It was after one performance, the famous jazz singer Nat King Cole was given his famous moniker of ‘King’. There had already been a King Cole, the character from the nursery rhyme but in this instance the moniker was given because he was clearly a musical ‘king’, a suitable title for one of the greats of music. If Nat King Cole was the king, his daughter Natalie Cole has the princess pedigree. The word cole in Gaelic is written ceol which means music in Gaelic, its hard to believe there is a more perfect translation to describe a family of fine musicians.
From an early age Natalie sang, but the collaboration that got the world’s attention was her duet with her dad, brought about by the wonders of technology on the unforgettable duet of yes, ‘Unforgettable’. Two decades later this performance would be updated by another duet but this time the more upbeat and joyful duet ‘Walking my baby back home’.
Natalie is also well known for the hits such as ‘Pink Cadillac’ and ‘This will be’ but she has also covered many other classic songs such as ‘Come Rain or Come Shine’ and ‘The Best is yet to come’. Even more impressive in that these are songs so identified with other singers yet Natalie has made them hers too.
In a treat for Tassie you can see Ms Cole perform with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra at Hobart’s Wrest Point Casino on Monday 30th January 2012 at 8pm. Other dates include Melbourne at the Plenary on Tuesday 31st and Sydney Opera House on 2-4th February.
Paula Xiberras
