Live at the Circle Room

AMG Review of Live at the Circle Room

Ken Dryden
All Music Guide

A number of live broadcasts by the Nat King Cole Trio have turned up on European independent labels, but this is the first to appear on Capitol. In spite of the usual background noise from a night club, including a cash register, rattling glasses, and the inevitable audience conversations, the sound of these newly discovered performances is far superior to the unauthorized releases of other live dates on labels like Musidisc, Duke, and Swing House. Most of the songs covered were recorded by the trio for Capitol, but there are exceptions: "C Jam Blues," two takes of "My Sugar Is So Refined" -- which deserved a better fate -- and, surprisingly, "I Found a New Baby." Cole's warm vocals are flawless, and the trio's playing is more than up to par. Needless to say, this is an essential release for anyone who enjoys Nat "King" Cole.