Guest Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 (edited) OK - something totally different this week - not classical - but Jazz.. Oh no!!! not Jazz, I hear some of you cry in despair!! but the is actually Jazz/soul/blues if you have never tried Nina Simone - then you have wasted some of your life!!!! Nina Simone (singer/pianist) has more soul in her little finger than the rest of us put together - she is simply awesome. it is hard to put into words what it is about Nina's voice - except to suggest that it is a lived in voice - it is a voice that has seen and tasted life at it's rawest - and it oozes out of her songs. It isn't a perfect voice - it isn't a polished voice - but it's a voice that makes you stop and listen... I don't usually go for "Best of" Albums - as I am a bit of a s"Ooops, word censored!"! - but this is one I would recommend for anyone's music library. it has most (see later) of Nina's greatest moments.. too many awesome songs to list them all - but some stand-out moments are: Ain't Got No... I Got Life (made famous recently by the Muller advert. These lyrics are FANTASTIC - a sheer celebration of life itself My Baby Just Cares For Me (had to be there - one of her classics) Feeling Good (raunch-fest! - with some scatting - which my daughter learned about at school last week!) I Loves You Porgy (love it or hate it - Nina was made for this song!) I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free (Nina, for me, is queen of the protest song) I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl (you will when you hear this!) Do I Move You (stand-out song - I had a friend who made this song the centre of his drag act - many years ago - a raunchier drag song you will NEVER find.. - goosebumps just thinking about it!! "Do I make you shiver? From your head to your liver?" ooohhhhh.... To Be Young Gifted & Black (Nina's iconic signature song - had to be in there!) Sinnerman (awesome arrangement of this old staple..) Mr Bojangles (timeless!!) I'm running out of superlatives to describe this album - it is quite simply superb!! I have named only about half of the tracks. I know some people say they don't like jazz - but even if you don't you can't fail to moved by this album. If you ain't moved by Nina - then you ain't got no soul.... so.. what is it?? The Very Best of Nina Simone Vol.1 if you have to sell your grandma to buy this album - do it now!! Phil one regret?? it has most of her up-beat stuff - so it doesn't include "Strange Fruit" - this was her protest song about the lynching of black men in the deep south.. the "strange fruit" was "Strange fruit hangin' from the poplar trees..." Edited February 1, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Just don't sell this Grandma!! - actually, I wouldn't make enough money... I bought this before Christmas - I love it, my son loves it as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 I've got Billie Holiday singing Strange Fruit. Such a sad song. I like Nina Simone but haven't bought this one yet. I might just do though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Kate......... I could lend you mine I wish Strange Fruit was on it as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 "Feeling good" is fab! spine tingling song Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Got it already. Marvellous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 I nearly got this, I love Nina Simone, but I also love Billie Holiday, I,ve got one of her cds, just love Summertime Good choice! Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Phil, thanks for the reminder. I've been meaning to buy this myself after seeing advertised on TV some time ago, but at the time it was Christmas and I don't think that I had a penny to spare on anything non-essential for me. Definitely one to invest in though, I'm sure that I'll love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 I saw this advertised, I love her, and would buy it if I bought albums, it is a must. I really like all the 50's and 60's black artists, pure class. Erma Franklin, Sam and Dave, but for sheer outrageousness it has to be Screaming Jay Hawkins! He had about 55 children and wore a cape and jumpsuit about 20 years before Elvis. So many of these brilliant musicians had such hard lives, yet produced such fabulous material, true genius! Kate, you are right about 'Strange Fruit' makes me cry, so awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Sinnerman (awesome arrangement of this old staple..) One of my all time most favourite tracks. I bought her album last year and thought it was fabulous. I'm off to play it again .......................right now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Ooops! just realised I've got Nina Simones new cd! Totally forgot, OH bought it for my birthday, in Sept. I'm worried now, any remedies for memories Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 I have a different Nina Simone albumn can't remember its name I have had it for years and it is great it has quite a few live tracks on it which are superb If anyone wants to know what it is let me know and I will post it next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 This was on a recent wish list of mine,so I will look out for it in town next week & add it to my collection. Thanks for the reminder,Phil. I love Nina Simone, with Sinnerman being a fovourite - its from the soundtrack of the modern remake of "The Thomas Crown Affair" I think Very,very cool music Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Well, as this topic has rather died, I just thought I would use it as a wonderful opportunity to recommend a new CD which is going to be my CD of the month for June, and possibly the rest of the year! Nick Harper, "Miracles for beginners". Due for release of June 4th, but available to pre order from Amazon etc. I can thoroughly recommend it. I went to one of his gigs a few weeks ago and his guitar playing and singing is just awesome. He sang three songs off the new album, and they all sent shivers down my spine. So, what else are we all listening to at the moment? (apart from Scooch of course ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 I love Nina Simone, with Sinnerman being a fovourite - its from the soundtrack of the modern remake of "The Thomas Crown Affair" I think Very,very cool music One of my favourite films And Nina Simone rocks (or grooves gently anyway) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Well slightly listening to Scooch, Annie I downloaded the Eurovision Helsinki 2007 Album the other day and have been playing that non-stop these last two days Still - think I'm on to a winning formula - I know the songs that I have gotten to like and one song grew on me the more I heard it. That could change my voting tonight......did I mention it's the FINAL tonight A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Sounds like you had a great time at the gig Annie! I love Nina Simone too - one very lady. I havent bought any new music for a while but Nenton Faulker is a great tip for the top - if you have not heard of him just listen to this! http://www.myspace.com/newtonfaulkner He is fab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 And here's Nick Harper's download page.... By the way Em, I've got the Nenton stuff and I like it very much ... but in my humble opinion, Nick Harper's even better: His lyrics and guitar playing are just fab! Go on, have a listen! http://www.harperspace.com/nick-harper-downloads.html But NOT Knuckledraggers: Its the only song he has ever made that I hate! Typical that its up the top of the download list! How many hours is it Andrew? We're off to a friends house to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 How many hours is it Andrew? We're off to a friends house to watch. It's three hours long and starts at 8pm sharp!! Hope you've got your flag for flying A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
