Customer Reviews

Baltimore

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

With her mellifluous voice, Nina had the ability to transform any lyric into a moving poem. Here again she proves her worth as a highly skilled interpreter of many different styles of music: ballads, gospel, folk, pop and soul. The title track is fairly lightweight compared to what follows, like the brooding Everything Must Change. There is a funky beat to the heartbreaking The Family, a tale of tragedy and hope. My favourites include the rousing Balm in Gilead and the uplifting ballad That's All I Want From You with its simple and haunting lyrics. Her version of My Father is elegant and atmospheric, with a particularly brilliant arrangement, whilst Music For Lovers is dreamy and romantic. The album concludes with the buoyant gospel sounds of If You Pray Right. 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.

I just simply want to say that for all of the viewers how have never listened to Ms. Simone, please do. I first hear her when I was 8 yrs old. I have never stopped loving her style and vocal range. Her music has the ability to engulf your inner-self...you may not have been there, but you can unstand where she is coming from. Baltimore is my favorite album, but all of her music is moving.

Thank you for your time. And thank you Ms. Simone for the inspiration.

Fulller, Atl, GA

In the liner notes of this CD, the writer tells you that Nina Simone was not pleased with what was recorded finally to become "Baltimore," and that he disagreed with her opinion that this was inferior work. But I have to agree with Ms. Simone.

I am a HUGE fan of her music, and would like to steer potential fans to greater albums like "Wild is the Wind" or "High Priestess of Soul." Or if you're looking for a collection, "The Best of Nina Simone" (a live recording) is a seminal work with a most amazing rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" on it. Or even the Nina Simone collection in the Sony Walkman Jazz series is a good intro to the eclectic song-styling, singing, arranging and piano playing of Ms. Simone.

When you listen to these other albums you will see why Nina Simone knew she could do better than "Baltimore." Definitely do not judge her artistry by this album.

This elegantly orchestrated album was recorded in Brussels in 1978. The legendary singer is supported by inter alia piano, bass, drums, guitars, violins, violas, cellos, string bass and eight backing vocalists. Her delivery is sublime as are the arrangements, four of which were done by her. Those who love Simone's voice but aren't particularly fond of jazz will probably treasure Baltimore as her most appealing recording.

Although many tracks portray impermanence or tragedy, the album never becomes oppressive or gloomy as the music's spirituality of hope inspires and uplifts the soul. The first four fall into this category, from the uptempo Randy Newman-composed title track that deals with hard times in the city through a slow and somber lament about the inevitability of change to a tale of rural tragedy and finally wistful yearning on My Father, the Judy Collins composition.

On the third, a harrowing tale of family disintegrating is counteracted by one character's determination to cling to hope and the affirmative intonations of the gospel choir. The tone changes on Music For Lovers, a ballad with a spacious arrangement, and again on the uptempo piece of wise advice titled Rich Girl. The exquisite That's All I Want From You is a highlight; this must be one of the most graceful and tender love songs of all time.

This gem of an album concludes with two traditionals, the soulful and comforting Balm In Gilead which is followed by the uptempo devotional If You Pray Right. Those who appreciate Baltimore will most likely also enjoy the Best Of album which contains her rendition of Leonard Cohen's Suzanne and the heart-rending Compensation, her musical setting of the poem Compassion by Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Baltimore is a mellow, melancholy Nina Simone and the songs are indelible. This must be the 5th or 6th copy I've owned - the others have either worn out or been pinched. I bought it on impulse because I decided I couldn't bear another day without a copy.

I used to have the 1978 original recording on tape but I lost it. This CD version is just as good. I didn't know Judy Collins before hearing "My Father" and even though it's her song, Judy just did not do it justice. Nina only recorded this song once and it is truly wonderful. So few artists can do a remake and improve it. ( Grace Jones also did it with La Vie en Rose) "My Father" and "The Family" are indeed two of the best interpretations I've ever heard. Also check out "Mr. Bojangles" which I would love to buy but can't afford ... Always be happy, Nina.

Although Ms. Simone is quoted as saying that she had no say whatsoever in the selection of these songs and that the material was not her personal choice, this group of songs is still amazingly beautiful. "Baltimore" remains one of my favorite CD's by this consumate artist. First, there is the title song by Randy Newman with its reggae beat. Some of the others I cherish are "Everything Must Change", "My Father", "Music For Lovers", "Rich Girl", and the beautiful hymn "Balm in Gilead." Ms. Simone accompanies herself on many of these cuts. On "My Father", the beautiful tribute Judy Collins wrote for her father, the piano literally cascades. (The orchestra was added later and at times almost drowns out both Ms. Simone's voice and her piano. Some arranger should have done better on that one.) Anyone who has ever listened to this great singer knows there is literally nothing she cannot do as no style or form is too difficult for her. Here she is upbeat, soulful and then so beautifully tender and soothing in the grand hymn about there being a balm in Gilead that comforts the sinsick soul.

More beautiful Simone!