I don't know if many people at the time realized what a rare, exquisitely magical and beautiful a piece like this by these two immensely talented and special artists was and is. Special people like this only come along every so often and, being artists, they channel something from another place that no other person could. Where can we experience beauty and class at this level on television today?
You are experiencing magic, sitting here mesmerized by these two gifted artists. They make it look casual and easy but whatever is coming out of them comes from another place. You won't see the like of this kind of talent and class again.
White and black were not permitted to touch on screen. I thank god for Perry Como who broke that barrier. These are the words from Lena Horne's daughter Gail
Nat was one of the best and Perry Como was one of the best also. I wish this type of music would come back into the mainstream. You don't hear black or white singers with the voices of Lena Horne and Perry Como anymore. I loved Johnny Mathis whose voice is incomparable. Not picking on black singers but ALL singers do not have the true voices of these two.
I’ve always admired her authority in a song, like she was teaching you something deeper than just the lyrics. The phrasing on this brings me to tears. Amazing.
A wonderful eulogy in song to Nat King Cole. Remember, Nat King Cole's show was canceled because of ratings. "Jim Crow" South banned his show from airing! I am grateful his voice and piano playing have been preserved. Artists continue to honor Nat in song; see Diana Krall sing "Unforgettable".
Carmen owns this standard; perhaps rivaled only by Sarah Vaughan's recording. Despite this quality performance by Carmen and her band, the audio is somewhat lacking, but still a great document of her vocal artistry.