Many people tend to forget that long before Natalie Cole sang her father's songs and performed mostly standards, she was one of the top female artists in R&B during the period of 1975 to 1982. I can remember that Natalie was the singer that we girls in junior high just loved and imitated the most. Known for her searing vocals and sassy homegirl style, she captivated audiences worldwide and was raking up Grammys and all kinds of awards on the regular.

If you own any of Natalie's work from this period, then you totally understand exactly what I mean when I say that she was definitely the QUEEN of the R&B charts! This live 2-CD set is proof of that. NATALIE LIVE! takes us back to 1977-78 and is an uplifting, heartfelt and soulful experience. This is without a doubt, one of the very best live albums I've ever heard, if not THE BEST. The energy of Natalie's performance can be felt going right though you. At times you feel like you're in the midst of a rousing gospel revival. Natalie performs her hit songs ("This Will Be", "I've Got Love On My Mind", "Our Love", "Mr. Melody", "Sophisticated Lady", "Inseparable", to name a few), plus other famous tunes by artists that she admired: Utilizing a similar arrangement that Sly Stone used in his cover of "Que Sera Sera", Natalie brings fire to that song in a way that Doris Day could never imagine. She totally rips up "Cry Baby" and "Something's Got A Hold On Me" in an enviable style that Janis Joplin and Etta James would be proud of. The Beatles' hit "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds" is taken for a spin here, with Natalie breaking it down in the middle and Lord, can you feel it! The original Cole songs "I'm Catching Hell" and "I Can't Say No" are so emotionally moving, I can't help but get a lump in my throat when I hear these songs, and forget about hearing them live...the tears are sure to flow! "Lovers", a lively jazz piece complete with Ella Fitzgerald-like scatting, is sort of an unrealized prelude to the kind of material Natalie would be doing later in her career.

Anyone who is a TRUE Natalie fan needs to have this in their collection. And if you only knew Natalie from "Unforgettable" and other material like it, be prepared for a real treat. No matter what she's singing now, Natalie Cole is STILL the diva with soul!

This is a hard to find CD. I remember buying this double album when it came out, I think in 1978. It was recorded in 1977 at the Universal Ampitheater, Los Angeles. This is my favorite album by Natalie, I've been a fan ever since. You even get to hear her chat with the audience between the songs. My favorite is when she says "Just for you, because you're so wonderful, and because we're having so much fun. You know this is my last performance for a little while. I have some business to take care of" Here she's talking about being pregnant and having a baby soon. Then she goes on to say, "From here on in we're gonna let our hair down" And boy does she. Natalie rocks on this CD - Please find it and buy it now. It's great.

Natalie Cole, an artist with great vocal skills, put together one of the best live albums of the 70's; in this, her fifth album, Cole branches out to show the many styles of music, she's capable of singing. She covers standards by Janis Joplin, Doris Daye, and The Beatles. The excitement of the audience, the great sound and backing of her band and singers, as well as Cole's powerful and skillful voice, makes this, still one of the best live albums in musical history.

First, I have been after this treasure for a very long time! I love the "soulful, goin' to church vocals" of Natalie. I'm a singer and Natalie was a strong influence on me! I just have one wish...I sure wish I could afford this album! Please put it back in print. Peace!

I don't think I have ever heard a live album this real. Play this CD the correct way and you'd swear you were there. Natalie may never match the power she supplies here. "I'm Catching Hell" sounds amazing. No background singers can touch Sissy and Anita. The arrangements are great. The pace of the concert is perfect. Natalie connects with the audience from the first note to the last. You will never regret buying this CD.