Blues

by Nina Simone

Product Description:

Personnel includes: Nina Simone (vocals, piano); Buddy Lucas (tenor saxophone, harmonica); Irvin Markowitz (trumpet); Mel Tax, Jerome Richardson (flute); Ernest Hayes (organ); Rudy Stevenson, Eric Gale, Al Shackman (guitar); Bob Bushnell, Calvin Taylor (bass); Bernard Purdie (drums); Gordon Powell (percussion).

Recorded between 1966 & 1968. Includes liner notes by Michael Alago.

Recorded in the late '60s and early '70s, THE BLUES is sprinkled with both covers and originals, capturing Ms. Simone's moving performances of traditional and folk blues standards. With her far-reaching array of emotions conveyed through low, sweet, long notes, it takes the listener on a journey through pain, joy, love, anger, and humor. Here she performs beautiful renditions of songs made popular by, among others, Bob Dylan and Kurt Weill.

On "In the Dark," deeply accenting the harmonica-tinged tune at just the right places, she lustily tells a tale of lovers. Simone's voice carries the listener from the intense passion of love, to sarcasm, to sadness, and anger. "Backlash Blues," a witty tale told with the help of Langston Hughes, is a broad reference to '60s prejudice. The signature Nina Simone tune, "Sugar In My Bowl," is included here, unleashing her amazing vocal range, supported by only by a saxophone and a finger snap or two. Whatever the instrumentation, Simone's sense of drama always shines through.