Nina Simone - Gold (2003) APE

When I first bought this CD I was not very familiar with the work of Nina Simone and so bought it as something of a 'taster'. After listening to it only once I begame a huge nina fan! There is such a broad range of work present on this CD, from tunes that most people would recognise such as the stirring and uplifting 'Feeling Good', the smooth jazz classic 'My Baby Just Cares for Me' to the dark and haunting 'I Put a Spell on You', which sends shivers down your spine, to a range of others which showcase Nina's unique and passionate voice. I know it sounds unlikely but there in not, in my opinion, a bad song on this CD. There is music to suit every emotion, from upbeat jazzy numbers such as 'I'm Gonna Leave you' to slow, brooding songs such as 'Don't Smoke in Bed'. Present throughout in Nina's amazingly emotional and personal sound which is evident on all the tracks-you really do feel as if she means every word that she is singing and she makes you feel it as well. This is especially evident in songs such as 'Mississippi Goddam' and the painfully emotional 'Strange Fruit' which show Nina singing from the heart about issues of racisim and black prejudice. As well as her special voice, her piano playing is also wonderful to listen to-the piano solo in 'My Bbaby Just Cares for Me' being a persoanl favourite. It is quite difficult to classify her style as this CD encompases jazz, soul, folk, gospel and more, often all merged in together-so it really is a CD for anyone with an appreciation of real musical genius who wants to discover the music of a legendary woman.



Tracklist:

CD1
01. Feeling Good 02:54
02. My Baby Just Cares For Me 03:02
03. I'm Gonna Leave You 02:17
04. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out 02:40
05. Love Me Or Leave Me 04:06
06. Don't You Pay Them No Mind 03:04
07. I Love Your Lovin' Ways 02:29
08. Mood Indigo 02:26
09. See-Line Woman 02:37
10. Break Down And Let It All Out 02:39
11. This Year's Kisses 02:59
12. Ne Me Quitte Pas (If You Go Away) 03:36
13. Mississipi Goddam 04:46
14. Take Me To The Water 02:51
15. Work Song 03:07
16. I Hold No Grudge 02:21
17. I'm Going Back Home 02:50
18. Sinnerman 10:20

CD2
01. I Put A Spell On You 02:36
02. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood 02:47
03. I Loves You Porgy 02:29
04. Don't Explain 04:20
05. The Other Woman 03:03
06. What More Can I Say 02:50
07. Night Song 03:06
08. Black Is The Colour Of My True Love's Hair 03:28
09. Keeper Of The Flame 03:22
10. Strange Fruit 03:31
11. Don't Smoke In Bed 05:22
12. Wild Is The Wind 06:59
13. Little Girl Blue 04:19
14. One September Day 02:51
15. Tell Me More And More And Then Some 03:09
16. Blues On Purpose 03:16
17. Take Care Of Busisness 02:05
18. Gimme Some 03:00
19. Feeling Good (Joe Claussell Remix - Radio Edit) 03:14
20. See-Line Woman (Masters At Work Remix) 10:06