Nat King Cole - Hittin The Ramp: The Early Years 1936-1943 '2019

Tracks list

 Released in partnership with the Nat King Cole estate, Resonance
Records’ HITTIN THE RAMP: THE EARLY YEARS (1936-1943) is the first
large-scale collection of the pivotal early recordings (1936-1943) of
Nat’s 29-year recording career. Most tracks are receiving their first
official release in this meticulously restored set of original live-to-disk
recordings.

This definitive 7CD and limited-edition 10LP collection draws upon a wide range
of sources, including many newly-discovered tracks unearthed for the first time
from archives located all over the world, such as “Trompin”
(jukebox-only release for Cinematone, 1939), “What’cha Know Joe
(undocumented radio performance, 1940 -- now the earliest known recording of Nat
on the air), “The Romany Room is Jumpin’” (private recording,
1941) and “Beautiful Moons Ago” (longer alternate take, 1943).
Sessions include Nat at age 17, playing piano in his brother’s band in
Chicago, 1936; the first King Cole Trio recordings from 1938, made for radio
broadcdast only, for Standard Transcriptions; further radio transcription
sessions for Standard, Davis & Schwegler, Keystone, plus his first (uncredited)
session for MacGregor, with vocalist Anita Boyer; the Ammor Records Session
(Spring 1940 - the first commercial-release sessions for the trio), the Decca
Recordings (1940-41), the small-label sessions for Excelsior and Premier labels
(1943), many previously-uncirculating Armed Forces Radio performances, and, with
producer Norman Granz at the helm, early jazz sessions with Lester Young (Granz
historic, first session as a producer) and Dexter Gordon, originally released on
Philo and Mercury, respectively. 

Boasting an extensive 60+ page booklet with rare photographs; essays by
acclaimed author Will Friedwald and guitarist Nick Rossi (with a special focus
on Oscar Moore); plus interviews and testimonials from Johnny Mathis, Tony
Bennett, Quincy Jones, Harry Belafonte, John Pizzarelli, Freddy Cole, Michael
Feinstein and many others.

Hittin the Ramp features new remastering from original source disks transferred
for this set from a number of personal collections and from the archives at
University of California - Santa Barbara, The Institute for Jazz Studies at
Rutgers University, the the CU Boulder American Music Research Center, and the
Library of Congress. 

Celebrate Nat King Coles centennial in 2019 with this definitive early years
multi-disc box set. This is the origin story of a great artist just as he was
just “hittin’ the ramp,” launching a distinctive style that
would quickly become famous the world over. 
:: TRACKLIST ::

Disc: 1
 1. Honey Hush 2:52, 1936, Decca master take
 2. Stompin at the Panama (Skollers Shuffle) 2:59, 1936, Decca master take
 3. Bedtime (Sleepy Moan) 2:54, 1936, Decca master take
 4. Thunder 1936, Decca master take
 5. Mutiny in the Nursery 2:52, 1938, Standard transcription
 6. F.D.R. Jones 3:10, 1938, Standard transcription
 7. The Sheik of Araby 2:17, 1938, Standard transcription
 8. The Blue Danube 2:50, 1938, Standard transcription
 9. Button, Button 2:52, 1938, Standard transcription
 10. Jingle Bells 1938, Standard transcription
 11. Swanee River 1938, Standard transcription
 12. With Plenty of Money and You 2:15, 1938, Standard transcription
 13. Dont Blame Me 2:26, 1938, Standard transcription
 14. Lullaby in Rhythm 2:48, 1938, Standard transcription
 15. Dark Rapture 3:13, 1938, Standard transcription
 16. The Wiggly Walk 2:52, 1938, Standard transcription
 17. Flea Hop 2:43, 1938, Standard transcription
 18. Chopsticks 2:44, 1938, Standard transcription
 19. Patty Cake, Patty Cake 2:43, 1938, Standard transcription
 20. Blue Skies 2:09, 1938, Standard transcription
 21. Liza 2:58, 1938, Standard transcription
 22. Three Blind Mice 2:08, 1938, Standard transcription
 23. Caravan 2:17, 1938, Standard transcription
 24. Theres No Anesthetic for Love 3:15, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
 25. Dixie Jamboree 3:04, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
 26. Ta-De-Ah 2:39, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
 27. Riffin at the Bar-B-Q 2:05, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
 28. Harlem Swing 2:30, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
 29. I Lost Control of Myself 3:16, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription DISC
2:

