Post updates by email:

If you ever visited my house on either a Saturday or Sunday when I was a kid growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, you'd be sure to hear the voice of Nat King Cole playing on our stereo console because both my mother and father were huge fans. They adored him. In fact, I bet they owned every single album Nat King Cole ever recorded.

And could you blame them?

I mean, the man had a voice that could melt cold steel. Nat King Cole had a certain quality that was so unique. His voice was like silk -- smooth, warm, and mellow. Yet at the same time, it had the power to reach deep into your soul and transform you. Even to this day, whenever I hear his voice, I am deeply touched.

To me, his voice was heavenly.

And as a man, he had a wonderful demeanor about him. He was such a gentleman, and the epitome of class.

Nat King Cole passed away in 1965, at the age of 45. And I can still remember how sad my parents were when they found out; especially my father. After his death, Nat King Cole albums became even more precious at home because playing them was a reminder of just how special he was.

And still is.

I always feel a bit sentimental whenever I listen to Nat King Cole because he immediately reminds me of my parents, who are no longer here. Hearing his voice is bittersweet for me. However, the sweetness outweighs any sadness I feel.

Here are a few vintage Nat King Cole album jackets...


Here is Nat King Cole singing with his daughter, Natalie, when she was a little girl...


And here she is as an adult, pictured next to her father...


Natalie Cole went on to become a very talented singer in her own right, recording albums and winning many Grammy Awards...


In 1991, Natalie Cole came out with her own album, Unforgettable..With Love, which was a collection of songs her father recorded. I clearly remember hearing that CD for the first time and instantly falling in love. Needless to say I bought it, and believer or not, still own...


Back in the 1992, Natalie Cole did something remarkable. She virtually sang a duet with her father during her live concerts. And I can still recall seeing that duet on television for the first time and crying my eyes out because it was incredibly touching to watch them sing together; their voices so beautifully blended...


Sadly, in 2015, at the age of 65, Natalie Cole passed away. Recently while listening to music on my cell phone, I stumbled upon that duet. And hearing this song again made it even more meaningful for me because I was reminded that Nat and Natalie are once again singing together.

And still...unforgettable.

Watch. Listen. And feel...



Have an awesome weekend everyone! 
X

24 comments:

  1. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comFriday, November 02, 2018

    You're so right! Both of them are unforgettable!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jumping with joy here.... Nat was and still is my all time favourite. Thank you so much for sharing the photographs. He put such emotion into his songs, oh what a voice he had.
    There is a saying that only the best live on and how true that is. I don't remember hearing that Natalie had passed on. Let's hope they're still singing together.

    I had a collection of Nat's songs but lost them when a thief broke into my house and stole ALL my CDs, never replaced in case it happened again. I do still have some recordings on tape though, so all was not lost.

    Hope you have a fabulous weekend, my friend, or at least a peaceful one.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Both legends in their own rights! I think my parents had a Christmas album by Nat King Cole that we enjoyed. Don't you love how music can take you back? I hope you have a great COLD weekend, listening to good music and relaxing with a glass of vino. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ...the man had a voice that could melt cold steel. You are absolutely spot on with that description. Both of them had some of the most beautiful voices on the planet. I love listening to Nat King Cole's Christmas songs. Thank you for commemorating them in such a lovely way. Heaven certainly gained two exceptional voices when they arrived. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Isn't it wonderful how both of them live on through their music, songs and voice?

    They're UNforgettable!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! Have a super weekend!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  6. "Jumping with joy here.... Nat was and still is my all time favourite."

    You too, Valerie? Didn't he have such a beautiful and special voice? You're right...he put such emotion into his songs. And that emotion is what touched are hearts.

    "I don't remember hearing that Natalie had passed on. Let's hope they're still singing together."

    Yes, she passed away not too long ago (2015). She had a lot of addiction problems, which I think wore her body down. I became a huge fan of hers in the 80's, after she released her, "Unforgettable...With Love" album. She too had such a special voice. Smooth, like her father.

