Her sophomore record, This Fire, sported two decade defining hits in “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone” and “I Don’t Want to Wait.” It’s a tremendous rise for a kid from a small New England town who went to school with dreams of becoming a jazz singer.
It’s also the sort of trajectory that causes some to burn out or fade away a few years in. And while Cole has had her ups and down both professionally and personally, this year’s release of her ninth album, Revolution, is a testament to an artist who continues to focus on music with a message.
The singer-songwriter, now 51, still has plenty to left to say. Cole speaks with that same thoughtfulness and passion when discussing both her life and her work.