Nina Simone - How It Feels to Be Free
Product Information
Track List: How It Feels to Be Free
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Album Details: How It Feels to Be Free
- Release Date:
- 01/07/2004
- UPC:
Pro Reviews: How It Feels to Be Free
| EXPERT RATING: From AMG Reviews Most of Nina Simone's best work was recorded in an approximate twelveyear period from 1959 to 1971, before her selfimposed exile from the U.S. (which was interrupted by occasional concert tours and a handful of later recordings). She blazed quite a trail at her creative peak, confounding fans and critics alike with a bewildering mixture of jazz standards, blues, folk songs and original protest material. So if ten Nina Simone enthusiasts were asked to put together a representative greatest hits" package, you'd probably get ten different snapshots, none of which would necessarily sum up the artistry of this contrary and complex individual, whose classical piano chops and amazingly expressive voice more than offset her prickly personality, sometimes questionable choice of material and laissezfaire attitude toward musical arrangements and backing musicians. Those wanting a larger helping of Simone's artistry would be advised to focus on the two, three, four or even sixdisk () compilations, some of which have become available only since Simone's death in 2003. However, if you're looking to just dip your toe in the water and/or see what all the fuss is about, you will be wellserved by this sampler, which draws from no less that eight earlier recordings (including two prior anthologies). Blues forms are well represented here (See Line Woman," I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl," Turn Me On"). Bob Dylan is nicely covered on Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" and I Shall Be Released" (and Simone is perhaps the only person aside from Dylan himself who can impart significance to some of his wackier, streamofconsciousness lyrics). Simone shows a talent for funk with her contemptuously sassy cover of Tina Turner's Funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter," and she wraps herself both fervently and languidly (a tricky combination for most singers) around several ballads, including Since I Fell for You" and Seems Like I'm Never Tired of Loving You." She is also represented on this compilation by two of her signature tunes, Lilac Wine" and Sinnerman" the first an obscure Broadway song more recently resurrected by Jeff Buckley, the second a traditional gospel piece that features Simone's rousing, righteous vocal style and her muscular, hypnotic piano accompaniment. Perhaps the only underrepresented aspect of Simone's work on this CD is the the protest genre, typified in the 1960's by her hardhitting, selfpenned anthems such as Mississippi Goddamn." (Simone has been adopted in recent years by a new wave of black female singersongwriters, both for her eclectic talent and for her fierce racial pride.) However, even good protest material tends to be somewhat topical, and loses power with the passage of time. Simone's influence here is arguably by way of example rather than being tied to any particular song(s). The CD's title track provides an artful, albeit generalized message of hope and courage, and for those who want something more overtly political(or for that matter, more of any aspect of Simone)'s work), ample recorded opportunities exist for further investigation of her unique genius. - Bill Tilland, All Music Guide |
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Nina Simone Biography
Of all the major singers of the late 20th century, Nina Simone was one of the hardest to classify. She recorded extensively in the soul, jazz, and pop idioms, often over the course of the same album; she was also comfortable with blues, gospel, and B...Full Nina Simone Biography
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