HOLLYWOOD, CA. (Capitol/EMI/ www.natkingcolemusic.com) -
Nat King Cole makes his first return in 40 years to Billboard's Top 50, with the No 41 debut of "The World Of Nat King Cole." The global release of the new CD marks the 40th Anniversary of Cole's untimely February 1965 death at the age of 47.
On January 25, Capitol/EMI released the career-spanning single CD collection of 28 remastered Cole classics, the most ever presented on a single CD. Cole's last album to reach Billboard's Top 50, "Unforgettable," peaked at No 30 in 1965. In the U.K., "The World Of Nat King Cole" CD debuts at No 51. The 52-track "World Of Nat King Cole" digital box set, EMI's first digital box set release, took the No 1 position on iTunes' Vocal Genre Albums chart and reached No 69 on iTunes' Top 100 Albums chart last week, joining U2's "The Complete U2" as the only two box sets among iTunes' Top 100 titles.
Around the globe, "The World Of Nat King Cole" CD is presented in six region-specific versions, with some variations in the tracklists for the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, Japan, and Southeast Asia 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 became major international hits, including his single "L-O-V-E," sung in Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Japanese.
Domestically, the Nat King Cole Estate and Capitol/EMI have partnered with VH1's Save The Music Foundation. Donations in Cole's name have been made to the nonprofit organization, dedicated to improving the quality of education in America's public schools by restoring music programs in cities across the country, and raising awareness about the importance of music participation for our nation's youth.
Digitally, "The World Of Nat King Cole" is available in the following four configurations: U.S. tracklist (28 tracks); U.K. tracklist (27 tracks); a digital-only core track release comprised of the 16 songs contained on all six regional CD versions; and EMI's first digital box set release, a digital-only 52-track collection encompassing all tracks from the six CD versions.
Across Europe and Asia, cell phone ringtunes are available for Cole's version of "The Christmas Song," recently voted the most popular holiday song of all time (Edison Research, November 2004), as well as for the following tracks from "The World Of Nat King Cole": "Let There Be Love," "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons," "Unforgettable," "When I Fall In Love," and "L.O.V.E."
This spring, in conjunction with a planned national television broadcast, Capitol/EMI will release a new documentary, also titled "The World Of Nat King Cole," on DVD and in a deluxe, limited edition CD/DVD set. Featuring a who's who of music greats and other world-famous entertainment luminaries, the documentary presents a moving portrait of one of the world's most beloved entertainers, shedding new light on Cole's enduring universal appeal and his most pioneering achievements during his 30-year music and television career. Produced by UK-based Double Jab Productions, the film, to be televised in many countries around the world, includes archival performance and behind the scenes film footage of Cole, with inspired and informative interviews with members of the Cole Family, Stevie Wonder, film director Baz Luhrmann, B.B. King, Andre 3000 of Outkast, Harry Connick, Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Les Paul, Quincy Jones, Eartha Kitt, Isaac Hayes and many more.
The trailer for The World Of Nat King Cole is available for viewing at www.natkingcolemusic.com.
In 1942, Nat King Cole was one of the first artists to sign with Capitol Records.
Cole recorded over 150 charting singles on Billboard's 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, 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.
On Valentine's Day, Monday, February 14, The Biography Channel will rebroadcast its "Nat King Cole: Biography" special at 9pm ET / 10pm PT.
The World Of Nat King Cole - U.S. tracklist (CD and digital release):
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, Las Vegas, 1/14/60) (1965)
26. When I Fall In Love (1957)
27. Unforgettable (virtual duet w/ Natalie Cole) No 14 Pop (1991)
28. Stardust (1957)
