Ask a Woman Who Knows
Natalie Cole · 2002
53 min · 13 tracks · funk
A lush blend of jazz-infused soul and pop, showcasing Cole's rich vocals and emotional depth across every track.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ask a Woman Who Knows — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of wisdom and experience, showcasing Cole's vocal range with poignant storytelling.
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I Haven’t Got Anything Better to Do Start here — This track highlights Cole's ability to convey vulnerability through its slow tempo and heartfelt lyrics, making it a standout moment on the record.
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So Many Stars — A beautifully arranged cover that allows Cole to shine, this song illustrates her connection to classic standards while bringing a fresh interpretation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong arrangements and vocal performances but doesn't significantly innovate within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement Cole's vocal performances, with strings and horns prominently used throughout.
- The pacing varies, with slower ballads interspersed with more upbeat tracks, allowing for dynamic shifts in mood across the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady melodic exploration throughout
- for intimate evenings
- emotional depth in every track
- sophisticated warmth and elegance
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced listening experiences
- seek standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases continued vitality with rich vocals and critical acclaim in her later career.
- Career context
- By the time 'Ask a Woman Who Knows' was released in 2002, Natalie Cole was enjoying a career resurgence following her Grammy-winning album 'Still Unforgettable' from 1991. This album marked her return to the studio after a decade focused on exploring various musical styles, including the pop and R&B genres that characterized her earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aretha Franklin· Chaka Khan· Patti LaBelle
Tracklist
- 1 I Haven’t Got Anything Better to Do Start here 4:07
- 2 Tell Me All About It 4:10
- 3 Ask a Woman Who Knows 4:14
- 4 It’s Crazy 2:10
- 5 You’re Mine You 4:03
- 6 So Many Stars 5:16
- 7 I Told You So 3:52
- 8 Soon 3:13
- 9 I’m Glad There Is You 5:16
- 10 Better Than Anything 3:35
- 11 The Music That Makes Me Dance 4:09
- 12 Calling You 5:00
- 13 My Baby Just Cares for Me 4:27
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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