Does anyone else think Natalie Cole is but a pale imitation of her famous and wonderfully talened dad Nat?
Asked by
Austinlad (
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September 10th, 2009
Whenever I hear Ms. Cole sing, especially when it’s one of her dad’s classics, I wonder how she’s managed to have such a big career. Oh, her voice is pleasant enough, but it’s certainly not in the same league as most of her contemporaries – and especially not in Nat’s; his was a league all its own. Hear for yourself. Listen to Natalie sing one of Nat’s songs (like “Nature Boy” or “The Very Thought of You”), then listen to the original. Where Nat’s songs are filled with warmth and feeling, Natalie’s are too often filled with the vocal gymnastis that pass today for talent. Interesting, though Nat has been gone for many decades, his recordings still sound fresh. I doubt the same will be true of his daughter’s. Of course, how you feel about this may be directly related to your age. I’m a geezer.
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9 Answers
All you need do is listen to that horrid posthumous mix she perpetrated and that fact becomes painfully clear.
I haven’t heard much from Natalie lately, probably due to her health problems with hep C and related issues. @Austinlad, that might be why her voice may sound less than strong. When she released Unforgettable, using the tracks made by her dad, I thought it was a beautifully executed tribute to a music icon of several generations by a daughter of similar talent.
Natalie took a huge risk with Unforgettable. Nat was such a huge talent that it would be difficult for anyone to withstand critical comparison with him. Natalie is talented enough to carry her own career, especially with the jumpstart provided by the name. There are numerous others who tried to follow in the path of a parent and did not have near the success: Dean Martin Jr., and Desi Arnaz Jr (Dino Desi and Billy) had a little success. Dweezil Zappa seems to be having a certain amount of success with “Zappa plays Zappa”, as well a career in soundtrcks (Rocko’s Modern Life). I don’t even have to say anything more than Hank Williams Jr.
Anyone can start a career on a legacy, but it takes talent to sustain it.
I agree with you, but I give her credit…she did not have just a tough act to follow, but the toughest of all acts. Nat was that talented and that unique and he set the bar so high that comparing anyone with him is not possible, in my opinion. See ya….Gary/wtf
Don’t forget Lisa Marie Presley, @Yetanotheruser. As IF she could have had a prayer. Or Julian Lennon or Jakob Dylan – at least they had something of a career, but nothing in comparison to their fathers.
Since when does not being as talented as Nat King Cole automatically mean you’re not talented?
That’s a leap in logic.
@Supacase I didn’t forget them, I just ran a few names off the top of my head. Let me mention Arlo Guthrie.
@The_Compassionate_Heretic Nat King Cole was such a HUGE talent that there are few performers, living or dead, (including Natalie, whose talent is not to be sneezed at,) whose talent comes close to his.
I feel free to sneeze, thank you.
Great perspectives from all of you. Thanks for the civil discourse.
Well…I don’t think you’d get much of an argument against your assessment of Ms. Cole’s talent compared to her father. But your conclusion is not really all that surprising. You can cross out Natalie Cole’s name and replace it with the offspring of any famous singer (ie. Frank Sinatra Jr., Julien Lennon) and arrive at the same conclusion.
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