|
|
NATALIE
COLE RELEASES FIRST ALBUM IN NEARLY 4 YEARS;
MARKS
20TH STUDIO ALBUM RELEASE LEAVIN'
NOW IN STORES
 Eight-time
Grammy ® Award winner Natalie Cole releases her 20th
studio album, marking an impressive milestone that
speaks to her musicianship, her critically acclaimed abilities as a
vocalist and her connection to her fans. Leavin’ also marks her
first album of new material in nearly four years, a recording that
returns Natalie to her musical roots as one of our time’s best
r&b/pop vocalists. The Verve Records release finds the acclaimed
chanteuse, who has sold more than 30 million albums, working with
Grammy ® Award winning producer Dallas Austin, a combination which
has produced one of Natalie’s most dynamic recordings to date.
An eclectic mix
of classic pop, r&b and rock tracks, the 12-song album mixes
Natalie’s stunning vocals with a list of classic songs from the
likes of Fiona Apple, Aretha Franklin, Kate Bush, Sting, Shelby Lynne
and others, as well as a new song, “5 Minutes Away,” a writing
collaboration between Cole, Austin and keyboardist Chanz Parkman.
"Leavin’
represents a musical freedom that has given me the opportunity to
explore the greatness in the songs of some of our most talented and
gifted songwriters,” said Natalie. "It was a lot of fun to be
able to put our spin on these songs and I thoroughly enjoyed
interpreting them. Dallas was absolutely brilliant in the studio and
together I think we were able to present a fresh new twist on some
great music. I can’t wait for our fans to hear the album.”
The
launch of the CD will be led by a remake of the 1972 #1 Billboard
R&B single, the Aretha Franklin smash "Day Dreaming."
Updated with a bit of hip-hop flavor, the song is the first single
from the album and marks the release of Natalie’s first urban/pop
single in nearly 16 years. Ironically, Natalie spent much of the early
part of her career being compared to Franklin.
Natalie took some unexpected creative turns on
Leavin.' The title track is a soulful recast of the Shelby Lynne song
from her Grammy® winning 2000 release I Am Shelby Lynne. She also
tackles a rock standard by taking on Neil Young's "Old Man,"
an eloquent compliment to the original that shows the warmth and
subtlety of Natalie’s voice.
Then there’s the Fiona Apple hit
"Criminal," which Natalie and Austin gave a bluesy feel, as
well as “The More You Do It,” a track that pays homage to her
first husband and musical collaborator, the late producer Marvin Yancy.
The track completes a trio of more soulful cuts including the Isley
Brothers "Don't Say Goodnight" and the Etta James inspired
"Lovin' Arms," each of which grants Natalie the
opportunity to move back to her 70's roots with rich, shimmering
vocals. Other highlights include remakes of songs written and made
famous by Sting and Kate Bush.
The record is set to be launched with
performances on a number of major morning and late night television
programs and Natalie is expected to introduce the record via several
intimate showcases. These outings are expected to be followed by a
theater tour planned for late fall.
AUDIO
LINKS: Natalie Cole – Day Dreaming
RealAudio
Player
Windows
Media Player
|
|
