One of the main reasons why this tribute to the
Nat King Cole Trio by
Kirk Lightsey is a success is that
Lightsey (who is from a much later bop-influenced generation) sounds nothing like
Cole. Featured in a trio with guitarist
Kevin Eubanks and bassist
Rufus Reid, Lightsey performs a set of music reminiscent of
Cole but several of the songs (including his original "Kirk's Blues," "Never Let Me Go" and "Close Enough for Love") were never actually recorded by
Cole; Lightsey takes surprisingly effective vocals on the latter two songs. ~ Scott Yanow