JUST FOR MORE VARIETY- "Too Young"- a Nat King Cole song
sung by Mahendra "Speedy" Gonsalkorale
This is one of my favourite Nat King Cole songs. I used the online Karaoke platform Smule to record it and then produced this video, which I uploaded to YouTube. I hope you enjoy watching and listening to it.
Nathaniel Adams Coles inhabited Planet Earth from March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965. Popularly known as Nat "King" Cole, he was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. I remember admiring his songs as a young doctor in Sri Lanka. It was much later that I reestablished my musical contact with him after hearing such wonderful songs as Unforgettable, Mona Lisa, Autumn Leaves and When I Fall in Love, just to mention a few. Like many black musicians of his era, he met with racism. He had the indignity of being assaulted during a concert on April 10, 1956, in Birmingham, Alabama. Until his death in 1965, Cole was an active and visible participant in the Civil Rights Movement. He was a heavy cigarette smoker and died of lung cancer.
Mahen
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting a song from one of my favourite vocalists. It's wonderful to hear how much Nat King Cole's music means to you. He sang with a lot of feeling and his husky voice brought home the emotions of the lyrics. When I first listened to his music I was a teenager going through the usual emotional processes of growing up. Hence those lyrics and the melodies meant a great deal to me. Listening to him now brings back many memories of home and school and friends. When I listen to music I create the video in my mind and don’t watch the posted video. The fans of Nat King Cole I’m sure would have heard his daughter Natalie sing those same songs sometimes with her dad. I love her singing too. Natalie Cole's duets with her father, especially "Unforgettable," are indeed timeless classics. Sadly they both are no more.
For anyone singing Nat King Cole Classics have a hard act to follow. But you have sung this song beautifully. Thank you.
Thanks, NIhal. I share your appreciation of his music as well as that of his daughter. When I want to relax and feel calm, I choose a Nat King Cole song and it never fails. He was accomplished and talented. Sadly, he was a victim of racism as were so many black people in that "advanced" and "God-loving" country. I am glad that you approved my rendition.
DeleteMahen
DeleteIn the past your singing was accompanied by your own Yamaha. Your musical arrangement suited your singing perfectly as you had mastered the Yamaha over the years. Those songs you sang with the Yamaha were the best. I have never liked Smule as it gives the feel of a Karaoke. It is just a personal preference and do appreciate your efforts to entertain us.
I am very fond of the Smule app but I appreciate individual views. The world would be a boring place if we didn't have a diversity of views and opinions. I shall produce another production using my Yamaha Genos in time.
DeleteMahen
DeleteYou play the yamaha so very well. It then gives me the feeling it is yours from start to finish and not something from a can.
Mahen
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the song and took me back to the nineteen fifties "Hit Parade".A very good effort, voice was very clear and in tune.Many thanks for sharing it with us.
My favourite Nat King Cole song was "Fascination" and it is being played frequently at Tea Dances in the UK.Waltzing to that music gives me a lot of pleasure.
Many thanks for listening, viewing and commenting Bora. I am glad you liked it. I too love Fascination. I think this song will live forever. I can visualise you and Harshi moving gracefully on the dance floor waltzing to the strains of Fascination.
DeleteMahen and Bora
ReplyDeleteFascination is my favourite Nat King Cole song too. For me personally there is much nostalgia built into the song of people and places and events when I heard it. First sung in 1905 in Paris and Hamburg, the song itself is perhaps older than many of its singers of our time.
The lyrics are so romantic and every lover’s dream. I do hope the song still takes you back to those days of wine and roses.
It was fascination, I know
And it might have ended right then, at the start
Just a passing glance, just a brief romance
And I might have gone on my way empty hearted
It was fascination, I know
Seeing you alone with the moonlight above
Then I touch your hand and next moment I kissed you
Fascination turned to love
It was fascination, I know
Seeing you alone with the moonlight above
Then I touch your hand and next moment I kissed you
Fascination turned to love
Very true Nihal. I love the lyrics of Unforgettable too, because...well, they are unforgettable!
DeleteHere are some of the verses:-
Unforgettable
That's what you are
Unforgettable
Though near or far
Like a song of love
That clings to me
How the thought of you
Does things to me
Never before
Has someone been more
Unforgettable
In every way
And forevermore
That's how you'll stay
Unforgettable
In every way
And forevermore
That's how you'll stay
That's why, darling
It's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am
Unforgettable too
This song was revived when Nat King Cole's daughter did a duet with her dad using modern technology! She had a beautiful voice too. Sadly, she passed away at a young age several years ago.
DeleteNihal and Mahen
DeleteIn the late fifties I remember a matinee at the Savoy titled "Love in the afternoon" and the theme song was Fascination sung by Nat king Cole. Sadly there was no hand to touch and progress to a kiss.
Bora, I can vaguely recall this 50s film starring Audrey Hepburn, Gary Cooper and Maurice Chevalier. What I can remember is how fascinating Audrey Hepburn was to a relatively unspoilt lad. This was a few years befor the unforgettable My Fair Lady.
DeleteMahen
DeleteThey were three popular actors, thanks for reminding me.
I was by on my own, much too few. Unspoilt too.
Bora, those were the days! Savoy, Liberty, Regal, Rio,Majestic...50 cents Gallery tickets but as smoking was allowed, I did suffer. I was glad to get out and breathe fresh air. My clothes smelt of cigarette smoke.
DeleteMahen
ReplyDeleteThere is much written about the racism in the USA specially of the African Americans. It is everywhere in the world including our little island home in the Indian Ocean. Even the religions that have existed for thousands of years haven’t been able to get rid of this scourge. I find it hard to understand that Apartheid in South Africa had the support of some of the branches of the Christian faith. I experienced racism while getting jobs and working in the UK but I’m happy to note we are a more fairer society now although it still exists below the surface.
Organised Religion is all about Power and Dominance. Religion has been hijacked by these undesirabe characters not just now, but throughout history. Sadly, a strong belief in an after-life is a strong determinant of this force.
DeleteIt is true religion has been hijacked over the years. But I am very grateful and proud of my Christian upbringing. Sunday school and church on Sundays gave me a fine exposure to what was right. I may not have been right in everything I did but was taught what was correct. Parents have a responsibility too as do the schools. I was blessed with good parents and my school was brilliant in that respect too. Cleaning up religion is an impossible task. By and large it is now left to the law of the land to keep people on the right track.
DeleteThere is no doubt that true religion has helped enormous number of people to live happilly.
DeleteHi Mahen, thank you for sharing your rendition of Too Young. You sound really good, and that style of singing really seems to suit your voice. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteYes, Nat King Cole had a very special way of singing. It is sad that those wonderful, talented entertainers, such as Nat King Cole, Harry Belafonte, Ray Charles, etc. were not allowed to stay in the same hotels as the white members of their bands, when they were on tour. Unfortunately, I think racism will raise its ugly. head again in the US. Just watch...
Thanks for your appreciation Srianee. I suppose basically, I am a crooner!
DeleteMahendra
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for the late entry as I have been very busy.
I really enjoyed your rendition of Nat King Cole's 'Too Young'. Your voice suits that sort of songs. Well done !
This took me back many years when we used to listen to Nat King Cole, Jim Reeves, Harry Belafonte and others. It brought pleasant memories.
Wishing you all the best.
Chira