“Unforgettable” Album Review

Album: Unforgettable

Artist: Nat King Cole

Year: 1952

Genre: Traditional Pop

Grade: B+

Buoyed by the timeless title tune, Nat King Cole’s 1952 LP Unforgettable (later re-released as an expanded 12” in 1955) is an easy listening collection of sweet, sugary and sentimental pop ballads. Cole’s voice is in peak form — so soothing that you forget how overbearingly schmaltzy the music can sometimes be.

As a song cycle, Unforgettable is a little unmemorable. As a result, it’s best taken in smaller, isolated doses. Queue up the big hits (“Unforgettable,” “What’ll I Do?”) to obtain a finer appreciation for Cole’s perfect pop instincts. Skip the novelty numbers to forget about his occasional tastelessness. No matter what, you’ll be comforted by his crooning.

(Sidebar: I used to have a Siamese cat named Hadji, and so the faux-Hindu exotica track, “Hajji Baba,” has always been hilarious to me. It’s already a laughably bad song, but it’s made extra special with the additional childhood lore. [Sidebar to the sidebar: Hadji was named after the side character in Johnny Quest. He was a great cat.])