Nina Simone

I've owned the complete Nina Simone discography for some time, but I wanted this box set specifically for the 8 previously unreleased tracks and the 1970 documentary that I assumed had been lost.

The new material is fantastic. I'd gladly have paid just to hear the new, live recording of "Suzanne" included in this set. It's a brilliant concert piece, equal parts bold and vulnerable. I'd heard Nina sing with her brother Samuel at a 1968 Paris concert on the album Live at the Great Show, but if not for the release of "Let it Be Me" included on this set for the first time, I would never have known how truly talented and soulful he was. Music must have been a familial trait.

The DVD is brief (only about 20 minutes) but packs a punch. Nina is engaging and captivating, especially when she muses with her interviewer that freedom must be the equivalent of having no fear. A rehearsal cut of "Don't You Pay Them No Mind" before a concert is overwhelming. This was always one of my favorite songs on the High Priestess of Soul album and to see her perform it with the accompaniment of her grand piano, her mighty vibrato trembling with emotion, is something to behold. She closes a concert with "I Wish I Knew How (It Would Feel to Be Free)," taking the song in a new and liberating direction, singing along and quoting Bible scripture while her band provides a hypnotic melody.

This could easily pass as an introduction to Nina Simone's work, if that is what you're looking for. I don't agree with all of the choices included here as a career spanning collection, but this is an artist who recorded so many albums on so many different labels, if you took two Nina fans and asked them to assemble her best work, you'd inevitably come up with two completely different collections. It's part of the beauty of her music.

Attached to the set is a booklet with extensive track notes for every song, written by David Nathan, a founder of Nina's British fan club and frequent biographer of her life and career. While strained in some parts, his devotion to the artist is clear.

This is a great collection and I'm thankful to the producers who continue to memorialize this incomparably brilliant, yet often overlooked Diva of song.

Highly recommended.

this is a very "clean" crisp sounding set of recordings, and documents well a brilliant Musician and Vocalist, and the bonus tracks of unreleased material adds to your collection nicely, and with luck we will see more unreleased stuff come out as well as more recordings from Simone on Simone who did a wonderfull retake on some of Nina's Work and gave it a modern flair.

Peace

This is a wonderful collection for Nina Simone to gain more fans. The choices of the versions of songs for this collection, are the smooth more soothing ones. Each song easily fits together on the same album with any of the other songs. The DVD is really just for already fans. (I guess if your buying a box, you must already be a major fan)The mix of the clips of her performances and the interview disturbs the full experience. They should have had the performance then the interview. Do not get me wrong. I highly recommend this box set to anyone. I am personally a fan of the coarser versions of some songs. One thing I really like about Nina Simone, is that no two performance of her are the same.

I have been a big fan of Nina singing for years. This is a great collection of her work. enjoy

This box set is really amazing!!! As I wrote in the new PASTE magazine [...]
"It beautifully documents the mysterious wonders of Simone's rich voice and her quirky yet emotional phrasing." It's particularly nice that the collection includes so many "live" recordings since Nina was such an electric and inventive performer, almost always reinterpreting her songs in concert.

In addition, the box includes a DVD of an excellent 1970 documentary. It looks beautiful and it features some fantastic live material: a searching "I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free)" and a heartbreaking "Don't You Pay Them No Mind." The interview footage is also great. My favorite part comes when she's talking about her artistic mission:

"Everybody is half-dead. Everybody avoids everybody, all over the place, in most situations, most all the time. I know; I'm one of those 'everybodys.' And, to me, it's terrible. And so all I'm trying to do, all the time, is just open people up so they...let themselves be open to somebody else. That is all. That's it."

-- Craig Seymour, author of All I Could Bare: My Life in the Strip Clubs of Gay Washington, D.C.

No coments... the title explain sufficient...

Sorry, but my English is very little...

What more can be said of Nina Simone? She is truly a one of a kind performer. Her voice, her style, her passion is unique in all her songs. If this is the first CD you get, you will not be disappointed.

The fact that Nina Simone is not a household name, like Sarah Vaughan, is inconceivable. She's a brilliant musician--terrific singer, Juilliard-trained classical pianist who accompanies herself no matter what the genre is, and composer, arranger, and consummate actress with a song. On this anthology of thirty-one of her best songs, she is at her peak, doing it all with panache and all but hanging her soul out to dry.

