Film Recordings

Max Rapp (mgr), Bobby Brooks Quartet (v), Nat Cole (p), Oscar Moore (g), Johnny Miller (b)

Personnel

This is Cole's first confirmed appearance either in a film or performing on its soundtrack. Though not seen on camera (Count Basie ghosts for Nat), the distinctive sound of the trio is evident.

The Bobby Brooks Quartet, a vocal group, is listed in the union contract as the Ben Carter group.

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

Nat Cole (v, p), Ida James (v), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

Johnny Miller (v) on b; Oscar Moore (v) on b.

Dates

Teubig says the date for these recordings is either December 20th or 21st. Film historian Mark Cantor says they are almost certainly from December 20th. Cantor's date is observed here. Per Cantor, sideline filming occurred at an unknown location on December 22, 1943.

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

Dates

Teubig places this recording in the Summer of 1944, but that was when the film was released (reviewed in Variety in late July). Earlier references to the film, which was initially billed as Under Western Skies, indicated that the trio would begin working on the film after their engagement at The Orpheum ended sometime around 17 April. An article in The Chicago Defender from 29 April refers to the group as 'currently appearing in a Columbia Studio film production titled Under Western Skies'.

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

Johnny Miller (v) on b; Oscar Moore (v) on b.

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

Johnny Miller (v) on c; Oscar Moore (v) on c.

Dates

According to Mark Cantor, recording occurred during the week of November 19, while filming (most likely at Filmcraft Studios in the Bronx) commenced the following week.

Nat Cole (v, p), Johnny Miller (v, b), Oscar Moore (v, g)

Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Johnny Miller (b)

Nat Cole (v) on a-b.

Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b)

Max Rapp (mgr), Nat Cole (v, p), Benny Carter (as, con), Marshal Royal, Willie Smith (as), Wardell Gray, Bumps Myers (ts), Bob Dawes (bar), Buddy Childers, Karl George, Shorty Rogers, Ernie Royal (t), Herbie Harper, Dick Kenny, George Washington, Britt Woodman (tb), Gerald Wiggins (p), Irving Ashby, Ulysses Livingston (g), Joe Comfort, Charlie Drayton (b), Jackie Mills (d), Jack Costanzo (cga)

Nat Cole (v) on a-b; Benny Carter (as) on c, (con) on c; Marshal Royal (as) on c; Willie Smith (as) on c; Wardell Gray (ts) on c; Bumps Myers (ts) on c; Bob Dawes (bar) on c; Buddy Childers (t) on c; Karl George (t) on c; Shorty Rogers (t) on c; Ernie Royal (t) on c; Herbie Harper (tb) on c; Dick Kenny (tb) on c; George Washington (tb) on c; Britt Woodman (tb) on c; Gerald Wiggins (p) on c; Ulysses Livingston (g) on c; Charlie Drayton (b) on c; Jackie Mills (d) on c.

Dates

Sideline photography was done on January 18, 1950.

Personnel

The union contract for this session lists only the Black musicians. The remaining names (Shorty Rogers, Childers, etc.) have been supplied by David Meeker.

Songs

The final number is typically credited as "Congaroo" with slight variations in spelling. Cole's group plays roughly 30 seconds of the "All Aboard" theme and then is joined by the entire Carter ensemble.

Phil Moore (mgr), Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (cga)

Nat Cole (p) on b-e; Irving Ashby (g) on b-e; Joe Comfort (b) on b-e; Jack Costanzo (cga) on a, d-e.

Dates

Recording and principal photography occurred August 5, 1950. Two hours of additional sideline photography also took place from 13-15:00 the previous day, August 4, 1950. (Information courtesy of Mark Cantor.)

Harry Zimmerman (mgr), Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Jack Costanzo (cga)

Jack Costanzo (cga) on a-d.

Recording and principal photography took place from 15:00-17:00. However, additional sideline photography occurred prior to recording, from 13:00-15:00.

