Reviews (page 5 of 14)
This album coasted to 5 stars. I initially listened as background music and was interested but unsure. On a second listen with lyrics, I was won over instantly and strongly. Beautiful lyrics, beautifully sung, lovely minimal backing. There isn't enough I can say about this. - Lost my notes. Decided I needed a closer lyrical listen for 2nd go through. Taking notes on that - Four Women is an incredible song. Musically, lyrically, nails all of it (Also covered by Jay-Z is an extra twist) - Lyrics are only improving the experience. This is a 5 contender. Such freedom in the lyrics and such emotion in the singing - Lilac Wine is another hit! It would take a major misstep to drop under 5 stars now - Every song is making the playlists! No album has done this before... - Waning side of the album is haunting and beautiful, though not songs I need as singles in the playlists.
Nina Simone kan het hele scala van menselijke emotie zingen en ik geloof elk woord. Eén van de beste zangers ooit. 10/10
Nina Simone, the icon that she is! It only gets better and better! Her voice is crazy and her song writing too. I had never really listened to one of her albums but now I surely will.
its not really my vibe, although there's something i like in every song and i think its just the music and the instruments used but the singing rhythm isn't really something i like so i wont be adding any songs to my playlist but i appreciate it because its not BAD music. OH and one thing i wanna add is that it reminds me so much of the princess and the frog idk it gives off those vibes a lot i think.
Feels like too big of a generational gap again. I guess I can appreciate the cultural significance but nothing I would put on. Nothing really lands with me
I can appreciate the artistry but this is not for me.
A solid, emotional album with a warm atmosphere. Nina’s voice has a distinctive, pleasant tone, but the music works best as a backdrop rather than something that fully holds your attention for focused listening.
I can appreciate the music, and I can think of times and places where I would put this on; it's a vibe. But it's not really "my thing" generally. More like, I enjoyed the upbeat songs because of the mood I was in, especially I love your lovin' ways, and then the change of pace of other songs turned me off.
Great voice. The songs themselves are not the best (minus the first song, which I really liked). I would be interested to hear other albums by her though.
A very jazz influenced album with touches of blues rolled in for good measure. Simone is very talented vocally with a deeper natural tone than you would expect from a woman. The piano is her companion on every track, but the drums and horn section play a vital role as well. A nice intro to Nina Simone for me, especially since this music is 60 years old yet still enjoyable.
Simone has an incredibly unique voice and a powerful delivery that is all her own. But the songs and the style don’t age well here. Terrific songstress, but the material is lacking.
There is a lot to like on this album. Smooth jazz piano, poetic lyrics, and the cool yet deliberate vocals from Nina Simone. I like the vibe of the album. Solid all around.
Uh yeah its charming like Hairspray tje musical or whatever but i dont find it particularly exciting. i dont think this era is generally for me
Das war ein tolles Album!
What. A. Voice.
Не найкраща робота Nina Simone. Не брав би в колекцію вінілу першим, є більш цікаві альбоми які потрібно спочатку послухати/придбати. А потім вже цей.
Masterpiece. One of the most powerful and moving voices I've heard. Four Women is phenomenal. Easy 5 stars.
What a voice, litteral chills!
2/5
Ok
Don't hate but don't like it.
Never was a huge Nina Simone fan before hearing this. The live in NY 1964 tracks are killer.
sophisticated and beautiful, her unique voice carries the sorrowful melodies im in love.
Excellent singer and timeless voice.
Great messages in the songs, great music, great lyrics
Beautiful and moving, what a sound!
What a gorgeous record.
Very good
Мне нравится Нина сто проц, но он данного альбома кайфа не словил. Ни концепции, ни мелодий, ни аккомпанимента, все сумбурно. Хуй знает будет три.
oh wow oh wow. i have listened to nina simone before but nothing like fully listening to her album and this is definitely so so rich and powerful. GIRL goosebumps to say the least. and these are left over recordings????? oh lilac wine…
A phenomenal singer and lyricist. I will be listening to this one again. 9/10
1/18 Really good R&B/Soul album. Was surprised to hear the source of the sample from The Weeknd's song Given Up on Me was from this album's title track
Amazing vocal range
Wow! I could immediately tell that this is something big, something important. I spent the rest of the day listening to other albums and songs of Nina Simone. WOW
A classic soul jazz, R&B album. it deserves to be on this list.
not really my taste but there were a few songs i liked
great voice and some really good songs on this one. Can’t say I’m likely to listen again but I do recognize that this is a super solid album
Nina Simone, the OG androgynous vocal queen. This album had some really beautiful moments, but tbh was a little too dated for me to fully enjoy. I could still very much appreciate the artistry though! My favorite song on the album was, of course, 'Wild is the Wind'. The piano and her vocals are just otherworldly in that song. I also was curious about 'Four Women', and googled who each woman represented and what the story there was. Poignant take on Black women archetypes, especially back in that time period. I also love how she kinda screams/sings "PEACHHEESSSSS!!!" at the end of the song lol. Lots I enjoyed, but still not entirely my cup of tea. 3/5.
There’s definitely magic happening in this.
sorry nina not my fav
Incredible singular voice. Pure emotion and beauty.
Holy moly. This is amazing! Never listened to an album of Nina Simone, but know the popular songs. Her voice is phenomenal. Reportable this is a bit of a outakes/b side type album and It does though feel like it a bit.
Quality album from a quality artist
I guess I expected more. Nina is an incredible singer and I love her voice, but I guess I find her music to be played for a certain mood or to be placed at a strategic spot in a playlist. As an album experience, though there are no bad songs, it was a little bit of a chore. 3/5
It’s not bad for the sixties, but I wouldn’t consume it in my free time.
