(Review by Lance.)
Now this is what I call a classic! 19 tracks by one of the most versatile (insert your own genre) performers both as a singer and a pianist as well as a civil rights activist. My Baby Just Cares For Me - what pianist hasn't tried to emulate Simone's intro and solo? Big band backing for a Stomping at the Savoy that draws comparison with Ella's version and loses nothing by it. You've Been Gone Too Long has some scintillating, unidentified but vaguely familiar, trumpet work. The voice digs deep into pain and sorrow on Gin House Blues, Wild is the Wind, I'll Look Around, and Blue Prelude.
The jaunty I Love To Love, the wistful Where Can I Go Without You? Just Say I Love Him has more angst as well as a delightful piano introduction and some plaintive guitar lines intertwining with the vocal.
Forbidden Fruit a rockin' take on the scenario in the Garden of Eden that is an absolute hoot! Exactly Like You - laid back vocal and piano solo from one of several live performances.
The Other Woman is one of the most evocative songs ever written. Written, not surprisingly, by a woman, Jesse Mae Robinson, Simone injects the feeling the lyricist intended and maybe one or both were singing/writing from experience... Billie's
Fine and Mellow is followed by
Summertime as an instrumental and then again as a vocal that really does suggest that the living
is easy and a piano accompaniment that builds up to a tremendous climax before easing off to let the voice draw it to a gentle close.
When Nina Simone left us in 2003 we said goodbye to one of the great voices.
Nina Simone Collector is released by Warner International on Sept. 10, 2012. -
Samples.
Lance.
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