Unforgettable

by Natalie Cole

Product Description:

Personnel includes: Natalie Cole (vocals); Johnny Mandel, Ralph Burns, Marty Paich, Michel Legrand, Bill Holman (arranger); John Chiodini, Alfred Viola, Dennis Budimir, John Pisano, John Collins (guitar); Gary Foster (alto saxophone); Pete Christlieb, Don Menza, David "Fathead" Newman (tenor saxophone); Conte Candoli, Chuck Findley (trumpet); Dick Nash (trombone); Clare Fischer, Joe Sample, Ike Cole, Brad Cole, Alan Broadbent, Mike Lang, Michael Melvoin, Monty Alexander (piano); Andrew Simpkins, John Patitucci, Ray Brown, James Hughart, Chuck Domanico, John Clayton (bass); Harold Jones, Dave Weckel, Jeff Hamilton, Sol Gubin (drums).

Producers: Andre Fischer, Tommy LiPuma, David Foster.

Engineers: Al Schmitt, Woody Woodruff, Armin Steiner.

Includes liner notes by Roy Trakin.

UNFORGETTABLE in many ways, this album was a musical breakthrough, garnering countless awards and re-establishing Natalie Cole's reputation as a broad talent with eclectic aspirations. She is an accomplished singer/songwriter and pianist, and on this interpretive collection of her father's (the legendary Nat King Cole's) standards she raised the stakes and entered the world of superstar divas like Barbara Streisand.

UNFORGETTABLE employs an impressive collection of musicians and arrangers, and through the power of songwriting perfection it effectively joins two generations, creating a moving and important musical document. From the opening "The Very Thought Of You," the listener is transported to another era, where lyrics were meaningful and melodies were held in high regard. And throughout the album, Cole pays respect to this craft of "romantic" songwriting. Among the twenty-two tracks, there's a swinging, scatting big-band version of "Paper Moon"; a hip, trio-styled "Route 66"; an unadorned rendition of the haunting "Mona Lisa"; a joyous "This Can't Be Love"; a complex reading of the legendary "Nature Boy"; and, of course, the technical wonder that is the Natalie/Nat posthumous duet, "Unforgettable."

UNFORGETTABLE is also an important release because it chronicles Nat King Cole's remarkable career, introducing an important musical figure (and his forgotten genre) to a new audience. It preserves great songs for posterity, and is executed in a well-conceived, accurate manner by Natalie, the only artist who could have pulled this project off with such aplomb and grace.