Disc: 2
 1. The Land of Make Believe 2:52, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
 2. That Please-Be-Mine-Able Feeling 2:15, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
 3. Dancing in the Street 3:09, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
 4. Youre So Different 3:02, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
 5. I Wouldnt Have Known It 2:33, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
 6. Lets Get Happy 2:18, 1939, Davis & Schwegler transcription
 7. Undecided 2:26, 1939, Standard transcription
 8. Taint What You Do 2:53, 1939, Standard transcription
 9. Do You Wanna Jump, Children? 2:46, 1939, Standard transcription
 10. Riffin in F Minor 2:06, 1939, Standard transcription
 11. Ol Man Mose Aint Dead 3:30, 1939, Standard transcription
 12. Blue Lou 3:01, 1939, Standard transcription
 13. Honey 2:11, 1939, Standard transcription
 14. Russian Lullaby 2:07, 1939, Standard transcription
 15. Georgie Porgie 2:23, 1939, Standard transcription
 16. The Limp 2:52, 1939, Standard transcription
 17. Snug as a Bug in a Rug 2:35, 1939, Standard transcription
 18. Liebestraum 3:23, 1939, Standard transcription
 19. Fidgety Joe 2:57, 1939, Standard transcription
 20. Two Against One 3:00, 1939, Standard transcription
 21. Some Like it Hot 3:09, 1939, Standard transcription
 22. Crazy Rhythm 2:00, 1939, Standard transcription
 23. Moonglow 2:57, 1939, Standard transcription
 24. Dont Let That Moon Get Away 2:45, 1939, Standard transcription
 25. My Blue Heaven 1:36, 1939, Standard transcription
 26. I Was Doing Alright 2:17, 1939, Standard transcription
 27. I Cant Get Started 2:41, 1939, Standard transcription
 28. Old Man Moon 2:16, 1939, Standard transcription
 29. Carry Me Back to Old Virginny 2:14, 1939, Standard transcription

Disc: 3
 1. Moon Song 3:09; 1939, Standard transcription
 2. Baby, Wont You Please Come Home 2:20, 1939, Standard transcription
 3. Rosetta 2:11; 1939, Standard transcription
 4. Trompin 2:46, 1939, Standard transcription
 5. Youre My Life 2:54, 1939, Standard transcription
 6. Hoy Soy 2:33, 1939, Standard transcription
 7. Take Em 2:24, 1939, Standard transcription
 8. Scategoria 2:32, 1939, Standard transcription
 9. Rhythm Serenade 2:35, 1939, Standard transcription
 10. Rib Town Shuffle 2:46, 1939, Standard transcription
 11. Musicll Chase Your Blues Away 2:01, 1939, Standard transcription
 12. Ill Gather Up My Memories 3:34, 1939, Standard transcription
 13. A Fools Affair 3:34, 1939, Standard transcription
 14. Jump, Jack, Jump 2:47, 1939, Standard transcription
 15. I Knew a Time 3:05, 1939, Standard transcription
 16. Mine Youll Always Be 3:19, 1939, Standard transcription
 17. Doin the Bow Wow 2:44, 1939, Standard transcription
 18. Lilla Mae 2:18, 1939, Standard transcription
 19. I Like to Riff 2:49, 1940, Ammo, master take
 20. On the Sunny Side of the Street 2:55, 1940, Ammor master take
 21. Black Spider Stomp 2:40, 1940, Ammor master take
 22. By the River St. Marie 2:25, 1940, Ammor master take
 23. Slew Foot Joe 2:14, 1940, Standard transcription
 24. 1-2-3-4 2:09, 1940, Standard transcription
 25. Crazy Bout Rhythm 2:04, 1940, Standard transcription
 26. Off the Beam 2:18, 1940, Standard transcription
 27. King Cole Blues 2:07, 1940, Standard transcription
 28. Jivin with the Notes 2:01, 1940, Standard transcription
 29. Never Mind, Baby 1:45, 1940, Keystone transcription

