Customer Reviews

Quiet Now: Night Song

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Don't let the title fool you. The CD says "Quiet Now", but the mood and emotions Nina Simone stirs up is anything but "easy listening". There's always an intense passion brooding or ready to explode in that deep mournful voice. Very few artists cross genres and defy categorization as Nina does. Even singing mid to slow tempo ballads as she does here, her range of emotions and styles is breathtaking. Singing a standard such as Rodgers & Hart "Little Girl Blue", Simone brings out feelings of sadness, loneliness and abandonment, maybe even more than what the songwriters had bargained for. Songs Billie Holiday made famous such as "I Love You Porgy" and "Don't Explain" take on added intensity with Nina's interpretation. When she sings "Don't Explain" you feel as though she's breaking at the seams while she consoles herself and makes sense of her lover's infidelity. I get chills every time I hear the sorrow and pain in her voice. There are lighter moments on this CD too. "July Tree" and "One September Day" are pleasant ditties Simone gives some weight and credibility to.

Nina Simone's performance on this masterfully comprised compilation is nearly flawless. Not only does she possess one of the most passionate voices in recent memory, but she proves more than capable accompaniment for herself on the piano. Her songs, filled with deep poignancy on seemingly every track, serve as accurate explorations of the human spirit and all its accompanying emotions, love, turmoil, grief. Her voice is a powerful represenation of the human experience; it wonderfully evokes the magnificent range of human emotions. As we accompany her on her voyage with mystical loved ones, on tracks such as Wild is the Wind, I Love You Porgy, and Ne Me Quitte Pas, we should feel privilaged not only to bear witness to the pains of such a great performer, but more importantly which should be appreciative of her ability to manipulate and shape the intangible breadth of human emotions into an empassioned cry of unbound beauty.

In about half of the songs included in this CD Ms Simone gets to display extraordinary talent and creativity. Sadly in the other half the song chosen or musical accompanimnet does not allow her to realize her full potential.

absolutely great compilation to be outside and staring at the clouded moon with.