Hank Stern (mgr), Nat Cole (v, p), Irving Ashby (g), Joe Comfort (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Jack Costanzo (cga), Seymour Kramer, Harold Lieberman, Nick Pisani, Isadore Roman, Ted Rosen, Darrel Terwilliger (vn), Al Harshman, Robert King (vl), Charles Gates (clo), Harry Zimmerman (con)

Alvin Stoller (d) on a-f; Seymour Kramer (vn) on a-f; Harold Lieberman (vn) on a-f; Nick Pisani (vn) on a-f; Isadore Roman (vn) on a-f; Ted Rosen (vn) on a-f; Darrel Terwilliger (vn) on a-f; Al Harshman (vl) on a-f; Robert King (vl) on a-f; Charles Gates (clo) on a-f; Harry Zimmerman (con) on a-f.

Max Rapp (mgr), Nat Cole (v, p), Buddy Collette, Frank Morgan (as), Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Vernon Slater (ts), Maurice Simon (bar), Art Farmer, Joseph Kelley, Robert Ross, Gerald Wilson (t), Jimmy Cheatham, John Ewing, James Robinson (tb), Ernie Freeman (p), David Bryant (b), Leroy McCray, Jr. (d), Joe Adams (con)

Buddy Collette (as) on a, c; Frank Morgan (as) on a, c; Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis (ts) on a, c; Vernon Slater (ts) on a, c; Maurice Simon (bar) on a, c; Art Farmer (t) on a, c; Joseph Kelley (t) on a, c; Robert Ross (t) on a, c; Gerald Wilson (t) on a, c; Jimmy Cheatham (tb) on a, c; John Ewing (tb) on a, c; James Robinson (tb) on a, c; Ernie Freeman (p) on a, c.

Dates

Sideline photography was done on September 7, 1951.

Personnel

The Joe Adams Orchestra is actually the band of trumpeter Gerald Wilson.

James Whelan (mgr), Nat Cole (v), Aaron Gershunoff (f), Philip Memoli (ob), Gus Bivona, Morton Friedman, Alex Gershunoff, Andrew Young (cl), Joe Triscari (t), John Cave, Vincent DeRubertis, Herman Lebow (frh), Si Zentner (tb), Milt Raskin (p), unknown (g), Artie Shapiro (b), Frank Carlson (d), Jack Costanzo (cga), Sam Albert, Dave Crocov, Sam Fiedler, Werner Gebauer, Mort Herbert, Arthur Maebe, Sr., Lisa Minghetti, Emanuel Moss, Lou Raderman, Al Vertchamp, Eunice Wennermark (vn), Virginia Majewski, Reuben Marcus, Germain Prevost (vl), Alex Compinsky, Fernand Lhoest, Irving Lipshultz, Ed Lustgarten (clo), Mary Jane Barton (hrp), André Previn (con)

Aaron Gershunoff (f) on a; Philip Memoli (ob) on a; Gus Bivona (cl) on a; Morton Friedman (cl) on a; Alex Gershunoff (cl) on a; Andrew Young (cl) on a; Joe Triscari (t) on a; John Cave (frh) on a; Vincent DeRubertis (frh) on a; Herman Lebow (frh) on a; Si Zentner (tb) on a; unknown (g) on a; Artie Shapiro (b) on a; Frank Carlson (d) on a; Jack Costanzo (cga) on a; Sam Albert (vn) on a; Dave Crocov (vn) on a; Sam Fiedler (vn) on a; Werner Gebauer (vn) on a; Mort Herbert (vn) on a; Arthur Maebe, Sr. (vn) on a; Lisa Minghetti (vn) on a; Emanuel Moss (vn) on a; Lou Raderman (vn) on a; Al Vertchamp (vn) on a; Eunice Wennermark (vn) on a; Virginia Majewski (vl) on a; Reuben Marcus (vl) on a; Germain Prevost (vl) on a; Alex Compinsky (clo) on a; Fernand Lhoest (clo) on a; Irving Lipshultz (clo) on a; Ed Lustgarten (clo) on a; Mary Jane Barton (hrp) on a.

Personnel

It is not known who played guitar on this session. The original AFM contract has Jack Marshall's name crossed out, but no other guitarist is listed in replacement.

