I remember how revolutionary this was when it came out. Not only the concept, but to do it live in concert, was really something different & courageous
It was actually the second time this was used. Hank Williams Jr. used it first in his A Tear in My Beer MV (like Natalie his father died when he was very young - just 4).
I was a mobile DJ/MC in Chicago from 1989 through 1991. My favorites were always weddings. When this duet version of "Unforgettable] came out in June of 1991, it was the most requested first song [new husband and wife] ever known. Many fathers watched their daughters dance with their new husbands for the first time and wept, because this was so perfect. Absolutely beautiful!
Nat King Cole and his daughter... Incredible talents. I remember watching his TV show on our first TV in the 50's when I was a little kid (I'm 73). My mom absolutely loved him.
The first time seeing this absolutely teared me up. Always loved him from when my parents played his records and 8-track tapes in the car. Seeing the old photos of them together is such a great tribute them both.
This song is iconic Nat King Cole, and the blending of Natalie's voice iscso mesmerising. Ialso love the duet between Lisa Marie and her father Elvis Presley, singing Don't Cry Daddy.
Thank God for this music. So calm, so full of love and soothing the mind. I grew up with this music with my Dad. He would be sitting in his chair smoking a stogie and I'd be sitting on the floor next to him and we would drift off together into Nirvana. We had the same experiences with George Shearing. I miss my Dad so much. I'm 65 now and love the music of our moments together. Thanks Beth, for your appreciation of these gems in our lives.
I grew up listening to the Rat Pack, Nat 'King' Cole, and a number of other performers whose smoothness and silky tones helped keep me calm, quiet, and happy.
So I actually saw Aretha on Jan 1st, 2016, a day after Natalie passed away and she dedicated "Angel" to her and had a ballet dancer come out to do a routine during the song. It was so gorgeous, and Aretha played the piano too for that song if I remember correctly. It was an unforgettable moment. Very touching tribute!
Doesn't get much better than this...beautiful voices, song and delivery. Her mom sang with Duke Ellington so her odds were set genetically. Miss their style
Thank-you for your thoughtful reaction/review of this beautifully sung ‘duet’. I have to say.. seeing Nate King Cole brought back memories from many, many yrs ago - seeing him on TV, which at the time, in the late 50s, was quite rare. Many of us were still experiencing segregation in our lives (I’m from a rural area in Oregon).. there were no Black Americans anywhere in our lives, and much negativity about them. All I remember as a child was how incredibly beautiful his voice was.. and why my parents spoke of him in the way they did. We’ve come a long way… but… still not where we need to be (sadly)!!
Interesting how in that age of segregation Nat was still able to have his own TV show. Just goes to show how popular he and his music were and still are. When jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald was approached with a similar concept in the '50s, it never got off the ground bc of her race. Just goes to show Nat King Cole really transcended so many boundaries.
A tad late to this but so glad you did this Beth! I’m an 80s rock-n-roll guy but grew to appreciate my grandmother, mom & great aunts music which included Nat King Cole. To me his voice is like warmed honey, just so dang smooth & Natalies vocals are a perfect compliment. Simply a beautiful song. Feel free to do more 40s-50s music, there’s so many wonderful songs.
My mom loved his voice and taught me to enjoy it, too (thanks, mom, wherever you are! 🙏)! She always told me how amazing his voice was, and when this video came out, i had no doubts: he is the greatest, the best male singer EVER! He had the most beautiful male's voice in History! He was not called "King" for nothing!
I’m soo happy that you featured this masterpiece! I just happened to be listening to radio-station WNUA in Chicago, the morning that they played this sneak preview for the first time, in 1991!! It was a revelation at the time… and still is “Unforgettable” Thank you! ❤
What is there to say? Just lovely. Felt so sad when she passed. If you really like Nat's work, I'd check out an early rendition of "Nature Boy". Ugh. Unforgettable.
Got to see Tony Bennett in around '95 and it was so wonderful. The women did not behave themselves but we will leave it at that. I wish I had seen Nat, but he passed so early. My mom and I used to dance to him. What a voice and a great piano player. I remember seeing him on one of the variety shows in the 60"s when Mona Lisa was popular. The audience made him do encore after encore. They couldn't get enough of that beautiful song. What a class act he was. I saw your reaction and just bought an album. Wasn't Natalie something too!
"The Kinleys" are two identical twin sisters that had a few hit songs in the late 90's. Most of their songs are harmony with a solo here & there. Their voices are almost identical too. The harmony is beautiful.
I had the chance to see his brother Freddy live during a trip to New York in the late 90s. Probably as close as it could get to a Nat King Cole concert, when you are too young to see his famous brother. That smooth voice is really a family gift.