Started out streng but the end of it wasn't too overwhelming
What a singer.
Nina Simone my queen
not my vibe
The tone of voice made it kind of hard to listen to
Always had mixed feelings about this album. Its a bit more esoteric than his bop stuff but there is such clarity in the trumpet that sings out among the esoteric wandering of everything else. And the build, the shades and light, the drummer and bass lead the cacophany on top of which Miles imposes himself. On the one hand, the ego of the man. On the other hand, the ego of the man! And the musicians on this, as is the way with a Miles album, are soloist famous all by themselves. Look up the skaker dude on track one if you dont believe me. This album reminds menof the beginning of Monkey Magic where they tell the story of the stone wgg on the mountain top and from the egg out of the primordial chaos there was born jazz fusion! Like all births this one is a little traumatic, a bit messy, very painful and rae but ultimately beautiful. Five stars based on star power alone.
Nina Simone's lyrics and the yearning and heartbreak in this album are just so compelling. What More Can I say, Wild is the Wind, and If I Should Lose You, have been my favourites, just incredible piano playing and singing
love her
2 out of 5 This was hard for me to rate a 2. I understand she is a legend but this music is not for me. I really tried. Man her voice is DEEP.
Easy Listening…3/5…I like “I love your loving ways” and “Break down and let it all out”….rest was decent background filler.
A voice that exclusively belongs to Nina Simone
Only knew like two songs from Nina Simone going into this. She’s a phenomenal vocalist. I don’t really like this genre of music however. Fav song is ‘I Love Your Lovin’ Ways’.
Great but not the kind of thing I really enjoy? Four stars since it would be nice at night in a dark room. I feel like that’s how I categorize all of these older albums
HER VOICEEEE
carino, però non mi va molto di ascoltare sto genere al momento. molto anni '60. musica lenta dolce e triste, in genere d'amore. poi tutto il rispetto per l'autrice, mi ha solo colto nel momento sbagliato
92/1001 First listen. I listened to this all day and it was enjoyable but this, like so many other albums on this list, I just don’t know when else I would really play it. This is a great reason to participate in this project. I’m probably not going to listen to it again but hey, now I’ve finally listened to it. Also, Jeff Buckley (64/1001) was really into Simone and now I can really hear the influence. 4/10
Good in the 60's I bet 3/5
Such a beautiful album, though a few songs do not grab you immediately. I think because of the way it's put together, with tracks left over from other sessions, the cohesion isn't entirely there, but that doesn't stop the tracks from shining. The arrangements are minimal at times, which is good because its lets Nina's voice be the star. Her voice is deep and resonating throughout but soft at times. I'll be saving this one off for future listens on that quiet Sunday morning. Biggest Hit - Lilac Wine Biggest Miss (if I had to choose one) - If I Should Lose You (Not So) Hidden Gem - Four Women
Nina Simone is another artist that I found through her being sampled in hip-hop songs. In fact, the second song on this record "Four Women" can easily be recognized by younger people (me) as the basis for The Story of O.J. by Jay Z. There's also Famous by Kanye (which I'm only mentioning cause it's fire). Anyways, it took me a while to learn that Nina Simone was actually more than a singer. She had insane talent for her time; talent that causes an emotional reaction from myself. If there's a personification of a songbird, it's Nina Simone. The way her voice operates and how she uses dynamics to aid the performance is game-changing. One must hear the near 7 minute title track to get what I'm saying here. She masters quiet and loud while at the same time being able to play proficient jazz piano. Is Nina Simone one of the original female piano singer-songwriters? I'm sure she wasn't the first but I feel like she was one of the most famous examples to come out before people like Roberta Flack, Fiona Apple and Alicia Keys, etc. Nina Simone takes a standard and makes it her own. She lights up a song simply by being in it and I think that's enough to warrant my rating. Though it's not a 9 just yet because not every song hits for me, but fuck it, she's still great. Who knows, I might update it in the future. (8/10, 5/5 on this scale) (Update: 4/5 on this scale, Pastel Blues is better)
Geras džeziukas, sunku buvo su žodžiais relate'int, nes aš ne juoda nepriklausoma moteris, bet gražiai skamba, gera vokalistė, geras ansambliukas toks, bet kad labai kažkuo patiktų nėra tai skiriu kokius 6/10 visam albumui.
Great album! Added 4 songs: I Love Your Lovin' Ways, What More Can I Say?, Why Keep On Breaking My Heart, and Either Way I Lose
like Nina Simone in general but didn’t love this album
I get she's iconic, just not my jam
Lovely. Some iconic stuff on here I recognize. Her voice remains incredible. Nothing much else to add. 4/5
Nina Simone's voice is so special - it exudes an incredible strength, and I hang on her every word. Four Women gave me full body goosebumps
Listen up everyone. This is my second Nina Simone album and as a guy myself this is such a classic piece first listen. this album just reminds me of grandmas cookies or something like that, it’s warm and comforting and i like that in an album. this is a perfect album to put on to dance with ur wife/husband in your comfort of your own house while it’s raining outside and the kids are playing in the rain. husd having a perfect family… okay let me lock in to the actual album. it’s good i love her vocals and i really do love the song lilac wine, wild is the wind and if i should love you. so so good her vocals are amazing and it’s old timey. 9/10
Nina Simone does not require my opinion.
