Pour une ame souveraine (For a sovereign soul) - A dedication to Nina Simone

Me'Shell NdegeOcello | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naive
• ASIN: B008KMV04A
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,247 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

After the release of 'Weather', Meshell Ndegeocello releases her 10th album, 'Pour une ame souveraine' (For a sovereign soul). After a career of more than 20 years, Meshell Ndegeocello, the American singer-songwriter, rapper, bassist and vocalist and her musicians Chris Bruce (guitar), Jebin Bruni (keys), and Deantoni Parks (drums) recorded a tribute to Nina Simone and play some of the tracks made famous by the icon of black music. Meshell also invited a few guests to take part of this dedication to Nina Simone, such as Sinead O'Conner, Lizz Wright, Valerie June, Toshi Reagon and Cody ChesnuTT.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Sovereign Soul October 9, 2012

By Nse Ette TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

After exploring Funk, Alternative Rock, and Hip Hop on previous albums, Meshell Ndegeocello grabs a bunch of friends (Sinead O'Connor and Liz Wright among them) to pay tribute to kindred spirit, the high priestess of soul Nina Simone on album number 10. She more often reinterprets, rather than remakes these classics, which is fine by me as much like Simone, she treads her own path.

The album is a laid-back Soul/Blues/Folk affair with Meshell giving a soft vocal delivery on the songs which she leads on. "Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" is guitar-driven Soul with a haunting mellotron snaking in the background like gently waving drapes. "House Of The Rising Sun" features Toshi Reagon and is a spirited affair. "Feelin' Good" is given a quivery contemplative treatment.

"Nobody's Fault But Mine" is a lovely acoustic ballad with Liz Wright on vocals. Highlight has got the be the quivery Blues treatment of "Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair" with Valerie June. Enchanting! "See Line Woman" is given an almost Afrobeat reinvention and features Tracy Wannomae. "Either Way I Lose" is trippy Blues, "To Be Young, Gifted And Black" features Cody ChesnuTT giving a stirring soulful performance to the stripped soundscape. Closing is the ominous and groovy "Four Women" which sounds like what I imagine a mashup of Radiohead and Sade would. Another masterpiece!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Genius October 15, 2012

By Kristin St John

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm a huge Me'Shell NdgeOcello fan and, after all these years, she has yet to put out an album that doesn't completely surprised me. I may not like the album, but I respect her for trying something new. However, for Pour une ame souveraine I absolutely love it AND her for tackling an artist like Nina Simone and doing it in a way that is original -- but not disrespectful.

I highly recommend getting this album -- you'll find these covers to be unique, yet....very Nina.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love, Love, Love this! January 20, 2013

By D. Cousins

Format:Audio CD

and the fact that she was able to record this in two days tells you what a genius Meshell is. You have to own this interpretation of Nina Simone's recordings.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Meshell Does It Again! December 21, 2012

By Raineyinla

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you are a fan of Meshell and Nina, you are in for a treat. Meshell still has her subtle funky soul going on but she is definitely channeling Nina's earthiness. "For A Sovereign Soul" is the perfect title for this cd and the featured artist only add to the richness. However, the cd doesn't match the live performance. So, if you get a chance, check out Meshell on tour. Her musicians performing with her during her tour of this cd are pretty darn awesome.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful album December 10, 2012

By Serious Fun

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Terrific album, full of thought and feeling, marries both the legendary Nina Simone with the distinctiveness of Ndegeocello's music style. Every track is of interest.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars She's fantastic! December 9, 2012

By Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Ndegeocello has a been a favorite of mine for a long time, but she has outdone herself with this thoughtful, creative take on the great songs of Nina Simone. Plus she has some stellar collaborators, including Toshi Reagon and Lizz Wright. The voices on this album are heavenly. For anyone who can appreciate good music and wonderful singing.

1.0 out of 5 stars Je ne sais pas.....mais j'ai été déçu! June 12, 2013

By Althea E Crichlow

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Ive followed this artist's career for a number of years and was keenly looking forward to this album. Besides which I probably own most of all of Nine Simone's recording- so much I liked her; that I thought that Meshell would bring something fresh and new to some of Nina's standards. Instead I was sorely disappointed, I wish I could return this CD for a refund. The album was boring, truly dull and uninteresting. There is an old saying Meshell ...'stick to what you know'. You may be a great fan on Nina like I am, just put your headphones on and listen to the real class act.

3.0 out of 5 stars A Bit Slow May 19, 2013

By Juana

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I Love Michelle, but I realized my first love is Dance music. These songs are lovely, but too slow and sedate, so I find I don't really listen to them as much as my other music. Cough...I wish someone would remix some of these so I can listen to them during my workouts.