Nina at RCA

As an introduction, it is useful to situate "historically" the time period of the RCA Nina Simone pilepoil that falls on the time or Eunice Kathleen Waymon (his real name) is involved most politically it which had begun a few years earlier his fight for civil rights at a time when - it is worth remembering it - it was synonymous to risk his skin, really. This is also the time changes with the departure of the US in 1970 (a big pissed) and his last album before a long sabbatical (she will not return to business as four long years later, an eternity for industry the time of the disc). It is therefore a tumult era, rich in chaos, that cover these nine albums released between 1967 and 1974. The one where an already established artist shows she knows how to take risks and, in passing, to gain in importance and depth.

NINA SIMONE SINGS THE BLUES: Having changed creamery (bye-bye Philips, RCA hello), Nina returns to its fundamentals with an album where her powerful voice and rough wonders. As its title suggests, it's blues (and sometimes rhythm'n ...) in question. That does not stop there Nina to impose his personality which is all the more stunning that more than half of the songs are standard. An essential of his discography, and undoubtedly an impressive lead-in to his new label.

SILK & SOUL: Less critical than its predecessor but still quite listenable, Silk & Soul lack of emotional energy that had characterized the impeccable Sings the Blues. In fact, his soul treatment is much less stunning than his blues, but in good professional, Nina did the job. She knows how, Nina. A good album - with some very nice beaches - this is not bad.

`NUFF SAID: Recorded the day after the death of Martin Luther King,` Nuff Said is a passionate live where Nina Simone pours his soul. Visibly hurt (and disgusted) by the ignominy of the murder of a man whose message was to serve peace and brotherhood, she lives these records with his powerful indignation and obvious sadness. In doing so, it makes us relive a dark period where activism led too often to difficult to understand today atrocities. Performance is decent (sometimes resembling a joyful outlet), and the album oh recommended although it is far from the sound quality of modern recordings.

NINA SIMONE & PIANO: On paper, Nina Simone only piano and vocals (with some "re-re" singing, percussion and organ) seems a good idea and, with an appropriate directory, that probably would a summer. In this case, it gets lost too often strangely chosen songs and other questionable experiments for a total enthusiasm either appointment. Nina also struggling to regain momentum for his recordings with escorts, strange for a pianist and vocalist usually if inhabited. Obviously, when it sticks to the composition, everything is better and found (occasionally) a Nina knows that we carry. Not often enough to consider "& Piano" as other anecdotal thing and partly missed. Too bad.

SOMEBODY TO LOVE: Rubbing by a new generation of songwriters come from the world of pop (rock) or folk, Nina appropriates a directory sum all fairly standard (the time of tubes and two originals) but skillfully revisited for the occasion. One is not surprised to see Bob Dylan also heavily represented (one third of the original album), the two artists share more in common than it seems, it is to see two titles harmless Bee Gees ... Obviously, a more daring selection would have stuck more to the personality of Nina but we simply gladly, given its quality, what To Love Somebody who proves, in the end, in the cushy choice, impeccable in quality interpretations, probably not essential but worthy of recommendation.

BLACK GOLD: This second live CAR period can obviously be as vibrant as his predecessor, recorded in the context that we know. And we should also note that the sound quality would be considered pitiful would it have been released today and is not exactly the "cream of the crop" of his time. However, there are admirable performance. Nina knew, consequently to his foray into the world of pop, creating new gateways it borrows feline class here with a black panther while on gathering his jazz roots / blues / folk. An album that deserves immersed.

HERE COMES THE SUN: Taking more or less formula To Love Somebody, Here Comes the Sun does not convince as much as its predecessor. Blame it on the arrangements that have not aged terribly. In this case, it's more a curiosity than a success in question with, it should be noted, a lovely version of Here Comes the Sun by George Harrison. The rest terribly like a missed opportunity.

EMMERGENCY WARD! : Prompt to indignation and always proactive in action, Nina protests against the Vietnam war that has already lasted too long and cost too many innocent lives. Three tracks (four songs) only for the original album (supplemented by a recovery ... Gilbert Bécaud!), But what three tracks! Lysergic, powerful, evocative ... Nina in "gospel revolution" mode!

IT IS FINISHED: Another live Nina Simone! His second consecutive 4th and 9 outputs to RCA is a lot! But Nina is such an animal and its live performances so rich that their differences do not sulk his pleasure. The day mode is funky, jazzy, bluesy ... Good thing Nina excels. And three bonus are welcome to "extend" a so divine broth.

Uneven but exciting, inspired and powerful in the image of its heroine, the 7 years and 9 albums recorded by Nina Simone for RCA constitute a consistent and monumental collection showcasing the versatility and passion Simone overflowed. All is not essential but nothing ridiculous or unworthy of interest. Moreover, soberly presented in its pretty little box with a vinyl-replica booklet containing the various covers, line-ups, etc., it is an object that "throws".

