Miracles happen. And Natalie Cole certainly demonstrated one at her sold out show at the Hollywood Bowl Sept. 9. Natalie developed kidney failure after interferon treatments for hepatitis. One miracle was that the 59-year-old songbird received a donor kidney in May. She had to cancel her July show at the Bowl. Two months later, Natalie Cole radiated high energy and good health and lots of joy at her rescheduled date.

“It’s good to be here and it’s good to be seen” took on new meaning as she explained her journey to good health. Besides a joi de vivre, Cole exuded gratefulness and humility. “Nice And Easy Does It”.

The Hollywood Bowl orchestra, directed by Scott Dunn opened the evening with Oliver Nelson’s 1960’s lilting jazz standard, “Stolen Moments.” The haunting jazz melody of “Laura,” with a score by David Raskin, continued the warm, jazzy feel of the evening. Dick Mitchell did the sax solo originally done by Charlie Bird, and he played the very challenging solo effortlessly. That was some fine fingering! Maria Schneider’s “Aires de Lando” brought us her Peruvian rhythms and an outstanding clarinet solo by Bob Shepherd. They warmed the audience up well for Natalie Cole.

Cole brought in Gail Deadrick, who has been with Cole since 2000, to conduct the big band and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Deadrick also accompanied Cole in a couple of numbers on piano. Natalie did 17 songs, and as we heard the band playing “The Very Thought Of You,” Cole made her grand entrance. At first, her remarkable voice was heard off stage, and then she walked in with a “diamond” studded mike, and made a grand entrance to thunderous applause. She sounded fabulous and looked stunning in a satin, sapphire blue, Grecian draped one-shoulder gown with a jeweled bodice. She smoothly crooned, “Your eyes in stars above.” The shell of the Bowl was coordinated in jewel tone blue with a green patterned background. The four diamond-like chandeliers created the feeling of intimacy and they picked up the lighting design beautifully.

She did standards and a very up beat, “The Man That Got Away,” “Come Rain Or Come Shine,” “Nice ‘N’ Easy,” a very tender, Charlie Chaplin’s, “Smile,” etc. She enchanted us with her tribute to her father, Nat King Cole, and sang her well known duet of “Unforgettable.” She was in perfect sync with his golden voice. This was a stand-out performance, as she had film clips of herself at age 5 or 6 with her missing front teeth as she beamed up at her dad. It was goose bump time. There were clips of her famous father singing on the huge screens as she sang with him. His presence was felt. His remarkable gift shines through his daughter. She carries on the legacy. “My heart is full” and so were ours. Natalie did a second duet with Nat in “Walkin’ My Baby Back Home.” I was struck at how talent is passed on and endures.

Natalie devoted the second portion of the evening to her R&B fans, who went wild and danced in their box seats, as she sang ‘70s and ‘80s pop numbers, “Inseparable,” “Mr. Melody,” “This Will Be” and “I’m Catching Hell.” The stage literally vibrated with color as the lighting design shifted into a multicolor burst of rainbow with the diamond chandeliers sparkling in chartreuse. It was electrifying to hear and watch. Cole had two fantastic back up gals join in harmony on “This Will Be.”

The third portion of her show was “church,” and she had gospel singer and choir director, Kurt Carr take us to church. Carr told us further of the miracle that is Natalie Cole and expressed his gratitude through his joyful gospel songs. He had a 10-voice choir and invited the audience to wave and sing-a-long in testimony and thankfulness. Testify. “You can depend on God to see you through.” This was sung as Natalie made her way on stage in a short aqua, satin, Grecian gown. They sang as only gospel singers can do with their hearts open wide, “Blessed” and “He’s Done Enough.” Natalie reminded us “If the Lord never does anything else for me, he’s done enough.” We were whipped to a frenzy of color and music, which got to be a bit much. It was over the top. Sensing it, Natalie brought us softly down with sweetness in “Our Love” as she said, “Love is sweet.” “Love is you and love is me. … Love is right on time.”

That was a satisfactory ending to a memorable evening. But, the audience demanded an encore. The orchestra and big band had walked off stage and did not come back. The standing ovation continued and Cole came back with Scott Dunn accompanying her on piano with a moving but sad, “Lush Life.” The negative and sad lyrics echoed soulfully, and I did not love the encore choice. “I’ll live a lush life in some small dive.” For me, this was the only flaw in her show. I would have preferred a reprise of “Unforgettable” or “Smile”; and, either would have been the perfect ending to a perfectly “Unforgettable” evening. “We love you, Natalie, the miracle that you are, and we are glad to have you back!”

Natalie Cole performed Sept. 9 at The Hollywood Bowl. For other Bowl shows, call The box office at (323) 850-2000.