Four Women is so incredibly good, I loved it
Todas las historias contadas en las canciones son algo que ya no se escuchan y las canciones mas lentas como four women fueron mis preferidas. Me gustó en general y me dieron ganas de escuchar sus otros álbumes!
what can i say it's a good album not a fan of jazz and stuff but maybe it'll come to me with age
This album feels like it should be played at 1am in a New York Jazz club while the listener is in that depressive state of recovering from a regrettable night of drinking… Soulful vocals and jazzy piano with a great bass and drums come together with the amazing vocal range of Nina Simone. Some of the songs are beautiful - Lilac Wine for me is the pick of the bunch (Jeff Buckley’s version is one of my favourite songs ever) but I loved almost all the tracks. Four Women, though iconic and shocking, felt a bit corny at points. This is not a perfect album - the songs feel relatively disconnected at points - but the quality makes up for it. 7.5/10.
nina’s voice is like butter🤤 and she is a very captivating performer. this album feels like the blueprint for female ballad singer songwriters. specifically, four women is a very powerfulsong, I understand why the album cover calls it out as unforgettable. I will definitely be returning to this album when I need to feel some deep emotions.
I Love Your Lovin' Ways - 5/10: I like the backing vocals and the beat/instruments (whatever you call it). Four Women - 3/10: I like the baseline, but that's really it. What More Can I Say? - 3/10: Just kind of boring to me. Lilac Wine - 5/10: I like the beat/instruments and her vocals in this song. That's All I Ask - 5/10: I Iike her vocals in this song. Break Down And Let It All Out - 3/10: I just didn't really like it. Why Keep On Breaking My Heart - 3/10: Same as the last song. Wild Is The Wind - 3/10: Just kind of boring. Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair - 3/10: Same as the last song. If I Should Lose You - 3/10: Again, just kind of boring. Either Way I Lose - 3/10: Same as last one. Overall Score: 39/110 Overall Rating: 2/10 - I just didn't really enjoy this album. I found it kind of boring and I didn't really enjoy Simone's vocals. I didn't know what to expect since I've never heard of Nina Simone, so I'm not really disappointed or anything, but I don't see myself listening to this again.
Wow. That was good. Tuneful, political. Great.
i love when women
Started slow but grew on me overall nice and easy going album, very nice for background music
6/10
🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️
Nina Simone, the woman you are. She starts the album off in a song that is more rock and roll than most of her catalogue. Immediately following the rock and roll she goes into four women, a song with so much meaning. Simone then moves from this powerful song of black archetypes of the America's pre-civil rights era to a mellow ballad of love, a theme that sticks throughout the album. Passion is the primary theme through this album. passion for civil rights, passion for love.
This album started with a banger but turned to slow and jazzy for the remainder of the record. Not into much jazz. Sound was excellent, very melodic, just not my taste.
This is really good I love the voice also love, love songs 🥹
Love Nina Simone and her voice, and Lilac Wine is just beautiful. It lost me a bit towards the end, and finding out afterwards that this album was pieced together from studio off-cuts explains that, but overall I enjoyed this enough that I will be keeping it around.
Nina is one of the greatest voices of her and any generation. Solid 5 Stars.
I’m at a 5, if not a little higher. This is the only Nina Simone album on the list, which feels like a real shame, because I absolutely adored this. Yes, it’s a little bit one-note in terms of most of the tracks being sad love songs with a slightly clingy atmosphere to them, but Nina Simone’s voice shines as brightly as the sun here. I can’t remember the last time someone’s vocals struck me so nicely; the closest analog I have is Aretha Franklin, and that’s really high praise. Her vocals are melded beautifully by the instrumentals here, ranging from orchestral backing, to intimate nightclub vibes, & occasionally, nothing more than a piano to texture her voice further. Every track has the right tone & mood to it, and when they work in a perfect harmony, like on “What More Can I Say” or “Wild is the Wind”, it feels otherworldly. As far as the lyrics go, Nina Simone pulls about every ounce of emotion she can get out of them; occasionally, she overdoes the vibrato on her held notes in a way that feels a little overdramatic, but those moments are quickly bandaged by some glittery piano or string work. There’s not a single “bad” moment here. The only reason I’m not at a full 10 here is because I don’t think the tracks fully flow together as an album experience; there are some tracks where their fadeouts feel unsatisfying after nailing it 90% of the way, which wouldn’t stick out as much if not for the other tracks with big flourishing finishes nailing them with a surgical precision. I felt really cheated by the last track having a fadeout; if it were me, I would’ve swapped the last two, since “If I Should Lose You” just felt really lovely to my ears, and it would’ve been a great bookend to the opening track. That said, it’s still easily a 5, and probably higher. It’s 39 minutes you need to hear before you die, with its influence feeling immeasurable. I felt like I heard the entire future of female-led soul music come to fruition while listening to this album, and the tree of influences spreading from that has to be huge. There’s moments where Nina Simone somehow sounds like both Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston & Amy Winehouse at the same time, and I have no idea how the hell she did it. It’s really a shame this is her only album here, because it feels like she needs at least one more. If this is the best one though, I’m certainly glad to have heard it before I died. A super easy 5.
sooo good!! I Love Your Lovin' Ways is my favorite song from this album
At turns soaring and searing. A mix of romance and protest, but not disjointed.
Alltså vilken musiker hon är. Väldigt bra platta, med four women som mest gripande låt enligt mig. Stark 4a.
nina simone está falando, SILÊNCIO!!!!!!
5/1089 My reviews keep getting removed and it pisses me off SOOO bad, but this album is amazing despite the technical difficulties. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a song by Nina Simone, but I swear I nearly dropped to my knees at the bus stop her voice is heavenly I also am very much a sucker for this specific type of music so it’s always gonna be a 8/10 or higher 🥹
My gosh, talk about laying it all out there! The raw lyrics combined with vocal talent make it clear why this is on the record list.
