Thankful (Natalie Cole album)

Thankful
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 16, 1977
RecordedAugust–November 1977
Studio
Genre
Length35:31
LabelCapitol
Producer
Natalie Cole chronology
Unpredictable
(1977)
Thankful
(1977)
Natalie Live!
(1978)
Singles from Thankful
  1. "Our Love"
    Released: November 6, 1977
  2. "Annie Mae"
    Released: February 8, 1978
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Christgau's Record GuideB−[2]

Thankful is the fourth album by the American singer Natalie Cole. It was released on November 16, 1977, by Capitol Records. In 1978, the album's first single, "Our Love", peaked at No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot R&B chart.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Lovers"Chuck Jackson, Marvin Yancy, Natalie Cole3:47
2."Our Love" 5:22
3."La Costa"Natalie Cole, Linda Williams3:50
4."There Ain't Nothing Stronger Than Love" 4:54
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
5."Be Thankful" 3:49
6."Just Can't Stay Away" 5:23
7."Annie Mae"Natalie Cole4:00
8."Keeping a Light"Natalie Cole4:06

Personnel

  • Natalie Cole – lead vocals
  • Linda Williams – acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes
  • Marvin Yancy – acoustic piano, organ, clavinet
  • Reginald "Sonny" Burke – organ
  • Michael Boddicker – synthesizers
  • Criss Johnson – guitars
  • Ray Parker Jr. – guitars
  • Lee Ritenour – guitars
  • Larry Ball – bass guitar
  • James Gadson – drums
  • Donnell Hagan – drums
  • Paul Humphrey – drums
  • Teddy Sparks – drums
  • Alan Estes – percussion
  • Hal Brooks – handclaps
  • Chuck Jackson – handclaps
  • Gene Barge – alto sax solo (6), arrangements
  • Richard Evans – arrangements
  • The Colettes – backing vocals (1–5, 7, 8)
  • The "N" Sisters – backing vocals (1–5, 7, 8)
  • Anita Anderson – backing vocals (6)
  • Yasmine "Sissy" Peoples – backing vocals (6)

Production

  • Larkin Arnold – executive producer
  • Chuck Jackson – producer, mixing
  • Marvin Yancy – producer, mixing
  • Gene Barge – co-producer (5)
  • Barney Perkins – head engineer, mixing, mastering
  • Zollie Johnson – assistant engineer
  • Lester Smith – assistant engineer
  • Dean Rod – mix assistant
  • John Golden – mastering
  • Kendun Recorders (Burbank, California) – mastering location
  • Roy Kohara – art direction
  • Craig Nelson – illustration
  • Ernest Eugene – fan club insert
  • Janice Williams – spiritual advisor
  • Kevin Hunter for New Direction – management

Notes

Charts

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions
US
[7]
US
R&B

[7]
US
A/C

[7]
1977 "Our Love" 10 1 33
1978 "Annie Mae" 6

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[8] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Hogan, Ed. Thankful > review at AllMusic. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: C". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 23, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  3. ^ "Natalie Cole Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  4. ^ "Natalie Cole Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  5. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1978". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  6. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1978". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "US Charts > Natalie Cole". Allmusic. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  8. ^ "American album certifications – Natalie Cole – Thankful". Recording Industry Association of America.