    "I had a collection of Nat's songs but lost them when a thief broke into my house and stole ALL my CDs, never replaced in case it happened again. "

    Oh, that's awful. Why would someone steal CD's? Perhaps to resell them? Glad to hear you still have some on tape.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a lovely weekend!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yes, you're right....both legends in their own rights!

    "I think my parents had a Christmas album by Nat King Cole that we enjoyed. Don't you love how music can take you back? "

    Yes!!!!....my parents had his Christmas albums as well. I remember hearing him sing "Silent Night" - OMG...it was so beautiful!

    HA! Funny you mentioned a glass of vino because I just tried a new red wine - Apothic Inferno - and it was INCREDIBLE! It's a dark, rich wine that's been aged in whiskey barrels for 60 days. OMG...the taste is phenomenal! And the BUZZ is too - 15.9% alcohol!!!!

    Have a fantastic weekend, my friend. And thanks so much for stopping by!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  8. "Both of them had some of the most beautiful voices on the planet."

    Lisa, I sooooooooooo agree with you! Their voices we very special. Heavenly!

    " I love listening to Nat King Cole's Christmas songs."

    OMG...yes! No one sings "Silent Night" like Nat King Cole!

    " Heaven certainly gained two exceptional voices when they arrived."

    Amen, my friend!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a faaaaaaaabulous weekend!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ron, Nat King Cole reminds me of my childhood and parents as well. I was born in the late 50's (when they had vinyl records LOL!) and I can still remember hearing Nat's voice through our home. I especially love his Christmas albums. He had such a gorgeous voice. Natalie too!

    Beauty tribute, Ron! The video had my eyes tearing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ron, what a touching tribute to two amazing talents! My two favorite Nat King Cole songs are, Stardust and My Funny Valentine. I also love, Mona Lisa!

    I also bought Natalie's Unforgettable CD when it was released. What a beautiful selection of songs. She and her father sounded a lot alike. They had the same quality.

    Really enjoying the video clip, Ron! Have a great weekend! XO

    ReplyDelete
  11. Delightful trip down Memory Lane, Ron! Thank you for posting about this today. I like to think they're both in that heavenly chorus and one day, we'll get to hear them in person! xo

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ron, it's been far too long since I've visited. Was waxing nostalgic today and looking through the old blog. Saw so many comments from you and remembered how much I enjoyed your warm, gracious demeanor and cutting wit. I truly hope you're doing well my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  13. OMG Jeff...I kid you not...I was so thinking of YOU over the past few weeks and wondering how you were doing. So when I saw your comment tonight, I smiled :)

    Soooooooooooooooooo great to see ya, my friend!

    Over the summer, I stopped by your blog just to see if it was still there and was happy to see that it was. God, I truly miss the old days of blogging and how it felt like such a strong sense of community. However, it's changed. I still enjoy blogging, but it's not the same.

    Thank YOU for being a part of that time, buddy.

    Hope all is well for you and your family. And I hope you're enjoying a faaaaaaaaaabulous Autumn season!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

    X

    P. S. Here are some !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You are so welcome, Debbie! Last week when I heard the duet between Nat and Natalie Cole, I felt the desire to share this tribute to them.

    " I like to think they're both in that heavenly chorus and one day, we'll get to hear them in person! "

    LOVE how you said that. And me too!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic weekend! Hope all is going well with your writing!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey there Elaine!

    OMG, I LOVE those two songs as well! Whenever I hear My Funny Valentine, I think of my mother because it was her favorite song from Nat King Cole. LOVE Stardust too! I read somewhere that Stardust was actress Bette Davis's favorite song.

    Yes, they DID sound very much alike. They had a very similar quality.

    Isn't the clip fabulous? Makes me cry every time see it.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor. Have a fantabulous weekend!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  16. I too was born in the 50's (1955)! Not only do I remember vinyl records, but I also remember 45's. I had a record player that played both!

    Nat King Cole's Christmas albums/songs were the best. In fact, it never felt like Christmas until we heard his records.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific weekend!
    X

    ReplyDelete
  17. I remember the duet well. It was (and still is) remarkable! Both Natalie and her father were legends. I didn't realize that he passed away at such a young age.

