Several 30th-anniversary editions of Natalie Cole’s megahit “Unforgettable … With Love” album are coming early next year. That record remains best-known for its smash duet single, “Unforgettable,” with her deceased father, Nat King Cole.
“Unforgettable …. with Love” also contains Natalie’s own version of “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” a Bobby Troup-written song made famous by her father in 1946.
Here’s her “Route 66” version, featuring her uncle, Ike Cole, on piano:
Yahoo! Entertainment had some details about the special-edition albums:
In stores on Feb. 4, the original 22-track album will be available on 180-gram vinyl as a 2LP set, and CD and digital editions will include Natalie’s versions of “At Last” and “Cottage for Sale,” both of which were single B-sides during the album’s original release.
A limited-edition purple vinyl pressing of the album, as well as exclusive merchandise, is available to order via Cole’s official website. Target will offer a pink vinyl edition of the LP on Jan. 7, and an exclusive white vinyl disc will be available at Barnes & Noble, in tandem with the wide release.
Ahead of the full release, PBS will offer the CD of Unforgettable … With Love exclusively during their pledge drive, which begins on Saturday (Nov. 27). That day, a special encore of the Emmy-winning 1992 concert, Unforgettable, with Love: Natalie Cole Sings the Songs of Nat King Cole will air on PBS Great Performances.
Those special editions can be pre-purchased here.
“Unforgettable … with Love” was the biggest seller of Natalie Cole’s career, selling at least 6 million copies. It was anchored by the “Unforgettable” duet with her late father, which became a major hit on the singles chart and won an armload of Grammys. Natalie previously had refused to sing her father’s songs for many years.
Nat King Cole originally recorded the song in 1951, which allowed his daughter to perform that virtual duet with him 40 years later.
Nat King Cole died in 1965 of lung cancer, likely caused by smoking menthol cigarettes to keep his voice mellow, at age 45. He had more than 100 songs, including “Route 66,” reach the pop charts. He made so much money for his label that the iconic Capitol Records Building in Los Angeles is called “the house that Nat built.”
Natalie Cole, also a successful recording artist, endured many health issues during her life she blamed on past drug-addiction issues. She died of congestive heart failure in 2015. She was 65.
—