Natalie was still a teenager when he passed away. I'm sure he'd have loved to share the stage with her, if he'd just had the time. Alas, premature death seems to run in the family, too.
📖 Get your signed copy of my album Fable here: www.bethroars.com/shop ☀ Pre-save my first single "Power Of The Wolf" on Spotify (it really helps me out!): distrokid.com/hyperfollow/bethroars/power-of-the-wolf 🥁 Become a Patreon Supporter: www.patreon.com/bethroars
Wow! Que vozes! Hey Beth, goodnight. Anyone who reacts to the Cole family also reacts to the Lewis family: Barbara Lewis_Baby im yours Linda Lewis_This time ill be sweeter
I love this. A great showcase of both of their voices. I was wondering if you have ever listened to Margo Timmins and Natalie Merchant singing together on Misguided Angel (live). I've always liked Margo's voice, but when I heard it paired with Natalie merchant I was blown away!
Hank Williams Jr. did a virtual duet with his dad Hank Williams two years before this. You should react to that one as well. I don’t think you can get more country than the Hanks singing There’s a Tear in my Beer.
I used to watch Nat's half hour 1950s TV show (the first hosted by a Black person); he had a string of superhits singles during 1950s and 60s without trying to imitate Sinatra, like most other male soloists did at the time. After Nat died, I'd watch his wife Maria's TV cohosted political talk show in L.A.
It's a nice arrangement, but I prefer Nat alone, especially the live version he did for TV - it's quite different from his studio recording. Natalie here uses the "live" video with Nat's studio audio. On a similar note, have you heard the K.D. Lang/Roy Orbison "Crying" duet?
When Natalie first came on the music scene, she wanted to carve out her own musical identity. Being associated with her famous dad was the last thing on her mind. But it still opened doors for her. She admitted she was being asked every where she went when she was gonna rerecord her dad's songs. She resisted and resisted until she finally gave in. The album was her comeback and sold in the millions and shocked the fad-conscious music industry. No one thought an album of pre-rock standards could sell like this. Goes to show if the stuff is good, no, not good but GREAT, it's gonna SELL. Now with Natalie gone too, it just adds more poignancy to the Cole family legacy.
Natalie had spent years singing this duet in her R&B period of her career, but with the crudest of technology. She had many years to perfect singing along with Nat Fun fact about when she went to record the duet with the improved technology. I believe the original recording tapes of Nat were in bad shape. The recording almost didn’t happen.
Natalie is lovely, but her voice cannot touch the depth and richness of her father's voice. His enuncination and phrasing is so expressive, impeccable, and uniquely his. Nat is in a class of his own.
As interesting a concept as this was, and still remains... and as well as it was done, and it was... it still creeps me out and i hope it quietly fades completely out of fashion. It's like singing with Elvis. Just weird and wrong !! ; >
I have always thought Nat King Cole's voice was one of the best I have ever heard. This duet is beautiful.
The original always made me cry, the duet just opens the floodgates, but i love it❤❤❤
Yes especially since they both passed away
I remember how revolutionary this was when it came out. Not only the concept, but to do it live in concert, was really something different & courageous
It was actually the second time this was used. Hank Williams Jr. used it first in his A Tear in My Beer MV (like Natalie his father died when he was very young - just 4).
I was a mobile DJ/MC in Chicago from 1989 through 1991. My favorites were always weddings. When this duet version of "Unforgettable] came out in June of 1991, it was the most requested first song [new husband and wife] ever known. Many fathers watched their daughters dance with their new husbands for the first time and wept, because this was so perfect. Absolutely beautiful!
Nat King Cole and his daughter... Incredible talents. I remember watching his TV show on our first TV in the 50's when I was a little kid (I'm 73). My mom absolutely loved him.
The first time seeing this absolutely teared me up. Always loved him from when my parents played his records and 8-track tapes in the car. Seeing the old photos of them together is such a great tribute them both.
This song is iconic Nat King Cole, and the blending of Natalie's voice iscso mesmerising. Ialso love the duet between Lisa Marie and her father Elvis Presley, singing Don't Cry Daddy.
Thank God for this music. So calm, so full of love and soothing the mind. I grew up with this music with my Dad. He would be sitting in his chair smoking a stogie and I'd be sitting on the floor next to him and we would drift off together into Nirvana. We had the same experiences with George Shearing. I miss my Dad so much. I'm 65 now and love the music of our moments together.
Thanks Beth, for your appreciation of these gems in our lives.
Amazing
There are few that can claim that of almost angelic voice...Nat King Cole is one of them. Sheer vocal perfection. I have loved his voice all my life.
