Customer Reviews

Ask a Woman Who Knows (Hybr) (Ms)

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Beginning as an Aretha Franklin clone, then sliding into her own soulful niche, graduating into contempoary pop and then moving into the rarified atmosphere of pop standards, Natalie Cole has repeatedly reinvented herself as an artist, with each incarnation upping the ante of quality and range. Now she's a jazz singer with a splendidly arranged and produced album propelled by a superior selection of songs which, though most are from the past, sound totally of today. She's savvy, she's wise, she's smart, she's sassy, she's smooth and once again she's moved forward. This splendid album will, by word of mouth, take in big sales and go on to garner big honors. Never standing still, never content to settle in one place, Natalie once again has charged ahead with dazzingly results.

Being a huge fan of Natalie Cole's but not a huge fan of jazz, I was sort of apprehensive about buying this cd. But, after one complete listen, I must say it is a joy. Her voice can be one part seductive, one part gritty, one part, playful, one part tearful....she is simple DIVINE! This is an album with very few fast paced songs....this one is one to listen to on a rainy day with a loved one and candles....to me all the songs are standouts in their own way! If you want to escape into her world...go for it! If you want all upbeat songs, this one may dissapoint you....

An old friend emailed me today to say that, at that very moment, her husband was listening to this version of "The Music That Makes Me Dance" --- my favorite performance of an almost forgotten Bob Merrill song.

And who was Bob, you ask? Well Merrill wrote musicals that deserved to succeed (such as "Take Me Along" Jackie Gleason, Walter Pigeon) plus some fifties 'gimmick' songs like "How Much is that Doggie in the Window? . . . and, eventually, such magnificences as "People" (with Jule Styne). Where was I? Oh yes, Natalie Cole.

To my ears, this beautiful woman is best songstress since Ella Fitzgerald, who as everyone-should-know-by-now was the female equivalent to Frank Sinatra -- the greatest-ever interpreters of the Great American Song Book.

What would Nat Cole say of this album? I close my eyes and see Nat nodding in agreement, that his daughter's voice is even more beautiful, athletic and expressive than his own.

Nat was of course a jazz giant who played better piano than practically anyone (other than Oscar and Bill). But I believe in my heart he would agree his little girl turned out to be an even better singer.

Some specifics about this wonderful album, Natalie's "best yet" (and there've been three great ones before this). For those who may still care "Who wrote that song?" this album could have used some liner notes! (So here are mine.)

1. "I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do" - from Lee Pockriss & Paul Vance, who wrote some popular hits in the 50s including "Catch a Falling Star" (first Number 1 for Perry Como) plus bits of fluff like "Johnny Angel" (for Shelly Fabares) and the much better "My Little Corner of the World." (Oh yes, and who could forget their "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini"?) Well the Pockriss/Vance `estate' has waited four decades for someone of Natalie's magnitude to finally do justice to this previously uncovered gem. Strong melody, great lyrics!

2. "Tell Me All About It" - Pretty Bossa Nova tune; what follows, however, is more substantial:

3. "Ask a Woman Who Knows" - Title track written by Vic Abrams. (Who is/was Vic? No list of songwriters up to 1995 lists him!) Talk about a 'Standard-Just-Waiting-to-Happen.'

4. "It's Crazy" - Co-written by comedian Timmie Rogers---a childhood friend of Nat Cole's in the 1930s who talked Earl "Fatha" Hines' band arranger (Cecil Irvwin) into parting with a copy of an arrangement (of Hine's theme song "Rosetta") which Rogers handed over to his ever-grateful, teenaged friend "Nathaniel Coles" (correct, Coles with an `s'). It's so fitting that Nat's daughter chooses to introduce this undiscovered gem from 1926 to a 21st Century audience. The brass arrangement here by John Clayton is utterly new and fresh---unlike anything you've heard before.

5. "You're Mine You" - Another 'Should-Have-Been-a-Standard' written by Johnny (Body & Soul) Green and a great 1930s lyricist, Edward Heyman.

6. "So Many Stars" - A Brazilian 60s hit for Sergio Mendes and the Bergmans (Alan and Marilyn); this treasure never received better treatment. If you're young, and you've never heard this one before, well---how I envy you!

7. "I Told You So" - Amazing! Natalie introduces yet another 'standard-waiting-in-the-wings.' (Who is composer Duncan Lamont? He's gifted, that's for sure!) Six years after Sinatra's passing, who but Natalie could have done this song so well?

8. "Soon" - I Love a Gershwin tune, how about you? And who but Natalie, to pluck from relative obscurity this seldom-played gem.

9. "I'm Glad There Is You" - A haunting Jimmy Dorsey/Paul Madeira Latin-influenced ballad from 1941--- ignored by everyone since the fifties. (Old-timers will immediately recognize this beautiful tune.) This time the orchestra is arranged by the (almost) incomparable Alan Broadbent. (If Sinatra were still with us, he'd be doing albums with Alan.)

10. "Better Than Anything" - A refreshingly new jazz waltz devoted to, of all things-`Women Shopping.' Guest Diana Krall seems in perfect agreement that spending money is the best thing in life ("better than honey on bread, better than breakfast in bed"----lyrics Cole Porter could have written and would have loved).

11. "The Music That Makes Me Dance" - Written by the "People" people---Jule Styne and Bob Merrill (for 1964's "Funny Girl").

12. "Calling You" - The saddest, most melancholy song here: Alas, a forgettable melody by someone named Robert Telson: I defy you to hum this tune---no matter how many times you play it! (The only weak link on the entire album.)