Nat Cole (v), others unknown (acc), Nelson Trimble (con)

Dates

Cole reportedly filmed his scene on December 22nd, so it's likely this recording falls right around then.

Personnel

A 1953 issue of Ebony magazine featured several photos from this recording session. Only conductor Nelson Trimble was identified by name, but a 16-piece orchestra, including 10 violins and a harp, were said to be backing Cole.

Nat Cole (v, p), others unknown (acc)

Si Waronker (mgr), Nat Cole (v), Art Hoberman, Luella Howard, Sterling Smith (f), William Kosinski, Gordon Pope (ob), Don Christlieb, Art Fleming (bsn), Russ Cheever, Morris Crawford, Chuck Gentry, Abe Most, Bill Ulyate (cl), Frank Beach, Morris Boltuch, John Clyman, Jack Coleman (t), Joseph Eger, Fred Fox, Alan Robinson, Harry Schmidt (frh), Pete Carpenter, Marlo Imes, Ray Klein, Randall Miller, John Tranchitella (tb), Clarence Karella (tu), Emanuel Bay, Urban Thielmann (p), Vito Mumolo (g), Magdaleno Rivera, Mike Rubin (b), Richard Cornell, Paul DeDroit, Preston Lodwick, Hal Rees (d), Sol Babitz, George Berres, Henry Camusi, Joachim Chassman, Adolph Di Tullio, Peter Ellis, Marvin Limonick, Paul Lowenkron, Irma Neumann, David Selmont, Paul Shure, Felix Slatkin (vn), Myer Bello, Alvin Dinkin, Alex Neiman, Sven Reher (vl), Joseph Coppin, Joseph Di Tullio, Leonard Krupnick, Kurt Reher (clo), Ann Mason Stockton (hrp), Dimitri Tiomkin (con)

Dates & Personnel

Scoring of the film took place from August 30 - September 1, 1954. It is not known precisely when Cole recorded his part(s), so personnel (which varies little across the three days of recording) is listed collectively.

The dates and times of the individual sessions are as follows:

August 30, 1954 #1 [10:00-12:30]
August 30, 1954 #2 [13:30-18:15]
August 31, 1954 #1 [09:30-12:30]
August 31, 1954 #2 [13:30-18:00]
September 1, 1954 #1 [11:00-12:00]
September 1, 1954 #2 [13:00-19:00]

Nat Cole (v), others unknown (acc), Frank De Vol (con)

Personnel

The opening credits of the film list Albert Harris as responsible for orchestrations. It is not known if he arranged this performance by Cole, or if the orchestration is the work of Nelson Riddle or Frank De Vol.

Nat Cole (v, p), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b), Lee Young (d), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (con)

Nat Cole (p) on a-c; others unknown (acc) on d-g; Nelson Riddle (con) on d-g.

Dates

Shooting for the film reportedly started on March 1st.

Songs

According to Roy Holmes, "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" was recorded for but not included in the final film.

Nat Cole (v, p), others unknown (acc), Nelson Riddle (con)

Nat Cole (p) on b; others unknown (acc) on a; Nelson Riddle (con) on a.

Nat Cole (v), others unknown (acc), Morris Stoloff (con)

Rudolph Friml, Jr. (mgr, con), Nat Cole (v, p), others unknown (acc)

Nat Cole (p) on a-b, d; others unknown (acc) on a, c-d; Rudolph Friml, Jr. (con) on a, c-d.

Dates & Personnel

At least two contracts are known to exist for this film. One, for sideline photography. is dated March 22, 1956. Although the second contract may be for recording, its date and purpose are illegible and cannot be determined at this time. However, it is likely that Cole's film recordings fall on or near March 20, 1956.

Personnel listed for the March 22 sideline photography session is as follows:

Rudolph Friml (leader, orchestra manager), Harold Brown (piano), Ralph Hamilton (bass), Preston Prince (drums), Benny Booker (listed as cello, but he was a bassist), Bert Brooks (listed as viola, but he was a drummer), Leroy Lovett (unlisted, pianist), Jewell Grant (unlisted, saxophonist), and Cole himself on piano.