And Nat was also a great pianist too. Sadly he is not remembered by that today. He was so full of talent.
I was lucky enough to see Natalie Cole perform twice. She was great! So was her father.
Beautiful song. Rest easy Nat and Natalie.
I remember when this came out. Stunned the nation. So wonderful.
I grew up listening to the Rat Pack, Nat 'King' Cole, and a number of other performers whose smoothness and silky tones helped keep me calm, quiet, and happy.
One of the best duets of all time.
They were both great. RIP to them both. Singing in the heavens.
Nice Father’s Day song!
Thank you Beth. You are such a nice person. I'll assume to continue to pray for you. Things gotta move on.
So I actually saw Aretha on Jan 1st, 2016, a day after Natalie passed away and she dedicated "Angel" to her and had a ballet dancer come out to do a routine during the song. It was so gorgeous, and Aretha played the piano too for that song if I remember correctly. It was an unforgettable moment. Very touching tribute!
Nat King Cole was a great piano player as well. Check out the late '40s recordings with the Nat King Cole Trio, particularly "Route 66".
So beautiful! Sad that no one makes this style of music any more.
Doesn't get much better than this...beautiful voices, song and delivery. Her mom sang with Duke Ellington so her odds were set genetically. Miss their style
Thank-you for your thoughtful reaction/review of this beautifully sung ‘duet’. I have to say.. seeing Nate King Cole brought back memories from many, many yrs ago - seeing him on TV, which at the time, in the late 50s, was quite rare. Many of us were still experiencing segregation in our lives (I’m from a rural area in Oregon).. there were no Black Americans anywhere in our lives, and much negativity about them. All I remember as a child was how incredibly beautiful his voice was.. and why my parents spoke of him in the way they did. We’ve come a long way… but… still not where we need to be (sadly)!!
Thank you for sharing this
Interesting how in that age of segregation Nat was still able to have his own TV show.
Just goes to show how popular he and his music were and still are.
When jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald was approached with a similar concept in the '50s, it never got off the ground bc of her race.
Just goes to show Nat King Cole really transcended so many boundaries.
The record containing this song is all songs previously recorded by Nat. It's a beautiful record. One of my favorites.
Grew up listening to Nat King Cole on vinyl. He was also a great jazz pianist, listen to any recordings of the Nat King Cole Trio!
Absolutely amazing performance Natalie must have been full of emotion making this truly amazing collaboration shame it never happened for real
A tad late to this but so glad you did this Beth! I’m an 80s rock-n-roll guy but grew to appreciate my grandmother, mom & great aunts music which included Nat King Cole. To me his voice is like warmed honey, just so dang smooth & Natalies vocals are a perfect compliment. Simply a beautiful song. Feel free to do more 40s-50s music, there’s so many wonderful songs.
My mom loved his voice and taught me to enjoy it, too (thanks, mom, wherever you are! 🙏)! She always told me how amazing his voice was, and when this video came out, i had no doubts: he is the greatest, the best male singer EVER! He had the most beautiful male's voice in History! He was not called "King" for nothing!
Thank you for bringing this back around.
Oh THAT one should be in the National Archives by now! I remember when it was first released. Wonderfully done work of music history.
Great post thank you. Would love to see you react to WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES Dinah Washington .
I’m soo happy that you featured this masterpiece!
I just happened to be listening to radio-station WNUA in Chicago, the morning that they played this sneak preview for the first time, in 1991!! It was a revelation at the time… and still is “Unforgettable”
Thank you! ❤
What is there to say? Just lovely. Felt so sad when she passed. If you really like Nat's work, I'd check out an early rendition of "Nature Boy". Ugh. Unforgettable.
Got to see Tony Bennett in around '95 and it was so wonderful. The women did not behave themselves but we will leave it at that. I wish I had seen Nat, but he passed so early. My mom and I used to dance to him. What a voice and a great piano player. I remember seeing him on one of the variety shows in the 60"s when Mona Lisa was popular. The audience made him do encore after encore. They couldn't get enough of that beautiful song. What a class act he was. I saw your reaction and just bought an album. Wasn't Natalie something too!
Absolutely Unforgettable! ❤
"The Kinleys" are two identical twin sisters that had a few hit songs in the late 90's. Most of their songs are harmony with a solo here & there. Their voices are almost identical too. The harmony is beautiful.
Always liked Mr. Cole's voice. Used to watch his television show. Love this duet.
I had the chance to see his brother Freddy live during a trip to New York in the late 90s. Probably as close as it could get to a Nat King Cole concert, when you are too young to see his famous brother. That smooth voice is really a family gift.
