Customer Reviews

Nina Simone: Break Down and Let It All Out

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Well I bought the book on publication - yes I have read it twice. The second time with every greater irritation. Who is this book about Miss Simone or Miss Hampton? Miss Simone I want to learn more about - Miss Hampton, you guessed it - NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure there are some new angles and insights on this complex diva, but it is not a great read - I wonder if any of Nina's family aside from Lisa had any input. Nina's brother, Sam Waymon, is mentioned but I would guess not sought as a source of information - hell this guy was in Nina's band in the mid 60s and early 70s. The only mention seems to be the rather gratuitous mention about a trip to a gay club!!!

Nina's autobigraphy "I Put A Spell On You", remains the definitive read, so far. If only there was an Ian Carr, Paul Tingen or John Szwed who made such worthy contributions to our undrerstanding of Miles Davis who would do the same for Miss Simone. Her memory deserves a better more in depth analysis of probably the most influential singer and spokeswoman for humanity, equality and womens rights in the 20th century.

Save your cash (avoid this book) and wait another day for the definitive study of this truely remarkable lady and artist.

Errol Barrow was the Barbados Prime Minister, not Earl Barrow as Sylvia Hampton renames him - Marion Anderson's accompanist Blanche Burton-Lyles was the first African American to graduate from the Curtis Institute,not Marion Anderson herself. Sloppy research - these were real events, which were important in the life of Ms. Simone.

As someone who came to know Ms. Simone's music first through her CD's and then by watching various clips on youtube and reading articles, etc posted on the net, I can truly say I learned more from youtube and google than from this book.

The other reviewer couldn't be more wrong! This book is a GREAT read - if not for the great insight provided into the complex Nina Simone than for the highly descriptive accounts of rare Nina concerts and appearances. Those of us who didn't have the luck of being present at Dr. Simone's earliest or best performances now have the opportunity to relive them through the eyes of one of Nina's dearest friends and biggest fans. What more could we ask for?!?!

The writing is first-rate and does more to capture the genius of Dr. Simone than her previously published autobiography, I Put A Spell On You (still worth reading). Sylvia Hampton has provided us with the best text available on Dr. Simone to this point and she may be one of the few people on earth to give us such insight and (sometimes brutual) honesty. I would recommend this book to ANY Nina Simone or music fan.

WONDERFUL!

Most of the reviews here seem to miss something important about this book -- it is two FANS' account of their friendship with soul/jazz/folk goddess Nina Simone. It is not meant to be a definitive biography of Nina. And since the authors were friends with Nina, the personal stories did not seem out of place to me. No, this book does not paint a perfect portrait of Nina. The authors do not gloss over her faults. Nina Simone was a deeply troubled woman, and this book reflects that. I appreciated the honesty. I also liked the fact that it has more information about Nina's music than does her autobiography. It's a good companion volume, and well worth the money.

I had such high hopes for this tome about Ms. Simone. As it turns out, the author merely puts a smudge on the subject. The book is not so much poorly written as lacking in any insight into the historical significance of the Ms. Simone and her music. I don't know what is worse- the lengthy quotes from a 1960's fan appreciation publication, written when the author was still herself a teen or that they found themselves in this book. The author's points and characterizations read as if 15 year old wrote them.

I received this item in perfect condition shrink wrapped and given as a gift. Thank you