In "I Loves You, Porgy," one of the many favorites on this CD, Simone performs the definitive version of this song, keeping it simple with a simple piano, often singing almost a capella, and often in a whisper, creating an honest and very dramatic mood. "Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair," a folk tune, becomes a drama here with Simone totally controlling both the voice and accompaniment. "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," a passionate original song, is especially poignant and soulful, since we now know she was bipolar (and to some extent self-destructive) for her entire career, singing here about how her intentions are good though she often takes things out on others. Bessie Smith's "Nobody Knows You When You Are Down and Out," related in message, takes on new life in Simone's hands. "I Want a Little Sugar in my Bowl," is an impassioned and unabashedly sexual plea for love.

A number of songs here are from the beginning of the civil rights protest movement in the early sixties, a time of great danger for activist performers. Her own song "Mississippi Goddam," which also references Tennessee and Alabama, is one of the first such songs, with "Four Women" (a song study of women of varying complexions) and their lives depicted vibrantly. "I Wish I Knew How It Felt to be Free," is sung like a revival hymn while "Revolution," is a rousing, hand-clapping inspirational tune. Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit," sung sensitively, contains greater anger than Billie's powerful, almost naïve, version. Her vocal tribute to Rev. Martin Luther King, "Why (The King of Love is Dead)," a quiet tribute to the man, asks the question "Will the murders never cease?"

For me the highlight of the CD is "Sinnerman," ten minutes of powerful, rock `em - sock `em, hand-clapping, folk revival music, a version you must hear to believe (and which you will never forget)! (It is song #14 of Disc One for an Amazon sample.) Though the CD also features torch songs, blues, soul, gospel, and pop, Simone is primarily a jazz singer extraordinaire, one of the most passionate of the era--but one who can do everything else, too. A CD that shows Simone in all her brilliant moods and at the peak of her powers. n Mary Whipple

Nina Simone at the Village Gate
Nina Simone - Live at Montreux 1976--DVD
The Very Best Of Nina Simone, 1967-1972 : Sugar In My Bowl
I Put A Spell On You: The Autobiography Of Nina Simone
Nina: The Essential Nina Simone

Feel too humbled by her music to write a review.
Nina's great, she's brilliant, and her songs are mesmerizing.
I'm just a fan of hers now, someone who's filled with amazement at her sheer talent and courage.
The only tinge of regret is that she lived in a time when such a vast amount of her energies seemed to have been spent in challenging the obvious wrongs of society at that time. Would her music have been even more beautiful - and more harmonious - if she had lived in our time, or did she derive greater inspiration from the challenges that she faced during hers?

This woman had an incredible voice that could melt people across time. Sadly, the versions on the selections here are TERRIBLE. If you like Nina, look elsewhere. There are also major gaps in the selections; "Angel of the Morning" isn't included, but a miserable version of "Everyone's Gone to the Moon" is? I may return it because of the version of "Trouble in Mind" alone. Great singer, lousy selections.

This soundtrack, like the movie, is very nice, specially for the first song "Windmills of your mind" sing by Sting.

I bought this CD years ago and used the Sting version of the "Windmills of your Mind" at my wedding. I think the DJ walked away with my cd and I always wanted to buy a new one. I am enjoying it again now!!! I've watched the movie many many times and the cd is just as ageless...

Loved the music and the movie... own both now... haven't stopped playing the CD. Great soundtrack!

I wanted to get The Thomas Crown Affair Soundtrack for one reason only: The Sinnerman by Nina Simone, because I was not able to find this particular version anywhere else. And yet this song...it is simply great. When I first heard it, I could feel shivers down my spine, and have felt the same ever since. But to be completely honest, I do like the rest of the CD. Unfortunately, there is not much left. The soundtrack is rather short (31' approximately), and...well...jazzy, which is not exactly my cup of tea, but still, it was worth getting it. It is a nice, relaxing listening. Apart from The Sinnerman, of course. That one makes me feel exhilirated and strong and...well, happy.

This is a great CD containing most of the melodies and songs from the movie except for the Latin dance during the black and white party. I especially enjoyed Sting's Windmills Of Your Mind which is not released on any other CD (I believe) and Nina Simone's "clapping" song. One of the rare soundtracks that has all great songs and melodies in one!

