Prom 45: Mississippi Goddam: A Homage to Nina Simone - 21.08.19

[MickyD]

The worst song ever?

She raises it to a whole new level, in my opinion.

[Bryn]

She raises it to a whole new level, in my opinion.

Surely, none has ever surpassed this version?

[cloughie]

Surely, none has ever surpassed this version?

Not even Shane McGowan?

[Richard Tarleton]

When I come to think of it, there might well have been some grainy footage of a few seconds of that Soft Machine Proms performance as a TV news item under the rubric of it being the first time "rock music" had been presented at the Proms, or some such.

I remember (from the grainy footage) that one member of the band wasn't wearing anything above the waist, which must surely have been another Proms first.

[Serial_Apologist]

I remember (from the grainy footage) that one member of the band wasn't wearing anything above the waist, which must surely have been another Proms first.

The drummer - Robert Wyatt. I think I have the whole performance on CD somewhere. Wyatt, who would be sacked within a year, regarded it as one of the few times the band was captured "in its element".

[Bryn]

The drummer - Robert Wyatt. I think I have the whole performance on CD somewhere. Wyatt, who would be sacked within a year, regarded it as one of the few times the band was captured "in its element".

Hardly "sacked". Robert suffered catastrophic injuries in 1973 which rendered him a paraplegic. Not exactly conducive with playing a drum kit. He went on to become a most singular icon of progressive 'rock' music. Very much missed.

[Serial_Apologist]

Hardly "sacked". Robert suffered catastrophic injuries in 1973 which rendered him a paraplegic. Not exactly conducive with playing a drum kit. He went on to become a most singular icon of progressive 'rock' music. Very much missed.

Robert's, er, sacking (unless my sources are suspect) took place before the fall; in the meantime he had established his own band, Matching Mole - the name a pun on "Soft Machine" when translated into French - and with it made two wonderful LPs.

[Bryn]

Robert's, er, sacking (unless my sources are suspect) took place before the fall; in the meantime he had established his own band, Matching Mole - the name a pun on "Soft Machine" when translated into French - and with it made two wonderful LPs.

Yes, but my understanding is that he left (effectively drifted aways from), rather than having been sacked from, Soft Machine. I know I did not take that much to post Wyatt Soft Machine issues. Indeed, Third is the only one I tend to return to (replete with the Prom bonus).

[cloughie]

Watching this - my opinion doesn’t change much - a very good orchestra but what dreadful vocals, particularly Ledisi’s tuning, and not helped by her squawking and screaming. Lisa Fischer - lower notes not too bad, though the sound balance not right for the quieter parts, and less secure for the higher ones notes.

[MrGongGong]

Hardly "sacked". Robert suffered catastrophic injuries in 1973 which rendered him a paraplegic. Not exactly conducive with playing a drum kit. He went on to become a most singular icon of progressive 'rock' music. Very much missed.

He is still with us

[Bryn]

He is still with us

Yes, but retired from music-making (is that even possible?).

[MrGongGong]

Yes, but retired from music-making (is that even possible?).

Still to be seen in the market square in Louth though

[Quarky]

Watching this - my opinion doesn’t change much - a very good orchestra but what dreadful vocals, particularly Ledisi’s tuning, and not helped by her squawking and screaming. Lisa Fischer - lower notes not too bad, though the sound balance not right for the quieter parts, and less secure for the higher ones notes.

Listening again, I found myself positively enjoying this concert. All this trenchant criticism might be better directed at the Solomon's Knot Prom, where a very high standard of classical musicianship was required, but was totally lacking.

Jazz/ Soul/ Pop singers are not required to hit each note perfectly. Rather more important are heart, an ability to deliver emotion, and particularly for Jazz singers, a strong sense of timing and rhythm. I found all this in the concert, for example "Put a Spell on You" - nothing like Nina - but a very powerful soul singer putting in 100% emotion - an emotional statement but total disregard for the "rules".

Of course very powerful emotional females have a reputation for not doing what us males would like them to do - but I felt these were two very good soul singers, and had to be accepted on their own terms.

As regards analysis, Kevin Legendre's interval discussion was first class.

I could hear Mahalia Jackson in the gospel numbers, but overall, Nina's spirit was there throughout.....

[cloughie]

Listening again, I found myself positively enjoying this concert. All this trenchant criticism might be better directed at the Solomon's Knot Prom, where a very high standard of classical musicianship was required, but was totally lacking.

Jazz/ Soul/ Pop singers are not required to hit each note perfectly. Rather more important are heart, an ability to deliver emotion, and particularly for Jazz singers, a strong sense of timing and rhythm. I found all this in the concert, for example "Put a Spell on You" - nothing like Nina - but a very powerful soul singer putting in 100% emotion - an emotional statement but total disregard for the "rules".

Of course very powerful emotional females have a reputation for not doing what us males would like them to do - but I felt these were two very good soul singers, and had to be accepted on their own terms.

As regards analysis, Kevin Legendre's interval discussion was first class.

I could hear Mahalia Jackson in the gospel numbers, but overall, Nina's spirit was there throughout.....

Suit yourself - you may not require Jazz/Soul/Pop singers to hit the note - that is your choice - for me if job is worth doing , it is worth doing well, I was not impressed by their performances! You were right about one thing, they were nothing like Nina!

[pilamenon]

With you on this one, Vespare, especially after seeing for myself on the BBC4 relay the rhythm and swing of Ledisi, in particular. I thought she was a great vocalist, and some super contributions from soloists in the orchestra, too. It lacked the edginess that I associate with Simone's performances (and sometimes the anger), but all in all it must have been great fun to attend.