Nina Simone - The Best of Nina Simone

The Best of Nina Simone

I bought this cd for Sinner Man. It surprised me, because the part that is heard the most is only a small part of the song. This would be a good introductory cd to her music. November 21, 2008

Nina Simone

I first heard her music in two movies, "Point of No Return" and "The Thomas Crown Affair" and determined I would look for her music. I found both songs on this album and am enjoying it immensely. The only disappointment I had was that the case was cracked when I received it; otherwise, I would have given it 5 stars. October 2, 2008

Sexy and smart

I heard a version of "Don't let me be misunderstood" on an episode of "This American Life" about an Iraqi translator. Perhaps influenced by Eric Burdon's rendition, I thought the singer was male and was surprised that Nina Simone popped up on a search for the song title. Her version seems more heartfelt and explanatory than Mr Burdon's. "Mississippi goddam" is another gem, as is "Wild is the wind." Another surprise was "See line woman" which became "Sealion" for Feist on "The Reminder." Nina Simone's interpretations are funny and sensual and intelligent and certainly improve my morning bicycle commute. August 17, 2008

Best of Nina Simone

I was looking for 1 song. I got that, of sorts. The rest was not what I wanted or even liked. I did not enjoy the CD at all. February 8, 2008

My Ode to Nina Simone

The first time I heard of Nina Simone was from a movie called "Point of No Return," which is a remake of the french film called "La Femme Nikita." Anyway, in it the girl chooses the code name Nina, for Nina Simone, and I thought at the time, whoever Nina Simone is, she must be a pretty cool chick. A year later I meet a guy who's nuts 'bout Nina Simone and somewhere along the way, I became nuts about the guy and this cool chick named Nina Simone.

This is her most accessible album and quite frankly, her best, hence the "Best Of" but truly, hearing the 12 tracks will give you a glimpse of the voice and thoughts of an amazing artist and a courageous woman. I say a glimpse cos like myself after hearing this album will make you want to buy other Nina albums, if you're not already a fan, in hopes of catching more glimpses of this extraordinary woman and her music. Each song is a story, and a story within each song. Her voice is like no other, no one even close. Through her voice you will experience massive emotions, you will fall in love, feel heartbreak, live tragedy. She sings about life, and truth, blunt as it may. Nina Simone is the perfect storyteller and the jazz music that perfectly accompanies her magnificent voice makes for this incredible compilation.

"I Love Yous Porgy" I hear was a big hit for Ms. Simone back in the day and this slow wonder is the perfect preface for the rest of the album.

"The name of this tune is Mississippi Goddam! ...and I mean every word of it." This was (I imagine) the more political side of her and this song blew me away the first time I heard it. Despite the civil rights topic of the song, we also get to see a funnier side of Nina like when she says, "This is a show tune but the show hasn't been written for it, yet." haha! ...All jokes aside though, one can't help but relate to her lyrics, a cry for equality in a world of segregation. "Alabama's got me so upset, Tennessee made me lose my rest, and everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam...Lord have mercy on this land of mine, we're all gonna get it in due time...All I want is equality, for my sister, my brother, my people and me!..."

Every woman can relate to "The Other Woman." This song speaks to every woman, even if she's never been "the other woman." Imagine a song that begs us to ponder the lonliness of the mistress, "...the other woman will always cry herself to sleep, the other woman will never have his love to keep.." and the grief of the woman that's married, "..the other woman is perfect where her rival fails..." There is no voice quite like Nina's and on this song it is full of longing; dreamy and sad, it is not unlike the other woman.

Then we get to the epic 10-minute opus, "Sinnerman." This is her most popular song I think, and it's actually an early spiritual song but I swear hearing this powerful song makes me want to jump out of my seat and shout, "Lord have mercy!" It also brings me to my knees and makes me want to confess all my darkest sins, "Sinnerman where you gonna run to, where you gonna run to, all on that day... I ran to the river, it was bleedin, I ran to the sea, it was bleedin, all on that day..." This is the ultimate redemption song. Oh Nina, you dun outdone yo'self on this one, girl! What a great song.

"Ne Me Quitte Pas" roughly translates to "Don't leave me," and the original was by a French musician named Jacques Brel. This emotional song has been covered by many artists, including many versions in English called "If You Go Away." I don't speak french but a friend who does says Nina's version of this song is not very impressive, mostly due to her french being "amateur, at best." Since I don't speak the language, I don't care whether she pronounces her silent s's or not (haha) but I can tell it's a heartbreakingly sad song, judging by the emotions in her voice as she begs her lover to stay with her.

"See Line Woman" is a song one can't help but tap your foot to. It's reminisce of early dance music, almost disco-y, if you will, and very good.

"I Put a Spell on You" is another song that many other artists have covered but this version is my favorite. The combination of her desperate voice as she sings "I don't care if you don't want me, I'm yours right now.." and the mesmerizing saxophone that accompanies the song throughout is just incredible.

"Break Down and Let It All Out" is of course, every jilted lovers anthem. What to do when the other flees the coop? Yep, break down and let it all out. You'll feel better, and it's good for you.

One of my favorite Nina songs is "Four Women." It tells the stories of "Aunt Sarah," a slave whose back is strong enough to take the pain inflicted on her again and again, "Saffronia," a biracial with a rich white father who forced himself on her slave mother one night, "Sweet Thing," a prostitute with a mouth like wine, and "Peaches," the awfully bitter child whose parents were slaves. I can picture each woman in my mind as Nina's singing bout their sad lives. Her voice just brings these women to life, and one can't help but feel for them.

"Wild Is the Wind" is a very sad, sad love song. This song evokes all kinds of emotions in me, from the softness of the piano to Nina's almost tear-stricken voice, it is deeply melancholy. I love the lines, "Give me more than one caress, satisfy this hungriness...You touch me, I hear the sound of mandolins..."

"Pirate Jenny" is awesome! This song is told like a bed-time story, with suspense, excitement and intrigue. In fact, I often tell the story to my little cousins come bedtime and they get a great kick out of it. The wonder and anticipation on their faces as I'm relaying my rendition of the story to them is priceless.

The last song to round off the album is "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." This is a nice song, a happy song that's been covered by many bands since Nina's release of it back in the 60's and a great way to end this most awesome compilation of an album by the most awesome Nina Simone. And with that, I leave you with a quote by Mos Def:

"You may dig on the Rolling Stones, but they could never ever rock like Nina Simone."

Amen. June 6, 2007

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