Q. So it seems Paula Cole is coming to town with the hippie Horde Festival. I thought she was with the Lilith Fair, but maybe I’m getting her mixed up with somebody else. It’s hard to keep all those Coles straight.
A. Paula Cole, who will in fact perform Saturday at the New World Music Theatre, is making appearances with both touring extravaganzas this summer. As for overall Cole confusion, refer to this handy guide:
Holly Cole: This Toronto-based interpretive singer swings from jazz to pop to Tom Waits songs. Known for quirky swooping vocals and guttural sounds, Cole recently released her fifth album, “Dark Dear Heart,” which includes Beatles and Joni Mitchell covers.
Lloyd Cole: Formerly leader of the ’80s new wave folk pop band The Commotions, this Scotsman has since moved to New York to dabble in more moody folk rock with orchestral touches.
Nat “King” Cole: The legendary jazz and pop pianist and vocalist achieved fame with Mel Torme’s “The Christmas Song,” “Route 66” and his memorable tune “Unforgettable.”
Natalie Cole: Nat’s daughter. She achieved early soul success, weathered mid-career drug problems and then returned to win a Grammy with a gimmicky, technology-aided album on which she sang duets with her deceased dad. Tried the gimmick again and didn’t do nearly as well.
Paula Cole: This raven-haired folkie, who won a Grammy as “Best New Artist” in 1997, scored big hits with the ironic (or not) “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone” and “I Don’t Want to Wait,” which became the theme song for the TV show “Dawson’s Creek.” Also raged against Entertainment Weekly for airbrushing her armpit hair out of a photo.