Personnel for the undated contract is as follows:

Cole (leader; an indication that this may be for recording purposes), Harold Brown (piano), Ralph Hamilton (bass), Preston Prince (drums), and Tiny Mitchell (guitar).

Overdubs

Cole overdubbed his piano part on the second reported take of "I Waited So Long".

Henry Scharf (mgr), Nat Cole (v), Irving Lipshultz (cvn), Marcia Johnstone (hrp), Max Steiner (con)

James Whelan (mgr), Nat Cole (v), unknown (bkv), Arthur Gleghorn (f), Arnold Koblentz (ob), George Fields (h), Georgie Auld, Gus Bivona, Alex Gershunoff, Don Lodice, Hugo Raimondi, Andrew Young (cl), Uan Rasey, Joe Triscari, Jimmy Zito (t), John Cave, Vincent DeRubertis, Herman Lebow (frh), Pete Carpenter, Nick Di Maio, Herb Taylor, Si Zentner (tb), Max Rabinowitsh, Milt Raskin (p), Vincent Terri (g), George Boujie, Louis Previati, Artie Shapiro (b), Frank Carlson, Mel Pedesky, D.V. Seber (d), Sam Fiedler, Sam Freed, Werner Gebauer, Mort Herbert, Arnold Jurasky, Bernard Kundell, Joy Lyle, Arthur Maebe, Lisa Minghetti, Irving Prager, Lou Raderman, Albert Saparoff, Dorothy Wade (vn), Cecil Figelski, Al Harshman, Virginia Majewski, Reuben Marcus (vl), Alex Borisoff, Julian Kahn, Ray Kramer, Michael Penha (clo), Stanley Chaloupka, Catherine Johnk (hrp), Johnny Green (con)

Songs

The first performance of "Raintree County" reported here is the version heard over the opening credits of the film. The take used for subsequent CD releases is an alternate.

Master Numbers

At the end of the main title "Raintree County", a producer or engineer can be heard saying '2601', which may be the master number assigned to it by MGM.

Timing

The end title performance of "Raintree County" appears on CD as "Susanna's Death/Jeemie's Raintree/The Song of Raintree County (End Title)". The 4:09 timing represents the entire suite and not merely Cole's vocal.

Phil Kahgan (mgr), Nat Cole (v, p), Eartha Kitt (v), Burnett Atkinson, Harold Lewis (f), Charles Strickfaden (ob), Jules Seder (bsn), Mahlon Clark, Justin Gordon, Jerome Kasper, Joe Krechter, Ryland Weston (cl), Don Fagerquist, Sidney Lazar, Frank Zinzer (t), Willard Culley, Charles Peel, Gale Robinson (frh), George Arus, Joe Colvin, Vern Friley (tb), Harry Sukman (p), John Collins (g), Aaron Guterson, Ray Siegel, Anton Torello (b), Lee Young (d), Roland Hallberg, Bernie Mattinson (per), Harold Ayres, Israel Baker, Arnold Belnick, Jimmy Getzoff, Isadore Karon, Caesar Kersten, Alexander Koltun, Robert Konrad, William Kurasch, Leonard Malarsky, Ralph Schaeffer, Sidney Sharp (vn), LeRoy Collins, Albert Falkove, Leon Fleitman, Spinoza Paeff (vl), Dave Filerman, George Neikrug, Emmet Sargeant, Olga Zundel (clo), Aida Dagort (hrp), Nelson Riddle (con)

