Nina Simone
Nina Simone (born Eunice Kathleen Waymon; 1933–2003) was a prolific American singer, songwriter, and pianist whose career spanned over 40 albums and multiple genres, including jazz, blues, classical, and gospel. Known as the "High Priestess of Soul," she became an iconic figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Born on February 21, 1933, in Tryon, North Carolina, she began playing piano at age three and performed in her local Methodist church.
After studying at the Juilliard School for a summer, she was denied a scholarship to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Simone maintained throughout her life that this rejection was due to racial prejudice. To fund private lessons and hide her career from her religious mother, she began playing in Atlantic City bars under the stage name "Nina Simone" in 1954.
Her 1958 rendition of George Gershwin’s "I Loves You, Porgy" became her only Top 40 hit in the U.S.. She blended classical piano techniques with a deep contralto voice, often incorporating counterpoint reminiscent of J.S. Bach into jazz and pop songs.
Key recordings include "Feeling Good," "I Put a Spell on You," and "Sinnerman". Her 1958 track "My Baby Just Cares for Me" saw a massive European resurgence in the 1980s after being featured in a Chanel No. 5 commercial.
Following the 1963 Birmingham church bombing and the murder of Medgar Evers, she wrote the scathing protest anthem "Mississippi Goddam". She was close friends with activists such as James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry. She wrote "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" as a tribute to Hansberry. Increasingly frustrated with U.S. racism, she eventually left the country in 1970.
She lived in Barbados, Liberia, Switzerland, and the Netherlands before settling in southern France. In the late 1980s, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She died of breast cancer on April 21, 2003, at her home in Carry-le-Rouet, France. Just days before her death, the Curtis Institute awarded her an honorary degree. She was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
’Nuff Said!
Recorded live at the Westbury Music Fair, this performance is steeped in the immediate aftermath of MLK's murder, lending it immense historical weight.
Simone's anger, sorrow, and unwavering commitment to the Civil Rights movement are palpable, particularly in "Why? (The King of Love Is Dead)" and "Mississippi".
Expect classic Simone—stark piano, bluesy inflections, gospel roots, and soulful delivery—with a loose, energetic feel, interspersed with audience interaction and live chatter.
The album concludes with the exceptional studio soul track, "Do What You Gotta Do," offering a different flavor from the live set, which, backed with "Ain't Got No - I Got Life," was her most successful single, reaching #2 on the UK Pop charts in 1968.
Many laud it as one of her most emotionally resonant live albums, praising its vibrancy, emotional depth, and powerful political statements. Some find the live sound, occasional audience coughs, or awkward live banter detracts from the otherwise great performances, and some tracks are less memorable than others.
Overall, 'Nuff Said! is essential listening for its raw emotion and historical significance, capturing Nina Simone at a pivotal moment, channeling national grief and unwavering strength through her unique artistry.
I Put A Spell On You
Written-By – Hawkins 2:33
A2 Tomorrow Is My Turn
Written-By – Aznavour, Stellman, Stéphane 2:43
A3 Ne Me Quitte Pas
Words By [French Words By] – Jacques Brel 3:27
A4 Marriage Is For Old Folks
Written-By – E. Shuman, L. Carr 3:22
A5 July Tree
Written-By – E. Merrian, I. Jurist 2:40
A6 Gimme Some
Written-By – A. Stroud 2:58
B1 Feeling Good
Written-By – A. Newley, L. Bricusse 2:52
B2 One September Day
Written-By – R, Stevenson 2:47
B3 Blues On Purpose
Written-By – R. Stevenson 3:18
B4 Beautiful Land
Written-By – A. Newley, L. Bricusse 1:55
B5 You've Got To Learn
Written-By – C. Aznavour 2:40
B6 Take Care Of Business
Written-By – A. Stroud 2:04
Label: Philips – PHS 600-172
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1965
Genre: R&B Jazz, Blues
Style: Soul-Jazz, Piano Blues
Nina Simone's 1965 album, I Put a Spell on You, is a highly acclaimed, eclectic masterpiece balancing pop accessibility with deep emotional complexity, featuring iconic hits like the powerful title track and "Feeling Good," showcasing her versatility with jazz, R&B, and show tunes, and despite some minor filler tracks, it's considered a cornerstone of her discography and essential listening for its raw vocal delivery and consistent quality.
It's noted as one of her most accessible albums, bringing her closer to pop, but still retaining her signature dark, urgent, and soulful edge, making it a great entry point.
The album Contains two of her most famous songs, the intense "I Put a Spell on You" and the celebratory "Feeling Good," both delivered with unmatched vocal power.
It blends jazz instrumentals ("Blues on Purpose"), French chanson ("Ne Me Quitte Pas"), standards, and R&B, showcasing her broad range.
Songs tackle heartbreak, frustration, and freedom, with Simone's expressive voice giving life to potentially light material.
Reviewers praise its well-crafted nature, calling it one of her most consistent works, though a few tracks like "Marriage Is for Old Folks" are sometimes seen as weaker.
Often ranked among her best and most important albums, praised for its directness and replay value. In essence, I Put a Spell on You is a pivotal album, capturing Nina Simone at a moment where she successfully merged pop appeal with her profound artistic identity, making it a must-have for fans of jazz, soul, and powerful vocal performances.
Nina Simone And Piano!
A2 Nobody's Fault But Mine 2:56
A3 I Think It's Going To Rain Today 3:18
A4 Everyone's Gone To The Moon 3:05
A5 Compensation 1:35
B1 Who Am I 4:09
B2 Another Spring 3:29
B3 The Human Touch 2:07
B4 I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes) 4:45
B5 The Desperate Ones 4:38
Label: RCA Victor – LSP-4102
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Jazz, Pop
Style: Soul-Jazz, Vocal
Nina Simone And Piano! (1969) is a revered, intimate solo album showcasing Nina Simone's genius at musical interpretation, stripping away orchestration to focus on her profound piano skills and emotive voice, exploring diverse songwriters (Randy Newman, Hoagy Carmichael, Leonard Bernstein) and hidden depths within familiar songs, offering a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience that highlights her artistry and soul. Reviewers praise its emotional honesty, unique sound (especially on audiophile pressings), and its success as an excellent entry point to her expansive catalog, revealing "pure Nina".
The solo piano setting emphasizes her raw talent, making the listening experience deeply personal and emotionally intense, allowing the listener to feel connected to her expression.
She excels at taking songs by others, finding new meanings and hidden depths, turning even lighter material like Jonathan King's "Everyone's Gone to the Moon" into profound statements.
The album features a wide range, from early Randy Newman and Bernstein's Peter Pan, to jazz standards, showcasing her broad musical knowledge and taste.
Simone prioritizes soul and feeling over technical perfection, making every lyric vivid and impactful, as seen in her heartfelt rendition of "I Think It's Going to Rain Today".
Many listeners and reviewers celebrate the superb sound quality on vintage pressings, noting the natural piano, breathy vocals, and "Tubey Magic".
Long-time fans often call it "pure Nina," a stripped-back, essential listen that reveals her core artistic identity. While not always an easy listen due to its reflective nature, it's considered a challenging but deeply rewarding album that speaks to lived experiences.
For newcomers, it serves as a fantastic, soulful introduction to her diverse musical world, blending genres seamlessly. In essence, Nina Simone And Piano! is celebrated for its profound artistry, emotional depth, and minimalist beauty, making it a standout and essential piece in her legendary discography.