| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | B−[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
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Lovers" | Chuck Jackson, Marvin Yancy, Natalie Cole | 3:47 |
| 2. | "Our Love" | 5:22 | |
| 3. | "La Costa" | Natalie Cole, Linda Williams | 3:50 |
| 4. | "There Ain't Nothing Stronger Than Love" | 4:54 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "Be Thankful" | 3:49 | |
| 6. | "Just Can't Stay Away" | 5:23 | |
| 7. | "Annie Mae" | Natalie Cole | 4:00 |
| 8. | "Keeping a Light" | Natalie Cole | 4:06 |
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
- Chuck Jackson – handclaps
- Hal Brooks – handclaps
- Gene Barge – alto saxophone solo (6), arrangements
- Richard Evans – arrangements
- The Colettes – backing vocals (1-4, 5, 7, 8)
- The "N" Sisters – backing vocals (1-4, 5, 7, 8)
- Anita Anderson – backing vocals (6)
- Yasmine "Sissy" Peoples – backing vocals (6)
Production
- Executive Producer – Larkin Arnold
- Producers – Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy
- Co-Producer on Track 5 – Gene Barge
- Engineer – Barney Perkins
- Assistant Engineers – Zollie Johnson and Lester Smith
- Mixed by Barney Perkins, Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy at Westlake Audio (Los Angeles, CA), assisted by Dean Rod.
- Mastered by John Golden and Barney Perkins at Kendun Recorders (Burbank, CA).
- Art Direction – Roy Kohara
- Illustration – Craig Nelson
Notes
- R&B/pop group En Vogue recorded a cover of "Just Can't Stay Away", which appears on their 1990 debut album Born to Sing.
- Singer Mary J. Blige recorded a cover version of "Our Love" for her 1997 album Share My World.
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end 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
- ^ Hogan, Ed. Thankful > review at AllMusic. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Natalie Cole Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ "Natalie Cole Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1978". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1978". Billboard. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ a b c "US Charts > Natalie Cole". Allmusic. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- ^ "American album certifications – Natalie Cole – Thankful". Recording Industry Association of America.
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