Still Unforgettable

Still Unforgettable
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 9, 2008[1]
Recorded2007–2008
StudioCapitol Studios (Hollywood, California)
GenreJazz
LabelDMI/Atco
Producer
  • Natalie Cole
  • Gail Deadrick
  • Tena Clark (exec.)
Natalie Cole chronology
Leavin'
(2006)
Still Unforgettable
(2008)
Caroling, Caroling: Christmas with Natalie Cole
(2008)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Patriot Ledger(average)[2]

Still Unforgettable is a 2008 studio album by American singer-songwriter and performer Natalie Cole. Cole won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Still Unforgettable at the 51st Grammy Awards.[3]

Background

Speaking in July 2008 to noted UK soul writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning Blues & Soul, Cole discussed the thinking behind 'Still Unforgettable': "While we were still trying to create that same 'Unforgettable'-type mood or environment, this time I wanted to expand. Rather than just doing another Nat 'King' Cole tribute – which was not necessary – I wanted to go deeper into the American Songbook, by not just getting songs from my father, but also from other singers of his time like Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr. and Peggy Lee. You know, there was something about the approach that the writers from that era had to the lyrics and the melodies that was so intentional, so purposeful. Which I think is the thing that's missing from music today."[4]

Track listing

Unless otherwise noted, information is based on the album's Liner Notes[5]

Borders Exclusive Bonus Tracks[6]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
15."All the Things You Are"3:06
16."Bésame Mucho"
  • Consuelo Velazquez
  • Sunny Skylar
5:08
Japan Bonus Tracks[8]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
15."All the Things You Are"
  • Kern
  • Hammerstein II
3:06
16."Bésame Mucho"
  • Velazquez
  • Skylar
5:08
17."Busted"3:57
18."How Do You Keep the Music Playing"5:54
19."The Man That Got Away"3:45
Expanded Digital Edition[9]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
15."All the Things You Are"
  • Kern
  • Hammerstein II
3:06
16."The Man That Got Away"
  • Arlen
  • Gershwin
3:45
17."Summer Sun"
  • Chad Cates
  • Dave Barnes
  • Matt Wertz
4:00
18."Bésame Mucho"
  • Velazquez
  • Skylar
5:08
19."Willow Weep for Me"5:39
20."Busted"
  • Howard
3:57
21."How Do You Keep the Music Playing?"
  • Legrand
  • Bergman
  • Bergman
5:54


Note
  • Nat King Cole's original version of "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" was recorded on September 4, 1951.[10]

Personnel

Musicians

Orchestra

Horns, Reeds and Woodwinds

Strings

  • Trey Henry, Edward Meares, Mike Valerio and Frances Liu Wu – bass
  • Larry Corbett, Dennis Karmazyn, Timothy Loo, David Low, Miguel Martinez and Cecilia Tsan – cello
  • Katie Kirkpatrick – harp
  • Karen Elaine, Matt Funes, Pamela Goldsmith, Darrin McCann and Jorge Moraga – viola
  • Charlie Bisharat, Mark Cargill, Lily Ho Chen, Kevin Connolly, Mario DeLeon, Joel Derouin, Bruce Dukov, Endre Granat, Songa Lee, Natalie Leggett, Phillip Levy, Liane Mautner, Helen Nightengale, Sid Page, Alyssa Park, Sara Parkins, Bob Peterson, Katia Popov, Lesa Terry and Shalini Vijayan – violin

Arrangements

  • Bill Holman – arrangements (1, 12)
  • Jim Hughart – arrangements (3, 7)
  • Alan Broadbent – arrangements (5, 6, 9)
  • Nan Schwartz – arrangements (8, 10)
  • Patrick Williams – arrangements (13)
  • Harold Wheeler – arrangements (14)

Production

  • Tena Clark – executive producer
  • Natalie Cole – producer, liner notes
  • Gail Deadrick – co-producer, musical director
  • Al Schmitt – recording, mixing
  • Bill Schnee – additional recording on rhythm tracks (5, 7, 13, 14) at Bill Schnee Studios (North Hollywood, California)
  • Travis Ference – additional engineer
  • Darius Fong – additional engineer
  • Aaron Walk – additional engineer
  • Steve Genewick – additional vocal engineer, Pro Tools editing
  • Doug Sax – mastering at The Mastering Lab (Hollywood, California)
  • Diana Barnes – art direction, design
  • Matthew Rolston – photography

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2008) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[11] 59
US Billboard 200[12] 19
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[13] 8
US Top Jazz Albums (Billboard)[14] 1

References

  1. ^ a b Cole, Natalie (September 9, 2008). "Still Unforgettable". AllMusic. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  2. ^ The Patriot Ledger review
  3. ^ "The 51st Annual Grammy Awards Winners List". Grammy Awards. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2009.
  4. ^ Natalie Cole interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' September 2008
  5. ^ Cole, Natalie. "Still Unforgettable" (Album Notes). DMI Records / Atco Records. 2008.
  6. ^ Still Unforgettable (Borders Exclusive with Bonus Tracks)
  7. ^ Still Unforgettable (Amazon Exclusive Bonus Track)
  8. ^ Still Unforgettable (Japan Release)
  9. ^ Still Unforgettable (Expanded Edition)
  10. ^ Nat King Cole with Billy May Orchestra. "Capitol Studios: September 4, 1951 (Los Angeles, CA)". Jazz Disco. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  11. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  12. ^ "Natalie Cole Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  13. ^ "Natalie Cole Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  14. ^ "Natalie Cole Chart History (Top Jazz Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2020.