Written by Larry Conley Music by Willard Robinson

“Unforgettable,” was made into a virtual duet between songbird Natalie Cole (1950-2015) and her legendary dad, Nat “King” Cole (1919-1965) with the wizardry of new technology way after Nat “King” Cole’s death. Produced by David Foster in 1991, “Unforgettable” became an unexpected and delightful hit.

The duet of father and daughter reached Billboard’s Hot 100 at #14, #10 on the Hot R&B chart and #3 on the Adult Contemporary chart. “Unforgettable” also won the 1992 Song of the Year and 1992 Record of the Year at the Grammys. The triumph of this song and its parent album, Unforgettable… with Love, revived Foster’s career and jumpstarted another spectacular decade for the Hitman.

A previous review of “Unforgettable” is available in the archives. This week, take a look at the single’s b-side. Here you will find a gorgeous rendition of the evergreen, “Cottage For Sale.” This gem was also produced by Foster and wasn’t originally included on Ms. Cole’s Unforgettable…with Love

“Cottage For Sale” was a classic of the American songbook with over 100 covers to its credit. The first performance of “Cottage For Sale” was by The Revelers way back in 1930. Ms. Cole’s version sported a finger-snapping arrangement written by Foster with maestro Johnny Mandel (1925-2020). “Cottage For Sale” was another showcase for the late singer’s amazing abilities. Ms. Cole naturally shined with her soulful, crystal-clear mezzo-soprano and her sublime phrasing accompanied by a fantastic jazz quartet with the added plus of a beautiful acoustic piano solo.

The quality of this killer number deserved inclusion on the original version of Unforgettable… with Love. With the recent release of the 30th anniversary edition, justice was finally served and “Cottage For Sale” was added to the tracklist along with “At Last,” another b-side gem produced by André Fisher.

Listen

• Lead Vocal: Natalie Cole

• Arranged by Johnny Mandel & David Foster
• Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Our little dream castle with every dream gone
Is lonely and silent, the shades are all drawn
And my heart is heavy as I gaze upon
A cottage for sale

The lawn we were proud of is waving in hay
Our beautiful garden has withered away
Where you planted roses, the weeds seem to say
A cottage for sale

From every single window, I see your face
But when I reach a window, there’s empty space
The key’s in the mail box the same as before
But no one is waiting any more
The end of the story is told on the door
A cottage for sale

From every single window, I see your face
But when I reach a window, there’s empty space
The key’s in the mail box the same as before
But no one is waiting any more
The end of the story is told on the door
A cottage for sale, for sale
Just a cottage for sale

“Mona Lisa” has been hailed as an American pop evergreen. It was written by the songwriting team of Ray Evans (1915-2007) and Jay Livingston (1915-2001) for the 1950 movie Captain Carey, USA, starring the late Alan Ladd (1913-1964). “Mona Lisa” was sung by the renowned Nat “King” Cole (1919-1965) and won the Academy Award as “Best Original Song.”

The song spent five weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Singles chart. The late singer also said that “Mona Lisa” was one of the favorites in his amazing repertoire. Needless to say, this song was one of the remakes that the late, great Natalie Cole (1950-2015) recorded in 1991 for the immensely successful tribute to her father, Unforgettable…With Love.

It was common knowledge that David Foster produced the now classic, Grammy-winning title track as a virtual father-daughter duet, but he also had a hand on several other cuts of Unforgettable…With Love, including the wonderful rendition of “Mona Lisa.” The legendary Johnny Mandel, who also won a Grammy for his arrangement of the “Unforgettable” duet, worked his magic again on “Mona Lisa.” Mandel provided a lush, silky orchestral background for Foster’s production. “Mona Lisa” was another Foster state-of-the-art affair with an intimate instrumental track that featured a gorgeous acoustic guitar by the fabulous John Chiodini. Ms. Cole knew she was doing the project of a lifetime and her vocal performance, with Foster’s brilliant support, was nothing short of sublime. With “Mona Lisa” and her whole Unforgettable…With Love album, Ms. Cole delivered a heartfelt tribute to her father, yet also crafted a musical masterpiece that audiences will treasure forever. Congratulations goes to Foster and his peers, the late, great Tommy Lipuma (1936-2017) and Andre Fischer, for transforming Ms. Cole’s vision into timeless music.

