Customer Reviews

I Put a Spell on You

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Nina Simone can be considered an acquired taste--like black coffee, fine brandy, or good cigars. With a voice that's less than perfect, she's nevertheless full of passion and pain, joy and raunchiness in her music. This album covers all those emotions set against the background her of well-arranged orchestration and her exceptional skill as a pianist.

Nina is a genre all her own. Her style varies broadly--from blues to jazz to gospel to folk and political music. This album is not a showcase that variety, merely one facet of it. This album has more of a fun feel to it than some of her other recordings--with songs like 'Marriage is for Old Folks' and 'Gimme Some' as well as the child-like 'Beautiful Land.' Nina is certainly no idealist, though, showing her passion and her pain in songs like 'Ne Me Quitte Pas' and 'You've Got to Learn.'

For Nina fans, this album is a nice break away from some of her moodier, darker work. For those just discovering Nina, this album would be an excellent way to ease into acquiring the taste for her music--splashing a little cream into one's black coffee, as it were.

As a dedicated fan of Nina's musical uniqueness, I've found this to be a very pleasant album that's just right for lifting the stresses of day away and losing myself in a little bit of fun.

The CD "I Put A Spell On You" is my personal favorite by Nina Simone due to its tremendous versatility. While "Colors Of the Rainbow" is as gentle and beautiful enough to be played to pre-school or kindergarten students, "Gimme Some" is Nina at her rowdiest, sexiest best. While "One September Morn" imparts sentimental beauty and sweetness, "You've Got to Learn" provides a driving primer in perseverence and emotional survival. Nina's version of the title song was the first I heard. It has helped me appreciate earlier ones. I love this collection.

One thing that sets artists like Nina Simone apart is their overwhelming sense of identity on everything they do. This is an album that, I admit shallowly, I bought for only two songs on it, not being familiar with the other songs. Listening to the whole album though it's obvious why Nina has been so active and so popular for so long. Each song is it's own style and vibe but it's all so Nina in essence that if you like her artistry, you'll love it from top to bottom. I really enjoyed this album. Standouts being "I put a spell on you" and "Feeling Good" two personal favorites.

No one can perform songs like Nina Simone. Listing to this CD takes you back to a small nightclub in New York in '60's, while Nina weaves her magic at the piano. Buy it; it's worth owning.