Natalie Cole close to perfect

Joe Delaney

Friday, May 16, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Natalie Cole is working in concert through Sunday in the Caesars Palace Circus Maximus. Thursday's near-capacity crowd had a good time for the entire 90 minutes.

Slimmer and trimmer, Natalie, resplendent in white, was warmly received after a swinging overture by an enhanced Caesars Palace orchestra with a full string section. "Teach Me Tonight" started well but soon developed into the usual scat variations.

"Too Close for Comfort" followed, and again the lady departed from the song's essence for a series of self-indulgent riffs. Fortunately, she stayed true to "What a Difference a Day Makes" and it was the best received of the three.

"There's a Lull in My Life," "Where Can I Go Without You," "Smile" and a fourth song (its title eluded me) were extremely well done. Natalie was home-free at this point. "Mr. Paganini" evoked memories of Ella Fitzgerald and Martha Raye before Ella. Two Count Basie-type tunes, "Two for the Blues" and "Sandman," were right on the money, vocally and instrumentally.

A beautiful rendition of "Stardust" is proof positive that most of that earlier scatting was musical overkill. The Grammy Award-winning "Unforgettable" duet with her dad and "I Hadn't Anyone Till You" set up bows and a return with the St. Paul Choir for a rousing gospel segment. "All Right," "I Go to the Rock" and "Our Love" led to the "This is a Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" closer.

A little less scat at the beginning and it could have been an even lovlier evening. When it comes to talent, Natalie Cole has it all, but she does need to apportion it better.