Unforgettable: The Life and Mystique of Nat King Cole

by Leslie Gourse

Discusses Nat King Cole, whose satin voice belied his rough life, detailing his Alabama boyhood, his marriages, his revolutionary jazz piano style, and his struggles with prejudice and hatred

Genres: Music, Biography

309 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1991

Reviews

[Quiltyknitwit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally I liked this bio because I'm a NKC fan. The author focuses mostly on how Nat transitioned from jazz piano to pop singing, and how his ambitious wife Maria deftly directed his career. However, the author often repeated herself, and on occasion inserted vague information. I wasn't sure if that was foreshadowing, or assuming that the reader had prior background knowledge. Toward the end of Nat's life his marriage was very troubled and he left his wife for a younger white woman, but that was glossed over (maybe in deference to Maria who had allowed access for this bio). In Nat's short life he enjoyed a brilliant career because of his talent and easy going personality. Another reason to admire him is he pushed back against segregation, and often paid the price for it.

[Ronald Kelland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always wanted to know more about Nat King Cole. As a child I grew up listening to his music and Christmas was never complete until his version of "The Christmas Song" was heard. As an adult, I discovered his non-Christmas music and grew to believe that he was one of the best voices of his generation. As a historian of pop culture I also became aware of his influences on music and how he was affected by race issues and the position he had in the civil rights movement. When I saw this book out of the corner of my eye, I knew that I had to grab it. Overall I enjoyed this book, but at times it left me frustrated and it definitely left me wanting to know more about the life of Nat King Cole. The book concentrates a lot on his transition from jazz to pop music and the frustrations he felt from the never-ending criticism he received from jazz purists. I felt that this aspect of his life was covered too much overall. The discrimination Nat Cole experienced as a black entertainer, selling thousands of records and welcomed on stage, but not welcomed in many clubs, hotels or even his own Los Angeles community is reasonably well-covered and, for me, is the most interesting parts of the book. My biggest criticism is that the book has a superficial, rushed feel about it. Some chapters of his life are covered in breakneck speed and I am certain that there are many interesting details that have been left out. The book is also repetitive in places, with some anecdotes told multiple times in different chapters. For me, the book will serve as a good introduction to the life a fascinating man, but I will be looking for a larger, more complete biography of Nat King Cole to satisfy my interest in learning about his life and his music.

[j_ay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This seems like a 'Cliffs Notes' version of a biography. Barely skims the surface and is quite poorly written.

A nice discography at the back though.