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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very Limited, December 1, 2000
Since Natalie Cole has a television film in which she stars as herself airing any day now, an autobiography on the way, and this Best Of collection, I have no reservation in believing that things may have been rushed--as this hits package suggests. Also suggested are record label politics as a few of her signature tunes are represented here via live versions (from Natalie Live, which is still in print on One Way Records, as is much of her earlier catalog) or not at all. Included are Natalie's masterpiece "This Will Be" (in its original studio version) and her postumous duet with her father "Unforgettable". Excluded, however, are key songs that placed Natalie consistantly back on the pop charts: the 7" hit version of "Pink Cadillac" (included in its less vibrant LP version), "Wild Women Do" (which demonstrated Natalie as a good a rock vocalist as any other), and "Jump Start" (one of her absolute best, and really the song that first had everyone talking of a genuine creative and commercial comeback). In the places of these are tracks from her last studio album--a highly underrated effort that should be investigated on its own terms. One ballad written and produced with Richard Marx ("Angel On My Should") and one dance number provided by the so-far undefeated Metro team ("Livin' For Love") make up the rest of this disc and are fine selections to be included among some of her best. On both Natalie exudes conviction and experience from having been around long enough to put together a hits package. With just a little more attention to detail (label legalities aside) this collection could have been a very comprehensive collection, perhaps two discs worth. Instead, it is a competent but limited gathering of hits that merely suggests that Natalie Cole had a few great records.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Diva Who Wouldn't Rest Again, June 8, 2002
Throughout her career, Natalie Cole was only reflected on as being daddy's little girl, because of her father Nat King Cole. When she finally made a name for herself, it was anything but that feel of heartache. It would lead Natalie in her life, as her music would still survive strong.The 2000 Greatest Hits Volume 1, showcases one of the most underrated diva's of our time. While many people think of diva's like Whitney Houston, the burned out and oversaturated, "Corporate teen idol" Britney Spears, and Vanessa Williams, many people have forgotten about the style and sonnets of a diva worthy of her many years of storytelling. There are so many good songs on this album prove that Natalie Cole is anything but being ignored in the industry. Songs like Unforgettable, her acclaimed duet with her father, Nat King Cole, A Smile Like Yours, and This Will Be, still are being heavily played on the radio, in a world where 13 year old girls have to hit #1 on the billboard charts. Other anthems like Pink Cadillac, and Live For Your Love, are also signature songs from the multi-grammy award winning diva, that still gives down respect into the world, in a music industry that uses ageism to sell records. While Natalie Cole has been in the business for more than four decades, she still can pound out a good tune anyday, that is truly unforgettable.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Natalie Offers Her Best, December 12, 2000
Natalie Cole has always been, in my opinion, very underrated, as an artist, and in particular, a gifted vocalist. This package gives good reason why this opinion has always been unjustified. Though her commercial pop/r&b peak was in the 70's, she actually made several good records in the late 80's, partially represented here by 'Pink Cadillac' and 'Miss You Like Crazy'(as noted on several other reviews,'Jump Start' is conspicuously absent). Also absent is the title track from 'Take a Look', one of her best performances on record. It was nice to see that she did include tracks from her criminally underrated 'Snowfall on the Sahara' project, particularly the stunning title track, which should have been one of her biggest hits and wasn't. Finally, if you need proof of her "divadom", look no further than the album closer 'Livin for Love', a disco throwdown in which she provides probably the fiercest vocal workout I've heard from an artist who doesn't display her vocal range nearly enough. In all, a good overview of a truly gifted artist.
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