Customer Reviews

The Best Of Nina Simone: The Colpix Years

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This is the first Nina Simone album I ever bought and itÕs one of the most precious records I own. I got my first vinyl copy thirty years ago, after seeing and hearing her on a PBS special. I ended up with this record because it was the only thing they had by her at the record store and, like practically everyone who has ever heard her sing (unfortunately, not nearly enough people), I had to have SOMETHING. The first time you hear her voice she becomes an addiction. Years later I bought a cassette of this album for the car, and after I got a CD player, this was one of the very first CDs I bought. For thirty years, itÕs been one of the few albums I never wanted to be without.

The odd thing is, itÕs not a flawless record. There are a couple of tracks that I skip almost every time I listen to it. (Her pitch on "Wild Is The Wind" is so off itÕs like fingernails on a blackboard.) But forget the duds. The rest of the album is not just brilliant, itÕs beyond compare. Nobody sounds like Nina Simone. Not even close. I couldnÕt even describe to someone who has never heard her exactly what style of music she sings. SheÕs sometimes classified as an r&b singer, which makes no sense at all. Most critics all her a jazz singer, but she has objected strenuously to that label, and certainly if youÕre thinking of Billie Holiday or Sara Vaughan, youÕre way off base. In her autobiography, she calls herself a folk singer, but that evokes images of Joan Baez and Judy Collins, and doesnÕt really fit her either.

Nina Simone is simply a brilliant musician, a genius who has taken in a wide range of influences Š gospel, jazz, folk, classical, blues, European art song, musical theater, r&b, everything Š and blended them together into unique works of art. The only performer of her breadth I can think of is Ray Charles Š and as much as I admire Ray Charles, I think Nina Simone is even better.

On some songs Š "I Put A Spell On You," for example, and "DonÕt Let Me Be Misunderstood" Š her singing is so deep and moving, so honest, she brings chills even after youÕve heard the songs a thousand times. Others go even beyond that. Listening to her rendition of BrechtÕs "Pirate Jenny" is like listening to a soliloquy by a brilliant actress on a bare stage: she evokes an entire world, an entire soul, with the sound of her voice. The anger of "Mississippi Goddamn" still burns decades after she wrote the song. You canÕt listen to her without feeling angry yourself. And the 10-minute "Sinnerman" is awe-inspiring, a religious experience, every second of it.

DonÕt expect to put this on in the background, because this is music that will force you to sit down and pay attention to it. Nina Simone will not be ignored.

I wouldnÕt be without this album.

If you describe her style as jazz, then Nina Simone is my favorite Jazz singer. I prefer to call Nina a vocalist (and yes, she's also my favorite vocalist). Nina Simone's voice just makes me giddy. It makes my skin goose pimple. I can't say exactly why. Its not sweet and chipper like Ella, nor is it world weary like Billie, it has its own life. It's raspy and earthy. Its almost gravely growl gives the songs Nina sings a more truthful sound. You can't help but believe her when she sings 'Pirate Jenny' that if someone made her the king (and I do mean king. Nina sounds like she could beat up most anyone in a street fight...) of the pirates, you are going to be in trouble mister. BIG TROUBLE.

Other standouts on this album include the classic civil rights anthem MISSIPPI GODDAM, the re-done classic by the Animals DONT LET ME BE MISUDERSTOOD, and the two songs that could easily be predecessors to dance music SINNERMAN and SEE LINE WOMAN. My personal favorites on this album are PIRATE JENNY and the self explanitory BREAK DOWN AND LET IT ALL OUT. You can just feel the anger and hurt in her voice as you listen. To me, that's a very rare and beautiful thing...

What an incredible compilation of the very best that Nina has to offer. The emotional range and sense of humor presented on this CD make the listener feel as if she/he were at one of Nina's concerts-one can almost smell the cigarettes and whiskey being enjoyed by the audience. She is a true Diva in the very best sense of the word. All songs are amazing and provide the listener with a great building block or addition to one's Nina Simone education.

