Natalie Cole - Take A Look CDs • Vinyl Records • LPs • Music Albums

once again taking a sentimental journey, but this time her dad is only one of several legendary artists whose turf she's visiting. On Take a Look, Cole also delivers renditions of songs – some of them standards – previously recorded by Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Julie London and Carmen McRae, to cite a few intimidating names. It's a project that's just as much a labor of love and respect as Unforgettable and just as shrewd in its choice of material. Besides being excellent showcases for Cole's warm, elegant singing, songs like "Cry Me a River," "Crazy He Calls Me" and "I Wish You Love" offer timeless messages that don't require her to put a new spin on sentiments that other artists have already memorably put across. Likewise, Look features traditional arrangements that never sound conservative or quaint, thanks to Andre Fischer and Tommy LiPuma's glowing production and to Cole's playful rapport with her superb accompanying musicians on tracks like the swinging "Let There Be Love" and her father's "Calypso Blues."

Cole only strays when she overdoes the vocal shenanigans, as on the ostentatious coda to an otherwise shattering version of Holiday's "Don't Explain." But in general, for all the bravado an effort like Take a Look would seem to demand, Cole's approach is actually rather modest. Rather than aim to reinvent the songs she covers, Cole aspires to remind those who might have forgotten – and inform those who never knew – what drew such inimitable singers to them in the first place. If accomplishing this goal doesn't quite establish her in the same league as these singers, it does make for some great listening. (RS 664)

ELYSA GARDNER