Ask a Woman Who Knows [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Japanese edition of the vocalist's 2002 album. Includes one exclusive bonus track, 'I've Got Just About Everything'.

Tracks:

I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do
Tell Me All About It
Ask a Woman Who Knows
It's Crazy
You're Mine You
So Many Stars
I Told You So
Soon
I'm Glad There Is You
Better Than Anything
The Music That Makes Me Dance
Calling You
My Baby Just Cares For Me

Amazon.com

In the 1970s, Natalie Cole made a spectacular debut. And, after a number of personal and professional setbacks in the '80s, she bounced back with her splendid 1991 rendition of her daddy's hit, "Unforgettable," where she electronically performed a "duet" with her father. This CD reunites Cole with producer by Tommy LiPuma, who produced "Unforgettable" and was the hit maker behind George Benson and Diana Krall. This collection is a classic blend of jazz-inflected pop, with the best and the brightest in the business. Backed by a plethora of stars, including trumpeter Roy Hargrove, bassist Christian McBride, pianist Joe Sample, and drummer Lewis Nash, Cole's lithe, Ella Fitzgerald-tinged vocals are showcased in a number pleasing settings. Whether it's the Brazilian sound of Sergio Mendes's "So Many Stars," the scat-happy "My Baby Just Cares for Me," or the big band swing of "It's Crazy" and "Soon," courtesy of the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, Cole projects her aura on these songs once sung by Sarah Vaughan, Barbra Streisand, Nina Simone, and Dinah Washington. Natalie Cole is a jazzy soul survivor in the literal sense of the term, and this recording represents her finest hour. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

"It Is That Part That Is Learning To Turn The Lemons Into Champagne And Caviar".......2006-10-14

"My journey through life has rarely been a boring one and I must say I have always had a rather interesting appetite when it comes to both life and the music it inspires. A few things I have learned along the way: When life gives you candy, savor every moment . . . When life gives you lemons, you'd better learn how to make lemonade! I have put together a selection of songs that reflect a particular part of me - the part that has loved and lost and kept on loving in spite of it. It is that part that is learning to turn the lemons into champagne and caviar." ~ Natalie Cole ~

I've been a Natalie Cole fan as far back as I can remember and have collected most of her remarkable works of art that really impressed me, "Stardust," "Unforgettable With Love," "Take A Look," "Holly & Ivy," "Anthology," "Everlasting," "I've Got Love On My Mind" and this lovely CD "Ask A Woman Who Knows," which is filled with the most beautiful songs ever recorded. I've had this since it first came out and never fails to listen to the beauty of this recording every now and then and enjoy every minute of it. The next best thing to enjoy her artistry is watching her perform live in concert, which I did in August of 2005 at the Hollywood Bowl. She's not only a great vocalist but also a total performer and she has an absolutely terrific stage presence.

My number one choice is a charming song composed by Bossa Nova icon Sergio Mendes and the creative husband-and-wife-songwriting-pair Alan and Marilyn Bergman, "So Many Stars." It starts off with a dreamy dramatic effect that Rob Mounsey sublimely arranged. Ms. Cole sings it radiantly with her flawless phrasing and talking about the arrangement - it is so beautiful! I listen to it repeatedly before listening to the rest of the tracks (a friend of mine calls it "The Rebecca Style of Listening").

"The wind is filled with songs
So many songs
Which one is mine?
One must be right for me
Which song of all the songs?
When there's a song for every star
And there are oh so many stars
So many stars."

Another stunner is a gem of a song by Jimmy Dorsey and Paul Madeira "I'm Glad There Is You." Its arrangement by Alan Broadbent is a testament that he's not only a fine pianist but also a great arranger and orchestrator.

Michael Franks' "Tell Me All About It" is one of my highlights and another Rob Mounsey arrangement with a samba flavor.

I also love her cover on "Soon," one of Gershwin Brothers musical treasures but seldom recorded. The legendary jazz diva Ella Fitzgerald had recorded it and so with Michael Feinstein, who himself a lover of Gershwin music. You'll enjoy its jazzy and upbeat arrangement by John Clayton with the fabulous Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, along with Jeff Hamilton, and the regular musicians Joe Sample, Rob Mounsey, Russell Malone and Larry Bunker.

The duet with Diana Krall "Better Than Anything" by Bill Loughborough and David Wheat is a delight to listen to. These two divas' awesome voices blend so well and validate their dedication and enthusiasm in singing.

One thing I love about Natalie Cole's liner notes is that they are all personally written with heartfelt thoughts and praises to our Lord, Jesus Christ and she ended it with...

"Lastly and most important: Thank you to my creator, my heavenly Father, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is my all in all, and it is through Him that I can do all things. I am so grateful for His many blessings. Enjoy . . . with love, Natalie Cole."

My overall rating is not five but ten stars. A classy CD to add to your collection. Very, very highly recommended.