Wild is the wind, more tame is this album.
This effort feels short and intimate, but it's just a label making profit off unreleased material. Good for us, but I could tell this track list wasn't set up with purpose. It goes from pop, to deep social commentary, to romantic, and it scrambles up into something you can very comfortably leave on in the background. There's a handful of songs that merit so much more than the background, though. A deep emotion that's almost more acted out than sung. You'll feel all the greys between love and pain, because she crafted each interpretation into a treasure. Makes me curious about albums where she took the conceptual lead. The only song she wrote here, Four Women, is easily the star, and it's clear it's because of her vision and the capacity she has to tell a story. 4.1/5
i love black women
Im not really fw it. Why she calling this man daddy in What More Can I Say? I like Jeff Buckley's Lilac Wine better, but this one isnt bad
Great. I'm a fan of her voice, and the piano instrumentation stands out. I guess a bit dis-jointed on hindsight, which makes sense now knowing it was compiled from various studio sessions. But there are some excellent songs, and I enjoyed the listening experience front to back.
Very powerful album. Incredible storytelling through lyrics and the passion and pain of Nina’s raw voice gives life to these lyrics. The overall sound paints vivid memories which the listener may or may not have, while creating a familiar environment where you feel that these stories are your own. 4.5/5 stars
mds serio mt lindo q lindo
This one may be better but I like I put a spell on you far more. 4.45
7/10
Hauntingly beautiful. Simone's voice and writing convey a degree of yearning I've never heard before. The message and performance on Four Women also stand out, as the anger Simone's voice carries without compromising her sound is impressive.
I’ve struggled today to say whether this is a four- or five-star album. It’s probably somewhere in between those ratings, but this is a round-number game. The album doesn’t *entirely* set a mood. There’s some variety in themes, I suppose. But would I even want a whole album of romantic song? Or songs of protest and righteous anger? There’s also some variation in sound (e.g., “Either Way I Lose”) to consider. But, damn, the songs are just so, so good. There’s “Four Women,” of course, but there’s also “Lilac Wine,” “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair,” and the title track. And that’s not all. At the end of the day, maybe the rating isn’t so hard to figure.
A celebration of blackness and love.
The human experience written down, by none other than the legend herself. Loved this! Love the rawness of the vocals and the lyrics, and the way in which something so raw is turned into something so beautiful and relatable. May be hard to grasp and ‘like’ at first, but I think that is part of the charm.
2.5/5 ⭐️ (just not my style, sorry nina queen)
It was amazing, my favourites are I love lovin' your ways Why keep on breaking my heart Either way I lose I'm getting more into music like jazz (or jazz) and I love it so much, it's very soothing and almost romantically in a way
one of the best blue jazz albums ever, one of my goats, nina forever
My favs : four women, what more can I say? , lilac wine , wild is the wind , black is the color of my true love's hair what a voice !what emotions, incredible! It made me feel millions of emotions at once, It touches the soul truly.
Una voz muy poderosa y hermosa. No es mi estilo de música pero hay unas canciones buenas. Debió haber sido muy histórico en ese momento que una mujer negra con esta voz tan potente sacara un álbum de este calibre.
It is really beautiful, the raw vocals and emotion gave me the chills.
Álbum digerible, talvez no totalmente mi guste en esto de los ritmos de blues o soul, pero es agradable y creo que musicalmente es hermoso. Voz potente, algo de esperar de un artista de este tipo. Le doy un 6.5 de 10
Me encantó! Amor, pasión y ganas de bailar como lo hacían antes, como mi abuelita me platica.
I don't even really like jazz, and this is one of the best fucking albums I've ever heard. Jesus it's good. Feeling Good being the last song on this album is insane. It's so good.
Certainly a change of pace from what I was expecting but very enjoyable with its messaging and the stories each song tells
Everything on this is fantastic. I love how the arrangements lay way back and just let her voice do all the work. It doesn't really feel like a coherent album because of the way it was cobbled together from old takes, but every song is perfect in its way.
95/100. Wild Is the Wind by Nina Simone is a deeply emotional and soul-crushing jazz-soul record. Simone’s voice is simply breathtaking, filled with passion, raw intensity, and unmatched depth. Every note carries a weight that makes you feel every ounce of emotion she pours into the music. This album is a masterclass in artistry, further proving why she is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all time. Beautifully devastating and utterly timeless.
Good but not very interesting
Some lovely songs
Not for me
Okay so I know it is really good but it was one of those listens where I wasn’t exactly connecting with it/in the mood. I think it’s probably a 4 but I am noting a 3 because that is reflective of my experience.
I usually think albums are too long. This one is too short. The general mood of the album is great, her vibrato is really something, but somehow the songs don't stick. Favorite song: Break down and let it all out.
It's nice. More of a background type of music for me. The vocals and musicality are amazing, nonetheless.
perfect album no notes
A classic! I loved it very much. I’ve listened to some of her songs before, but not a full album like this one.
Kult
Not for me
I am still not a jazz fan and I acknowledge that I am not cool enough to love this album. So be it.
Not her best work, but her voice is sublime and it was still nice to listen to. There are live tracks at the end which didn’t really sound like they were. Strange.
I loved this album, I have heard some of Nina Simone's music before but I had never done a deep dive so I was really excited to listen to this album. Her voice is on e in a billion and the raw emotion that is displayed in her voice, especially in the songs that delve in to heavier topics is moving. I enjoyed every song although there wasn't a song that I really really was obsessed with so that's why I'm not giving it 5 stars. My favorite song was "If I should Lose You," the lyricism is beautiful and my favorite verse is "with you beside me a rose would bloom in the snow."
