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The Best of Nina Simone: After 43 Years, Nina Remains Musically Uncategorizable
Back in the 60's, she earned the nickname "The High Priestess of Soul" and these days, she proudly one and all that in her adopted homeland of France, she's referred to as "Queen Nina". As those who were fortunate enough to see the ever-regal Dr. Simone during her first U.S. tour in decades in the year 2000, such descriptions are as apt as ever. Just as she has for over four decades, Nina Simone gave rapt audiences a dazzling display of her genrebending virtuosity.
Even now 43 years after she made her first recording for Bethlehem Records, Nina remains musically uncategorizable. Proof positive can be found in an amazing compilation of La Simone's recording which spans for the first time on CD-each of the significant eras of her career, reflecting her totally unique ability to move deftly between all manner of musical milieu.
It is her innate skill at putting her own distinctive stamp on such a diverse range of material that has made Nina Simone a legend in her own time: she finds the perfect interpretation for each song she selects. She can be wistful ("Don't Smoke In Bed"), angry (Mississippi Goddam"), uncommonly tender ("Ne Me Quitte Pas"), raunchy ("I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl") or sad (My Man's Gone Now"). She can create the most eerie of moods ("I Put A Spell On you") or inspire self-pride ("To Be Young, Gifted & Black") without skipping an emotional beat.
Nina didn't...