For those not in the know, Frank Sinatra walks into a bar…
Well, Frank called it a “bistro”—and Jilly’s on 52nd Street even had matchbooks that when opened read, “My favorite bistro–Frank Sinatra.” It also featured Frank’s “favorite saloon singer,” Bobby Cole, who held court there for many years.

His other gigs around New York landed him a recording contract with Columbia, but the 1960 release from The Bobby Cole Trio, while well reviewed, failed to gain traction.

It featured no original material from Cole, and was essentially a recorded version of his Jilly’s act—one hard to capture on LP.

Judy Garland walks into a bar…

In 1964, and after hearing Cole’s performance of one of her favorites, Cy Coleman’s “You Fascinate Me So,” Garland invited the New York jazz singer to become the new musical arranger for CBS’s The Judy Garland Show in Los Angeles. When that show ended, Cole returned to New York and Jilly’s.

Jack Lonshein, whose day job was creating covers for artists including Sarah Vaughan, Maynard Ferguson, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, (and eventually Big Brother & The Holding Company and The Amboy Dukes!), was a friend of Cole’s.

He knew Bobby’s magic, and original songs, were what the jazz world needed. Taking things into his own hands, A Point of View was released on Lonshein’s own Concentric Records, and as can happen, no matter how well received and reviewed a record is, finding a copy was half the battle for fans.

A Point of View made waves in the boroughs, was raved about in Billboard and Cash Box, and then disappeared — but became a coveted prize by those who experienced it. Artists including Freddy Cole (Nat’s brother), Nancy Sinatra, and Tom Jones all covered material from it.

A Point of View now returns 55 years later, fully authorized by the Estate of Bobby Cole. Produced for release by Grammy®-winner Cheryl Pawelski and lovingly remastered by Grammy®-winner Michael Graves, this new version presents the original release, plus 12 previously unissued bonus tracks drawn from sessions likely intended for a follow up release to A Point of View that didn’t happen.

A fascinating and thorough essay from Grammy®-nominated writer Randy Poe tells the story of Cole, the scene, and the music.

1. STATUS QUO
2. THE NAME OF THE GAME IS TROUBLE
3. LOVER BOY
4. YOU CAN’T BUILD A LIFE ON A LOOK
5. BUT IT’S SPRING
6. HEAT
7. YOU COULD HEAR A PIN DROP
8. A CHANGE OF SCENE
9. A PERFECT DAY
10. ELEGY FOR EVE
11. NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL
12. I’M GROWING OLD

Opening on the liquid fervency of STATUS QUO and the swinging, finger-snapper THE NAME OF THE GAME IS TROUBLE, the lushly orchestrated LOVER BOY, the playfully perky YOU CAN’T BUILD A LIFE ON A LOOK, the balladry of BUT IT’S SPRING, the aptly-named HEAT, the quietly-stoic YOU COULD HEAR A PIN DROP, and then comes the upbeat A CHANGE OF SCENE, the free flowing A PERFECT DAY, the beautiful stillness of ELEGY FOR EVE, the original album rounding out with the mid-tempo NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL and the dulcet I’M GROWING OLD.

13. CHECKERBOARD LIFE
14. DRINK THIS CUP
15. HOW THE LONELY SPEND THEIR TIME
16. I NEVER SAW THE SHADOWS
17. TEAR FOR TEAR
18. WHEN SHE WAS IN LOVE WITH ME
19. GET OFF LOOKING GOOD
20. AT THE DARKEST HOUR
21. A TOAST
22. THE MIDNIGHT FLOWER
23. NEVER ASK THE HOUR
24. A CHANGE OF SCENE (Alternate Take)
25. LIFE ROLLS ON

Up next are the previously unissued bonus tracks, which begin with lushly motivated roll of CHECKERBOARD LIFE and the beautifully rhythmical DRINK THIS CUP and they are backed by the throaty HOW THE LONELY SPEND THEIR TIME, the forthright melodies of I NEVER SAW THE SHADOWS, the upbeat and joyous TEAR FOR TEAR, the ornate balladry of WHEN SHE WAS IN LOVE WITH ME, the gently fervent jazz piano of GET OFF LOOKING GOOD, the one-two beats of AT THE DARKEST HOUR and then comes the finger-snapping A TOAST, the beautiful, late night club balladry of THE MIDNIGHT FLOWER, the recording now coming to a close with the quietly rambunctious NEVER ASK THE HOUR, the jazzy A CHANGE OF SCENE (Alternate Take), and finally a deliciously seductive LIFE ROLLS ON.

Available on CD and Digital April 15th, 2022 (with a double-LP version slated for Fall of 2022), A Point of View will be finally seen and heard, appreciated, and revered, as originally intended.

Official Purchase Link