13. "My Baby Just Cares For Me" - The only standard here whose title is immediately recognizable----from Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn (introduced in long-ago 1930 by Eddie Cantor). A playful arrangement with deep, swinging syncopation --- from great (young) musicians who would have been loved by Nat and Frank, and Ella - the only singers who could have delivered these songs so well as 'Nat's little girl.' To borrow from my favorite lyric here:

"I know she's around, when the sky and the ground started ringing
I know that she's here by the thunder I hear in advance!
Her words, and her words alone, are the words that can start my heart singing
And hers is the only music that makes me dance!"

Natalie Cole's wonderful work of soothing songs proves that she has reached a brilliant level of mature vocals. She vocally displays class and style with this album. Every song flows perfectly with the next. Produced by the illustrious Tommy LiPuma, what could be better?

"Tell Me All About It" has Joe Sample at the keyboards and John Pisano on guitar with Natalie cooing the lyrics. The title song "Ask A Woman Who Knows" is deliciously cool. "Better Than Anything" is a fun, clever, catchy duet with Diana Krall. They complement each other very well on this song. "The Music That Makes Me Dance" is a real treat. Natalie's vocal on "Calling You" is gorgeously haunting. The orchestrations on this collection are arranged by various persons and are absolutely superb. With the addition of Roy Hargrove on the trumpet, Christian McBride on the bass, and Lewis Nash on drums, you have first class musicians all the way!

It would seem that by the beautiful vocals and the photo spread included in the CD insert that Natalie Cole is very comfortable in her own skin. Subtle yet elegant, Natalie Cole brings a refined edge to jazz!

Shes back!! And in a great way! Ask A Woman Who Knows is an enjoyable assortment of jazzy songs and cool evening blends with images of swaying palms or high swing jazz clubs. Her duet with Diana Krall will be a new classic I think, what a perfect pair!!
My favorite tracks are Its Crazy, So Many Stars, Better than Anything, Tell Me All About It is very catchy, and the best one is Natalies rendition of My Baby Just Cares for Me. Her new home with Verve looks to be a promising and bright musical road ahead. If you enjoy upbeat jazz and romantic slow jazz then you will enjoy this. Like mentioned in the other review, the majority is more slow and rainy day material but there is enough upbeat to balence it out pretty well. Natalie sounds renewed and as sparkling as ever!

Like Madonna, Natalie Cole over the course of a highly-successful career has repeatedly reinvented herself. She started as an Aretha clone, quickly moved into her own stylish soul mode, transformed herself into a standard interpreter of the first rank and now she's a jazz singer. With each reinvention she has moved a step forward as a singer and here she is at the absolute best she's ever been, a groovy, knowing, sassy, at ease stylist. The material is first-rate; these are almost all old songs but none of them SOUND old. The album is totally contemporary, the arrangements absolutely sterling, the production perfect and Natalie is out in front a persuasive singer of great ease and warmth. Watch for this one to build big sales by word of mouth and garner critical acclaim and big honors. This woman knows!

Natalie Cole is a well seasoned artist. She has quite a load to carry being the daughter of a "King". However, Natalie follows in her fathers footsteps with ease. Her vocal talent and maturity is definitely displayed on this album. She sounds so free and at peace with herself. I highly recommend it! Very soothing and relaxing. Some of my favorites are "Tell me all about it", "Ask a woman who knows", "So many stars","Better than anything", and "Calling You". Purchase the album...you won't be disappointed.

Sophistication, style and talent is the premise of "Ask a Woman Who Knows", featuring Natalie Cole with all the right choices by producer Tommy LiPuma. Some very treasured tunes that are not heard frequently with arrangements by Rob Mounsey, Alan Broadbent and John Clayton. The result is lush-velvet strings and blends of brass echoing the tempo and mood of the tune.

Some stand outs come to mind ~ "SO MANY STARS", from the pens of Sergio Mendes/Alan & Marilyn Bergman leap from the page, with a haunting performance by Natalie that leaves you wanting more ~ "SOON", this George Gershwin standard was a favorite of mine back when Jacklie Gleason and Bobby Hackett blazed a trail of hit albums in the '50s, but when Natalie sinks her teeth into this one, you've heard the best from todays best ~ "I'M GLAD THERE IS YOU", another favorite from my days of listening to Johnny Mathis, the arrangement on this CD lends to atmospheric blends with Roy Hargrove on flugelhorn ~ "BETTER THAN ANYTHING", joined by Diana Krall, Natalie and Krall give their fans a rare lyrical treat ~ "MY BABY JUST CARE FOR ME", not only is this a classic song, but a classic performance by a classy gal, gotta love it!

Total Time 53:37 on 13 Tracks ~ Verve 314-589-774-2 ~ (2002)

I'm a big fan of Natalie Cole and this CD is the best ever! It's the best CD since "Unforgettable"! Classic and timeless. You'll love it!

When Natalie Cole sings, these days, she is so confident and clear. "Ask A Woman Who Knows" is a great song. I have the original song, sang by Ms Dinah Washingtion in the late 50's. Natalie controls that song.... she now owns it!!!!!!!!!!!! Her versions effortless. She was on Larry King Live, promoting this cd and "Tell Me All About It" is a great song for her. EFFORTLESS is the only word that comes to mind. "Ask A Woman Who Knows" is even better when sung live!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Nothing Else Better to Do" was sung by Dionne Warwick's sister original, Dee Dee Warwick. Natalie's version captures the reall essence of the song. I never liked that song until now!!!

The duet with Diana Krall is cute. Nothing fabulous, just cute. Its nice to hear the two voices on the same tune!!!!

Overall, this cd is filled with good music, sung by a great singer.

CAUTION: THIS CD CONTAINS MUSIC FOR GROWN FOLK. TEENY-BOPPERS BEWARE!!! :)