I had 2 go through The Very Best Of Nina Simone:Suger In My Bowl LP 2day and I totaly 4got how good is this woman. I love her angry YET calm attitude. I read her own "I Put a Spell on You" autobiographical book and lemme tell you, people REALLY need 2 see her life in a movie. Such honesty and rawness!

I got the same Hits Collection as you&you truly aren't leaving the Room when you hear Her Express Herself.She has overcome so much&you really feel that element in Her work.YES LAWD!!!

You NEED 2 check her interviews, that woman is deeper than any ocean. I've learned alot of stuff from her nad got moved by them. 4 example, I neva knew that the word "jazz" is a bad term, check out what she said:

"To most white people, jazz means black and jazz means dirt and that's not what I play. I play black classical music. That's why I don't like the term "jazz," and Duke Ellington didn't either - it's a term that's simply used to identify black people."

Gawd I neva knew that!

Harlepolis said:

Duke Ellington always Said that Music to Him Meant two things:Either Good or Bad.Him&alot of the Cats from back in the day didn't want to Be called Jazz Cats they wanted to Be Called Musicians Period.yeah I know what She said&She is also has alot of Strong Opinions on things&I've always respected Her about that.

mistermaxxx said:

I think she's mo' open now than what she used to be in the 70's/60's. If she talked like that back in the day, she would get killed. Honest people neva last, glad that she did.

Check the "Notes and Tones" book, Musician-to-Musician Interviews, by Arthur Taylor, Da Capo Press, 1993, features an interview with Nina Simone (12 pages). Also "The Sound of Soul" by Phyl Garland, Henry Regner Company, 1969, has an interview with her (8 pages). The book is out of print, but you can try to find it with Amazon's help.

LOL check what she said about MJ's mention,,ouchy stuff 4 real:

AP: So, you think greed id the driving force.
NS: Yes, greed has driven the world crazy. And I think I'm lucky that I have a place over here that I can call home. It's no surprise that Michael Jackson, the man that I adore the most in this world, has disappeared from the United STates. I distinctly remember meeting Michael on a plane many years ago when he was little, and I said to him, "Don't let them change you. You're black and you're beautiful." But of course, ha was influenced by his family and everybody else. And I don't mind if you say this, I think that the person who's responsible for Michael's tragedy is Quincy Jones [who co-produced his albums Thriller and Bad]. You can quote me.

AP: How is he responsible?
NS: It was Quincy who married a girl from Sweden [Oolah]. And with Quincy with all them white women, poor little Michael didn't know what to do. Michael needed somebody to emulate, and I think he did everything that Quincy Jones told him to do. That is what I believe.

AP: Does Quincy Jones know you feel this way?
NS: No, I don't think he knows.

AP: Well, it's true that interracial marriage is still controversial--
NS: From the beginning, it has been a no-no for a black man to touch a white woman.

AP: Do you agree with that?
NS: Yes I do. I do not believe in mixing of the races. You can quote me. I don't believe in it and I never have. I've never changed. I've never changed my hair. I've never changed my color, I have always been proud of myself, and my fans are proud of me for remaining the way I've always been. I married a white man one time, but he was a creep.

Harlepolis said:

quite Interesting but Pappa Joe Jackson had a bigger impact on Mike though.interesting take on Quincy Jones.oh well.

Wow.


I need to read up more on Nina.

I've always liked her music-
my favorite is her "live in Paris" album, from like, the late 60s.


I knew she was always "outspoken", but I didn't know
(but probably should have known)
that she was.. at this level!

Hm..!

I need to do my Nina homework I've been looking for a set that has ALL the songs I love & none really do (though it's been a while since I've checked). My favorite song by her is Feelin' Good & all the "greatest hit" sets miss this one

***

NS: I do not believe in mixing of the races. You can quote me. I don't believe in it and I never have. I've never changed. I've never changed my hair. I've never changed my color, I have always been proud of myself, and my fans are proud of me for remaining the way I've always been. I married a white man one time, but he was a creep.

Nina is the real deal. i saw her in Brighton in 1999 and although she was sooo spaced out and the sound was dreadful she played her heart out and was loving every minute of it. the crowd so into it as well. just like Prince, she had complete control over the audience and had them eating out of her hand.
someone give her a medal please!

I LOVE NINA. especially sinnerman.

Nina Simone has a song that she does all in French that is just awesome. I can't understand a word she's singing, but the feeling and emotion that she's putting into it speak a universal language. It's beautiful. Her version of "I Put a Spell on You" is incredible. She's a special artist.

i read an interview with her two years ago and she said that she hated rap, was seeing some Chinese "gentleman" and that, get this, was working with Lauryn Hill.
wow. cool.

Harlepolis said:

My parents and grandparents adored her and still do. I saw her on TV on some concert shows when I was a small child. Nina Simone was and truly is powerfully great, outspoken, unapologetic and fierce. My jams by her (which my mother sings the ___ out of) is I Love You Porgy, 5 Women (you have to listen to the emotion and powerful story she tells about 5 Black women of different hues and their personal experiences in society. She recorded this song in 1968). My Baby Don't (which has been used in many commercials) along with her other music. And definitely, To Be Young, Gifted and Black!!! She is an icon in my book!!!