12/7/23 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY SPECIAL: The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) (Duet with John Legend)

Capitol Records release A Sentimental Christmas With Nat “King” Cole and Friends: Cole Classics Reimagined on October 29. Inspired by the historic live virtual Unforgettable duet performance by John Legend, the new album weaves restored Nat King Cole vocal recordings with new arrangements and contemporary vocalists to create a beautiful collection of duets of holiday classics. Continue reading

  12/25/22 O&A NYC CHRISTMAS SONG OF THE DAY: Nat King Cole – The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)

Official music video for “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)” by Nat King Cole. Continue reading

11/28/18 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY HOLIDAY GREETING: Nat ‘King’ Cole- The Christmas Song (Live Performance)


The Nat King Cole Trio first recorded the song early in 1946. At Cole’s behest – and over the objections of his label, Capitol Records– a second recording was made later the same year utilizing a small string section, this version becoming a massive hit on both the pop and R&B charts. Continue reading

7/8/17 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Natalie Cole – Unforgettable Concert (1992)

Natalie Cole – Unforgettable Concert (1992) became also know as the Nat and Natalie tour due to the techno-savvy duet between the late Nat King Cole and his daughter Natalie.  Continue reading

11/3/16 O&A NYC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Nat King Cole – Autumn Leaves

Throwback Thursday logo 2 mgid-uma-artist-mtv-com-504837 Autumn Leaves, appears on the 1955 album Nat King Cole Sings for Two In Love, arranged by songwriter Johnny Mercer wrote the English lyrics in 1947, and the song quickly became a pop standard. Continue reading

2/15/16 0&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Killer Diller (1948)

Hollywood-Mondays Killer_Diller_FilmPoster

Killer Diller starring The Clark Brothers (tap dancers), Nat King Cole, Moms Mabley, Dusty Fletcher, Butterfly McQueen, the Andy Kirk Orchestra, dancers from the Katherine Dunham School and the Four Congaroos (dancing Lindy Hop) was filmed in 1948 during the height of post war race films explosion. This all-black cast film, geared toward minority audiences, featured a cavalcade of African-American talent.  Continue reading

1/1/15 O&A NYC EXTRA!: Natalie Cole Dies

By Walter Rutledge

54f6342d217bc9ea8cebf3b0d6383

Natalie Cole, chart-topping R&B singer, winner of nine Grammy Awards and daughter of the legendary singer, bandleader and television groundbreaker Nat (King) Cole died Thursday night at age 65. Cole, who had struggled with a variety of health issues in recent years, was forced to cancel a string of concert performances over the last three months after a recurrence of hepatitis C linked to her earlier drug abuse. The cause of death was reportedly congestive heart failure. Continue reading

12/25/15 O&A NYC Song Of The Day: The Christmas Song- Nat King Cole

403410_1_f

The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) is a holiday classic and the most popular Christmas song of all times. The Christmas song written by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells in 1944 and was first recorded by The King Cole Trio in 1946. The song was recorded again in stereophonic version with a full orchestra conducted by Ralph Carmichael using the same arrangement for Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song album in 1961. Continue reading