Track Listing

1. Criminal
2. Old Man
3. Day Dreaming
4. Leavin'
5. More You Do It (The More I Like It Done to Me)
6. Lovin' Arms
7. Love Letter
8. Man with the Child in His Eyes
9. 5 Minutes Away
10. Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time for Love)
11. You Gotta Be
12. If I Ever Lose My Faith in You

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #107781 in Music
• Released on: 2006-09-26
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
With Leavin', her 20th studio album, Natalie Cole looks to be issuing a challenge to longtime listeners: if you're in, it's because you see stardust and are gripped by a warm sensation anytime her legendary voice eases through a speaker. If you're out, it's because you're not as musically adventurous as she is. Of the dozen songs here, only roughly a quarter could be cordoned off into classic R&B territory; the rest amount to an artful but decidedly pop-leaning hodgepodge. In addition to the opening track, a cover of Fiona Apple's "Criminal" that does away with the original's raw, angry edge in favor of flipness and sass, Cole gamely tackles Neil Young's classic "Old Man" and Kate Bush's "The Man With the Child in His Eyes." If those songs seem effortful, she finds more even footing on the title track, a Shelby Lynne original ready-made for a classic soul reworking, as well as on Aretha Franklin's "Day Dreaming," which benefits from producer Dallas Austin's addition of a hip hop-lite fringe. Unsurprisingly for an artist of Cole's depth and caliber, Leavin's sole original track, "5 Minutes Away," is its best. Here is Natalie as the world knows and loves her: a belter born to dose up the stirrings of her soul with unmatched tenderness and bottomless love. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

A Cool Ride From Beginning to End
Natalie Cole's latest cd: "Leavin" is more than just a covers album, and if the songs she chose weren't recognizable in name it would sound like a whole album of new songs. "Criminal" was redone totally, and she only adds to its greatness, Old Man is great also, but the track that stood out to me was Kate Bush's "The Man With the Child In His Eyes", she sung it so beautifully and with the backing of the choir it makes it even more touching. This album is worth buying, I was not only impressed, but I respect her artistic ability more than ever, she has covered songs all through her career, and now to have an album full, is music to my ears.

Whoa!
On LEAVIN', Natalie Cole uses her magnificent voice to interpret an eclectic mix of pop, rock, r&b and country songs. Highlights on this excellent album include the Shelby Lynne written title tune (done in the style of Natalie's 1977 hit "I'm Catching Hell"), a sassy version of Aretha Franklin's "Daydreaming", an inspirational Kate Bush composition "The Man With The Child In His Eyes", and Miss Cole's sexy ladylike performance on the Isley Brothers' ballad "Don't Say Goodnight". Another treat on this album is "The More You Do It", a top 10 r&b hit for Ronnie Dyson co-written by Natalie's first husband, the late Marvin Yancy. On this sexy tune, Miss Cole tastefully throws in vocal riffs from her first hit "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" and the arrangement is in the style of Aretha Franklin's version of the Sam Cooke classic "You Send Me".

The biggest surprise on LEAVIN' is discovering that Natalie Cole arranged most of these songs by herself (Wow! What can't she do?). Here's hoping that Miss Cole's musical arranging talents will be used more in the future.

Sultry Soul
It is good to know that this kind of Soul Music continues to exist. It is also good to know that lovely voice associated with Ms. Cole continues to endure.

Do you like good music? Sweet Soul Music? If yes then this CD is a must have for your listening pleasure.

Download, or pick up your copy today. You will be delighted, not disappointed.