Baltimore

Nina Simone

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 1995)
• Original Release Date: January 1978
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029K3
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #148,323 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Originally cut in Brussels for the CTI label, this 1978 studio effort is something of an oddity in Nina Simone's lengthy oeuvre. The repertoire ranges from the Randy Newman title track to the Hall & Oates hit "Rich Girl" to the traditional "Balm in Gilead." (Simone complained that she "no say whatsoever" in the song selection.) Sidemen include studio pros Andy Newmark, Will Lee, and Eric Gale, who explore reggae and rock rhythms that have dated a bit. Nevertheless, the material matches Simone's maturing voice, making Baltimore an estimable if not earthshaking accomplishment. --Steven Stolder

Product Description
CTI Master Series remastered reissue of 1978 album for one of the few performers who can bridge the artistic gap between pop & jazz, funk & soul, sometimes within the confines of a single album. Such is the case with Baltimore, the only album she recorded for CTI, as it stands out as one of her best efforts, and a true landmark in an eclectic career. 10 tracks. 2003. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Isolated Classic, March 27, 2002

By	Aage Nielsen (Boise, Idaho United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Of all my Nina recordings, Baltimore remains my favorite. However, it joins the ranks of Teena Marie's "Emerald City", Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Illuminations" and Joni Mitchell's "Mingus" for controversy. There is no middle ground here. Fans either love or hate these albums. Unlike these other albums, where the artists had total control, Nina evidently had none for Baltimore and apparently does not like the album. Despite the circumstances, she unwittingly created another classic. This is the album that made me enough of a fan to buy 60 other Nina recordings, so I DO know what she is capable of.

I was hooked for life upon hearing the title track on the radio about 20 years ago. I was certainly not disappointed when I got the whole album. The recording here of Everything Must Change (though recorded by half the singers in the recording business) has only been equalled by the likes of Randy Crawford. The touching Judy Collins testimonial "My Father" is heartwrenching in Nina's hands. Hall & Oates' "Rich Girl" can be forgiven, or at least skipped. "Balm in Gilead" is a fine arrangement that she continued to use in concerts for years.

I really hope that Ms. Simone knows how she has touched people with this album. For those that just don't "get it" with "Baltimore", there are dozens of others to choose from. I don't think she lost any fans with this one the way the bulimic white girls abandoned Joni over "Mingus", and the hippies and moldy figs freaked over Buffy's "Illuminations" and even Teena herself disowned her own "Emerald City" fusion of Funk, Soul, Metal and World Beat.

Simply put, "Baltimore" is good music. It is among my prize possessions.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Oddity, a True Classic, January 12, 2000

By	S. GODFREY "Stuart" (Risca, South Wales) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For me this is the finest album in Nina's peerless body of work. I read an article by singer-songwriter Chris Rea who picked this out as his all-time favourite album (by anybody)and I can see why. Nina is class, and her heart and soul are on show in every track along with her undisputed musical talents. There is subtely and understatement in the reggae feel of "Baltimore", heartbreaking regret in "The Family" and "My Father". The latter even comes close to eclipsing Judy Collins' original - there can be no higher recommendation. "Balm in Gilead" and "If you Pray Right" accentuate Nina's gospel roots without being in the least bombastic, "Rich Girl" is a blast. The overall feel of this wonderful album is of a true friend who you will want to keep beside you always. No wonder Chris Rea rates it so highly. If, like me, you've been wary of exploring Nina's music ( and there are some fairly dodgy compilations around) look no further than Baltimore. Its a true classic.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sublime Sounds, September 10, 2002

By	Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Nina has the ability to transform any lyric into a poem. Here again she proves her worth as a highly skilled interpreter of many different styles of music: ballads, gospel, folk, pop and soul. My favorites include the funky but heartbreaking The Family, the rousing Balm in Gilead and the uplifting ballad That's All I Want From You with its haunting lyrics: "A sunny day/with hopes up to the sky/Not a day that comes and dies/That's all I want from you". Her version of My Father is elegant and atmospheric, with a particularly brilliant arrangement. The varied material permits her unique voice to reveal more of its subtle hues. Baltimore is a gripping album of beautiful songs that will richly reward the listener.