Nina Simone fans?

[Tim]

I'm looking for a bit of help and direction from fans of Nina Simone. I just bought my first Nina album, Nina Simone at Town Hall (http://open.spotify.com/album/5EEYEXbJIMkTenaClcwma1), which arrived today. What a beautiful album, I had heard it before in a bar a couple of weeks ago and I'm really glad I bought it. I have been looking at her catalogue and see it's vast - so if possible and if anyone knows her, can they recommend any particular recordings as a start point?

Thanks

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51C3lhwn-VL._AA115_.jpg

[John]

I am not sure of the title but the one at Ronnie Scott's is pretty good
Ahh just found it Live and Kicking

[John]

This is my favourite Nina album
http://open.spotify.com/album/12aKG91Tj6hJFOe90TzcX2

[Neil McCauley]

I write the following as a user review on Amazon for "Nina Simone and Piano / Silk and Soul"

"Dreadful is too good a word. Good grief. What sort of mood was she in when she flung this lot together? Was it some sort of ironic joke? Borrow it just to hear her mangling of the already nauseous Everyone's Gone To The Moon. Then laugh, or weep, or both. Definitely borrow first before considering spending your hard earned on this."

Only 1 out of 12 found my comments useful. Which surely must indicate that I'm misguided. If so, not for the 1st time. However I wondered then, and I still do how listeners who didn't know the artist – nor recognise the voice – would react to this specific recording.

[magiccarpetride]

I'm looking for a bit of help and direction from fans of Nina Simone. I just bought my first Nina album, Nina Simone at Town Hall (http://open.spotify.com/album/5EEYEXbJIMkTenaClcwma1), which arrived today. What a beautiful album, I had heard it before in a bar a couple of weeks ago and I'm really glad I bought it. I have been looking at her catalogue and see it's vast - so if possible and if anyone knows her, can they recommend any particular recordings as a start point?

Thanks

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51C3lhwn-VL._AA115_.jpg

Nina Simone "Little Girl Blue" (http://www.amazon.com/Little-Girl-Blue-Nina-Simone/dp/B000E97HEE/ref=sr_1_10?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1302026786&sr=1-10)

Her first recording (1957 -- she was only 24 when she did that), and it's her absolute best. Nina is definitely God. Ella Fitzgerald may be the greatest vocalist ever, but Nina goes even beyond that (her voice and her piano are so organically integrated, that it all sounds like a single giant instrument). Listen to the first 6 songs on the above album, you'll be left speechless.

[The Grand Wazoo]

I suppose one of the things about Nina Simone that could be viewed as a double-edged sword is her diversity of styles that she chose to record. There's such a wide range of material, that if you prefer one or two types of music might mean you have to wade through a lot of material to find what you like. The other view of this is that there's probably something for almost everyone!

I like the bluesy stuff and the album John linked to above is great (especially 'My Man's Gone Now'). Some of the early live albums are good if you're interested in this wide range of stuff and I also like 'Broadway, Blues, Ballads' (especially for 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood', though there is a little bit of filler in there).

[LittleTone]

Hi Tim,

This is my favourite out of the five I have :-
Camden 74321 431552 Nina Simone - Released

[John]

Just listening to At the Town Hall This is pretty good Nina
Nina could at times seduce you at other times drive you crazy. A lot of latter albums her voice can sound quite rough but every now and then she will pull of something that is pretty good. My advice is check out her music via Spotify and you can eaisly avoid the duds

[The Grand Wazoo]

My advice is check out her music via Spotify and you can eaisly avoid the duds

Good advice - that's the best reason to use Spotify.

[Tim]

Fantastic guys, some stuff to be going on with and at some point I will attempt to go right through Spotify, but there is just so much :scratch: It is a fantastic service and I hope it stays around for a long time.

At least I can dive right in now with your recommendations...... I feel there is another buying frenzy coming on :doh:

EDIT: Just playing 'Sings the Blues' .... yep, that's hitting the spot, many thanks John - this style of blues is what I really like, such feeling and emotion in her singing. I'm in for a busy night ;)

[The Grand Wazoo]

Barry's a bit of a fan, so I expect he'll be along in a bit too.
Do let us know what you end up getting and why, won't you?

[Tim]

Do let us know what you end up getting and why, won't you?
OK, will do - finding some wonderful recordings on Spotify, hopefully I will be able to track them down. The Legendary first recordings in NYC is very good, right up my street, as are those recommended here. :)

http://open.spotify.com/album/42QpYttXYD0xkDaLnDberv

[John]

Hi Tim
I have a suggestion, why not put a complemention of you fav Nina Simone music and put the link in here. That way others may discover more great Nina music
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10033&page=6
John

[Tim]

That's not a bad idea at all John :)

[John]

oool I am just listening to the link .....nice very nice

[Tim]

oool I am just listening to the link .....nice very nice
Don't you just love Spotify :)

[John]

Yes its a great way to experience music you would of missed