Take a Look

Natalie Cole

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 15, 1993)
• Original Release Date: June 15, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002HCV
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #46,347 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Natalie Cole's "Take a Look" is neither a sharp departure nor a close copy of her eight-million-selling 1991 album Unforgettable. She once again sings her daddy's songs, but this time she only does three of them, all obscure non-hits known only to the most fanatic Nat "King" Cole fans. The other 15 songs pay tribute to a wider circle of influences--Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Julie London and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. The most welcome change is the new confidence the younger Cole now brings to the standard repertoire. Her voice has always had the satiny ease that makes listeners feel comfortable, but on this new album Cole reclaims some of the spunk and playfulness of her R&B hits. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take A Look . . . An Evening With Natalie Cole At The Hollywood Bowl, August 28, 2005

By	Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* (CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

"It is with much love and affection that I present this musical portion to you - the buyer, the listener, as well as friends old and new. It is my hope that you will listen with new ears, for there is something different here that you may notice. I think they call it "attitude." ~ Natalie Cole

This beautiful album is undisputedly one of the first-rate recordings of Natalie Cole. Likewise, this album became gold and earned her another Grammy for Best Vocal Performance. And as always, Ms. Cole has been one of my favorite jazz vocalists in the music scene. On this recording, she has a line-up of the finest musicians like Alan Broadbent (arranger/pianist), Jeremy Lubbock (arranger), Marty Paich (arranger), Herbie Hancock (piano) and Grover Washington, Jr. (sax), among many others.

Her recent concert at the Hollywood Bowl was a huge success! My friend and I watched the first of two consecutive night concerts and truly enjoyed it! She has a terrific stage presence and her performances, accompanied by the fabulous L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra, were superb from the very first two numbers and all-time favorites of mine, "The Very Thought Of You" and "Midnight Sun" to the encores. She so splendidly performed one of the most remarkable tracks in this CD to the delight of the very enthusiastic audience, my all-time favorite and one of the highlights of the show "Let There Be Love," a song made popular by her late father, Nat King Cole, in the forties.

"Let There Be Love"
~ Words and Music by Ian Grant & Lionel Rand ~

"Let there be you, let there be me
Let there be oysters under the sea
Let there be wind and occasional rain
Chili Con Carne and sparkling champagne
Let there be birds to sing in the trees
Someone to bless me whenever I sneeze
Let there be cuckoos, a lark and a dove
But first of all, please
Let there be love!"

This is one CD to cherish and enjoy listening to again and again, and a great addition to your collection of the best female jazz vocalists of all-time. Natalie Cole is indeed an artist for all seasons!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Companion to "Unforgettable", November 21, 2002

By	R. Angeloni "slicktiger28" (Northern California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a followup to her mega-seller "Unforgettable," Natalie Cole again interprets jazz and vocal songs with "Take a Look." While this collection doesn't have the amount of hits that are on "Unforgettable," "Take a Look" does include some well known standards, including "Cry Me a River," "As Time Goes By," and "Too Close for Comfort." She also provides wonderful takes on "Calypso Blues" and "Take a Look." Ms. Cole has a beautiful voice, frankly, I can listen to her sing the phone book. But anyone who appreciates jazz standards will appreciate this CD.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BETTER THAN EVER!!!!!, August 28, 2006

By	Beverly Praiswater - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Natalie Cole brings all of her passion into her father's music and more with these jazzy standards. The songs in this collection flow effortlessly from one to the next. She takes the ultimate songs of some of the finest singers and makes them her own. (and then some)

Listen to the fine opening song "I Wish You Love" which has been previously recorded by Frank Sinatra, Nancy Wilson, and Barbara Streisand. Natalie's version of the standard "Swingin' Shepherd Blues" really DOES swing. This one has been recorded in the past by greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie. Natalie's vocal of "Cry Me A River" is unique. She has joined the ranks of the legends: Peggy Lee, Julie London, and Ella Fitzgerald. That jazz tribute, "Fiesta In Blue", has a certain playfulness in it. Legendary artists such as Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and Diana Ross have sung "Don't Explain". While each of these versions have been great, Natalie's interpretation is the definitive one for me. There is something haunting in her style that brings me back to hear it over again. "Too Close For Comfort" is infectious and rousing. Natalie brings a new energy to her father's song "Calypso Blues". "Take A Look" is a grand diva vocal finale.

The visionary musicians who participated in this collection each add something special to the mix. Artists like Alan Broadbent, Grover Washington Jr., and Herbie Hancock are just a few of these famous talents. This cd is a must for anyone who enjoys a classic jazz vocalist.