Search - Nina Simone :: Compact Jazz

Big band jazz fan? This is the Simone to start with.

Kelly Dillman | Pittsburgh, PA | 05/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD explores Nina Simone's full range with some of her best songs in different genres. Yes, I know this is the Compact Jazz series, but there are several blues songs, swing songs, and even a good old fashioned get-up-and-let-the-Spirit-move-you gospel song. Normally, I would go through each song and tell you which belongs to which category, conveniently leaving out the songs I don't like. But I love all of these songs. If you listen to one song on this album and enjoy it, it's safe to say that you'll enjoy the entire CD, despite how different the songs are. I've bought a few of Nina Simone's blues-only albums, and I don't think my soul is tormented enough to appreciate the continuing angst. I always come back to this album, which puts out the blues, then kicks it up with the jazz. I'll just highlight two tracks. I've always thought that there is absolutely no reason that a song has to be over 3 or 4 minutes long. Any playtime after that is just stroking the performer's ego. SINNERMAN proved me wrong, clocking in at a whopping 9 minutes. I wish it were longer. Second point, combine the lyrics with Nina Simone's arrangement of MOOD INDIGO, and you come about as close as you can get to complete musical bliss."

A Journey to Loving Jazz and Blues

merethehare | Los Angeles, CA United States | 07/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With this particular collection of her works, Nina sent me down the path to loving jazz and blues. Starting with track 1 My Baby Just Cares for Me to the the song Brown Eyed Handsome Man, I knew I was hooked and have been for many years to her cool, beautiful voice. This collection is a great selection of her works and well worth having."

Breathtaking

Ann Lewis | CA | 09/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh how I adore Nina Simone. Her voice is earthy, delicate, transcendent. My favorite song on this album is Feeling Good. This may actually be my favorite song ever. You may also recognize a few songs on this album from the Verve Remixed compilations, specifically "Sinnerman" and "Black is the Color Of My True Love's Hair." Nina Simone has influenced so many musicians and so many musical genres over the years with her impeccable style she truly deserves a place in an American music hall of fame."