Great movie, great soundtrack. For the record, Townes Van Zandt both wrote and performs Dead Flowers. Sir Mick, the Glimmer Twins, The Rolling Stones, whateveryouwanttocallthemtoday recorded Townes's song and made it famous. Luckily, the Coen Bros know the original is the best. Too bad that who ever posted this text originally didn't know the difference.

How about the fact that "This Is a Man's World" by the Godfather of Funk, James Brown is missing too. Just like a movie is never like the book, a soundtrack is never like the movie.


Buy it anyway! Good to have.

First let's get this out of the way: This is a great soundtrack! One cannot help but visualize the film while listening. From Bob to the Gipsy Kings to Kenny Rogers. The songs are now forever linked to the Dude and Jesus and Maude. Anyone who loves the film will want to own this. This review isn't so much about that but about my criticism of film soundtrack criticism in general.

There are several reasons why a soundtrack like this is "incomplete". Most of the time a soundtrack featuring various artists includes much more music than can fit on one cd. With BL specifically obviously there were some tracks that seem like they "must" be included. Songs that were featured prominently (tumbleweeds) or are indispensible to the plot (the eagles or creedence) seem much more valuable than say the Captain Beefheart or Costello songs.

While the "missing" songs are included the film, the rights to these songs may be limited and their inclusion on a soundtrack is NOT possible (how many Led Zeppelin songs have you ever seen on a soundtrack album? They won't even let a few notes of "Stairway to Heaven" be heard in Wayne's World).

I think a third reason is simply financial. Do you want to pay $30 for a "complete" Big Lebowski soundtrack just to get a few tracks that you probably already own (I wanted this cd for the tracks I didn't own or had never heard before. My indispensible track is "Dead Flowers"). Some of the missing songs may have been available but just not affordable if they were going to release a normally priced disc. I can imagine the crooks at Fantasy Records charging an arm an a leg for putting a Creedence track on the soundtrack.

Basically, this cd gives us a challenge to act like the Dude. Let's make our own mix tape (well, okay mix-cd)! The Dude most definately abides!

There are some definite nuggets here, such as "Condition" and "Hotel California," but there are also some VERY noticeable omissions, such as "Tumbleweeds" and CCR. Also, some of the stuff on this album is a complete mystery to me. I'm listening to it right now, and I can't remember for all the Kahlua in Mexico where some of these songs were in the film. It would be nice to see an improved, 10th anniversary edition of the CD to go with the DVD, but things don't look promising. I guess the licensing was too difficult for some tracks. Basically, I'm glad I got this on ebay.

I'm still waiting for the COMPLETE "Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". This agression will not stand, man...

Excellent CD. I had been limited in what I had heard up to this time. What a voice and can she sell a song!

I needed a collection of Nina Simone and after careful thinking and looking at the selection on Amazon I chose this one. And I have been very pleased.

My first demand was to get "Feeling good" and here it is. Wonderful, sensual, unforgettable. I was also curious about "Mississippi goddamn", which I've never heard on Finnish radio but saw a bit in a documentary about soul. It's a compelling performance, starts so harmlessly, tongue-in-cheek and builds up to a description of racism and plea for liberty - which inspired Sam Cooke to create his "A change is gonna come".

Nina Simone was a marvellous pianist and a great voice, that had more than one side. It's interesting to hear the less heard version of "My baby just cares for me" and then "Don't let me be missunderstood". Her "Ne me quitte pas" is a pretty good cover of Brel's original, which is saying a lot. I hate Brel covers.

The collection is quite a good one, showing more than one side of Simone's personality: the sexy, the bold, the jazzy, the humorous... If there are better collections, I haven't seen them, and I've looked.

nice love this voice, love her passion, and skill. buy this and any others of hers. you will never be disapointed. A voice that stands apart no cookie cutter top 40 crap here. She is a legend.

