Natalie Cole headlines at the BluesFest, The Royal Albert Hall, London
After a stirring performance by soul legend Gregory Porter on Wed 30th October at BluesFest we witnessed why Natalie Cole is still an enduring soul diva. Natalie Cole entered the stage, a whisp of a thing adorned in sparkly accessories to match her equally stunning dress, the diva treated as with an introduction full of her classics.
I sat adoringly on 3rd row middle seats listening to all her classics and those of her legendary father Nat King Cole. As I had hoped Miss Cole sang 2 duets with Nat King Cole, with her dad projected on the screen. Irreplacable was sang in sweet dulcet tones that took us back to the good old days of jazz and rhythm and blues. Then we were in from something different, Miss Cole sang her songs in Espanol which included some well known Spanish songs including the 2nd duet with her father based on his album of Spanish songs. It was a sizzling latin experience.
Never one to miss a comedic moment, Miss Cole gave us a little snippet of how they rhythm styling of good old classics was so similar that you could put in a rift from musical Oklahoma! or the Shirley Temple classic the Good Ship Lollipop.
The best ofcourse was left for last! In tribute to all the artistes from Soul, rhythm and blues, jazz, disco and pop that had passed since 2009 Natalie Cole sang a tribute. The tribute set included Miss Cole's favourite songs from Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan and Donna Summer.
A consumate professional Ms Cole continued to entertain the crowd well past her set time, with the crowds screaming "more" and waving enthusiastically at her. Thank you Natalie Cole.
