Verve Jazz Masters 17 Customer Review: Nina Simone is a NATIONAL TREASURE
“Black is the Color of my True Love’s Hair” is so true that it’s not for lightweights. Though I’d heard Simone derided (I’d guess because she’s not so readily accessible) I must confess all conceit because this music is so noble that it demands better of all of us. I had long been attracted to the fringe of Jazz and the esoteric singers first Billie Holiday, then Sarah Vaughan and June Christy, all clearly different from one another (with Vaughan being my own personal favorite) but Nina Simone was a thunderbolt discovery, more not-like-anyone-else than any of those great singers were, each a great artist, hence unique, and still Nina at this late date is only a true sophisticate’s discovery. Everybody in America knows “My Baby Just Cares For Me” but may not be sure how. Heartbreakingly, Nina knows the burden of knowledge, including neglect, and rejection, as well as the enlightenment of shared experience. Artists of Nina Simone’s stature are very rare. The jaw-droppingly original “Little Girl Blue” will remind you of sad romantic days, the flush of youth followed by lonely Christmases, and will always haunt your dreams. Numbers like “I Put A Spell On You” classically show Nina’s showmanship, but on tracks “Wild Is The Wind,” “Pirate Jenny,” and “Mississippi Goddam” Nina Simone demonstrates that she also knows what artistry is, and without hesitation expresses her very own instrument, and though now lost to us, Nina Simone remains one of our greatest “undiscovered” artists and a national treasure.
Customer Review: Nina Simone Sings Jazzy Tunes Baby!
This is one of those albums that would make you say I bought the whole thing for this one track. The great thing about it is that all of the songs are worthy of being that one track. This is a strong collection.
That being said, take a listen to Pirate Jenny and Four Women. These songs transport you to another place. They’re absolutely immersive.
Pirate Jenny tells of a woman who is disregarded and disrespected. This woman has a secret though, and it is a chilling secret that ulimately plays out in revenge and horror. You can savor the sweet taste of revenge as Nina sings of turning tables with no apology.
Four Women is the type of song you could model a whole college class after. Four Women, all black, all different, yet all the same. She touches on the women’s hair and varying skin tones as she describes them. This struck home for me as these are the variables that people use to categorize you. Excellent song, you could write a thesis on it.
Last but not least is Love Me, Leave Me. Man, could Nina play the piano. I marvel whenever I listen at her dexterity. One hand is working a totally different melody than the other. Seriously, it sounds like two people playing two different pianos - she’s that talented.
Aside from her incredible skill as a pianist Nina Simone has a voice that feels like warm molasses on soft velvet. So unique, so rich, so powerful.
Excellent CD
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