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Nina Simone-Suggestions?

mistermax

mistermax

Super Member
Hi,
I just recently became interested in this artist. From what I can see, there is a huge amount of material out there. Any suggestions on where to start? FWIW, although I love jazz (of the 40's-60's periods), I pretty much believe what my mother said... (see below). Any help would be appreciated.
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She's one of my favorites. Not sure if you're looking for Vinyl, CD's or downloads but I'd start with "Little Girl Blue". I'd recommend checking her bio/history as an activist. Lots of her songs (and the way she performed them), are very interesting (find the 11 minute"Sinnerman" and "Mississippi Goddam", if you haven't already.

Analog Productions has some great 45 RPM vinyl as well as ORG.
There's also a few Nina Simone re-mixes that are actually pretty good, if you like that sort of thing.

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Thank you for the replies! Very helpful. I wasn't aware Analog Productions had done any of her recordings, that's great news (and looking just now there is a lot). Great place to start.

I have read at least couple of short bios and was aware of her activism and its influence on her music generally. Some great vids on the you toob, including some from Montreux.

 
These two are suppose to be Nina's finest from some critics.

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I have a few Nina Simone albums "I Put A Spell On You", "Silk & Soul", "Nina Simone At Town Hall".

Here's the last interview of Nina Simone. A MUST WATCH!!

 
This one's damn good. Mine is a re-issue but sounds good. You've inspired me to throw it on the platter!
Edit: It's actually the only Nina record I own. I definitely want to change that.
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Ilikevinyl said:
Here's the last interview of Nina Simone. A MUST WATCH!!

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Oh my god, that was awesome! I fell in love in 24 minutes!

wharf rat said:
...Sugar In My Bowl is about the most sexual song ever.
Click to expand...

Funny you should mention that. My daughter and I were making bread earlier this evening (preparing for the post-apocalyptic world), and I told Alexa (we have her in the kitchen) to play some Nina Simone. Sugar in My Bowl was the first thing that came on. It was a little awkward.... (girl kneading bread below while listening)... but yeah, sexy as hell.

satellite - I'll definitely look for that one, The Village Gate was an old haunt of mine back years ago, along with the Blue Note, the Vanguard, and really my favorite (because it was so low-key), Arthur's. Sad to see what the Village has come to. My daughter and I have been to a few shows at the Vanguard in recent years, but I hate the meat grinder that it has become, just like all the others. Fond memories of the Gate, though.

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Well I just ordered 5 records, including the Analog Productions 45 of Little Girl Blue. And the In Concert and Sings the Blues albums. Had to get the Gate and Pastel LP's from amazon, as they were out of stock from Acoustic Sounds. Psyched about these, especially the double 45. Thank you all for your help in learning more about this artist, I'm kinda baffled how I managed to miss her all these years.
 
I took a date to her concert in Philly in '68 or '69, which I think was a real awakening/turning point for her career and activism (too polite - she was MAD, and all too rightly!).
My date I think was totally baffled/confused by it all (her father was a HUGE Irish Philly police Sargent), but I was totally immersed/amazed by her talent, the band, and the message(s).

I kind of gave up on looking for decent recordings of her work, esp the longer ones.
'Nuff Said! from that same era captures the experience well, but is a horrible recording.
The Sony 2001 Legends CDs are pretty good, as is the 2003 RCA Anthology 2CD set.

To Be Young Gifted & Black, See Line Woman, Ain't Got No, Sinnerman, Four Women, Strange Fruit were all in that concert.

I've not heard the Analog Productions LP, will have to look for that, thanks!
What Happened Miss Simone? is the documentary on Netflix.
 
Nina’s rendition of Strange Fruit is incredibly powerful, it’s in her Here Comes the Sun album. Only Simone album I wouldn’t recommend is Baltimore; she wasn’t happy about doing all covers and it shows in her singing. She does do a cover of Darryl Halls Rich Girl, otherwise she’s pissed.
 
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mistermax said:
Hi,
I just recently became interested in this artist. From what I can see, there is a huge amount of material out there. Any suggestions on where to start? FWIW, although I love jazz (of the 40's-60's periods), I pretty much believe what my mother said... (see below). Any help would be appreciated.
mm
Click to expand...
After reading this the other day, I fired up Amazon Music and searched for her and listened. The verdict: I like her and am listening to her as I type! I'd recommend this route, as it'll give you access to many albums, and they are very different from each other. This will give you exposure to lots of her music, and then you can decide if you dedicate time and funds to buying them on LP.
 
Wanted to thank you guys again. Today, five records arrived, three from Acoustic Sounds and two from amazon. Nice coincidence. So far, I've only played the double album 45 of Little Girl Blue from Analogue Productions. It's already a favorite (and wow, the quality of the pressing is amazing!). So thanks, folks!

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