After you've joined in the celebrations over on R2 for the 2000th record in R&M's 'The Chain', you might just want to hang about and have a listen to the first of this fine looking two-parter.
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Wow. Thanks for that. It's essential. I'm going to have to shut up for a while. Oh no.
Footnote: I got this all wrong. Tuned in tonight and it was Clare Teal. I now see it is on Tue. Is Simone called Simone Waymon or Simone Simone? Can't wait. Her mother was extraordinary in every way.Last edited by Guest; 02-01-11, 22:54. -
John, I was wondering where to put the info you have posted, but you have sorted it for me. I noted that Simone, 10 pm Radio 2, Tuesday, clashed, for a mere hour, with Play Mozart For Me. I noted too that there were pleas for relief from wall to wall Mozart. Then I realised that not a few people would welcome the Nina Simone alternative as legitimate - it's Radio 2 isn't it? Darn it, I hate categories!
PS Despite being temporarily and unduly influenced by the 'chocolate box' suggestion some time ago, which led me to neglect Mozart for a while, I find that the current coverage has restored my faith. I can't listen to everything, but it is most satisfying to hear all the familiar pieces again and to note the many more that are waiting to be played.Comment
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Hi Patrick - yes Radio 2 it is for Nina - it's a two parter - I think R3 could have done with breaking up the MozartManaiMarathonLoveFest with a spot of Highway 61, or Freewheelin' Bob, for example. But Nina would have done too.
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I thought these composer marathons were there to enable listeners catch up with other chores ?
I'm tackling the loft for example
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Don't forget - Radio 2 - 10 pm.Comment
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I feel rather ashamed that I didn't know Nina wrote Young, Gifted and Black - really enjoyed the programme - the music was just class. Looking forward to the second part.
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For All We Know, that old standard, was my own first acquaintance with the fiery Nina Simone.
There have been many more 'favourites' since then, many of which were included in the programme.
I'll be listening to part 2 as well.Comment
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Terrific piano coupled with a wonderful voice, Patrick. Thanks for that.Comment
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Have now heard it. I thought the programme started off slowly and I was concerned that it would be disappointing. It wasn't though and how could it possibly have been given its subject. There must be at least 20 of her recordings without which my life would have been less rich. I am sure many feel the same. I Put A Spell On You, Four Women, Wild Is The Wind, Ain't Got No, Mississippi Goddam, I Think It's Going To Rain Today, Feeling Good, Don't Smoke In Bed - every one and many more terrific.
There was the personality, the voice, the range of material, the politics, the arrangements. There was everything in fact that stood out as truly exceptional. Given this, it is her songwriting that can be the aspect that is overlooked and that too was, of course, often outstanding. I knew that she had written Young Gifted and Black. It has always been one of my favourite songs but I discovered her version many years after Bob and Marcia took it into the charts. And looking back, the writers of the time she covered could hardly have been better chosen and yet were less than obvious - Newman, Dylan, Harrison, Cohen. You can see the connections but only just about. It is such a pity that there were so few studio albums during the seventies but the reasons were explained in the programme. We might hear more in part two along with the happier times.
Did her voice change between the 50s and the 70s? I have never been entirely sure but then the same could be asked about Dylan, not that his actual voice compares. They are though among the very small number of artists who have the versatility to vocalise in a range of interpretative ways. Which voice of hers was the best? I hadn't heard the rendition of I Loves You Porgy from the very first album and was surprised how straightforward it was. More spot on, more pure, but lacking the distinctiveness of the later live performances, where it becomes more Nina. She becomes more certain and yet more uncertain, more musical for being less spot on, perhaps more jazz like in pitch? I would welcome comments on this point from the more technically minded.
So too any observations about the definitive recordings. I started with vinyl. Philips and "The Best Of", then to cd with "Verve - Jazz Masters 17" which seems to be the same plus a variety of other tracks. I also have two comparatively recent cd compilations "The Essential" on Metro and "The Very Best of" on Sony/BGM/RCA. I could work through the discography. I probably will as it would certainly be worth it but I'm not sure either how many of the originals are currently available.Last edited by Guest; 07-01-11, 06:07.Comment
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There certainly is more gravel in her voice as she grows to the 70s - but it's a rolling gravel. I still think she is one great pianist - her piano sounds so simple and yet couples wonderfully with her voice - it feels like she has this great technique which makes it sound easy. The programme certainly makes me want to go and do a bit exploration on her. Part two next week.Comment
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I genuinely hadn't read this before. So I am doing grit and you are doing gravel. Strange roads this morning.Comment
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And I may be doing groceries later
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You can't always get what you want:
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I was more worrried when they told me to grit my teeth.Originally posted by Lateralthinking1 View Post
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