Top 3 songs: Lilac Wine, Why Keep On Breaking My Heart, Either Way I Lose
the instrumentals are there. yes. and they are good. undeniably so. and yet and yet. even on my third listen, always back to the voice. that voice. none of my favorite Nina Simone songs are here, and to my ears, nothing really jumps out as a single. however, I think that's because of how the quality and variety combine. thrilling. will certainly revisit, despite having mostly avoided vocal jazz since childhood.
It was good
virkelig godt - specielt lilac wine
Jazz çok sevdiğimden dolayı jazz tınılarına bayıldığım bir albüm oldu. Özellikle birkaç şarkıyı çok beğendim bu albümden ama içinde dinlemeyeceğim şarkılar da var. Farklı enerjilere sahip şarkıların olduğu bir albüm. 27.12.2025
Calm, elegant and empowering in a very surprising way.
Lo escuché semi entero un sábado AM. Bueno.
YOU ALTEADY KNOWW MY GOAT NINA SIMONE YESS
At first I wasn’t too on board but some songs did it for me. Some of the slow songs helped me relax as I struggle with a caffeine come down. Girl has some pipes! Okay on a relisten, I fuck with it
Didn't take notes as I was listening this time; I'm taking these after the fact. I think I liked the first half of this album better than the second, but it was really strong overall! I think some of the latter half will grow on me. Top Songs: Four Women, What More I Can Say, Lilac Wine, Break Down & Let It All Out I made multiple playlists just to put Four Women on them! I can immediately tell Nina Simone influenced MANY current artists. Outstanding!
It was okay. Some of the songs sound like Hugh Jackman sang them…
Such a calming album, Nina Simonés voice is everything
Genre: Old School Jazz Rating: 3/10. Honestly I’m just not really a fan of her vocal tone style most of the time, instrumentals were beautiful though. 3 songs added to the playlist. Favourite Song: What More Can I Say?
Loved it
It's not a genre I listen to often but this is very good music. Her singing is powerful and energetic. The album's production is top notch. But you can hear it is a compilation album and some songs feel a bit unfinished.
perfection
I prefer the more chill tracks. She's got a beautiful voice, and it's just a real mood. I always loved loved loved the Bowie 'Wild Is The Wind', and never really delved into this one beyond one listen before. But it's still excellent. I love the elaborate keys on this one, it really works. And her voice is still imbued with emotion. 3.5 rounded down.
Impossibile restare indifferenti di fronte all'aura che trasmette questa donna attraverso la sua voce. Una serie di stupende ballate formano un opera sensuale e lirica, che ammalia ed emoziona.
Not for me
Got a bit painful to finish listening to that voice
She is very good in the genre…I just don’t love the genre!!
Some gorgeous things on here.
not my type of genre but the end of what more can i say HIT ME
It was good but to old school. Very happy and lively tho
3/5
Refreshing, too jazzy for me
Iconic 5/5
nice
One of the greatest and probably the most underappreciated singer of the 20th century. There's no denying her voice. I don't think this is her best album but definitely a four.
Undoubtedly one of the best voices in jazz. Her piano playing also is up to par with the best. I will say as an entire record, there are some interesting recurring motifs and themes. I also love her screaming peaches. My favorite track is what more can I say. And not just of hers it may be just my favorite track ever. However, the album slightly lulls in the back half.
4/5 + Great vocal performances and a really interesting and unique voice + Four Women will haunt me forever + Raw and emotional journey - normally I would have never listened to this, really not my type of music, but it is probably the best version of it Fav: Four Women, I Love Your Lovin' Ways, Break Down and Let it all Out Least Fav: Wild is the Wind
Her voice is fragile but strong, a little rough, has this unhewn tenderness and vulnerability. These songs have various effects on me- some really work for me, some less. The ones that hit are deeply romantic and yearning, they glow from the inside and lift you out yourself.
Everything is in the delivery. One doesn't simply listen to her music, but has to _feel_ it. Every song a strong statement, pulled me in.
I found it kinda...thin, musically. That's All I Ask and Either Way I Lose were great and had really solid depth. The rest felt like they were let down by the lack of musical support for Nina Simone's great voice. Maybe that's just the style of music and it's not for me, and that's okay. +2 songs into the rotation.
Never heard before. Wonderful piano. Favourite: What more can I say?
3/5
This album feels soulful, mourning, and romantic. It’s not the kind of thing I’d ever listen to on my own, but I understand why it’s here
Super cool. Ik had nog nooit naar nina simone geluisterd maar je kan gwn horen dat zo veel bekende artiesten inspiratie van haar nemen.
First Nina Simone's album I listen to and was overall good. Read a review saying that you can see tracks are left overs cause some of them sounds unfinished and I agree with it. But she has a great voice which, combined with the piano, creates a really nice and relaxing atmosphere. Might put it on again when I'm studying.
“Four Women” is already stunning, I love it. “Lilac Wine” is breathtaking, as in you get so invested in where the music is pushing you to that not you, but your body forgets its routine and functioning, because its pushed all your senses to absorbing this song. The ending song, oh my gosh. You can just tell how music has changed over time. I feel like I can hear every instrument, oh my lord. This album was a 10/10, my God.
not really my genre
Wow vilken resa! Simone är en storyteller utan dess like och en fantastisk röst med många kvalitéer. Något som är värt att highlighta är the piano performances, asså woow vad bra pianospel under hela albumets gång. O inte minst får man inte glömma bort de tasty licks och partierna från blåsarna. Överraskade mig positivt detta album, gick bara o gjorde stanky face typ hela tiden.