She's still got the touch. . . ........2006-09-17

Unlike the flaccid 1996 "Stardust" (another album of standards which seemed to run out of steam), "Ask A Woman Who Knows" is a seamless, heartfelt continuation of the kind of pop-jazz so fondly associated with her father. "Ask A Woman" finds a singer still in good voice! She's as comfortable with torch songs (e.g., the title track, "I Told You So," "I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do" and an airy version of Sarah Vaughn's "So Many Stars") as she is tossing off playful uptempo tracks like the brilliant bossa nova version of Michael Frank's "Tell Me All About It" and the Ella Fitzgerald-inspired "It's Crazy." That said, her voice has also taken on a more nasal quality than was previously evident in her glory days during the 1970's. With repeated listenings, this quality can sometimes grate on the ears.

Nevertheless, at this stage in her career, Natalie Cole has virtually nothing left to prove, having repeatedly demonstrated considerable versatility, skill and talent (Cole is, by the way, one of those rare vocalists who sounds even better live than on record). What better way to celebrate the approaching twilight of her career with mature, age-appropriate music that continues to stand the test of time? . . .

The emergence of maturity, class & style.......2005-10-23

A disclaimer: I WAS NEVER A NATALIE COLE FAN. Accept for very few songs, I usually found her music to be trite and poorly produced. Natalie Cole is a NATURALLY AWESOME talent that was burdened by 2nd-rate songs, and hacked by inept producers and music capitalists. However, in spite of all that...

THE "ASK A WOMAN" CD IS AN ABSOLUTE GEM!! Rob Mounsey's orchestral and rhythm arrangements seamlessly weave big band, swing, and light jazz into up-tempo songs and ballads. Ms. Cole's voice is complemented by these arrangements as another pure orchestral instrument itself. And the combination is magic: "I Haven't Got Anything Better", "Calling You"(!), "Tell Me About It", "Music That Makes me Dance", "I Told You So". And there's not a music clunker on the entire cd.

"Ask A Woman" is a much-needed depature from the mindless pop songs Natalie sang in the 80's. After being mishandled, mis-categorized and mass produced for far too long, "Ask A Woman" is the true emergence of artistic maturity, class and style that is so deserving for the vocal talent and caliber of Natalie Cole. In her own right, Ms. Cole has the classic voice of an old-school, first rate crooner. And regardless of commercial appeal, crooning is what she should have been doing all along. Like father, like daughter: that's the niche! And all of us are very fortunate to see (and hear) her finally claim it!

I cannot believe that I would ever get this psyched about a Natalie Cole cd. Early on, I bought two copies; one each for my home and office. Since then I've purchased several more as gifts for friends. (And by the way, Cole's "Stardust" cd is a worthy runner-up!!)

I wonder if devout Natalie Cole fans will cross-over with her singing a different genre. Regardless, she definitely deserves a new fan base.

HAVING FUN NATALIE COLE'S WAY.......2005-08-27

Natalie Cole has been accused many times of "covering" songs her dad Nat King Cole made famous - but she does have a great voice of her own and she proves it here. These are songs from her own heart. From the start of "I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do" until "My Baby Just Cares For Me", Natalie has her "way" with us Natalie sings with "gusto". When a song needs the caressing of a phrase her voice lowers to the needed whispered pitch. Yet she can just as well put a note "to the back of the room" as she belts out a great phrase. Natalie teams with Diana Krall in the duet "Better Than Anything", and it is better than anything I have heard lately. When listening to this CD, I could not help but believe Natalie was having the time of her life. I highly recommend this CD.

Like fine wine -- getting better with age!.......2005-01-11

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!"

Average customer rating:

Ask a Woman Who Knows (Hybr) (Ms)
Natalie Cole
Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Contemporary | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00006F1OR
Release Date: 2002-10-29

Average customer rating:

Ask a Woman Who Knows
Natalie Cole
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000784WN

Tracks:

I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do
Tell Me All About It
Ask a Woman Who Knows
It's Crazy
You're Mine, You
So Many Stars
I Told You So
Soon
I'm Glad There Is You
Better Than Anything - Natalie Cole, Diana Krall
Music That Makes Me Dance
Calling You
My Baby Just Cares for Me

Album Description

UK limited edition of 2002 album, featuring rare gems & standards recorded previously by vocal greats like Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald & Nat 'King' Cole, includes two bonus tracks, 'I've Got Just About Everything' & 'Tell Me All About It' (Remix Edit).

Average customer rating:

Ask a Woman Who Knows
Natalie Cole
Manufacturer: Universal Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Indie Music | Stores | Music

R&B | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00006BGVP
Release Date: 2002-09-16

Tracks:

I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do
Tell Me All About It
Ask a Woman Who Knows
It's Crazy
You're Mine, You
So Many Stars
I Told You So
Soon
I'm Glad There Is You
Better Than Anything - Natalie Cole, Diana Krall
Music That Makes Me Dance
Calling You
My Baby Just Cares for Me
I've Got Just About Everything [*]

Album Description

Japanese edition of the vocalist's 2002 album. Includes one exclusive bonus track, 'I've Got Just About Everything'.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: "i've Got Just About Everything".

Music:

Music

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