Customer Reviews

Snowfall on the Sahara

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The Natalie Cole and Diana Ross issue is old; they are two great entertainers who should both be given a whole lot of respect! I have been a Natalie Cole fan for years. She never ceases to amaze me. Natalie's new album, Snowfall On The Sahara, is full of emotion. She uses her voice like a beautiful instrument. I really like the variety of songs that Natalie chose for this album. I especially love the way she sings A Song For You, Snowfall On The Sahara, Reverend Lee, Corinna, Say You Love Me and Gotta Serve Somebody. I highly recommend Snowfall On The Sahara; the album is slammin' and yet it's smooth! You'll be touched by the message Ms. Cole is delivering in song. Enjoy!

Natalie Cole's 1991 project of her father's material, "Unforgettable," was indeed a touching and artistically sound tribute. Then 1993's "Take a Look" proved its predecessor was no fluke and flaunted jazz chops all her own. But by 1996 the nostalgia kick had worn thin; more swing, more strings, and another technology-provided duet with dear old Dad made "Stardust" seem far too familiar. The time was definitely right for Natalie to return to (mostly) pop music, and "Snowfall on the Sahara" ranks as her true crowning moment of artistic glory. Nothing on "Snowfall" feels particularly retro, but the album offers all the elements of a classic record from a 70's singer: impeccable taste in songs, strong arrangements, and a top-notch voice in top form singing the hell out of the material.

The title track is one of the smoothest blends of pop and soul radio has been treated to in recent years, and "Say You Love Me" (from "Dreamgirls") ranks as one of Natalie's most seductive ballads ever...intricate production and a unique, sampled exhale make the track just as innovative as it is commercially appealing. Cole also displays some delightfully unexpected musical tastes as she covers Bob Dylan (with a rousing "Gotta Serve Somebody"), Judy Collins (on a stately "Since You Asked") and Taj Mahal (which appropriately kicks off with Natalie saying "Just when you think you know me...think again!" before offering drum samples and bluesy guitar licks). Fans of her jazzier work won't be left out in the cold, however: the Patti Page staple "With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming" gets an affectionately sentimental reading, "Everyday I Have the Blues" has a deceptively sunny swing, and "His Eyes, Her Eyes" is a mature and gorgeously-arranged piece of modern jazz.

The bluesy "Reverend Lee," a longtime favorite among female singers, proves every bit of Natalie's vocal abilities, but she truly pulls out all the stops on the finale, a soulful, go-for-broke belting of "Stay With Me" that gives new meaning to the phrase "big finish." Bursting at the seams with strong compositions and stellar performances, "Snowfall on the Sahara" came at just the right time for fans who were ready to hear Natalie move on from straight jazz, as well as for pop lovers who needed a dose of maturity amidst the youth-obsessed music world it was bravely released into. A career album in every sense.

THE WORD NATALIE DEFINES THE MEANING OF MUSIC. REAL MUSIC THAT IS. ANYONE WITH CLASS AND SOPHISTICATION WILL ENJOY THIS ALBUM. IF YOU ARE A TEENY BOPPER STICK TO THE TEENAGE WANNABE DIVAS AND THE OLD DIVAS WHO ARE STILL TRYING TO BE YOUNG, A LA DIANA.

NATALIE SINGS WITH SUCH EMOTION YOU CAN FEEL IT IN YOUR HEART. I LOVE HER INTERPRETATIONS OF SINCE YOU ASKED, CORRINA AND GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY. THE TWO NEW ONES, SNOWFALL ON THE SAHARA AND MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW ARE THE BOMB. OH YEAH, WHY ISN'T SAY YOU LOVE ME BEING PUSHED TO THE MAINSTREAM URBAN MARKET. THIS LADY TAKES THIS SONG TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL. SORRY MS. HOLLIDAY.