Not Sure how much Ill revisit but I enjoyed
some really great songs and some that are just all right
Very good. She can go from mellow and sedate to upbeat and fun. Good album.
Gorgeous. Nina's voice is something else.
Jazzy piano Definitely inspired Jeff Buckley Pretty damn good
Solid Nina Album, nothing really stood out to me but I could listen again
very delicate, thought-provoking album. One you could listen to, while gazing at the sky or sitting on a plateau
Epic voice but not my kind of sound.
Today I learned that Jeff Buckley's Lilac Wine was a cover. I now have another reason to dislike that song. This version is way better. Granted, hers is also a cover, which makes Jeff Buckley's version a cover-cover. Nina Simone has the best version. Nina Simone also has the best everything. The album cover doesn't lie, Four Women is unforgettable, along with What More Can I Say, Break Down and Let It All Out, and really any song on this album. It's all magical and I wish every song was twice as long. Damn you, early fade-outs.
For the feels
Nina Simone - Amazing
Call this blasphemy or whatever you want, but I HATE her voice. It like a cross dressing man trying to sing as a woman. It’s super unsettling and I found myself waiting in agony for it to be over.
Did not know the name until about 10 years ago when the "What Happened, Miss Simone" doc came out and I was electrified. This is a common story for many 30 something white men I'm sure. Nina has been in the rotation ever since and now of course hear her in the Kanye samples etc. This album is beautiful but doesn't hit the highs she is capable of.
Is it racist to say that Nina Simone sometimes sounds like a goat? Sounds kinda racist. But that's how I feel.
Always knew the name, and knew some of the big hits, but none of these songs. I'm not sure I can think of someone who has so much control over their voice. Was delighted to learn she's on the piano too - and Julliard trained - just an insane amount of talent. Some beautiful and interesting piano harmonies, and song structure kept me on my toes. Lilac Wine and Either Way I Lose are some of my favorites. Very happy this was a weekend album - may have blown past it, which would have been a real shame! Was laying in bed after a Christmas party last night, and went down a rabbit hole watching live performances until way past my bed time. The dynamic control and the little scooping she does in the chorus are just stunning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sEP0-8VAow Looking at her greatest hits lists, this seems like an odd choice for the one Nina album to include, but I'm excited to hear more of her on my own time.
Nothing really stuck for me but overall very good.
And she cried 'power'.
At first you wouldn't think her voice would be good for singing, but somehow it actually works well.
Everything from Nina Simone is 5 Stars... Her melodies are too good
I wanted to like this more than I did. It’s good, she has a great voice, but I just never connected with it.
She's an amazing singer.
A new discovery for me., I really liked this one.
Really liked this !!!
It’s good and I enjoyed it, but it’s not something I would find myself returning to. Highlights - Lilac wine - Break down and let it all out - Wild is the Wind - If I should lose you
Actually liked this one, interesting mix of classic and creative
I enjoyed the jazz aspects of certain songs, including the instruments and vocals. Nina Simone's lyricism is astonishing. FAVORITES - Lilac Wine - What More Can I Say? - That's All I Ask *Wind instruments and vocals go crazy in this album
"Wild Is the Wind" is the sixth studio album by American singer and pianist Nina Simone. Jazz, blues, folk and R&B are the Wiki-listed genres. Yep. The album was complied from several recordings that were leftover from her previous Philips (record label) 1964 and 1965 sessions. The album was produced by Hal Mooney. Commercially, the album reached #110 on the Billboard 200. A bluesy guitar intro begins "I Love Your Lovin' Ways." A piano and bluesy beat. Simone beltin' out the vocals celebrating the actions of her lover. Nice female backing vocals. "Four Women" starts subdued. A background piano, shuffling piano and jazzy with the flute. Simone with stark and emotional vocals in a self-penned protest song as she describes four female archetypes and themes of racism, sexism and slavery. The song was banned by a New York jazz radio station. A compelling song to say the least. Simone goes introspective in James Shelton's "Lilac Wine." A ballad with soft vocals. She drinks too much but needs to escape from her heartbreak. Simone takes us on a ride in her nearly seven-minute cover of the Johnny Mathis-sung "Wild Is the Wind." A lush balance which operates barely above silence, slowly builds and ends dramatically with the drums. A song comparing passionate love to the wildness of the wind. This album is all about Nina Simone taking us on a journey of her interpretation of ten songs with one incredible song of her own. Her vocals are emotional, raw, introspective and personal. The music is mostly led by her piano. The styles chane throughout including and covering jazz, ballads, blues, classical and gospel. I don't know her discography well enough to compare to another album, but this one did the job showcasing a true artist. Her delivery makes this album an excellent listen.
I love Nina Simone. I've yet to find anyone who pours her soul and sadness into their voice quite like her. Her cascades of piano are like waterfalls, and her use of block chords are almost Rachmaninoff-like. She touches on emotions deeper than I think I have felt. She is just incomparable, and thus I can't give this album any lower than 5 stars.
Stunning
Primera vez escuchando algo relacionado a jazz, la voz de la cantante es muy expresiva y llega a tonalidades muy fuertes, se escucha piola y todo el album tiene un toquer melancolico, mi cancion favorita fue ´´That´s all i ask´´ album cheverazo voy a escucharlo otra vez
Liked Why Keep Breaking My Heart, not really my taste but interesting
Lovely album.
Love Nina's voice and her songwriting is underappreciated, some very good cuts on here
Powerful lyrics. Strong emotion from Nina Simone's voice in each song. I would listen to this album on vinyl by myself on a Friday night, when I'm feeling a little blue, a little introspective.
