniversary of Cole's passing in February 1965, Capitol/EMI will release "The World Of Nat King Cole," a newly-compiled, career-spanning single CD collection of 28 remastered Cole classics, a DVD of DoubleJab Productions' ground-breaking and definitive Cole documentary of the same name, and a deluxe, limited edition CD/DVD set. "The World Of Nat King Cole" documentary will be televised around the world, and the companion CD and DVD packages will receive simultaneous global release via Capitol/EMI's international branches.
Philip Quartararo, President of EMI Music Marketing and Executive Vice President of EMI Music North America, said, "'The World Of Nat King Cole' tells the story of Cole's illustrious recording career with Capitol Records through the music itself, while DoubleJab's exceptional documentary also explores Cole's continued influence in the world today. From musicians and artists to sport stars and actors, impacting on figures from all walks of life and diverse cultural backgrounds, the film shows the incredible range of people who draw inspiration from Nat King Cole's gracious and tolerant way of living as well as his beautiful music."
From February 2005, "The World Of Nat King Cole" documentary is due to be televised in both the U.S. and in the U.K., with additional broadcasts planned for other countries around the world.
National television broadcast details will be announced soon. DoubleJab Productions brings together some of the UK's leading, award winning documentary filmmakers including Stuart Watts (Emmy-nominated for "Christopher Reeve: Courageous Steps" (ABC & BBC1) & Royal Television Society-nominated "Muhammad Ali: Through the Eyes of the World" (PBS / ITV), Ian Hunt (also Emmy-nominated for "Christopher Reeve: Courageous Steps") and Kari Lia, who has just finished production on the Emmy-nominated "The Colonial House" (PBS).
Kari Lia, Producer of the new Cole documentary for DoubleJab Productions, explains, "The themes we explore in 'The World Of Nat King Cole' include Cole's celebrity during his lifetime and the universal, timeless appeal of his music, with a special focus on Nat's influential role within the Civil Rights movement in the United States.
Nat King Cole was one of the first African Americans to break through major race barriers in the entertainment industry, and we found that to be an area of his life that has never been fully explored until now."
In 1942, Nat King Cole was one of the first artists to sign with Capitol Records. Cole recorded over 150 charting singles on the Pop, R&B and Country charts, a staggering record that remains unbroken by any other artist ever signed to the label, which led to Capitol becoming known as "The House That Nat Built." At the time of his death in 1965, it was reported that Capitol Records had sold over nine million Nat King Cole records. Cole's catalog continues to sell in excess of one million albums per year around the world.
"The World Of Nat King Cole" CD will be presented in several region-specific versions, with some variations in the tracklists, to feature Cole's most enduring hits in different countries around the world. Cole's global success was bolstered by his open embrace of the world's cultures and languages, and many of the songs he recorded with lyrics in different languages, including his single "L-O-V-E" sung in Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Japanese, became major international hits.
"We are very enthusiastic about working with DoubleJab and EMI Music on this production to commemorate the life and times of our father, Nat King Cole. This ambitious multimedia project explores the variety of ways Nat continues to inspire people around the world. After forty years, his incomparable influence sings across and between cultural and generational lines," said Carole Cole, daughter of Nat King Cole.
"The World Of Nat King Cole": CD Tracklist (U.S.):
1. Smile - (No 10 Pop (1954)
2. It's Only A Paper Moon - (No 5 R&B (1944)
3. Straighten Up And Fly Right - (No 9 Pop, No 1 R&B, No 1 Country (1944)
4. (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 - (No 11 Pop, No 3 R&B (1946)
5. (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons - (No 1 Pop, No 3 R&B (1946)
6. Nature Boy - (No 1 Pop, No 2 R&B (1948)
7. Too Young - (No 1 Pop, No 3 R&B (1951)
8. Unforgettable - (No 12 Pop (1951)
9. Walkin' My Baby Back Home - (No 8 Pop (1952)
10. Orange Colored Sky - (No 5 Pop (1950)
11. Send For Me - (No 6 Pop, No 1 R&B (1957)
12. A Blossom Fell - (No 2 Pop (1955)
13. Quizas, Quizas, Quizas (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps) - (1958)
14. On The Street Where You Live - (1964) - from "My Fair Lady"
15. Almost Like Being In Love - (1953)
16. Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup - (No 7 Pop (1955)
17. Mona Lisa - (No 1 Pop, No 1 R&B (1950)
18. Ramblin' Rose - (No 2 Pop, No 7 R&B, No 1 AC (1962)
19. Let There Be Love - (1962)
20. L-O-V-E - (No 17 AC (1964)
21. You Stepped Out Of A Dream - (1956)
22. Just One Of Those Things - (1957)
23. Let's Face The Music And Dance - (1964)
24. Day In - Day Out - (1964)
25. Thou Swell (live at The Sands) - (1965)
26. When I Fall In Love - (1957)
27. Unforgettable (virtual duet w/ Natalie Cole) - (No 14 Pop (1991)
28. Stardust - (1957)
