Natalie Cole - Stardust

If Natalie Cole didn't have a famous father, would anyone listen to her stylish but safe renditions of 40-year-old standards? Well, the devotees of the genre would, for Cole has a light, satiny voice with marvelous fluidity. What she doesn't have is much of a bottom range or a hard edge, and she lacks the boldness to radically alter famous songs. Stardust, returns to the proven formula of 1991's Unforgettable, which sold 9 million copies and won seven Grammies. Once again, the engineers create a vocal duet between the dead father and the ambitious daughter, this time on "When I Fall in Love," and even splice Nat's 1961 organ solo on "Let's Face the Music and Dance" into Natalie's 1996 version. --Geoffrey Himes Amazon.com

Stardust: Natalie Cole

I discovered this wonderful production after Unforgetable. In many ways Stardust was much more of a surprise. March 10, 2007

Melting

Natalie Cole - How can you ever go wrong with listening to her music. It is timeless and soothing to listen to. January 11, 2007

Gotta Love It

Had the CD several years ago, lost it, and had to buy it again. Love Unforgettable with Natalie and Nat. September 2, 2005

STARDUST MELODIES SHINE FOR NATALIE

Natalie Cole knows the there is poetry in music which suits her voice well, but it is more than understanding the lilt of a phrase to make a song great. Many song-stylists are able to smooth over old songs and pass them off as "their own". But it's her way of introducing and exploring these songs very substance and heart that makes this release so very good. These are great love songs of the highest order and Natalie does them greater justice. The music, not ordinarily heard on other CDs, was chosen with care. The first song, "There's A Lull In My Life" was from a long forgotten 1937 film called "Wake Up and Live", a beautifully crafted song which Natalie put her own rich vocal style on and makes it shine, even after 60 years of obsurity. Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" has been recorded so often by others, yet Natalie's version became the title song of the CD. In 1936, Irving Berlin penned a song for a film called "Follow That Fleet", entitled "Let's Face The Music and Dance" with none other than Fred Astaire. Natalie used the organ introduction to cover this song. "Teach Me Tonight" and "What A Difference A Day Makes" and "Love Letters" are all sung with honesty that makes the song even better after many years of use by others. But it is "When I Fall In Love" that harkens back to Natalie's dad Nat King Cole...a great song that would be difficult for anyone else to sing but Natalie proves that the song is timeless and she does indeed makes it her own song. The up-beat jazz piece "If You Could See Me Now" (recorded by Carmen McRae and Sarah Vaughan in the '60s) is a demanding song but Natalie gives it a new "twist" and sings it softer and with great feeling. There are so many great songs in this CD. I highly recommend it to those who want to update their "easy listening" catalog of music. Natalie Cole gives new meaning to love songs best heard under a full moon and stardust. I do like this CD and play it often. August 27, 2005

Natalie Cole's Shining Moments

"You wander down the lane and far away
Leaving me a song that will not die
Love is now the stardust of yesterday
The music of the years gone by."
~ Stardust ~
Hoagy Carmichael & Mitchell Parish

"Stardust" was nominated for 1997 Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal performance.

"When I Fall in Love" won a 1997 Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Accompanying Vocals.

"Teach Me Tonight" was nominated for 1997 Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement with Accompanying Vocals.

This 1996 recording is truly remarkable. Three Grammy nominations and one of them a winner! With her impeccable and incomparable style of singing, Ms. Cole's performances prove to be her shining moments. The repertoire of songs was tastefully chosen and the guest musicians are very impressive, the likes of Lee Ritenour, Bob James, Michael Brecker, Wynton Marsalis, John Pizzarelli, Toots Thielemans, Harvey Mason, and George Duke, among many others. Not to mention the best arrangers you can think of...Johnny Mandel, Alan Broadbent, Jim Hughart, Clare Fischer, Rob Maunsey, Jerry Hey, John Clayton and Charles Floyd. And of course this recording wouldn't be possible if not for David Foster, Phil Ramone, George Duke and Ms. Natalie Cole herself. What a great team!

Being a hopeless romantic, I can't help being moved by the beauty of songs in this CD and the way they were performed to perfection, the loveliest songs ever penned by famous songwriters and composers starting with my all-time favorites "When I Fall In Love," "Stardust," "Teach Me Tonight," "Like A Lover," "Let's Face The Music And Dance" and "Love Letters".... (straight from your heart... keep us so near while apart... I'm not alone in the night... when I can have all that love you write... I memorize every line... I kiss the name that you sign...").

There are two versions of "When I Fall In Love" - - digitally remastered duets with Nat King Cole. The first one with English lyrics, and the last track in English and Spanish. Ms. Cole's rendition of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Dindi" proves that she can also sing in Portuguese.

On liner notes, Ms. Cole dedicated this album to her late brother, Nat Kelly Cole, whom she knows is "listening with all ears up in Heaven." And to quote the last paragraph on her "Thank You's" ...."Most importantly, I thank my Heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, for His unfailing grace and mercy in my life. You don't know what He's done for me - - He gave me the victory!!!"

And Ms. Cole's victory is through sharing with us her gift of making beautiful music for our listening pleasure of a lifetime!

"Though I dream in vain
In my heart, it will remain
My stardust melody
The memory of love's refrain."
March 5, 2005

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