Casting early-20th Century works by “the Father of the Blues” with particularly smooth vocals by Nat King Cole and the resourceful orchestrations of Nelson Riddle resulted in this classic album, a worthy tribute to the W.C. Handy legacy.

Included with this deluxe reissue is a striking six-panel booklet complete with rare photos, a 1,600-word essay by Jordan Taylor on the album and a 1,200-word essay by Michael Fremer about the remastering process. This truly is a no-expenses-spared project, resulting in the ultimate version of this title.

An influential figure in the early 20th century development of blues and popular music as a music scholar and as the composer of numerous popular songs, W.C. Handy has often been called “the Father of the Blues.” When two of the finest and most popular of mid-20th century musical figures, jazz and popular music icon Nat “King” Cole and style setting arranger extraordinare Nelson Riddle undertook an album dedicated to the music of W.C. Handy, the results were at once a worthy tribute and transformative. Particularly smooth vocals by Nat “King” Cole were aptly backed by resourceful orchestrations from Nelson Riddle. From the landmark laments of “St. Louis Blues” and the loving appreciation of “Morning Star” on through to the colloquial rag of “Joe Turner’s Blues,” the varied facets of W.C. Handy’s songs were given a lastingly freshened interpretation. Along with the contemporary Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy (also available here at Acoustic Sounds), this album is considered by many to be the best anthology of the music of W.C. Handy.

Using the original first generation 3-track session tapes from Capitol’s vaults and all-analogue systems including custom headstacks, 3-track preview heads, console and monitoring chain installed at AcousTech specially for these releases, mastering engineers Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman realize the rich beauty of these recordings in this double 45-RPM 180-gram album set. Included with this deluxe reissue is a striking six-panel booklet complete with rare photos, a 1,600-word essay by Jordan Taylor on the album and a 1,200-word essay by Michael Fremer about the remastering process. This truly is a no-expenses-spared project, resulting in the ultimate version of this title and a historic reissue.

Originally released in 1958.

Features:
• 180g 45rpm Double Vinyl
• Mastered by Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman at AcousTech
• Includes six-panel booklet with rare photos and essays by Jordan Taylor and Michael Fremer

Selections:
1. Overture (Introducing Love Theme and Hesitating Blues)
2. Harlem Blues
3. Chantez Les Bas
4. Friendless Blues
5. Stay
6. Joe Turner’s Blues
7. Beale Street Blues
8. Careless Love
9. Morning Star
10. Memphis Blues
11. Yellow Dog Blues
12. St. Louis Blues