Nina Simone entered my life by sheer coincidence. Her music happened to pop up in the soundtracks of so many movies that I loved that I figured it could not be coincidence. Pedro Almodovar's "Viva La Tristeza" (music that inspired him to write 'Talk To Her'), "Any Given Sunday" and, more recently, "Before Sunset". So I decided to purchase this 12-song compilation of The Best of Nina Simone. Not only was I not dissapointed. I found Nina's music to touch my soul in multiple ways: she can be romantic, but then she can be a rebel and protest against the system; she can be charming, yet she can be explosive and in-your-face. Her voice carries something sad yet irresistible that you cannot help but fall in love with. Nina is like a diamond with a million faces, and all of them shine to make her music, no matter when or where you run into it, one of life's nice little surprises.

For a sample of her romantic side, listen to "Wild Is The Wind" or the French "Ne Me Quitte Pas" (Don't Leave Me). For some more Nina, check out the extended "Sinnerman".

When first I heard Nina Simone, I was sure that it was a man, but my friend hastily corrected me on my grave error, as she was, as I was soon to learn, the greatest Diva. Although not the only one to have made this gender mistake, neither am I alone in having huge respect for her undeniable talent. Like so many musicians, her songs are well known, frequently sung and often copied, but she is scarcely remembered. However, when you hear this album, her voice, filled with utter sensuality, hits you with intense emotion. Its huskiness reminds of all the sorrows which well in the back of your throat, yet it is reminiscent of hope. A quality becoming so rare in music is amplified in her songs, and this is the character which she gives to each one. Every piece is individual and charming, even the French track Ne Me Qitte Plus, with its awful accent is still completely endearing. To use a cliche, these timeless classics are enchanting and seductively romantic. You will undoubtly find yourself singing along, as if she 'put a spell on you'.

I have a tape with all but two of the songs for this Nina Simone collection. Simone's passion and ability to evoke mood makes her a great artist. She unashamedly gives a woman's take on lost love in "Break Down," and comes out seeming powerful despite heartbreak. "Sinnerman" is like a downhome revival service. "I Loves You Porgy" is just honest and sincere. "See Line Woman" has a rural, black southern U.S. or Caribbean religious spirit-evoking feel to it. "Four Women" is brilliant and haunting. "I Put a Spell on You" shows the confidence of a woman's wiles without seeming psychotic or fatal attractionish. Overall, I really enjoy Simone's work. I look forward to buying some of her other collections.

The first time I heard of Nina Simone was from a movie called "Point of No Return," which is a remake of the french film called "La Femme Nikita." Anyway, in it the girl chooses the code name Nina, for Nina Simone, and I thought at the time, whoever Nina Simone is, she must be a pretty cool chick. A year later I meet a guy who's nuts 'bout Nina Simone and somewhere along the way, I became nuts about the guy and this cool chick named Nina Simone.

This is her most accessible album and quite frankly, her best, hence the "Best Of" but truly, hearing the 12 tracks will give you a glimpse of the voice and thoughts of an amazing artist and a courageous woman. I say a glimpse cos like myself after hearing this album will make you want to buy other Nina albums, if you're not already a fan, in hopes of catching more glimpses of this extraordinary woman and her music. Each song is a story, and a story within each song. Her voice is like no other, no one even close. Through her voice you will experience massive emotions, you will fall in love, feel heartbreak, live tragedy. She sings about life, and truth, blunt as it may. Nina Simone is the perfect storyteller and the jazz music that perfectly accompanies her magnificent voice makes for this incredible compilation.

"I Love Yous Porgy" I hear was a big hit for Ms. Simone back in the day and this slow wonder is the perfect preface for the rest of the album.

"The name of this tune is Mississippi Goddam! ...and I mean every word of it." This was (I imagine) the more political side of her and this song blew me away the first time I heard it. Despite the civil rights topic of the song, we also get to see a funnier side of Nina like when she says, "This is a show tune but the show hasn't been written for it, yet." haha! ...All jokes aside though, one can't help but relate to her lyrics, a cry for equality in a world of segregation. "Alabama's got me so upset, Tennessee made me lose my rest, and everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam...Lord have mercy on this land of mine, we're all gonna get it in due time...All I want is equality, for my sister, my brother, my people and me!..."

