Search - Natalie Douglas :: Not That Different

Simply Amazing

12/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Few singers capture the soul of a song, but it's not hard to miss when they do: it's absolutely unmistakable in almost every song on Natalie Douglas' debut album. Anyone with a good strong voice can belt out a song, but it takes a true artist to move us- give us goose bumps, sink our hearts into our stomachs. Imagine the difference between Dolly Parton's "I will always love you" and Whitney Houston's. Dolly uses her tremendous voice with subtlety and depth to move the listener to tears while Whitney slams the lyrics down your throat. Natalie Douglas is fortunate enough to be blessed with both subtlety and strength and talented enough to know when and how to use them. Nowhere is this more true than with her remarkable rendition of "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered". Natalie moves with grace between the smooth, sumptuous verse and the bold, fist-clenching chorus. She successfully uses a similar approach with a thrilling version of "Ain't got nothing but the blues" that blew me away. Natalie shows the tremendous scope of her voice in "I was telling him about you" and "Wheelers and Dealers". and proves she knows just when and how to use a big voice: Satan's Li'L Lamb is bold, propelling and just plain phenomenal. Sincerity and poignancy sweep through songs like "Not that Different," "Where've you Been" "Until its time for you to go" and "Jonah Man", some of the most moving songs on the album that also demonstrate Natalie's considerable range. Her ability to graciously dance across mediums is testimony to her striking talent: It takes an extraordinary capacity to create fresh and uplifting versions of classics like "Experiment" and then turn around and move us to tears with "Standing knee deep in a river". Everything is right about this "Wrong Black Girl's" first album, and if this is just the beginning we're witnessing the birth of a classic! Keep 'em coming!"

Ms. Douglas: A Force to be Experienced

10/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Natalie Douglas delivers the goods with her debut album. Having sung in the NY cabaret circuit for the last few years, she finally gets the chance to share her magic with those not lucky enough to see her in the clubs. Her material is not typical cabaret fare, thankfully. The title song, a cover of a Collin Raye hit, highlights the singer's attention to lyrics and delivery. Her material always has something to say, and she can sing as delicately as a light summer breeze and as strong as a mountain.I dare you not to cry when you hear "Where've You Been" - the love in her voice infuses the love story so that you FEEL it. "I Was Telling Him About You" shows off her quiet, yet strong, phrasing. You'll want to jump up and shout with her version of Harold Arlen's "Satan's Li'l Lamb." And just when you thought you didn't need another version of "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered", Natalie makes you realize that a real talent can make the song seem fresh and relevant all over again.Pick up a copy of this little treasure. You'll be surprised and glad you did."

Incredibly beautiful voice...

Glenn Miller | Minneapolis, MN USA | 11/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"... and great interpretations of older -- and newer -- classics. Natalie Douglas can touch upon and sustain a sorrowful note until you wanna cry. She reminds me of another favorite artist of mine, Cassandra Wilson. This CD shows wonderful range not only in notes, but in emotions as well -- a true showcase of a young artist's potential and spectrum. Beautiful instrumentation and backup singing (albeit limited) makes this CD a classic. Thanks for sharing this with us Natalie, and keep 'em coming!"