The Touch Of Your Lips – NAT KING COLE****

The Touch Of Your Lips/I Remember You/Illusion/You’re Mine You/Funny (Not Much)/Poinciana/Sunday Monday Or Always/Not So Long Ago/A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square/Only Forever/My Need For You/Lights Out

The Touch Of Your Lips comprised a collection of romantic ballads from the master of the craft Nat King Cole and featured new arranger Ralph Carmichael. The relatively lowly chart placing must have been disappointing. (US:79)

“Nat Cole's The Touch Of Your Lips is absolutely a masterpiece. Ralph Carmichael's arrangements are lush and heartfelt. Nat's singing is smooth, the sound is beautiful, wonderful Capitol stereo; they knew what they were doing.”

“The Touch Of Your Lips marked the beginning of Nat's relationship with Ralph Carmichael. It proved to be a happy choice. This album opens with a lush arrangement of the title song, matched by Nat's raspy voice and cool tones. A very satisfying album.”

"Touch Of Your Lips again showcases Nat's vocals as he croons yet another beautiful love ballad that just doesn't get enough recognition. I Remember You is more recognizable; and Nat sings this with a slower than usual tempo to enhance the natural beauty of this number.”

“Beautifully romantic. With lush orchestrations by long time Cole collaborator Ralph Carmichael, you can just fall in love listening to this masterpiece.”

“It's simply a masterpiece and in my humble opinion is perhaps Nat's best album ever. This collection of ballads is brilliantly sung with incredible warmth and depth, and the arrangements by Ralph Carmichael are so smooth.”

“The arrangements are just gorgeous without being cheesy, and what can you say about the material? You're Mine You and A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square are standouts for me, but frankly there is not one weak track here.”

“This set is a great example of the perfect use of a voice as an instrument. Nat King Cole was already known for his velvet voice, and he adds it to the melody as an instrument. This set is a prime example; especially on I Remember You, you feel the melody and the precise blending of vocal and music. Highly recommended.”