Listen

Lead Vocals: Natalie Cole

Bass: Ray Brown

Guitars: John Chiodini

Drums: Sol Gubin

Piano: Mike Lang & Michael Melvoin

Arranged by Johnny Mandel

Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa men have named you
You’re so like the lady with the mystic smile
Is it only cause you’re lonely they have blamed you
For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your style
Do you smile to tempt a lover Mona Lisa
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart
Many dreams have been brought to your door step
They just lie there and they die there
Are you warm? Are you real Mona Lisa?
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art
– Musical Interlude –
Do you smile to tempt a lover Mona Lisa
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart
Many dreams have been brought to your door step
They just lie there and they die there
Are you warm? Are you real Mona Lisa?
Or just a cold and lonely, lovely work of art
Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa

Written by Sam Cooke

The first half of the Nineties was the most successful phase of David Foster’s career. He had an outstanding string of multi-platinum productions for Natalie Cole, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Kenny G, All-4-One, Michael Jackson, Madonna and Michael Bolton, just to name a few. Foster’s collaboration with Bolton was one of the highlights of that era. A Foster partnership was meant to happen given Bolton ’s pop/rock and adult contemporary style, his powerful voice and Foster’s previous track record with acts like Chicago, Peter Cetera, Kenny Loggins, Neil Diamond and Kenny Rogers. Bolton ’s Timeless (The Classics) was released in late September 1992.

The material included some of the most beloved pop and soul hits of the sixties. Bolton ’s Timeless (The Classics) was a logical choice after the singer’s triumphant covers of evergreens like Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” and Percy Sledge’s “When A Man Loves A Woman.” Six tracks of Bolton ’s Timeless (The Classics) were produced by Foster who brought to the plate his refined sounds fueled with effective orchestral work.

Past reviews of Bolton’s Timeless (The Classics) can be read here, particularly the modernized take of The Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody” that was a big chart hit and an emotional version of The Beatles’ staple “Yesterday.” This time around, the spotlight is put on Bolton ‘s rendition of Sam Cooke’s 1962 hit, “Bring It On Home To Me.”
Bolton and Foster kept the gospel-tinged feel of the original “Bring It On Home To Me” with an elegant arrangement that perfectly suited the singer who delivered one of his trademark vocal tour-de-forces. There was fantastic orchestral work courtesy of the legendary Johnny Mandel. The backing track was an all-star affair with Greg Phillinganes tickling keys on the piano, Randy Kerber playing the organ, Michael Thompson strumming guitar on top of a supreme rhythm section with Nathan East on bass and John Robinson on drums. Production-wise, “Bring It On Home To Me” and the whole Timeless (The Classics) stands as an interesting crossroad between Foster’s adult contemporary work of the Eighties and his more orchestral material of the Nineties with perfect balance and state-of-the-art results.

Timeless (The Classics) skyrocketed to #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. The album sold four million copies in the US alone and over nine million copies worldwide. Needless to say, Michael Bolton’s Timeless (The Classics) became one of the best sellers of 1992.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Michael-bolton-Bring-it-home-to-me.mp3|titles=Bring It On Home To Me|artists=Michael Bolton]

Lead Vocals: Michael Bolton
Piano: Greg Phillinganes
Organ: Randy Kerber
Electric Guitar Solo: Michael Thompson
Bass: Nathan East
Drums: John Robinson
Background vocals : Vann Johnson, Janis Liebhart, Pat Hawk, Carmen Twillie, Portia Griffin & Mona Lisa Young
Orchestra Arranged & Conducted by Johnny Mandel

Produced & Arranged by David Foster & Michael Bolton

Lyrics

If you ever change your mind
About leaving, leaving me behind
Baby bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me yea
(Yeh) yeh (yeh) yeh (yeh)

I know I laughed when I left
But now I know I only hurt myself
Baby bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me yea
(Yeh) yeh (yeh) yeh (yeh)

I’ll give you jewelry and money too
That ain’t all, all I’d do for you
If you bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me yea
(Yeh) yeh (yeh) yeh (yeh)

You know I’ll always be your slave
Till I’m buried, buried in my grave
Oh honey bring it to me
Bring your sweet loving
Bring it on home to me yea
(Yeh) yeh (yeh) yeh (yeh)

“That Sunday, That Summer” is a beautiful song that belongs in the classic American songbook. It was first popularized in 1963 by the late, great Nat “King” Cole who brought this gem to the top 15 of Billboard’s Hot 100. Co-written by George David Weiss and Joe Sherman, “That Sunday, That Summer” has been covered by a who’s who of pop and jazz music legends including Dinah Washington, Johnny Mathis, Betty Carter and Julie London.

