22 November 2017
Newsdesk
Grammy-winning singing sensation Gregory Porter will close the year with the classiest contender for Christmas No.1, his version of Nat King Cole’s festive classic, ‘The Christmas Song’. The Nat King Cole trio first recorded the song in 1946 (written by Bob Wells and Mel Tormé in 1945 on a hot summer’s day in an attempt to feel cool, by thinking cool), before Cole’s definitive stereophonic version with a full orchestra was recorded in 1961 and became one of the most-loved seasonal songs ever released.
Gregory Porter stated, “Its not Christmas till you smell the chestnuts roasting on the open fire! The Christmas song is a true classic, and for me, Nat King Cole’s version is the definitive. I have fond memories listening to it as a child and to record it in tribute to Nat, is no doubt the best gift I will receive this year.”
Gregory has had yet another landmark year in the UK – becoming the biggest selling jazz artist of the year so far after his new album ‘Nat King Cole & Me’ hit No.3 on the Official UK Album Chart. It is his highest ever chart position and biggest-selling first week. ‘Nat King Cole & Me’ is also Gregory’s fastest streamed album to date, hitting one million streams three times faster than his previous album, ‘Take Me To The Alley’.
Commenting on the success of the album, Gregory stated: "I'm very grateful for the success of ‘Nat King Cole And Me’. This is a deeply personal project and a humble tribute to Nat’s incredible music. I can trace his influence back to when I was five or six years old, when Nat’s music filled a void in me when my father wasn’t in my life and wasn’t showing interest in me. Nat’s words were the life lessons, words of wisdom and fatherly advice I needed.”
Tracklisting:
1. Mona Lisa
2. Smile
3. Nature Boy
4. L-O-V-E
5. Quizas, Quizas, Quizas
6. Miss Otis Regrets
7. Pick Yourself Up
8. When Love Was King (arrangement of an original Gregory Porter composition from Liquid Spirit)
9. The Lonely One
10. Ballerina
11. I Wonder Who My Daddy Is
12. The Christmas Song
Tour dates:
April 2018
5 - Birmingham Symphony Hall
6 - Birmingham Symphony Hall
7 - Liverpool Empire Theatre
8 - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
10 - Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
11 - Cardiff St Davids Hall
12 - Manchester Apollo
13 - Leeds First Direct Arena
15 - Sheffield City Hall
17 - Bournemouth BIC
18 - London Royal Albert Hall (with orchestra)
19 - London Royal Albert hall (with orchestra)
