By JOSH NIVA
Anchorage Daily News
(Published: May 30, 2003)Although it might not seem this way, Natalie Cole is still in our lives.
Just give a closer listen next time you're in an elevator or at the market -- is that Muzak's rendition of "Pink Cadillac"? Surely, somewhere in the world an adult contemporary or jazz radio station is playing her rendition of "Unforgettable." And if you haven't seen Cole's lovely face lately, you haven't looked hard enough. Last week, she was on HBO starring opposite Laurence Fishburne in 1997's almost-unforgettable "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned."
Sure, Nat "King" Cole's baby girl isn't as instrumental to our everyday lives as she once was, but neither is Elton John. More than 25 years after bursting into show business, Cole's music is still in our ears even when she's not the one doing the singing. Earlier this month, "American Idol" contestant Kimberley Locke revived Cole's early life as a disco-pop diva when she performed "Inseparable" before getting booted from the semifinals -- blame the craftsman, not the tools.
"I'm shocked; I'm pretty amazed," said Cole, 53, from a cell phone in Los Angeles when informed of the Idol's song selection. "Most of the folks on 'American Idol' don't have a heart for the music, and if you don't have the heart, you won't make it."
Oh yeah, Natalie's still here, baby, and she's not just watching from the sidelines. She's still getting Grammy consideration nearly 30 years after netting her first two for "Inseparable," her 1975 debut. Her most-recent release, 2002's "Ask A Woman Who Knows," received four nominations, including best jazz vocal album. She didn't win, but that's fine; it was an honor just to be nominated.
"There's nothing more gratifying than getting a nod," said Cole, whose mantel is already filled with the dozen Grammy awards (including the trophy for 1993's best jazz artist) she netted earlier in her career. Her walls are also papered with platinum and gold plaques honoring the 22 albums she's compiled and the 35 million records she's sold.
Cole said she's already done the pop goddess thing, and she did it quite well, thanks. Today, she's embracing the role of stoic, powerful jazz crooner. Tomorrow, who knows?
"I have a type of explorer mentality -- I like going places where angels fear to tread, and it hasn't always been the best of wisest choice, but it's always been interesting," Cole said with a laugh. "And the first person to get bored with anything is me. So I try to keep my music interesting."
And her fans have remained buckled in for the ride. As thanks, Cole plans to perform songs that span her career during her current tour, which touches down in Anchorage this weekend.
"I'm pulling a lot of stuff from way, way back," Cole said. "When you have 25 years of great stuff in your catalog, you want to give them as much as you can, especially an audience that has been with you for all of it."
Don't get it twisted; Cole's pop culture presence remains strong. Amazon.com lists almost 50 music items from Cole, ranging from her 14 million-copy-selling, seven-Grammy-winning "Unforgettable, With Love" CD to the cheese-ball "Sing-A-Long, Natalie Cole" karaoke CD. (Yes, you too can sing Natalie Cole singing Nat "King" Cole!) There is also an assortment of DVDs (including a 2002 companion to "Ask A Woman Who Knows") and books (her revealing autobiography "Angel on My Shoulder" tops the list).
Looking for something a little more obscure? Check out eBay, where 109 Natalie Cole items were listed recently. Selections ranged from a pair of choice seats at an upcoming Atlanta show ($300) to an autographed copy of her 1987 album "Everlasting" ($45) to a used copy of "Unforgettable, With Love" on CD ($1).
And whether she's here or not, whether her music is pop, jazz, disco or soul, Cole is now and forever a diva. During a recent interview, she gracefully juggled phones and conversations as she dealt with media and family travel issues. She even has a throne at divastation.com, where she can sit and contemplate her pop culture run and her current place in our lives, where she is not exactly here and not exactly gone.
"I think that particular time is a great time, but the sad part of it is you never get to relish it," Cole said of the crush of media attention she received early in her career. "It happens, and before you know it, it's five years later or 10 years later. The same thing happened when I won the Grammys for 'Unforgettable.'
"At this point, you have a life. And the real magic, the real gratification, is doing the work and the value it brings," she added. "And the name still opens doors, period."
Reporter Josh Niva can be reached at jniva@adn.com.