Disc: 4
 1. Im a Perfect Fool Over You 2:38, 1940, Keystone transcription
 2. Lovely Little Person 2:23, 1940, Keystone transcription
 3. Love Me Sooner 2:32, 1940, Keystone transcription
 4. Sentimental Blue 2:44, 1940, Keystone transcription
 5. Goin to Town with Honey 2:21, 1940, Keystone transcription
 6. Syncopated Lullaby 1:51, 1940, Keystone transcription
 7. Falling in and Out of Love 1:50, 1940, Keystone transcription
 8. Lets Do Things 2:01, 1940, Keystone transcription
 9. Jumpy Jitters 1:51, 1940, Keystone transcription
 10. Nothing Ever Happens 2:35, 1940, Keystone transcription
 11. Whatcha Doin to My Heart 1:37, 1940, Keystone transcription
 12. Bedtime 2:45, 1940, Standard transcription
 13. Honey Hush 2:18, 1940, Standard transcription
 14. French Toast 2:15, 1940, Standard transcription
 15. Vine Street Jump 2:43, 1940, Standard transcription
 16. B Flat 2:32, 1940, Standard transcription
 17. You Send Me 2:11, 1940, Standard transcription
 18. Love Is My Alibi 3:13, 1940, Standard transcription
 19. Pogo Stick Bounce 2:19, 1940, Standard transcription
 20. Whatcha Know, Joe? 2:36, 1940, unreleased radio broadcast
 21. Sweet Lorraine 2:57, 1940, Decca master take
 22. Honeysuckle Rose 2:34, 1940, Decca master take
 23. Gone with the Draft 2:44, 1940, Decca master take
 24. This Side Up 2:49, 1940, Decca master take
 25. Jumpin with the Mop 2:26, 1941, Standard transcription
 26. Jam Man 2:05, 1941, Standard transcription
 27. Lets Try Again 3:05, 1941, Standard transcription
 28. Fudge Wudge 3:51, 1941, Standard transcription
 29. Smokey Joe 1:58, 1941, Standard transcription
 30. Windy City Boogie Woogie 2:26, 1941, Standard transcription
 31. Ode to a Wild Clam 2:26, 1941, Standard transcription

Disc: 5
 1. Lets Try Again 3:10, 1941, MacGregor transcription
 2. Whatcha Know, Joe? 2:12, 1941, MacGregor transcription
 3. Lazy River 1:46, 1941, MacGregor transcription
 4. Georgia on My Mind 2:45, 1941, MacGregor transcription
 5. Rockin Chair 3:13, 1941, MacGregor transcription
 6. A Little Jive Is Good for You 3:41, 1941, MacGregor transcription
 7. Youve Changed 3:05, 1941, MacGregor transcription
 8. Babs 2:27, 1941, Decca master take
 9. Scotchin with the Soda 2:35, 1941, Decca master take
 10. Slow Down 3:09, 1941, Decca master take
 11. Early Morning Blues 2:46, 1941, Decca master take
 12. The Romany Room Is Jumpin 2:30, 1941, unreleased private recording
 13. This Will Make You Laugh 3:14, 1941, Decca master take
 14. Stop! The Red Lights On 2:39, 1941, Decca master take
 15. Hit the Ramp 3:21, 1941, Decca master take
 16. I Like to Riff 2:48, 1941, Decca master take
 17. Call the Police 3:05, 1941, Decca master take
 18. Are You Fer It? 3:08, 1941, Decca master take
 19. That Aint Right 3:14, 1941, Decca master take
 20. Hit That Jive, Jack 2:59, 1941, Decca master take
 21. Indiana 4:53, 1942, Philo, w/Lester Young
 22. I Cant Get Started 4:55, 1942, Philo, w/Lester Young

