Greatest Hits Volume 1

by Natalie Cole

Product Description:

Personnel: Natalie Cole (vocals); Rob Mathes (arranger, electric guitar, keyboards, programming); Paul Jackson, Jr., Dean Parks, Michael Thompson, John Chiodini (guitar); Abe Appleman, Avril Brown, Barry Finclair, Joyce Hamman, Ann Leathers (violin); Sue Pray, Crystal Gamer, Juliet Haffner (viola); Richard Lockner, Diane Barere (cello); Stacey Shames (harp); Pamela Skalar (flute); John Moses, Virgil Blackwell (clarinet); Diane Lesser (oboe); John Clark, Bob Carlisle, Chris Komer (French horn); Robbie Buchanan (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Terry Trotter, Charles Floyd (piano); Clifford Carter (Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Peter Wolf (keyboards, bass, programming); Claude Glaudette (keyboards); David Finck (acoustic bass); Paul Robinson (electric bass).

Producers: Chuck Jackson, Marvin Yancy, Phil Ramone, Peter Wolf, David Foster.

Compilation producer: Bill Schnee.

Engineers: Eric Schillng, Jeremy Elgueta.

Even if you're one of those who finds Natalie Cole's chart-topping duet with her late father on "Unforgettable" (naturally included here) unforgivable, this collection makes an excellent case for Cole as a pop/R&B songbird of rare quality, on par with Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston, or anyone else you care to name. Cole's chops are established from the start, with an energetic live version of "Mr. Melody" that finds her soaring through her stratospheric range.

Such Cole hits as the bouncy, Pointer Sisters-like "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" and the sultry "I've Got Love on My Mind" serve to remind the casual listener of the singer's substantial chart presence over the years. A luxuriant take on the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and a funky, synth-charged version of Bruce Springsteen's "Pink Cadillac" show Cole's eclectic range. This retrospective closes on a contemporary note with the danceable "Livin' for Love," powered by electronic club-beats.