Customer Reviews

Emergency Ward / It Is Finished / Black Gold

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There is no way that any review can do justice to what is captured within this double album. I would simply emplore you (as I do my friends)to shut up, sit down, and just listen to this woman.

I got this album on Christmas morning. It was the first of the CDs that I received, that I put on, and I didn't move until it was finished. I sat and shivered in my pyjamas for the length of the whole album. Never have I been so amazed by a live album. Never have I been so envious of the audience that was actually there for the recording.

If ever there really was, earth-moving, soul-stirring stuff, then this is it. It is an out-pouring of 30 years of pain, anger, suppression, damage and resilience. The full brunt of Nina's harsh life are brought to bear here, she spits and hollers it at you, you feel her pain, and of those around her. There simply is nowhere to hide from her fervent admonitions, her knowing recriminations, or heartbreaking pleas.

The opening song 'My Sweet Lord', is nothing short of amazing, and is worth the price alone. One must remind yourself that this is a live performance every once in a while. It is the High Priestess in full swing, operating on a higher plane as she desperately complains about the speed of Divine revelation. No one, bar Nina, could carry this off as she does here. It is a masterclass, in genuine soul, grit, determination and purpose. It showcases an ability that could not be learned in a fame school, or television programme, but that is articulated somwehere deep inside of her, and is then served up in the most bittersweet key of life.

There are no bad songs here. There are a lot of very good songs, and some stand-outs, in particular, Isn't It A Pity, Com' By H'Yere-Good Lord, Dambala, Obeah Woman and Who Knows Where The Time Goes. Through them a wide gamut of styles, influences and emotions are represented. Throughout them all however, Nina is nothing less than inspiring, never anything less than the High Priestess.

It has often been said, but this is soul food. This is pain and human experience served up on a plate with such an intensity and capability that it is heart-breaking. Sentiments delivered through such a filter of experience, that only the most intense, the darkest, and most moving can make it through. I cannot recommend this album highly enough. If you buy it, you will be glad you did, even if not immediately, trust me, you will be glad some time. It is a travesty that Nina is as little known as she is, she deserves to be recognised for what she is. So buy this, be amazed, and tell your friends to buy it. It is a truly tremendous album.

if you find yourself here, on this webpage, looking at this CD collection, you're clearly already a fan of nina simone, or at least have a healthy interest in her music. all i can say is, please, for the love of God, buy this collection. these three albums might be some of the most riveting,wrenching records in the history of the medium. never have live recordings been so pure and raw. the 18 minute-plus rendition of 'my sweet lord/today is a killer' ALONE is worth the price of admission. trust me, you won't regret it. buy this album.

The best thing about this 2disc set is the inclusion of most of "It Is Finished", a solo disc unavailable for too many years. Nina's version of Kumbaya - a song that is often the butt of musical jokes, and deservedly so- in its reinvention here called "Come By Here, Lord" is alone worth twice the price of this collection. The folk fluff of the original is forever eradicated and in its place stands an ineffacable creation of epic dimensions, fired joyfully and defiantly by Nina's remarkable piano work. The genius of this woman is always undeniable, but there is an almost startling aspect to her transformation of the mundane here. I doubt Simone has ever essayed a finer version of Bessie Smith's "Sugar In My Bowl" - she and the audience both know it, and now so do we. The profoundness of Nina Simone's burning humanity is present in virtually every track on these two CDs. You can only add increase to your own by listening to these recordings, no matter what you might think your musical interests are.

I was listening to a Nina Simone Remix disc one day and even though I own several items of hers there was one song I didn't have. I immediately started searching for it, and even though I have most of the songs on this disc I had to have the other one too, so I purchased it. I have to tell you people this is one of the best I have heard by her. I love her voice and style anyway, so I did not hesitate to make the purchase. Even hearing the songs I own, hearing them here just sounded like she truly was singing from her soul. Trust me on this, if you don't have it, get it..you will not be disappointed in the least. If anything you will probably feel like I did and say how did I ever miss this one!! It just made me sad that I never had the opportunity to see her perform live...but listening to this you will feel as though you are sitting in a concert hall with her.

Nina Simone has left a legacy in America in music and the truth.
She stood almost by herself and performed some of the finest Jazz and Blues to be heard yet railed the Feds and could have cared less if people liked it or not.
She is the truth and hopefully will never be forgotten.