    I grew up in a similar household, only instead of Nat King Cole, my parents were huge fans of Frank Sinatra. I have a deep appreciation for Ol' Blue Eyes because of them, and inherited many of his records from their collection. I don't listen to them as often as I should.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hey, Ron, I am huge Nat King Cole fan! I swear, nobody on earth can sing like that man! His version of the Christmas carol "O Holy Night" literally brings me to tears! He sang with so much passion.

    My dad was a huge fan of Nat King Cole's, too, and he said that he was a really classy guy. I knew he had died young, but I had absolutely no idea he was only 45 (!) years old when he passed. What a loss. And his daughter left this world too soon as well.

    NPR did a story a few years ago about the two composers who wrote "Mona Lisa" and, oddly enough, Nat wasn't that interested in the song at first.

    Finally he agreed to record the song--but only if the two composers stopped bugging him! And the song went on to be one of his biggest hits.

    Great post, buddy! Take care and have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hey Mark!

    Yes, Nat King Cole was only 45 years old when he passed away. So very young. He was a very heavy smoker (3 packs a day), he died of lung cancer.

    "my parents were huge fans of Frank Sinatra. I have a deep appreciation for Ol' Blue Eyes because of them, and inherited many of his records from their collection."

    OMG...my parents were fans of Frank Sinatra too! They owned a plethora of his records as well. I think that's the reason why I became (and still am) a huge fan of them both. I have several of their CD's. To me, their music is timeless. And listening to it always makes me feel so good.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope your weekend was faaaaaaaabulous!

    X to you and Tara

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hey there Rob!

    You're right NOBODY on earth can sing like that man. He was one of a kind!

    "His version of the Christmas carol "O Holy Night" literally brings me to tears! He sang with so much passion."

    OMG...me too! That was one of my fathers favorite Nat King Cole recordings, which is why it brings me to tears whenever I hear it. The way he sand it was so touching and heartfelt. It's such a gorgeous rendition.

    " I knew he had died young, but I had absolutely no idea he was only 45 (!) years old when he passed. What a loss. And his daughter left this world too soon as well."

    Yes, he died way too young. He was a very heavy smoker (3 packs a day) which eventually caused him lung cancer. And I agree, Natalie left this world all too young as well.

    "NPR did a story a few years ago about the two composers who wrote "Mona Lisa" and, oddly enough, Nat wasn't that interested in the song at first."

    Thank you for sharing that information because I didn't know that. And thank god he changed his mind and recorded it because it's one of my personal favorites. My mother loved that one too!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a most excellent week!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ron, this post was so touching. It wasn't until I listened to Natalie Cole's album back in the early 90's did I know she was related to Nat King Cole. In fact, I didn't even know who her father was until then. It was at that point that I went back and listened to his music and understood why be was so popular, his voice was amazing!

    I love the photographs of Nat and Natalie as a young girl. How sweet!

    The video clip of her singing with her father brought tears to my eyes, the part when he threw her a kiss and she threw one back.

    Beautiful post, Ron! X

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hola Denise!

    The only reason I knew Nat King Cole was because of my parents. They LOVED him, so I became a fan too. That's the reason why I always think of my parents whenever I hear one of his songs.

    Aren't the photos of Nat and Natalie precious? They looked a lot alike, didn't they?

    "the part when he threw her a kiss and she threw one back."

    Yes, me too!! No matter how many times I watch the clip of them singing together, I STILL get weepy because it's so touchingly sweet.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Have a fantastic week!

    X

    ReplyDelete
  23. My parents played Nat King Cole records, too. He had such a lovely voice. And I remember being dumbstruck the first time I heard that duet. Don't you just know he would have loved hearing his voice merged with his daughter's?

    ReplyDelete
  24. ".And I remember being dumbstruck the first time I heard that duet. "

    OMG...me too! I had seen the live duet performance first (and cried my eyes out). Then, after the CD came out, I cried again while just listening to it. Such a BEAUTIFUL duet!

    "Don't you just know he would have loved hearing his voice merged with his daughter's?"

    Yes....he sure would have!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great rest of your week!
    X

    ReplyDelete

I moderate all comments before publishing. Thank you for stopping by.