1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Review from a newb, March 9, 2010
This review is from: Gold (Audio CD)
I bought this to introduce myself to Nina Simone, because until that point I knew she had been an overlooked artist in my exposure to mid-20th century black female singers (which includes Mahalia Jackson, Ssarah Vaughan, Ella, Dinah Washingon, etc.) My first listen was kind of obligatory... after a while songs began to stand out... and now I really treasure Nina Simone as one of the most important singers of the 2th c.
Standouts for me on this album, include the galvanzing 'Four Women,' the loving 'Don't You Pay Them no Mind,' and an otherwise unexceptional number from Hair (Ain't got no - I got life ) becomes a rousing anthem. I don't like sad songs per se, but when you stumble across a great one, the entire world's humanity sits right there in front of you. Such is the impossibly sad/pleading "ne me quitte pas." Simone is just fine and dandy with minimal accompaniment but when she gets the full treatment with a better than average orchestration, you end up with the bright, cheering classic, 'Feeling Good.' Driving around on a warm spring day, with the sunroof open, with 'Feeling Good' blaring is just about as good as life gets.
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