The Inimitable Nina Simone

Nina Simone (1933-2003) was a powerhouse of a woman- elegant, regal, fiery and passionate; an astounding musician who was also an active member and spokesperson during the American Civil Rights Movement.

She gave hope and her music spoke to the downtrodden. You can hear the pain and passion in her voice.



I've always loved her music, but have never watched footage of her playing to an audience until recently and I was utterly transfixed.

I'll post two of her live songs and then a couple more favorites here.

Let me know what you think!


Also an interesting article about Simone here, Langston Hughes was a mentor

Both Langston Hughes and James Baldwin elected themselves mentors: Simone, appearing on the scene just as Holiday died, seemed to evoke their most exuberant hopes and most protective instincts. But Hansberry offered her a special bond. A young woman also dealing with a startling early success—Hansberry was twenty-eight when “A Raisin in the Sun” won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, in 1959—she had a strongly cultivated black pride and a pedagogical bent. “We never talked about men or clothes,” Simone wrote in her memoir, decades later. “It was always Marx, Lenin and revolution—real girls’ talk.”

www.newyorker.com...
Her official site here:
www.ninasimone.com...

I love Nina. I don't agree with everything she believed, but I do agree with everything she fought for. And as a musician, she is without peer. So glad for strong women who aren't afraid to buck the system!



Hope you have a great night, thank you for checking out the thread, and stay tuned for a couple more songs.

Get ready to hold your breath for 7 mins

Blackbird (a few years before Beatles version).. what a song.

Last one for now:

a reply to: zosimov

I first encountered her in 1993 after seeing the movie Point of No Return.
The main character loved her music so I checked her out and wow. I don't listen to her as a habit but save her for when she pops up on one of the jazz stations I listen to. Powerhouse is right.

a reply to: TerryMcGuire

I have found lots of great musicians through references in books and movies, it's a great strategy!


(PS, if you haven't seen that first clip I posted.. did you know that woman could really dance, her site calls her a high priestess of music and I can really see it in how the music moves through her- it's captivating.)

Have to post one feel good song! Lol.

Feeling Good:

Had never heard of her before until I watched her documentary on Netflix.Very talented lady.

Just love that lady www.youtube.com...

playing this earlier today .

love to see all the bubble gum pop stars of today sing like this without all the crap they use

a reply to: buckwhizzle

I didn't know there was one out on Netflix.. cool, look forward to watching it!

a reply to: stonerwilliam

Very Nice, thank you for posting!

(And, you are absolutely right- there is no comparison between Nina and most of the "artists" out today)

a truly amazing woman

a reply to: fiverx313

Thank you for posting, another great (powerful) song!

a reply to: zosimov

S&F. One of my favorite artists of all time. I flipped one of her songs on my next album.

It's hard to put into words who and what she was, the feeling, the soul. I believe we're only blessed with a talent like hers once or twice a century.

originally posted by: underwerks
a reply to: zosimov


It's hard to put into words who and what she was, the feeling, the soul. I believe we're only blessed with a talent like hers once or twice a century.

It is hard but I think you did a good job here. You're right, there is no other, and to even find a comparable artist (in her scope, on and off stage) would be difficult.



I'll bet your song is dope.

originally posted by: zosimov
a reply to: fiverx313

Thank you for posting, another great (powerful) song!

another good one :3

originally posted by: fiverx313


another good one :3

Yes it is!

(At the end.. wow)

Sinnerman, another great Nina Simone

originally posted by: zosimov
Sinnerman, another great Nina Simone

oh, nice... heard a version of this on an episode of lucifer and i meant to look it up, but i forgot. awesome song

Then, there's this tribute ...