One of my favorite duets!
Natalie was still a teenager when he passed away. I'm sure he'd have loved to share the stage with her, if he'd just had the time. Alas, premature death seems to run in the family, too.
nat king cole's voice was so smooth like liquid velvet and natalie cole's voice was pretty
📖 Get your signed copy of my album Fable here: www.bethroars.com/shop
☀ Pre-save my first single "Power Of The Wolf" on Spotify (it really helps me out!): distrokid.com/hyperfollow/bethroars/power-of-the-wolf
🥁 Become a Patreon Supporter: www.patreon.com/bethroars
Wow, Beth. Very nice...congratulations. Love your upper register clarity. Would prefer with the background drone at less volume.
Wow! Que vozes! Hey Beth, goodnight. Anyone who reacts to the Cole family also reacts to the Lewis family:
Barbara Lewis_Baby im yours
Linda Lewis_This time ill be sweeter
Nat King Cole was one of the best voices of all time.
Why you go making me cry Beth?!?!?! 🥲❤
Nat King Cole had perfect pitch. I remember my mum telling me. She loves his music.
His voice was as smooth as a silk shirt.
What an amazing duet.
I love this. A great showcase of both of their voices. I was wondering if you have ever listened to Margo Timmins and Natalie Merchant singing together on Misguided Angel (live). I've always liked Margo's voice, but when I heard it paired with Natalie merchant I was blown away!
Canción tan bella y unas voces inprecionantes bien Beth 👏👏🍀🍀me recuerda a una hermosa sirena con un rostro tan bonito 💕
I love your top btw!
Hank Williams Jr. did a virtual duet with his dad Hank Williams two years before this. You should react to that one as well. I don’t think you can get more country than the Hanks singing There’s a Tear in my Beer.
Que vozes senhoras e senhores! Que vozes!
As you watched the slide show, did you notice Louis Armstrong at 3:33?
Sadly both are gone. RIP.❤
Lovely ❤
I used to watch Nat's half hour 1950s TV show (the first hosted by a Black person); he had a string of superhits singles during 1950s and 60s without trying to imitate Sinatra, like most other male soloists did at the time. After Nat died, I'd watch his wife Maria's TV cohosted political talk show in L.A.
Immortal !
That's what it is... 😉
More people these days need to listen to Nat, as you say his voice makes velvet seem rough lol His daughter is also amazing too.
It's a nice arrangement, but I prefer Nat alone, especially the live version he did for TV - it's quite different from his studio recording. Natalie here uses the "live" video with Nat's studio audio. On a similar note, have you heard the K.D. Lang/Roy Orbison "Crying" duet?
❤❤❤
こんばんは、お疲れ様です。っていうか、これって反則やろ！絶対泣くやつやん！
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
classic
Oh pleeeaaaaseeee do a reaction to Nature Boy! Love that song from Nat.
When Natalie first came on the music scene, she wanted to carve out her own musical identity.
Being associated with her famous dad was the last thing on her mind.
But it still opened doors for her.
She admitted she was being asked every where she went when she was gonna rerecord her dad's songs.
She resisted and resisted until she finally gave in.
The album was her comeback and sold in the millions and shocked the fad-conscious music industry.
No one thought an album of pre-rock standards could sell like this.
Goes to show if the stuff is good, no, not good but GREAT, it's gonna SELL.
Now with Natalie gone too, it just adds more poignancy to the Cole family legacy.
Can you listen to the full tiny desk concert of Jazmine Sullivan, please.
This is like drowning in velvet
Natalie had spent years singing this duet in her R&B period of her career, but with the crudest of technology. She had many years to perfect singing along with Nat
Fun fact about when she went to record the duet with the improved technology. I believe the original recording tapes of Nat were in bad shape. The recording almost didn’t happen.
👍👍
If I'm not wrong but there's no harmony here. She's singing the same notes but her voice is so much higher that you don't need harmony.
Hi, G'morning. Please React to brazilian metal Singer Dan Vasc performing "Amazing grace". It's insane.
Nat King Cole has one of the most magnificent voice. Sinatra could not do this as well as Nat
That reduced me to a puddle.
Trying to answer your telegram invite. Not sure how.
Natalie is lovely, but her voice cannot touch the depth and richness of her father's voice. His enuncination and phrasing is so expressive, impeccable, and uniquely his. Nat is in a class of his own.
As interesting a concept as this was, and still remains... and as well as it was done, and it was... it still creeps me out and i hope it quietly fades completely out of fashion. It's like singing with Elvis. Just weird and wrong !! ; >
U just