Ori Dagan Nathaniel: A Tribute To Nat King Cole

Ori Dagan
Nathaniel: A Tribute To Nat King Cole
ScatCat Records ODCD03

Unlike Gregory Porter's superb recent Nat King Cole tribute album, singer Dagan's homage takes a different tact, In addition to singing songs from Cole's repertoire but also sings 5 original songs inspired by facets of Cole’s life, music and legacy, On this he has assistance from highly esteemed special guests Sheila Jordan, Alex Pangman and Jane Bunnett. Also related to this is his also doing this as a first visual album in the jazz genre: a collection of 12 music videos. Backing Dagan are, Mark Kieswetter - piano, Nathan Hiltz - guitar, and Ross MacIntyre - bass. Mark Kelso is on drums on five songs, Jane Bunnett adds soprano sax to two and flute on one, Magdelys Savigne adds percussion to two and Sheila Jordan and Alex Pangman each add vocals to one song.

Dagan is an interesting vocalist whose performance range from a straight reading of the lyrics to  horn-like scatting flights. The band swings nicely behind him as on the opening "Linette," with Hiltz's guitar sparkling in backing. It is followed by the brisk, "Sting of the Cactus," with more strong guitar (both lead and Freddie Greene like chording) and piano. There is a Latin tinge (with effective use of stop-time breaks) given to one of the songs Cole helped make a standard, "Nature Boy," That has more excellent piano and guitar.

Other delights include a duet with Sheila Jordan on "Straighten Up and Fly Right," where they trade fours scatting; the ballad "Pretend," a charming vocal duet with Alex Pangman, and Dagan's lively original "Keep Simple," with James Bunnett on soprano sax. On this, Dagan scatting and trading fours with Kieswetter, and Hiltz. Kelso taking a short drum solo on this as well. Jane Bunnett adds flute to "El Bodeguero," one of the jaunty Cuban songs Cole recorded.  This tribute closes with the quick tempoed "Unforgettable," that opens with just MacIntyre's bass accompaniment before Hiltz and then Kieswetter join in.

Ori Dagan's vocals, and the excellent small group backing, provide much to entertain listeners on this very enjoyable tribute.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review was originally in the March-April Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 377) but I have made some stylistic changes for clarity. Here is his video for "Sting of the Cactus."