Search - Natalie Cole :: Ask a Woman Who Knows

"It Is That Part That Is Learning To Turn The Lemons Into Ch

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 10/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""My journey through life has rarely been a boring one and I must say I have always had a rather interesting appetite when it comes to both life and the music it inspires. A few things I have learned along the way: When life gives you candy, savor every moment . . . When life gives you lemons, you'd better learn how to make lemonade! I have put together a selection of songs that reflect a particular part of me - the part that has loved and lost and kept on loving in spite of it. It is that part that is learning to turn the lemons into champagne and caviar." ~ Natalie Cole ~



I've been a Natalie Cole fan as far back as I can remember and have collected most of her remarkable works of art that really impressed me, "Stardust," "Unforgettable With Love," "Take A Look," "Holly & Ivy," "Anthology," "Everlasting," "I've Got Love On My Mind" and this lovely CD "Ask A Woman Who Knows," which is filled with the most beautiful songs ever recorded. I've had this since it first came out and never fails to listen to the beauty of this recording every now and then and enjoy every minute of it. The next best thing to enjoy her artistry is watching her perform live in concert, which I did in August of 2005 at the Hollywood Bowl. She's not only a great vocalist but also a total performer and she has an absolutely terrific stage presence.



My number one choice is a charming song composed by Bossa Nova icon Sergio Mendes and the creative husband-and-wife-songwriting-pair Alan and Marilyn Bergman, "So Many Stars." It starts off with a dreamy dramatic effect that Rob Mounsey sublimely arranged. Ms. Cole sings it radiantly with her flawless phrasing and talking about the arrangement - it is so beautiful! I listen to it repeatedly before listening to the rest of the tracks (a friend of mine calls it "The Rebecca Style of Listening").



"The wind is filled with songs

So many songs

Which one is mine?

One must be right for me

Which song of all the songs?

When there's a song for every star

And there are oh so many stars

So many stars."



Another stunner is a gem of a song by Jimmy Dorsey and Paul Madeira "I'm Glad There Is You." Its arrangement by Alan Broadbent is a testament that he's not only a fine pianist but also a great arranger and orchestrator.



Michael Franks' "Tell Me All About It" is one of my highlights and another Rob Mounsey arrangement with a samba flavor.



I also love her cover on "Soon," one of Gershwin Brothers musical treasures but seldom recorded. The legendary jazz diva Ella Fitzgerald had recorded it and so with Michael Feinstein, who himself a lover of Gershwin music. You'll enjoy its jazzy and upbeat arrangement by John Clayton with the fabulous Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, along with Jeff Hamilton, and the regular musicians Joe Sample, Rob Mounsey, Russell Malone and Larry Bunker.



The duet with Diana Krall "Better Than Anything" by Bill Loughborough and David Wheat is a delight to listen to. These two divas' awesome voices blend so well and validate their dedication and enthusiasm in singing.



One thing I love about Natalie Cole's liner notes is that they are all personally written with heartfelt thoughts and praises to our Lord, Jesus Christ and she ended it with...



"Lastly and most important: Thank you to my creator, my heavenly Father, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is my all in all, and it is through Him that I can do all things. I am so grateful for His many blessings. Enjoy . . . with love, Natalie Cole."



My overall rating is not five but ten stars. A classy CD to add to your collection. With my heartfelt recommendation for your listening pleasure forever and a day!

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