In 1991, this gorgeous melody was recorded by Cole’s daughter Natalie for her sumptuous, seven time certified platinum album Unforgettable With Love. Showing the excellence of their collaboration on the multiple Grammy-winning title track, the updated version of “That Sunday, That Summer” was produced by David Foster and stands as one of the many highlights on this memorable project. The collective work of Foster with arranger-extraordinaire Johnny Mandel and Ms. Cole’s silky vocals resulted in a sublime musical affair. The iconic producer’s expert ear guided Ms. Cole to deliver a performance at the top of her vocal bravura. Foster put the lush, refined orchestration in the hands of world-class specialists including Mike Melvoin and Mike Lang on piano, Ray Brown on bass, Sol Gubin on drums, John Chiodini on guitar and a warm saxophone solo by the superb Pete Christlieb.

“That Sunday, That Summer” is a listening joy for the most refined music lovers and the entireUnforgettable With Love project was a turning point in Foster’s career. Here, together with fellow producers Tommy Lipuma and Andre Fisher, the Canadian super-producer crafted a masterpiece record that quickly became a trendsetter for years to come and one of the pinnacles of his amazing career.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/that_sunday_that_summer.mp3|titles=That Sunday That Summer|artists=Natalie Cole]

Lead vocals : Natalie Cole
Bass: Ray Brown
Drums: Sol Gubin
Guitar: John Chiodini
Piano: Mike Lang and Michael Melvoin
Saxophone: Pete Christlieb
Backing Vocals: Debbie Hall, Don Shelton, Donna Davidson, Gene Merlino, Kerry Katz, Rick Logan, Sally Stevens & Susan Stevens

Arranged by Johnny Mandel
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

(If I had to choose just one day)
If I had to choose just one day to last my whole life through
It would surely be that Sunday; the day that I met you
Newborn whippoorwills were calling from the hills
Summer was a coming in but fast
Lots of daffodils were showing off their skills
Nodding all together, I can almost hear them whisper
Go on kiss him; go on and kiss him
If I had to choose one moment to live within my heart
It would be that tender moment recalling how we started
Darling it would be when you smiled at me
That way, that Sunday, that Summer

[Musical Interlude]

Go on kiss him; go on and kiss him
And if I had to choose just one moment
To live within my heart it would surely be that moment
Recalling how we started
Darling it would be when you smiled at me
That way, that Sunday, that summer
(If I had to choose just one day)

Toward the end of the seventies, Kenny Rogers was the first country superstar to crossover into the pop market. This occurred due to his velvet voice and wise choice of collaborators like David Foster and Lionel Richie. Foster produced huge hits for the singer like “We’ve Got Tonight” and “What About Me.” In the nineties, Rogers called his friend Foster for help with a new project he was planning along the same lines as Foster’s masterpiece, Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable.” The new partnership resulted in “Timepiece,” a collection of standards beautifully crafted by Foster with Johnny Mandel and Jeremy Lubbock, two of the most talented arrangers ever. Foster put the usual amount of quality and passion in the pristine and impeccable production plus he also helped release “Timepiece” through his company, 143 Records. The most pleasant surprise of the record is the vocal performance of the singer who’s absolutely at ease singing old standards with top-notch taste, phrasing and style. One of the best moments of the collection is the opener, “I Remember You.” Mandel’s arrangement here is soft and sweet as honey with lush strings and orchestra backing Rogers’ tender and nostalgic performance. The whole album is an absolute listening joy with enchanting renditions of evergreens like “My Funny Valentine,” “But Beautiful” and “The Nearness Of You.”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/i_remember_you.mp3|titles=I remember you|artists=Kenny Rogers]

Lead Vocal: Kenny Rogers
Piano: Mike Melvoin, Terry Trotter & Randy Waldman
Bass: Chuck Domanico & John Patitucci
Drums: John Guerin & Jeff Hamilton
Guitar: John Chiodini & Jon Pisano
Produced by David Foster
Co-Produced & Arranged by Johnny Mandel

Lyrics

I remember you,
You’re the one who made
My dreams come true
A few kisses ago.

I remember you,
You’re the one who said
“I love you, too,” I do.
Didn’t you know?

I remember, too,
A distant bell,
And stars that fell like rain
Out of the blue.

When my life is through,
And the angels ask me to recall
The thrill of them all,
Then I shall tell them
I remember you.