There is none to compare to the sheer & pure God given talent of Nina Simone. This CD is simply perfection! Aretha Franklin is the Queen of Soul and well deserved, and Nina Simone is the Queen of all.

vintage nina, some very good songs mixed with some not so good songs, tried to cram too many songs in one cd

I had not ever heard of Nina Simone before. I ran across her name and then, by chance, someone gave my husband this CD and he brought it home. I listened to it and could not believe how, yes, mesmerizing her voice and interpretations are. The other reviewers express this very well, and I didn't want to read too many of those reviews before adding my own, so as not to lose all words for it. Simone's voice is completely "other" and completely known at the same time. She is in complete command, and yet does not sound too distant or at all cloying, and not over-powering. Her interpretation of each song as well as her voice are both multi-dimensioned in a way that I have not ever heard, and unique. It's a wonderful experience to listen to this CD in full, with each track wonderful to listen to.

I was not familiar with nina before this album. I definitley like her groove. Very powerful singer. A couple of tracks are a little hokey for my taste, but overall a great listen.

In this album, Nina Simone touches the soul. Actually all of her albums do, thanks to her unique voice. She keeps things interesting by switching from slow tempo ballads to up-beat funky jams. I recommend this album to anyone who appreciates a strong, sensual and soulful woman = Nina Simone.

Ten or so years ago, when I lived in wild and wikkit El Lay, I was having drinks with a client at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons (which as we all know, is NOT in Beverly Hills proper, but just across the street on Doheny). As we sat there, my client and I heard a woman (man?) talking just out of eyesight. The voice, while not loud, cut through the pre-cocktail hour buzzle like a small frigate---clean, strong, and distinctive. She wasn't being loud, it was just that that voice...that voice. My client persuaded me to go find out who was speaking, as we were mesmerized. I went into the next little salon off the bar area and saw an elegant black woman talking with an earnest young white man in his first grown-up suit, in his first grown-up A&R job (probably fresh from USC business school). She was talking and he had the most incoherent look on his face. In retrospect, I think he had never met someone like her, and of course, he never will again. I hope he appreciated her. I asked, "Excuse me, but your voice is so distinctive---it sounds very familiar. Do I know you?" She stopped her narrative, languidly looking up at me, extended her hand in a regal but not royal way, and simply said, "I am Nina Simone."

I have to admit that I had heard of her, but couldn't have named one song she'd recorded. Even in the hip 80's and 90's, she was radically underappreciated and heard in the States. Needless to say,(and this was way before amazon.com et al)I raced to Tower and bought several of her recordings. This recording is a favorite, and the more I listen to this amazing singer, the more I wonder why she never had a wider American audience. Her singing, like her speaking, was so very distinctive and mesmerizing. You may not want to, but you cannot help yourself from stopping to listen. I have had more people ask me "Who's playing?" when one of her songs comes up in the mix.

Her take on any song is memorable. Her voice has a resonant quality unlike the thin, reedy, over-produced songbirds on the charts today. Most modern singers in any genre seem hell-bent on showing off what their voices CAN do. It's like nude scene in a movie: gets your attention, but does nothing to move the plot along. Same with all the vocal melisma of current artists---all the shrieking does nothing to sell the song. With La Nina, it is just pure singing, straight out and true.

Try this album. You may not like it at first. Her voice is unique and requires attentive listening. But like dark chocolate, which might taste bitter at first, somehow seduces you and milk chocolate becomes a little ho-hum. So it is with Nina Simone. You may not want to play her for your next rave, but with friends over for drinks or dinner, Nina playing in the next room, soon everyone will be asking, "Who's playing?" And you can turn on a new audience to an incomparable, unique voice.

Nina Simone is someone that put out so many albums, it would not be financially practical to try to collect them all. This compilation CD does show her wearing many different hats through different eras of music. For example, she does some good Blues work on "Do I Move You?" and a good live performance on "Mississippi Goddamn."

Some pieces are more vocal, and others are more piano driven/ instrumental, and that versatility is enjoyable.

For me, this has been a good introduction to Nina Simone and likely all of her that I will need to buy. I believe that this compilation has been sufficiently broad to stand on its own in a CD collection.

I love Nina, and I this is a great compilation of her music. There is something for everyone here, no matter what your musical tastes!

I first heard Nina Simone in the movie "Point of No Return".. In it was Sugar In My Bowl and Here Comes the Sun. I was just blown away by how much emotion was put into each word, each note.. It's like she puts HERSELF into her singing- it's AMAZING. I am only 25, so I don't know all of the older music.. but Nina Simone really caught my attention. I can't think of any group or singer today that really captures the raw emotions in the songs like she does. I know this CD is a little costly, more than I would usually pay for a cd, but I LOVE it and I think it was well worth the price and more.