Disc: 6
 1. Tea for Two 4:47, 1942, Philo, w/Lester Young
 2. Body and Soul 5:13, 1942, Philo, w/Lester Young
 3. Vom, Vim, Veedle 3:02, 1942, Excelsior master take
 4. All for You 3:28, 1942, Excelsior master take
 5. Hip Hip Hooray 2:24, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #5
 6. I Know That You Know 2:10, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #5
 7. Im Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town 3:44, 1942 or 1943, Live from the 331
Club
 8. Pitchin Up a Boogie 3:14, 1943, Excelsior master take
 9. Im Lost 3:19, 1943, Excelsior master take
 10. Beautiful Moons Ago 2:27, 1943, Excelsior master take
 11. Lets Spring One 2:43, 1943, Excelsior master take
 12. Slender, Tender, and Tall 2:06, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #29
 13. Ive Found a New Baby 4:44, 1943, Mercury, w/Dexter Gordon
 14. Rosetta 5:10, 1943, Mercury, w/Dexter Gordon
 15. Sweet Lorraine 4:56, 1943, Mercury, w/Dexter Gordon
 16. I Blowed and Gone 4:47, 1943, Mercury, w/Dexter Gordon
 17. Solid Potato Salad 2:07, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #36
 18. F.S.T. (Fine, Sweet & Tasty) 3:07, 1943, Premier master take
 19. Got a Penny 2:37, 1943, Premier master take
 20. Lets Pretend 3:18, 1943, Premier master take
 21. My Lips Remember Your Kisses 3:11, 1943, Premier master take
 22. Im an Errand Boy for Rhythm 1:51, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #51
 23. Straighten Up and Fly Right 2:45, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #51

Disc: 7
 1. Honey Hush 2:47, 1936, Decca alternate take
 2. By the River St. Marie 2:12, 1938 Standard transcription
 3. I Like to Riff 2:33, 1939, Standard transcription
 4. Black Spider Stomp 2:54, 1939, Standard transcription
 5. Sweet Lorraine 3:23, 1939, Standard transcription
 6. Early Morning Blues 2:53, 1940, Standard transcription
 7. Gone with the Draft 2:22, 1940, Standard transcription
 8. Trompin 1:48, 1939, Recorded for Cinematone
 9. Sweet Lorraine 2:57, 1940, Decca alternate take
 10. Gone with the Draft 2:41, 1940, Decca alternate take
 11. Scotchin with the Soda 2:25, 1941, Standard transcription
 12. Gone with the Draft 2:28, 1941, Standard transcription
 13. The Romany Room Is Jumpin 2:33, 1941, unreleased private recording,
alternate take
 14. Hit That Jive, Jack 2:16, 1942, AFRS Mail Call #16
 15. Beautiful Moons Ago 3:36, 1943, Excelsior alternate take
 16. Honeysuckle Rose 3:20, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #29
 17. I Know That You Know 2:53, 1943, AFRS Jubilee #36
 18. Solid Potato Salad 2:14, AFRS Command Performance #87
 19. My Lips Remember Your Kisses 3:07, 1943, Premier alternate take
 20. Straighten Up and Fly Right 2:52, 1943, AFRS Personal Album #227

 Bass – Johnny Miller, Wesley Prince
 Drums – Al Spieldock
 Electric Guitar – Oscar Moore
 Executive-Producer – George Klabin
 Piano – Nat King Cole
 Producer – George Klabin, Jordan Taylor, Matthew Lutthans, Seth Berg,
Will Friedwald, Zev Feldman
 Saxophone – Dexter Gordon (tracks: 6-13, 6-14, 6-15, 6-16), Lester Young
(tracks: 5-21, 5-22, 6-1, 6-2)
 Vocals – Nat King Cole

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