Definitive Collection [Original recording remastered]

Nina Simone, Simone De | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 10, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Hip-O Records
• ASIN: B000CQQHG8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,783 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Overview For Beginners, February 11, 2006

By 

JR (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

I'm new to Nina Simone's music and wanted a resonably comprehensive sampler of her work so I chose this one. The main reason I went for this collection is that it had the song "The Other Woman" on it, and I noticed that some of her compilations bypass that song. I only became interested in investigating her music when I heard Jeff Buckley's cover of that song on the "Grace Legacy Edition" release so I really wanted to hear the original and it is the best song here in my opinion.

The other reason I chose this compilation is because it was released this year and so I figured the sound quality/remastering would be excellent. It is pretty good but there is a wide range of performances here from different time periods so it isn't consistent. Some of the songs sound crystal clear, especially the live recordings (there are plenty of those scattered throughout), but the instrumentation is all but buried in others, which is a little disappointing. I suppose thought that this could just be due to the nature of the recordings and there's nothing that can be done about it.

Normally I hate it when live versions of songs are scattered through career overviews like this since I like to have the definitive studio versions but in this instance I didn't mind as the live recordings are great and for all I know, they may just be the definitive versions of these songs. Just note that the last two songs are lifted straight from the 1987 live album "Let It Be Me". I only know this because the liner notes tell you what album each song originally came from, which is something I wish more career overviews did.

Ultimately, this compilation is successful because it made me want to investigate more of Nina Simone's music. That's what samplers like this are for, to give curious listeners a starting point so that they can delve further as they wish. After hearing these songs I'm keen to seek out other recordings of her singing blues especially and perhaps some that showcase her piano playing a bit more. It seems to me also that live recordings might be the best way to listen to her music.

Overall, a solid and satisfying compilation. Perfect for the curious listener who's new to Nina Simone's music as it provides an overview of all of her different styles but doesn't bombard you with too many songs (2 disc anthologies are almost always too much for casual fans).

4.0 out of 5 stars A great collection., August 17, 2011

By 

noel49 (Original, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

If you know Nina Simone, then you will love this compilation. The only jarring aspect is that it's from multiple periods in her career, so it seems to jump around quite a bit in styles. However, it's full of some of her greatest performances.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nina at her best, June 12, 2009

By 

Harold Ernest Simpson "OLD SCHOOL" (TAMPA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Definitive Collection (Audio CD)

I had this on record many years ago and very pleased to find it on CD. Nina's one of the best expressionist of gut emotions. FANTASTIC.