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.

I listen to all types of music and saw Natalie singing one of the songs on this CD I liked it so much I bought the CD. You can listen to these songs over and over and love them as much as you did the first time you heard them . You know you have somthing good when your 9 year old grand daughter askes you play the CD for her.

Some reviewers definitely did not have an open mind listening to this. How great to hear a familiar voice in a different sound element....just a guitar, a song associated with another great voice (what a challenge). Not a loser in the bunch...and you gotta love "the more you do its" nod to yesterday. She's not leavin' she's here to stay...FROM NOW ON!

Natalie Cole has unfortunately ventured (and not by her own will by any means) into the territory where the verterans all venture sooner or later-- the demise of commercial, mainstream success. Natalie Cole had her "day in the sun", her "heyday". Unfortunately, no release by the diva will be appreciated by a new audience, only by those who loved her in her youth and those who possess the so penned "old soul". Me being a young man, I guess that I have that "old soul" as I have special place in my heart and an acquired appreciations for the veterans in classic soul, classic Rock, and classic jazz among other important genres that have ultimately shaped today's musical sound from their innovations. Natalie Cole in my mind is no doubt one of those innovators, particularly considering she has the vocal power of Patti LaBelle coupled with the jazz inflections and nuances of some of the very best, classiest jazz vocalists. Very few have been able to come close to emulating the greatness of "Inseperable" or the rangy-technically difficult vocal passages of the sassy, jazz-filled "This Will Be", Natalies signature anthem. I'm not lauding LEAVIN' as being Cole's strongest album, but it certainly unfair that a diva who still can sing a lot better than most of today's "new" R&B singers can't have a gold album. Sure Natalie's "heydey" or "peak" may have passed, but she sounds as strong and as soulful as ever on LEAVIN' which is a covers album for the most part.

"Criminal" is the very first surprise from the album, and proves to be very convincing. Who could tackle Fiona Apple but Apple herself? Somehow, being the veteran that she is, Cole pulls off "Criminal" very well with jazz-influenced rock production supporting her powerhouse vocals. Next, she tackles Neil Young's "Old Man" which isn't as succesful as "Criminal", but is surely worth a good number of listens as well. The true heat is brought on by heavy hitting Aretha cover "Day Dreaming", which fits perfectly in today's adult contemporary R&B. It is both soulful and jazzy with enough contemporary nature to be hip. What is most amazing is when Cole turns a country song penned by standout Shelby Lynne into a retro-soul hit. "Leavin'" single-handedly is one of Cole's very best performances ever, rivalling her very, VERY best. Cole's vocals are all in the right place making it truly shine in my eyes.

"The More You Do It (The More I Like It Done To Me)" does resurrect "the old school" as Natalie Cole states in the intro of the song and while it doesn't have the same star power of either "Day Dreamin'" or "Leaving", it certainly does remind you of vintage Cole singing "This Will Be" in certain respects. The acoustic strummed guitar and the lovely vocal harmonies of "Lovin' Arms" leave you once again breathless as Cole touches the song with her luminence. "Love Letter" and a surprising Kate Bush cover (who would've thunk?) of "The Man With The Child In His Eyes" are both worth listens, even if they aren't stellars as the very best of the album.

"5 Minutes Away" is the only original on LEAVIN', though it is truly a strong original, penned by Cole, R&B superstar producer Dallas Austin, and Marvin Chanz Parkman. It keeps the "old school feel flowing very vibrantly, as does Cole's cover of the Isley Brothers' tune "Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love)." "You Gotta Be" and "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" don't have the same steam as the very best of LEAVIN', but despite the less inspiring covers throughout some of the album, Cole's assertive and interesting vocals certainly make up for any slack in other places.

Overall, LEAVIN' isn't innovative in the since of being the next "milestone" in music, but it is a strong enough combination of contemporary jazz, contemporary R&B, retro-soul, and rock. It also showcases Cole's interests in ALL genres of music as opposed to being completely R&B. And while it isn't perfect, it comes off as a very solid, listenable, and enjoyable album by the diva.

wow! this CD is amazing....it's not the stuff one will expect to hear from Natalie but wow is she ever versitile...I am convinced she can sing any song and add her own unique signature to it...they don't make real music like this anymore? Natalie keeps it real and delivers the lyrics in a story type fashion that captivates the listener. She should definately win a grammy for this CD..it should be for the whole package though, not just for Day Dreaming! Can we have a few more singles released as well please? Criminal, Leavin', Lovin' Arms, all have the potential to be top 10 hits. A remix of Day Dreaming is also well over due?