BY ED CONDRAN;
CORRESPONDENT
It wasn't easy for Natalie Cole to choose material for her latest album, "Leavin.'
''
The disc, which features modern covers, was a challenge for the daughter of the late Nat
King Cole.
"It was so difficult picking what I would do,'' Cole said. "I was considering
over 100 songs. There were tracks I wanted to do from Billy Joel, Annie Lennox and many
other artists. But it didn't work out. I had to go with what would work best for me.''
Cole, 56, who will perform Tuesday at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, chose wisely.
Her take on Aretha Franklin's "Day Dreaming'' is full of energy, and the leadoff
track, a version of Fiona Apple's "Criminal,'' is a stunner.
"Natalie Cole must be the only person in the world (who) hadn't heard
"Criminal,' '' she said while calling from Toronto. "When I finally heard it, I
loved it. I like how extreme the lyrics are, but I turned it from a dark, dramatic song to
a light, fun, funky tune.''
Cole, whose own hits have included "This Will Be'' and "I've Got Love On My
Mind,'' also interprets Neil Young's "Old Man'' and Kate Bush's "The Man with
the Child in His Eyes.''
"They're both beautiful songs,'' Cole said. "They were a pleasure to record.''
What's most refreshing about "Leavin' '' is that it's a covers collection that lacks
reverential versions.
"I don't see the point of copying what another artist has done,'' she said. "You
want to put your stamp on it and take a risk. When you record someone else's song, the
idea, at least for me, is to keep what made it cool and just mess with the rest of it.''
After years of performing in front of orchestras, Cole is enjoying playing with a
stripped-down band.
"I'm keeping it simple this time and that is working well,'' Cole said. "I just
need piano, bass, drums, keyboards and some background vocalists.''
Cole's next album will be filled with originals.
"I want to go the other way after making this record,'' she said. "I'm going to
do some writing and see what happens. The next record I do will be raw and energetic. I
want to do something fun and cohesive.''