THE CLASSIEST AND MOST VERSATILE FEMALE SINGER OUT THERE RIGHT NOW IN CONTEMPORARY MUSIC. WHEN WILL SHE GET HER RESPECT

What words can express the lingering sweetness, soothing feeling, and easygoing touch that Natalie Cole's "Snowfall on the Sahara" leaves you with...each time your ears are treated with the smoothness of her lasting and melodic voice. 'Say You Love Me' and 'Snowfall on the Sahara' moves one to tears, yet brings a smile across your face because somewhere in your psyche and in your soul, you have been led 'there....somewhere personal' with Natalie as your guide. This is truly a beautiful collection of sounds that one must not miss listening to..and while doing so, one truly will enjoy the journey...over and over again!

Natalie Cole is one of the greatest singers of all times and this is her best cd ever. Her voice is perfect and all the songs were very well chosen. It's the kinnd of cd you just can't stop listening to. Over and over and never get tired of it. And the title song is one of the most beautiful songs of the last few years. The only problem with the cd is that it doesn't have more songs. It's impossible to go thru all the tracks reaching the last one and not wishing you still had some more or even another cd.

This is one of the finest jazz-pop albums of the 90s, brilliantly performed and exquisitely produced. The choice of material, which varies widely, is dynamite. I must say that I disagree entirely with previous Amazon reviewers who have given poor notices to "Stay With Me." I think it's the apex of the CD. Natalie's rendition nearly moves me to tears, and I can't imagine anyone not feeling its power and desperation. (Anyone else agree?) I also enjoy the nostalgic "With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming" and the soulful, intimate "A Song for You" in particular. And the title tune, although its lyrics are cliche, has a calming groove and silky arrangement. This album deserves a Grammy.

The New Natalie Cole Project "Snowfall Over The Sahara, Is really a nice return to the pop/r&b realm. I realized this woman can sing any type of music she want's to. I had a chance to see her show last night at a venue in VA. she was awesome in concert , eventhough 85% of the show she performed the vintage jazz material that has made divas out of women such as Sarah Vaughn,Ella Fitzgerald,Dinah Washington and of course her father's material. Nice as that may sound and it did, I was expecting some This will be, Our Love, I'm catching hell. the early real N.C. stuff. eventhough she did sing a very nice version of the jennifer holliday song Say you love me. I guess i will have to wait until she comes to one of the more R&B venues. I will keep my fingers crossed. In regards to the latest cd it is very nice with all of it's diverse styles from jazz,pop and r&b to confirm that this lady is a underated diva.

I've been a fan of Ms. Cole since 1975 (Unpredictable). I'm now 37yrs young and she's my No. 1 idol. She's always been an inspiration in my life. Through her ups and downs, backs and forths. Never gave up on her. I just saw her concert at the Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia, Aug 8th, '99 and she sounded super, excellent, silky, calm, and smooth. This album is totally awesome. She did a great job on "Say You Love Me". Brought tears to my eyes. "Snowfall In Sahara", excellent. I wish she could have sung all night. That Rev. song.....roll with Natalie. Ms. Cole is at her best. She's a MUST SEE LIVE CONCERT. Looking better and sexier every year. You'll always have a fan in me. Baltimore is waiting. Keep Up with your BEST Natalie. Love You

Praise goes to Natalie Cole for her new soulful/jazzy/and orchestrated songs found on Snowfall on The Sahara! This great album is blended with upbeat, romantic, and sweeping rich music that truly makes it a special and different gem. I admitt this was the first Natalie Cole album I have purchased, and I am glad I did! The music sizzles with feelings from a dim jazz club of yesterday to colorful moods and beats of todays music. Well crafted and written material. I think the title track is my favorite, almost sounds like it could be used for a movie soundtrack single. But each song has a different emotion and sound to it. Her voice goes from many different ranges, including soft like romantic lullabies and kicken upbeat blues. Spectacular work Natalie!

Once again Natalie Cole has left me speechless. From Inseparable to Snowfall on the Sahara, Natalie has been innovative, and creative all the things that a true artist is. With Snowfall, she weaves her artistry from her decades of experience into one thoroughly enjoyable album. Full of lush ballads, "Say You Love Me," "More Than You'll Ever Know," "His Eyes, Her Eyes," Natalie Cole shines. The material never overpowering or overwhelming Natalie plunges in and pulls out the performances. This one will win her more Grammy's. From "A Song For You," to "Stay With Me," Natalie delivers. ENJOY!