Also released in 1991 on the Elektra label, "With Love" showcases Natalie Cole's ability to reimagine standards with her unique soulful and jazzy approach. This album demonstrates her talent not just as a performer but as an interpreter of great songs.
Key Tracks:
rar". Album Overview Artist: Natalie Cole Title: Unforgettable... with Love Release Date: June 11, 1991 Label: Elektra Records Genre: Vocal Jazz, Traditional Pop, Smooth Jazz Total Runtime: Approximately 74 minutes Description
Unforgettable... with Love is the landmark twelfth studio album by American singer Natalie Cole. Released as a heartfelt tribute to her father, Nat King Cole, the album features 22 sophisticated covers of standards originally made famous by him.
The album is best known for its title track, a technologically pioneering duet that seamlessly blended Natalie’s contemporary vocals with her father's 1951 recording. It served as a massive career comeback for Cole, selling over 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. Accolades
The album was a critical juggernaut at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards (1992), winning seven trophies, including: Album of the Year Record of the Year (for the title track) Song of the Year Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance Tracklist Highlights The Very Thought of You Paper Moon Route 66 Mona Lisa L-O-V-E Smile Lush Life Orange Colored Sky Nature Boy Unforgettable (Duet with Nat King Cole)
Unforgettable... with Love is the twelfth studio album by American singer Natalie Cole, released on June 11, 1991, through Elektra Records. It serves as a profound tribute to her late father, legendary jazz crooner Nat "King" Cole, and features her renditions of his most iconic standards. Musical Significance and Production
The album marked a major artistic shift for Natalie Cole, transitioning her from R&B and pop toward the Great American Songbook. It was produced by a high-profile team including David Foster, Tommy LiPuma, and her then-husband André Fischer.
The Virtual Duet: The centerpiece of the album is the title track, "Unforgettable," which used groundbreaking multitrack technology to create a "virtual duet" between Natalie and her father by splicing his original 1961 vocal recording into the track.
Musicianship: The record features a blend of big band and intimate jazz arrangements, with piano contributions from Natalie's uncle, Ike Cole, and renowned musicians like Joe Sample and David "Fathead" Newman. Tracklist (1991 Original)
The album contains 22 standards, running approximately 73 minutes. The Very Thought of You Paper Moon Route 66 Mona Lisa L-O-V-E Smile Lush Life That Sunday, That Summer Orange Colored Sky Medley: For Sentimental Reasons / Tenderly / Autumn Leaves Straighten Up and Fly Right Avalon Don't Get Around Much Anymore Too Young Nature Boy Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup Almost Like Being in Love Thou Swell Non Dimenticar Our Love Is Here to Stay Unforgettable (Duet with Nat King Cole) Commercial Success and Awards
Released on June 11, 1991, through Elektra Records Unforgettable… with Love
represents the definitive artistic pivot of Natalie Cole’s career. After spending over 15 years establishing herself as an R&B and soul powerhouse, Cole took the momentous step of embracing her father's legacy—jazz legend Nat King Cole—by recording a 22-track homage to the Great American Songbook. Artistic Significance and Impact Also released in 1991 on the Elektra label,
The album was more than a tribute; it was a "major comeback" that transformed Cole into a household name for a new generation. Genre Crossing
: At a time when gangsta rap was dominating the charts, Cole successfully reintroduced traditional jazz standards to the pop mainstream. Technological Innovation
: The centerpiece of the album is the title track, "Unforgettable," a "virtual duet" created by splicing Nat King Cole's original 1951 vocals with Natalie’s contemporary performance. Historical Achievement : Cole became the first African-American woman to win the Grammy for Album of the Year for this work. Critical Success and Commercial Reach
The project was both a critical darling and a massive commercial success, certified 7× Platinum by the RIAA with over 14 million copies sold worldwide. Grammy Awards
: In 1992, the album and its title track swept the Grammys, winning Record of the Year Album of the Year Song of the Year among seven total awards. Chart Performance : The album spent five weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 chart in the summer of 1991. Production and Remastering
The album's "lush orchestration" was managed by legendary producers André Fischer, David Foster, and Tommy LiPuma. In 2021, a 30th Anniversary Edition was released by Craft Recordings
, featuring newly remastered audio and bonus tracks like "At Last". Purchase Options
If you are looking to own a physical copy, several versions are available across different platforms: Original 1991 Vinyl : Collectible copies can be found on sites like 30th Anniversary Reissue : Modern 180g vinyl and CD editions are available at LA Phil Store technical recording process behind the virtual duet, or are you interested in a track-by-track breakdown of the album?
