At the Grammy ceremony, Natalie stood at the podium, holding the gold gramophone. She looked up at the ceiling—or beyond it.
In the winter of 1991, the music world was still recovering from a seismic shift. Grunge was crawling out of Seattle, hip-hop was claiming its throne, and the glossy pop of the '80s was crumbling like old paint. It was an odd time for a 41-year-old singer to release an album of her dead father’s old standards.
5. Medley: For Sentimental Reasons / Tenderly / Autumn Leaves 5. Nature Boy 5. 6. This Can't Be Love 6. Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup
The album won several awards, including: natalie cole unforgettable with love 1991 elektrarar
The concept was risky. A pop/R&B singer tackling the Great American Songbook, backed by the London Symphony Orchestra? The label, Elektra Records, was hesitant. But Cole was determined. The result was a 22-track double LP (and later, a single CD) featuring classics like "The Very Thought of You," "Mona Lisa," "L-O-V-E," and the titular "Unforgettable."
The album’s primary catalog number is . For vinyl enthusiasts, the "Elektrarar" association makes the 1991 Elektra pressing a genuine collectible.
In the realm of music, there exist certain songs that transcend generations, cultures, and time. They become an integral part of our collective consciousness, evoking emotions and memories that linger long after the music fades. One such song is Natalie Cole's iconic duet with her legendary father, Nat King Cole, "Unforgettable." Released in 1991 on the Elektra Records label, this timeless classic has become synonymous with love, nostalgia, and the power of music to bridge generations. At the Grammy ceremony, Natalie stood at the
Natalie Cole - Unforgettable… With Love – Elektra Records
Producers matched the microphone textures of two different eras.
She signed with Elektra Records, a label willing to back her expansive vision. The project rejected modern synthesizers and drum machines, opting instead for a live orchestra, big band arrangements, and jazz trios. Technical Triumph of the Title Track Grunge was crawling out of Seattle, hip-hop was
This project became her debut for Elektra Records, following her departure from EMI/Capitol, marking a fresh start with a new creative team. The result, Unforgettable... with Love , saw Natalie Cole not as an imitator, but as a brilliant interpreter in her own right. She abandoned contemporary R&B for lush, jazz-influenced arrangements, bringing a profound sense of authenticity and lived-in emotion to each track. The 22-song collection assembled an all-star team of producers—Tommy LiPuma, David Foster, and Andre Fischer—and legendary arrangers like Johnny Mandel and Billy Byers to create a truly cinematic listening experience.
The Timeless Elegance of Natalie Cole’s Unforgettable… With Love (1991)
Perhaps the most bizarre "Elektrarar" is a specific CD pressing from a plant in Terre Haute, Indiana. A handful of collectors have reported a misprint where the spine of the back cover reads "ELEKTRARAR 60999-2" instead of "ELEKTRA 60999-2."
Would you like to know more about Natalie Cole or her father, Nat King Cole?