Every woman can relate to "The Other Woman." This song speaks to every woman, even if she's never been "the other woman." Imagine a song that begs us to ponder the lonliness of the mistress, "...the other woman will always cry herself to sleep, the other woman will never have his love to keep.." and the grief of the woman that's married, "..the other woman is perfect where her rival fails..." There is no voice quite like Nina's and on this song it is full of longing; dreamy and sad, it is not unlike the other woman.

Then we get to the epic 10-minute opus, "Sinnerman." This is her most popular song I think, and it's actually an early spiritual song but I swear hearing this powerful song makes me want to jump out of my seat and shout, "Lord have mercy!" It also brings me to my knees and makes me want to confess all my darkest sins, "Sinnerman where you gonna run to, where you gonna run to, all on that day... I ran to the river, it was bleedin, I ran to the sea, it was bleedin, all on that day..." This is the ultimate redemption song. Oh Nina, you dun outdone yo'self on this one, girl! What a great song.

"Ne Me Quitte Pas" roughly translates to "Don't leave me," and the original was by a French musician named Jacques Brel. This emotional song has been covered by many artists, including many versions in English called "If You Go Away." I don't speak french but a friend who does says Nina's version of this song is not very impressive, mostly due to her french being "amateur, at best." Since I don't speak the language, I don't care whether she pronounces her silent s's or not (haha) but I can tell it's a heartbreakingly sad song, judging by the emotions in her voice as she begs her lover to stay with her.

"See Line Woman" is a song one can't help but tap your foot to. It's reminisce of early dance music, almost disco-y, if you will, and very good.

"I Put a Spell on You" is another song that many other artists have covered but this version is my favorite. The combination of her desperate voice as she sings "I don't care if you don't want me, I'm yours right now.." and the mesmerizing saxophone that accompanies the song throughout is just incredible.

"Break Down and Let It All Out" is of course, every jilted lovers anthem. What to do when the other flees the coop? Yep, break down and let it all out. You'll feel better, and it's good for you.

One of my favorite Nina songs is "Four Women." It tells the stories of "Aunt Sarah," a slave whose back is strong enough to take the pain inflicted on her again and again, "Saffronia," a biracial with a rich white father who forced himself on her slave mother one night, "Sweet Thing," a prostitute with a mouth like wine, and "Peaches," the awfully bitter child whose parents were slaves. I can picture each woman in my mind as Nina's singing bout their sad lives. Her voice just brings these women to life, and one can't help but feel for them.

"Wild Is the Wind" is a very sad, sad love song. This song evokes all kinds of emotions in me, from the softness of the piano to Nina's almost tear-stricken voice, it is deeply melancholy. I love the lines, "Give me more than one caress, satisfy this hungriness...You touch me, I hear the sound of mandolins..."

"Pirate Jenny" is awesome! This song is told like a bed-time story, with suspense, excitement and intrigue. In fact, I often tell the story to my little cousins come bedtime and they get a great kick out of it. The wonder and anticipation on their faces as I'm relaying my rendition of the story to them is priceless.

The last song to round off the album is "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." This is a nice song, a happy song that's been covered by many bands since Nina's release of it back in the 60's and a great way to end this most awesome compilation of an album by the most awesome Nina Simone. And with that, I leave you with a quote by Mos Def:

"You may dig on the Rolling Stones, but they could never ever rock like Nina Simone."

Amen.

This woman has an amazing voice! It is very brash, deep, and soulful! I have just discovered her, and already I think she is right up there with Tina Turner as one of the best soulstresses ever. "Sinner Man", "Mississippi Goddam", and "Four Women" are absolutely fabulous! The best lyric on the whole album: "MY NAME IS PEEAACCCHHEESS!" from FOUR WOMEN.

This is a must own for any serious music collection!

For sheer emotional POWER and unwavering PASSION...this album MUST be obtained....pay close attention to Pirate Jenny and Mississippi Goddamn...they speak VOLUMES to one's struggle in this life

In this album you can touch and fill the essence of Nina Simone, one of the better early jazz american females you can listen to...