Eartha Kitt (v) on c; Burnett Atkinson (f) on a; Harold Lewis (f) on a; Charles Strickfaden (ob) on a; Jules Seder (bsn) on a; Mahlon Clark (cl) on a; Justin Gordon (cl) on a; Jerome Kasper (cl) on a; Joe Krechter (cl) on a; Ryland Weston (cl) on a; Don Fagerquist (t) on a; Sidney Lazar (t) on a; Frank Zinzer (t) on a; Willard Culley (frh) on a; Charles Peel (frh) on a; Gale Robinson (frh) on a; George Arus (tb) on a; Joe Colvin (tb) on a; Vern Friley (tb) on a; Nat Cole (p) on b-d; Harry Sukman (p) on a; John Collins (g) on a; Aaron Guterson (b) on a; Ray Siegel (b) on a; Anton Torello (b) on a; Lee Young (d) on a; Roland Hallberg (per) on a; Bernie Mattinson (per) on a; Harold Ayres (vn) on a; Israel Baker (vn) on a; Arnold Belnick (vn) on a; Jimmy Getzoff (vn) on a; Isadore Karon (vn) on a; Caesar Kersten (vn) on a; Alexander Koltun (vn) on a; Robert Konrad (vn) on a; William Kurasch (vn) on a; Leonard Malarsky (vn) on a; Ralph Schaeffer (vn) on a; Sidney Sharp (vn) on a; LeRoy Collins (vl) on a; Albert Falkove (vl) on a; Leon Fleitman (vl) on a; Spinoza Paeff (vl) on a; Dave Filerman (clo) on a; George Neikrug (clo) on a; Emmet Sargeant (clo) on a; Olga Zundel (clo) on a; Aida Dagort (hrp) on a; Nelson Riddle (con) on a.

Dates & Personnel

Cole almost certainly recorded all of his performances for St. Louis Blues on October 3rd & 4th, with the possibility of some further recording activity on October 2nd as well.

The recording session of October 3rd was from 18:00-23:00 and included the recording of "St. Louis Blues", with the full orchestra departing at 22:00. A second AFM sheet from October 3rd lists Cole as recording from 21:00-23:00. During this time he may have recorded any or all of the remaining titles listed for this session.

A similar situation occurred on October 4th. Riddle led a smaller from 18:00-22:10, while a second AFM sheet from the same date has Cole recoding from 19:00-23:00.

The personnel for the Riddle-led session is: Teddy Buckner (trumpet), George Washington (trombone), Barney Bigard (clarinet), Jack Coon (mellophone), Joe Marino (piano), Lee Young (drums), Charlie Harris (bass), John Collins (guitar), Ray Siegel (tuba), Phil Kahgan (orchestra manager).

Songs

In addition to the performances listed here, all of which survive on either acetates or commercial releases, Cole also made several shorter performances depicted in the film. It is not known if the recordings are longer than what was shot for the film, all of which are quite brief. These include:

St. Louis Blues (Cole plays piano, Pearl Bailey sings)
Beale Street Blues (Cole, vocal and piano)
Honest John Baile (Cole, vocal and piano)
Careless Love (Cole vocal, with trio/quartet accompaniment)
Yellow Dog Blues (Cole sings, small band accompaniment)

Nat Cole (v), others unknown (acc), Albert Glasser (con)

Nat Cole (v), others unknown (acc)

Marion Klein (mgr), Nat Cole, Stubby Kaye (v), Bob Bain, Allan Reuss, Tommy Tedesco (g), Rolly Bundock, Morty Cobb (b), Irv Cottler (d), Frank De Vol (con)

Stubby Kaye (v) on a.

Dates & Personnel

Cole almost certainly recorded his parts for the soundtrack on September 21 and/or September 22, 1964. The remainder of the scoring sessions were held in January by which point Cole was already in the hospital with only weeks to live.

The session of September 21st was held from 12:00-15:00. Personnel included Frank De Vol, Marion Klein, Allan Reuss, Tommy Tedesco, Rolly Bundock, and Irv Cottler.

The session of September 22nd was held from 11:00-15:15. Personnel included Frank De Vol, Marion Klein, Bob Bain, Tommy Tedesco, Morty Corb, and Irv Cottler.

Because it is not known with certainty what was recorded when, personnel for both dates are listed collectively.

Releases

Although "The Ballad of Cat Ballou" (primarily taken from the film's opening) and "They Can't Make Her Cry" are the only recordings from the film yet to be released, Cole recorded several other segments for the picture which were captured on a demonstration disc cut by United Recording. Its contents are as follows:

Side 1
Prologue
Segment #1
Segment #2
Cat Ballou Arrives in Wolf City
Kid Shelleen

Side 2
They Can't Make Her Cry
Trip to Hole in Wall
Patter - Part A, B, C, D
Tarnished Virtue
Finale