I have a lot of love for Nina
Her voice is unbelievable. Outside of a few tracks that were just alright this was fantastic. Some insanely high highs. Strong 4*
Love, defiance, despair, heartbreak. All these have at least one thing in common: passion. And this album is all passion. I'm kinda blown away how well everything works, knowing how the album came about. Each track is gorgeous in it's own way, but together the whole thing is mesmerising. MY NAME IS PEACHES
Amazing voice, but the songs are ordinary 3/5
I love what Nina represents, but there I times when I listen to her sing and wonder if, in fact, she should be singing. But I’m going 3 stars for what she represents.
I thought some songs were incredible while other songs were ballad-y in a way I didn't prefer. Her voice and the subject matter was captivatig.
Amazing album. I felt taken truly.
This is a really good album from front to back. I’m not super familiar with Nina Simone’s full discography, but I’ve known about her for a good 25 years now. I originally discovered her through those Verve remix albums where modern electronic and hip hop producers reworked classic jazz tracks. One of my favorites was the remix of “Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair,” and that was the track that made me seek out the original version. After that, I started picking up Nina Simone records whenever I found them at thrift stores. Listening to this album now takes me straight back to that period of my life. There’s something nostalgic about revisiting her music, because this was around the time when I started stepping out of my comfort zone. Instead of only chasing cool modern music, I began researching backwards and diving into genres my parents never listened to. In a lot of ways, Nina Simone was one of the handful of artists who helped put me on my long term musical journey, to try and understand music more deeply and hear as much of it as I possibly can.
Not really my thing but it was fine.
Gorgeous!
Dope
Voice - 10/10 Back tacks - 3/10 I want to like this one more but it really just washes out to be an average album for me.
Beautiful but not my jam.
Good shit
I am not a Nina Simone enjoyer, and thus I had never listened to a full project from her. My biggest complaint is gonna sound crazy (especially since I am mister Billie H.), but it is the lamentation in her voice that gets tiring in most of her songs I know (like the 10 of them, I don't really enjoy). I put this thing on, and immediately I was surprised, cause I still hear the bothering component but I Love your Loving Ways is the most inoffensive song on earth, just nice and sweet, and for the purpose of this exercice I push through. At the end of the day, I liked all of the songs on there so she subverted my expectations. Some are very Nina Simone, like plaintive and emotional, but some are just cool, and they kinda all sound different while cohesive, lots of different instruments. It has a bit of ambition, I see it a bit as a thesis of everything going in this type of soul/jazzy artistry at the time. But that being said it does not reinvent the wheel, so I am having a hard time giving it the 5 it probably deserves. The reason you love this album is not the music in my opinion, as it is not that inventive or special, but specifically her voice. While am at peace with that now, and I respect her, a day is short for that big of a turn around and I am still a bit on the fence. At the end of the day I may regret this score cause it's really good, but it is what feels right at this moment.
Sure her voice is great but just not my sort of music
Ugh, končno spet en ženski glas! Od Janis (dan 49) ni blo nobene (razen random back vokali). Po hitrem pregledu mi je znan "Wild Is the Wind", ampak Bowie verzija iz mojega najljubšega Bowie albuma (Station to Station). Očitno ni od nobenega od njiju originalno, sta pa njuni verziji med bolj znanimi. Na splošno nisem še neki poslušala Nine, razen slučajno malo ta teden. So far, čudovito. Zaključek "Four Women" je kr amazing. "What More Can I Say" je ful lep in chill. "That's All I Ask" mi je isto spet ful lep in chill - oba je napisal Horace Ott, očitno I like his writing. Zanimiva in lepa verzija od "Wild Is The Wind" - še zmer mi je ljubša od Bowieja sicer. V glavnem, zelo soliden album, samo sam žanr ni tok zame.
Iconic impact full. Easy to hear the influence on modern performers.
I recognize and appreciate the influence, but don't particularly care for the album
A bit on the slower side for my tastes. Some great piano and vocal performances.
Stunning.
😵😵😵
You can't help but be moved by Nina.
Everything Nina does contains true power. Even in the more quiet and reserved songs here, you can feel it. She is an artist with true greatness matched by few.
Very dreary.
Absolutely stunning. There'll never be another like her
Like her singigng and Piano plyibg!
Creates an environment with a unique beauty.
Love her. Not my favourite album, tho.
I get it, it's just not for me
I feel bad, I just don't like it.
A bit disjointed for me, but some of the songs really pack a punch. High 3
😮 you can’t fake that pain, it’s like audio history. At a time when America is trying to delete its past. It’s all right there. And more than that it’s really really good music 😮
Nina Simone is a superb pianist and vocalist with one foot in the fifties. This album lacks coherence, and was apparently made up from left over studio recordings from previous albums.
Nina Simone's voice is absolutely stunning - almost overwhelmingly beautiful. Surprisingly deep and deeply humane. Some of the earlier cuts lack her full gravitas, but as soon as you hit the two live tracks, including the title track, there is a superb run of slow building drama from there to the end. She knows how to make the most of every note, wringing out every bit of potential and keeping you on tenterhooks.
I’m giving Wild is the Wind 5 ⭐️s, the opening track is misleading and the only track I don’t love, the rest of it plays with dynamics superbly both within songs and the wider structure and pacing of the album. It’s moved me close to tears both times I’ve listened to it, and the title track especially is astounding. This was a huge missing piece of vocal jazz for me, excited for more Nina.
4/5
I went tto this album expecting something more classic but these songs are poppy and really really enjoyable. It is hard to believe it was scrapped songs . 4/5
I enjoy Nina Simone’s often thought provoking music, but this album was bit too somber for me. So it’s a 3
This is pretty but not something I'd listen to again.
