Customer Reviews

Essential

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Nina Simone is truly One of the most Soulful Down to Earth Sister's that I have ever heard.Her Piano Playing stretched acrossed Classical,to Jazz&everything in between.He Voice took on the ill's of the World&just had your entire attention from start to finish.this Essential Collection Reminds you where so Many Current Sisters got there game off.RIP to a Soulful&Honest Legend.

I agree with the other two reviews but neither mentions what a consumate jazz and classical pianist Nina Simone is. After all, she was both Julliard-trained and a South Carolina share-cropper cotton picker in her childhood. What better combination? While not possessing a "fine" voice she sings a song from the soul, and her sheer pianistic power and skill is unmatched by any "popular" performer that I am aware of. In sum. her keyboard performances alone would put her in the top rank of jazz artists.

Ed Williams

Nina: The Essential Nina Simone, is a wonderful compilation of some of Nina's best music. There are songs that seem dark and sad, as well as music that expresses great love and joy. Her arrangement of House of the Rising Sun is probably my favorite. She has taken that song and given it more feeling than I thought it could ever have.

No afficionado of jazz, I picked this CD up on a lark and was stunned. Aside from He's Got the Whole World, there's not a bad track...and that's not bad just not my cup of tea. Now, the challenge, which of her CDs to buy next.

I consider myself very fortunate to have discovered this truly amazing lady. My aunt had this disc in her cd changer on a day I just happened to be having dinner at her house. I really wasn't paying attention to the music in the background. But when I first heard Nina's voice, I found myself absolutely mesmerized. All I could say was "Who's that playing on the stereo?" It was, of course, Nina. I had never heard of this legendary lady before, but I became an instant fan. Nina has one of those voices that you just can't classify, like Macy Gracy, Tina Turner, Billie Holliday, Rod Stewart, Anastacia, Bjork and the list goes on... It's a potent instrument, soulful, emotional, beautifully textured, and deep. It's one of those rare voices that truly stands out from the millions of singers around the world. It's just heaven... One must hear Nina's voice to get a true sense of what I'm talking about. Her voice really will take your breath away...

Not really having heard of Nina Simone prior to her recent passing, I caught a retrospective on NPR and was amazed at the power and persuasiveness of her voice. So, I beelined to the nearest music store, and picked out this CD, not knowing which one to select. Needless to say, "The Essential Nina Simone" is a masterful work of perfection.

Nina's voice is so incredibly deep and soulful, and soul-filled. I was immediately drawn to several of the tracks, realizing that just one listen wasn't enough. Nina manages to incorporate the power of her life and times into each song, as a reflection of where she's been and yet a hope of things to come. She's simply unlike any artist I've heard.

This CD is taking a prime place in my stereo for months to come. For relaxing, for reflection, for memories, for living, this CD and Nina Simone is a requisite.

In Memoriam of Nina Simone, the great singer, pianist, composer, arranger, songwriter, feminist, activist, mother and woman.

Nina was born in North Carolina, USA, February 21, 1933.

Although Nina was called the "High Priestess of Soul" by her fans and was regarded by them as an almost religious figure, she was often misunderstood as well. The High Priestess would walk different paths to find the adequate songs to spread her message.

A protest singer; a jazz singer; a pianist; an arranger and a composer, Nina Simone is a great artist who defies easy classification. She is all of these: a jazz-rock-pop-folk-black musician. In fact, we can find her biography in jazz, rock, pop, black and soul literature. Her style and her hits provided many singers and groups with material for hits of their own.

Nina Simone passed away on April 21, 2003 in Carry-le-Rouet, France. She was Aged 70.

She is survived by her daughter and will be forever missed - yet forever treasured.

May our high priestess find her path to peace.