Album Review: Natalie Cole, “Unforgettable…With Love” (1991)
Lyrically the song is much lighter fare in comparison to my other favorite (“Non dimenticar means don't forget you are my darling/ WordPress.com
Natalie Cole’s 1991 album, Unforgettable... with Love, stands as one of the most significant moments in music history. Released by Elektra Records, it wasn’t just a hit; it was a cultural phenomenon that bridged generations. By revisiting the songbook of her father, the legendary Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole transformed her career and redefined the "standards" genre for a modern audience. A Career Reborn
Before 1991, Natalie Cole was primarily known as an R&B and soul powerhouse. While she had achieved massive success in the 1970s with hits like "This Will Be," the 1980s had been a period of personal struggle and fluctuating commercial success. Other tracks like “Smile,” “Nature Boy,” and “Too
Choosing to record an album of jazz standards was considered a massive risk at the time. The early 90s were dominated by New Jack Swing, Grunge, and Hip-Hop. A lush, orchestral tribute to the 1940s and 50s seemed out of step with the trends. However, Cole’s move was a masterclass in artistic integrity. The Technical Marvel: "Unforgettable"
The centerpiece of the album is the title track, "Unforgettable." In an era before digital manipulation was commonplace, the production team achieved something miraculous: a "virtual duet" between Natalie and her father, who had passed away in 1965.
Production: Produced by David Foster, Tommy LiPuma, and André Fischer.
The Process: Nat King Cole’s original 1951 mono recording was painstakingly edited to allow Natalie’s vocals to weave in and out.
Impact: The result was seamless and emotionally resonant, earning the record "Record of the Year" and "Song of the Year" at the Grammys. Album Highlights and Tracklist
Unforgettable... with Love is a sprawling double-album experience featuring 22 tracks. It covers the breadth of the Great American Songbook with sophisticated arrangements.
"The Very Thought of You" – A shimmering opening that sets the romantic tone.
"Paper Moon" – Showcasing Natalie’s playful, rhythmic vocal agility.
"Route 66" – A nod to her father’s trio days, full of swing and energy.
"Mona Lisa" – A delicate, respectful rendition of one of Nat’s most famous ballads.
"L-O-V-E" – A brassy, upbeat celebration that became a staple of Natalie’s live shows. Legacy and Achievement
The album's success was unprecedented for a traditional pop record in the 1990s: Released on June 11
🏆 Grammy Sweep: It won seven Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
📈 Commercial Success: It stayed at #1 on the Billboard 200 for five weeks and has sold over 7 million copies in the US alone.
✨ Cultural Impact: It sparked a "standards revival," paving the way for future projects by artists like Michael Bublé, Rod Stewart, and Lady Gaga. A Note on Digital Archives and Files
For many collectors and music historians, finding the highest quality version of this album is a priority. While many search for specific digital archives—often labeled with technical filenames like "Natalie Cole - Unforgettable - With Love - - 1991- Elektra.rar"—it is important to remember that these files represent more than just data. They are a digital preservation of a moment where a daughter finally found her voice by embracing her father’s legacy.
Whether you are listening on original vinyl, CD, or a high-fidelity digital stream, the warmth of the Elektra production remains a gold standard in audio engineering.
Title: Rediscovering a Classic: Natalie Cole – Unforgettable… With Love (1991, Elektra)
Posted on: [Insert Date]
There are albums, and then there are moments. Natalie Cole’s 1991 masterpiece, Unforgettable… With Love, is very much the latter. And judging by the digital file floating around — Natalie Cole - Unforgettable - With Love - - 1991- Elektra.rar — it’s an album people are still hunting for, sharing, and cherishing today.
The album featured 22 carefully curated songs, including:
Other tracks like “Smile,” “Nature Boy,” and “Too Young” further cemented the album as a definitive songbook interpretation.
Artist.....: Natalie Cole
Album......: Unforgettable... With Love
Genre......: Vocal Jazz / Soul / Pop
Year.......: 1991
Label......: Elektra
Source.....: CD
Encoder....: LAME (Assumed for .rar content)
Tracks.....: 22
Release Notes:
This archive contains the multi-Grammy winning album by Natalie Cole.
The album is notable for its posthumous duet with her father, Nat King Cole.
Released on June 11, 1991, Unforgettable... with Love debuted to widespread acclaim. Critics praised Natalie for avoiding karaoke-style mimicry; instead, she interpreted the songs with lived-in emotion, wisdom, and a vocal clarity that suggested she had finally made peace with her father’s towering shadow.
Commercially, the album was a juggernaut. It peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and spent over 100 weeks on the album chart. It sold over 14 million copies worldwide, becoming Natalie Cole’s best-selling album and one of Elektra Records’ biggest releases of the era.
At the 34th Annual Grammy Awards in 1992, the album won an astonishing six Grammy Awards, including:
Natalie Cole became the first artist to win Album of the Year posthumously for a duet with a deceased parent—a record that still stands.
