Nina: The Essential Nina Simone [Import]

Nina Simone | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 12, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 12, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Metro Music
• ASIN: B00004RIMQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,352 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #4 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Vocal Jazz
  • #7 in Music > Indie Music > R&B > General
  • #11 in Music > Imports > Jazz

Track Listings

1. My Baby Just Cares For Me

2. Mood Indigo

3. He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

4. Don't Smoke in Bed

5. Love Me or Leave Me

6. He Needs Me

7. Little Girl Blue

8. Plain Gold Ring

9. House of the Rising Sun

10. Ain't Got No/I Got Life

11. Gin House Blues

12. Ain't No Use

13. Mississippi Goddam

14. See Line Woman

15. Four Women

16. I Sing Just to Know That I'm Alive

17. Fodder on her Wings

18. I Loves You Porgy

Editorial Reviews

18 of the finest by the original African power diva, all at a fantastic low price! Featuring a varied repertoire that includes both classic songs and well-known hits, this collection is ideal introduction to anyone that's ever been curious about Simone, as well as an ear-opener for those that were of the opinion that Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill weren't influenced by anyone of their predecessors. Includes 'My Baby Just Cares For Me', 'He's Got The Whole World In His Hands', 'Don't Smoke In Bed' and 'I Loves You Porgy'. 2000 release standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dear Sweet Nina, April 25, 2003

By 

James Hiller (Beaverton, OR) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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

Not really having heard of Nina Simone prior to her recent passing, I caught a retrospective on NPR and was amazed at the power and persuasiveness of her voice. So, I beelined to the nearest music store, and picked out this CD, not knowing which one to select. Needless to say, "The Essential Nina Simone" is a masterful work of perfection.

Nina's voice is so incredibly deep and soulful, and soul-filled. I was immediately drawn to several of the tracks, realizing that just one listen wasn't enough. Nina manages to incorporate the power of her life and times into each song, as a reflection of where she's been and yet a hope of things to come. She's simply unlike any artist I've heard.

This CD is taking a prime place in my stereo for months to come. For relaxing, for reflection, for memories, for living, this CD and Nina Simone is a requisite.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quintessential PowerVoice, February 9, 2007

By 

Denise "dbcreates" (Salt Lake City Best Snow on Earth) - See all my reviews

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

Ten or so years ago, when I lived in wild and wikkit El Lay, I was having drinks with a client at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons (which as we all know, is NOT in Beverly Hills proper, but just across the street on Doheny). As we sat there, my client and I heard a woman (man?) talking just out of eyesight. The voice, while not loud, cut through the pre-cocktail hour buzzle like a small frigate---clean, strong, and distinctive. She wasn't being loud, it was just that that voice...that voice. My client persuaded me to go find out who was speaking, as we were mesmerized. I went into the next little salon off the bar area and saw an elegant black woman talking with an earnest young white man in his first grown-up suit, in his first grown-up A&R job (probably fresh from USC business school). She was talking and he had the most incoherent look on his face. In retrospect, I think he had never met someone like her, and of course, he never will again. I hope he appreciated her. I asked, "Excuse me, but your voice is so distinctive---it sounds very familiar. Do I know you?" She stopped her narrative, languidly looking up at me, extended her hand in a regal but not royal way, and simply said, "I am Nina Simone."

I have to admit that I had heard of her, but couldn't have named one song she'd recorded. Even in the hip 80's and 90's, she was radically underappreciated and heard in the States. Needless to say,(and this was way before amazon.com et al)I raced to Tower and bought several of her recordings. This recording is a favorite, and the more I listen to this amazing singer, the more I wonder why she never had a wider American audience. Her singing, like her speaking, was so very distinctive and mesmerizing. You may not want to, but you cannot help yourself from stopping to listen. I have had more people ask me "Who's playing?" when one of her songs comes up in the mix.

Her take on any song is memorable. Her voice has a resonant quality unlike the thin, reedy, over-produced songbirds on the charts today. Most modern singers in any genre seem hell-bent on showing off what their voices CAN do. It's like nude scene in a movie: gets your attention, but does nothing to move the plot along. Same with all the vocal melisma of current artists---all the shrieking does nothing to sell the song. With La Nina, it is just pure singing, straight out and true.

Try this album. You may not like it at first. Her voice is unique and requires attentive listening. But like dark chocolate, which might taste bitter at first, somehow seduces you and milk chocolate becomes a little ho-hum. So it is with Nina Simone. You may not want to play her for your next rave, but with friends over for drinks or dinner, Nina playing in the next room, soon everyone will be asking, "Who's playing?" And you can turn on a new audience to an incomparable, unique voice.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unending variety, February 27, 2001

By A Customer

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

Nina: The Essential Nina Simone, is a wonderful compilation of some of Nina's best music. There are songs that seem dark and sad, as well as music that expresses great love and joy. Her arrangement of House of the Rising Sun is probably my favorite. She has taken that song and given it more feeling than I thought it could ever have.