Advisable and recommended.

Tracklist:

Disc 1
Nina Simone Sings the Blues (1967)
1. Do I Move You 2:48
2. Day and Night 2:36
3. In the Dark 2:58
4. Real Real 2:22
5. My Man's Gone Now 4:17
6. Backlash Blues 2:31
7. I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl 2:33
8. Buck 1:53
9. Since I Fell for You 2:53
10. House of the Rising Sun 3:53
11. Blues for Mama 3:58

Disc 2
Silk & Soul (1967)
1. It Be's That Way Sometime 2:58
2. The Look of Love 2:24
3. Go to Hell 2:50
4. Love o 'Love 5:07
5. Cherish 3:23
6. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free 3:11
7. Turn Me On 2:26
8. Turning Point 2:02
9. Some Say 2:11
10. Consummation 4:12
Bonus
11. Why Must Your Love Be So Dry 2:22
12. Save Me 3:22

Disc 3
'Nuff Said! (1968)
1. In the Morning 2:27
2. Sunday in Savannah 6:13
3. Backlash Blues 2:48
4. Please Read Me 2:52
5. Gin House Blues 3:08
6. Why? (The King of Love Is Dead) 24:51
7. Peace of Mind 2:46
8. Is not Got No / I Got Life 2:07
9. I Loves You Porgy 3:28
10. Take My Hand Precious Lord 1:56
11. Do What You Gotta Do 3:04
Bonus
12. Mississippi Goddam 6:55
13. Do not Let Me Be Misunderstood 4:54
14. Come Ye 3:48
15. Is not Got No - I Got Life (single) 2:58
16. Peace of Mind (single) 2:37

Disc 4
Nina Simone and Piano! (1969)
1. Seems I'm Never Tired of Lovin 'You 3:02
2. Nobody's Fault But Mine 3:01
3. I Think It's Going To Rain Today 3:22
4. Everyone's Gone To The Moon 3:08
1:37 5. Compensation
6. Who Am I? 4:11
7. Another Spring 3:31
8. The Human Touch 2:10
9. I Get along without You Wery Well (except Sometimes) 4:49
10. The Desperate Ones 4:44
Bonus:
11. Music for Lovers 4:23
12. In Love In Vain 2:29
13. I'll Look Around 5:12
14. The Man with the Horn 3:41
15. I Think It's Going To Rain Today (live) 4:50

Disc 5
To Love Somebody (1969)
1. Suzanne 4:19
2. Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There's a Season) 3:41
3. Revolution (part 1) 2:52
4. Revolution (part 2) 1:53
5. To Love Somebody 2:41
6. I Shall Be Released 3:54
7. I Can not See Nobody 3:08
8. Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues 4:48
9. The Times They Are A-Changin '6:01
Bonus:
10. Suzanne (alternate version) 5:14
11. Turn Turn Turn (To Everything There Is a Season) (alternate verion) 2:26
12. Revolution (live) 6:29
13. Save Me (live) 3:36
14. The Glory of Love 2:11
15. Cosi Ti Amo (To Love Somebody, italian Version) 2:32

Disc 6
Black Gold (1970)
1. Introduction 2:36
2. Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair 7:25
3. Is not Got No / I Got Life 5:31
4. Westwind 9:42
5. Who Knows Where the Time Goes 8:12
6. Assignment Sequence Song 6:25
7. To Be Young, Gifted and Black 10:14
Bonus:
8. Suzanne 5:05
9. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed 4:51
10. The Other Woman 6:04
11. Turn Turn Turn (To Everything There Is a Season) (live) 4:37
12. To Be Young, Gifted and Black (single) 2:50

Disc 7
Here Comes the Sun (1971)
1. Here Comes the Sun 3:37
2. Just Like a Woman 4:50
3. Ooh Child 3:17
4. Mr. Bojangles 5:01
5. New World Coming 4:45
6. Angel of the Morning 3:31
7. How Long Must I Wonder 6:20
8. My Way 5:14
Bonus
9. Tanywey 3:28
10. My Father 1:42
11. Jelly Roll 8:14
12. Tell It Like This 3:53
13. 22nd Century 8:45
14. What Have They Done to My Song, Ma 4:32

Disc 8
Emergency Ward! (1972)
1. My Sweet Lord / Today Is a Killer 6:36 p.m.
2. Poppies 4:13
3. Is not It a Pity 11:15
Bonus:
4. Let It Be Me 5:00

Disk 9
It Is Finished (1974)
1. The Pusher 5:15
2. Com 'By H'yere - Good Lord 5:51
3. funkier Than a Mosquito's Tweeter 5:20
4. Mr. Bojangles 4:52
5. I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl 5:55
6. Dambala 6:52
7. Let It Be Me 3:27
8. Obeah Woman 6:25
Bonus
9. Nina 4:14
10. Zungo 4:20
11. Thandewye (Spiritual) aka A Charge to Keep 7:21