This is the set of CDs you want in the car for long rides or on the radio while puttering around the house. Her voice is like warm brandy, something to soothe you after a long day.

Nina Simone's 'I want some sugar in my bowl'is one of the greatest examples of how a song can transcend the musical element and become a political messanger, where the message becomes more thn the sum of its parts. There were better pianists that Nina Simone, and certainly prettier voices, but the selection in this CD show that there is no one with such an artistry. She basically invented what could be called the expressive bleat (with any other singer a major flaw). her cry is so direct, her sound so manly yet tender, this cd is a must.

She's like an "April breeze". I first heard of her in a movie, "Point of No Return" which was a remake of some Brit film. Anywho, as soon as the movie was over, I ran to the computer to find out if "Nina Simone" was a real singer and not just a "prop" in a movie. Low and behold,,,found her!! Ordered her! Now, I listen to her very often and sit back and enjoy!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you are a purist and think no one should re-imagine anything you happen to like - then don't listen to this,and don't buy it - but shut the **** up. I like Nina's originals, but I think this disc is really good. One song alone is worth the price of the whole disc - ""Funkier than A mosquito's Tweeter" is absolutely Bad-A**. Queue that song up - turn the volume up as high as you dare, and tear the roof off!

I have really enjoyed this CD. I've been a Nina fan for about 4 years now. I was really surprised at just how well one can remix and tune up her work to make it more modern without impacting her voice. Good stuff!

A few years back I purchashed an amazing CD of Shirley Bassey remixes and, for who knows what reason, I was under the impression that it was from this "Remixed and Reimagined" series so I purchased Nina's CD without hesitation.

I am a HUGE Nina Sinone fan and thought that there was much potential for "reimagining" some of her songs, but you will never find out from this mess. Rarely have I encountered such an unlistenable product that I wanted to stompt it to pretend that it enver existed. If you like Nina, stay away no matter how hip the marketing concept may sound.

I wish the purists would just stay away from these remix projects! They complain that this isn't the Nina Simone (or whoever) they're familiar with and trash the release because of their own hidebound attitudes. The fact is, this a well assembled remix project that should please fans of the jazz-electronica genre (Verve Remixed, etc.), and more open-minded Nina fans as well. Calling this house music is simple-minded. There are beats here to be sure, but the producers take a variety of approaches that honor the original music without trampling it too much. Of course, like most of these remix projects, some efforts are more successful than others, but overall, very solid. I hope there are more in the Remixed & Reimagined series in the pipeline. Meanwhile, the stubbornly literal-minded types should stop buying (and reviewing) these!

Nina Simone would be so disappointed with this. It just sounds like someone superimposed lyrics and new age groove music. It sounds like two different pieces of music playing at the same time. What a shame.

This is by far the most moving of Nina Simone's recordings. It eeks passion throughout. Not a single breath is drawn without absolute passion. Songs roll into the next and one stomps and sings along. Sure, it is angry, but rightously so. This record truly moves me.

Whenever you feel the blues, listen to Nina Simone and your blues will be soothed by her raw and at the same time smooth music.

I like the blues and I am also a Nina Simone fan. I was not sure if This lady would sing up to my expectations of the blues. She proved me very much wrong.
This is one of the best cd's I have ever purchased of Nina Simone. I really enjoyed, DO I MOVE YOU and THE PUSHER. This lady is a real artist. It sounds to me that she is definately into what she is singing on this cd, and enjoying every minute of it.

This is such a wonderful CD. I was actually searching another artist when I discovered Nina Simone. After listening to a few music samples, I was intrigued enough to purchase it.
I love it! The fact that this music was recorded decades ago, is a perfect illustration of how timeless her music is. If you like this type of deep bluesy, but not whiny, style, you will not be sorry.

I have always loved Nina Simone's voice and have always thought she made great choices when choosing what songs to cover, and this CD is no exception. As a fan of the blues, I couldn't wait to hear this and I wasn't disappointed. She rocks "The Pusher", and turns Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" into a spiritual. The live version of "Gin House Blues" is incredibly infectious and I keep hitting repeat once its over. This CD is full of gems. Anyone who is a fan of the blues or Nina Simone should own this; no one can sing the blues the way she did.