Nina Simone: The Very Best Of Nina Simone

Elly Roberts reviews

Nina Simone: The Very Best Of Nina Simone
Distributed by
Sony/BMG

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  • Cat.no: 82876805532
  • Released: May 2006
  • Rating: 8/10

Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon who died 21 April 2003, Nina Simone,a well crafted piano player, adopted her stage name as she gigged in barsaround Atlantic City.

Although considered a high priestess of Soul, in fact she diversified intoJazz, Pop, Blues, Pop and Gospel music with equal finesse and impact. Shestudied piano at the renowned Julliard School, but she would eventually drawinspiration from any source she thought suitable.

Predictably all the biggies are hear – tracks 1 (UK no.2 ‘68), 2 (UK no.5 ‘87),3 (UK no.40 ’94), 4 (UK no.49 ’65), 20 (UK no.5 ’69), though it’s away fromthe hits we hear the full range and measure of her eclectic repertoire.Now considered a standard, Nobody’s Fault But Mine written by Simone,shows her thorough understanding of the blues.


Jerry Jeff Walker’s Mr.Bojangles is a definite delicate highlight,as is her rendition of the Bee Gees’ To Love Somebody from 1969.Here she does the self-penned Bob and Marcia 1970 reggae romp YoungGifted And Black, which bares little resemblance to their hit.A cover of Buddy Johnson’s Since I Fell For You is possibly the besttrack on the collection.

Only disappointments are tragic covers of Bob Dylan’s The Times They AreA Changing, George Harrison’s Here Comes The Sun and a paceyself-penned Sinnerman.


The full list of tracks included are :

1. Ain’t Got No, I Got Life
2. My Baby Just Cares For me
3. Feeling Good
4. I Put A Spell On You
5. I Loves You Porgy
6. Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood
7. The Look Of Love
8. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
9. I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl
10. Do I Move
11. Do What You Gotta Do
12. To Be Young , Gifted And Black
13. Since I Fell For You
14. Nobody’s Fault But Mine
15. I Think It’s Going To Rain Today
16. Sinnerman
17. Times They Are A Changin’
18. Mr.Bojangles
19. Here Comes The Sun
20. To Love Somebody
21. Ain’t Got No, I Got Life (Nina Simone V Groovefinder Remix)

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