Essential Nina Simone 2

Nina Simone | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 2, 1994)
• Original Release Date: August 2, 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000002WQJ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #234,616 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Nina took a more pop, rock and soul approach to her music, as seen here on 16 tracks from 1967-1971. Includes her versions of Here Comes the Sun; Just Like a Woman; Angel of the Morning , and Cherish . Of course, you will still find her doin' what she does best with piano and vocals on The Human Touch; Another Spring, and The Desperate Ones . --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Price of Purchase, April 23, 2001

By 

Peter (East of Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Nina Simone 2 (Audio CD)

No Nina Simone CD is ever a disappointment. Even so, I took a chance with this one since the Volume 2 songs aren't as commercial as her earlier version on RCA. I was curious too because this CD has more covers of songs made famous by their originators, especially seeing what Simone does with "My Way", a song long identified with Frank Sinatra, who isn't exactly a stylistic match for Nina. Well, she doesn't disappoint. It's always interesting what Simone does with a cover song made famous by someone else. The arrangement and moods Nina brings to these songs are refreshing and as good, maybe even better, than the original versions.

Hands down, the standout track here is her cover of Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman"----Wow!! The intensity, tenderness and sorrow spilled forth by Nina on this track are breathtaking and a 5-hanky tearjerker. Characteristically, Simone achieves this without any sentimentality. These songs were recorded by Nina during a turbulent time in U.S. history, the time of Vietnam and protests of every kind. I feel the central theme in this collection is compassion and human understanding, and some of the songs selected for this collection reflects that. Whether it's "Oooh Child" "Peace of Mind" or "Human Touch", Simone's voice reflects hope, love and understanding of the human condition. Definitely worth the price of admission. This is a 5-star rating. "Just Like A Woman" alone is worth it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Priestess for a reason..., July 21, 2000

By 

"jonofoz" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Nina Simone 2 (Audio CD)

Yes. This is an excellent album. Everything Dr. Simone does is wonderful, but this is the most emotional album I've ever heard. "Here Comes the Sun" is, thanks to POINT OF NO RETURN, quite popular (and quite good, too). Nina singing Dylan is always remarkable, and "Just Like a Woman" is even better than "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" and "I Shall Be Released" from Volume One. In "The Human Touch" we get to hear a calm, melodic Simone... Her voice is perfectly-- PERFECTLY-- suited for singing Jacques Brel's songs. "Ne Me Quitte Pas" is powerful, but "The Desperate Ones" is even more emotionally (and artistically) extreme. AMAZING! Of course, "My Way" is terriffic. Imagine Nina Simone doing anything her way. Much better than the Sinatra version. MARVELOUS ALBUM. BUY IT!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!, March 22, 2004

By 

Wishnu Kameshwara (Indonesia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Nina Simone 2 (Audio CD)

I bought this volume II from Nina Simone along with her volume I from her essential. We have so many divas but there's only one I can recommend you to devote with. And she must be Miss Nina Simone through this collection with (specially( her two massive songs, (late)George Harrison's composition'Here Comes The Sun' and Paul Anka's composition 'My Way'. She also incredibly sang Terry Kirkman's 'Cherish' for us. Don't miss her 'Oo-h Child'. What more can I say? SHE IS GODDESS WITH HER ENCHANTED FLAME!!!!!!