VIRGIN 180G. VINYL - GATEFOLD EDITION

This set presents some of Nina Simone’s greatest hits. among them the perennial “I Loves You Porgy”, which bcharted at #2 in the UK and #18 in the USA in 1959, “Nobody Know You When You’re Down and Out” (#23 in the UK; #93 in the USA in 1960), and “Trouble in Mind” (#11 in the UK; #92 in the USA in 1961). “My Baby Just Cares for Me” wasn’t a hit at the time it was recorded, but after director Ridley Scott featured Nina’s recording of that song in a 1987 Chanel commercial starring actress Carole Bouquet, it became one of Simone’s biggest hits almost 19 years after her previous chart entry. In 1987 it went to number 5 in the UK Singles Chart.

This collection presents the incomparable Nina Simone in a variety of musical contexts, backed by her trio or quartet, or accompanied by big bands conducted by Bob Mersey or Ralph Burns, among others.

NINA SIMONE, vocals & piano

On all tracks, plus:

A1-A4 & B7: Jimmy Bond (b); Albert “Tootie” Heath (d).

New York, December 1957.

A5-A7: Orchestra conducted & arranged by Bob Mersey.

New York, May 1959.

A8: Orchestra conducted by Stu Phillips.

New York, 1959-60.

B1, B3, B6 & B8: Jimmy Bond (b); Albert “Tootie” Heath (d).

Town Hall, New York, September 12, 1959.

B2: Al Shackman (g), Chris White (b), Bobby Hamilton (d).

Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, Rhode Island, June 30, 1960.

B4: The Malcolm Dodds Singers (vocal choir). Orchestra conducted & arranged by Ralph Burns.

New York, June 1961.

B5: Al Shackman (g), Chris White (b), Bobby Hamilton (d).

New York, 1960-61.