Wonderful album from a blind spot in my musical knowledge. This is the first time I've heard of Nina Simone. I thoroughly enjoyed this record. Thematically, this is a very deep poetic album but musically every song is easily accessible. From the first track I expected a boogie woogie album. However, the album took a dramatic turn with the second song, "Four Women." So, was this gonna be jazz. Nope. Even though the arrangements were stark and typical of traditional jazz combos, the song structures were more akin to pop songs. Identifiable hooks kept my attention and was just the sugar necessary to take any bitterness out of lyrics. Her voice is unique. I've never heard such a quirky vibrato. It works for her. It lends enough emotion to the performance to ensure the lyrics sound authentic. My favorite song: "Lilac Wine." A wonderful discovery.
Nina is of course a legend, but I hadn't heard more than a song here and there, or snippets in documentaries. This is not music I would want to listen to all the time but it is undeniably good.
Pretty good stuff but not my style of music exactly, enjoyed the mor jazzy stuff though
Spectacular. One of the best voices in history.
Album No. 0070 on my list. I’ve known a few songs by Nina Simone before, but few of them were on this album. I enjoyed listening to it pretty much! Simone’s singing style is just so intense and powerful, her voice is just incredible, and I like the jazzy music of this album as well. My favorites were “Four Women”, “Wild Is The Wind”, and “Black Is The Color Of My True Love’s Hair”. Looking forward to listening to this again. 4/5 stars.
I’m not sure I’d heard the name Nina Simone until she passed away in 2003. Then I realized why she was almost a holy figure in the black community not just because of her music, but her civil rights activism. Simone really jumped into singing songs of protest and civil rights once she left her American record label and was signed by Phillips Records, a Dutch company. I can imagine her American record label in the late 50s and early 60’s did not want many songs like Four Women to be released on their label. Four Women tells the story of four black women, with each representing a stereotype of black women in America. It’s a powerful song, though it was banned on several radio stations, with some thinking the song was racist. Wild Is the Wind is a compilation album of songs leftover from Simone’s recording sessions for Phillips Records in 1965 and 1966. It wasn’t a huge, best-selling album at the time. It’s one of those albums that needs time to breathe. However, in recent times, Pitchfork rated it the fifth best album of the 1960s and Paste declared it the eighth best album ever. The album isn’t just civil rights, it’s also full of jazzy, bluesy love songs and songs of heartbreak. Much of the music is piano driven, as Simone herself was a great pianist. Some songs sound like it’s just her and her piano, like on Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair, while on other songs, just a couple of instruments can sound like an orchestra. I wasn't a huge fan of Simone’s voice in the past, but I really dug it on here. She can sing, she’s talented, but you can feel the emotion in her voice. It makes much of the album feel sad and full of passion. It really changed my thinking on her voice. Wild Is the Wind is one of my favorite songs on the album. I recently listened to David Bowie’s cover version of the song, and it’s brilliant too, but Simone’s classical piano work really shines on this track. I was excited about listening to this album when it popped up, and I wasn’t disappointed. I think it’s great, and I hope there are more of Simone’s albums on the 1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, because I’m here for it.
very much enjoyed
Vilken pipa det är ändå! Break Down And Let It All Out!
Really Liked the song 4 women. Didn't mind the other songs. Were chill
Really just not for me, and missing a flow. Hell of a unique voice though
Really good.
Excellent bit of Nina Simone all good tracks very mid 60s feel but really listenable.
Pretty great
Loved it, great lyrics, great voice! 4.5/5
Disjointed and not really in my wheelhouse. Got lots of respect for it and it was all perfectly … fine. But not really my thing.
3.5, great jazz voice. Wide range where in some tracks her voice is so deep while others it hits much higher notes. Cool album with a slow tempo.
Wee bit mellow but beautiful voice. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): Either Way I Lose ⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Saved some tracks
What a beautiful, dynamic, emotive voice. Vibes are generally too mellow for me, but I liked a couple songs. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): Break Down And Let It All Out, Either Way I Lose ⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Saved some tracks.
WOW. This website has offered some clunkers lately, but this is something out of the blue. A wild emotional journey.
This was really nice. Very pleasant and lovely. I imagine there is a lot going on in the lyrics but unfortunately this acted as background music while working. I did really enjoy it. I would go back to this.
Yes, Miss Simone!
really nice listen. i looove lilac wine
For time constraints didn’t make it through this but WOW I’ll be back. Luscious and powerful
Nice record. Listened while I made dinner. Will probably go back
Great album, Nina Simone has a beautiful voice
Great.
absolutely fantastic when Nina Simone in on you’re just forced to listen an unstoppable force these are some of the greatest love songs ever written
Wanted to love it but just couldn't get into the talky type singing. She does have a beautiful, powerful voice but I didn't like this style.
Ten ten no notes
8 This is peak Nina 4 me. One of my fave albums by one of my Fave artists luv luv luv
Älskar henne.
I love how much emotion she is able to convey through both the music and her singing.
Disrupted by the live tracks (they are marvellous in their own right, but they take you so drastically out of the experience). It's not my favourite Nina, but it's still within her most powerful period
First time listen. Hit absolutely perfect this morning. Great stuff.
Such a tremendous voice
Now how is this the only Nina record on this thing. It good but it should be put a spell on you
i may revisit this. pleasant listen
Voice isn't my kind of thing
Nina is a confirmed amazing songwriter. Crazy to think about how many fantastic songs she pushed out in rapid succession. Favs here are Four Women, Lilac Wine and Wild is the Wind
Dä var fett
mäktigt och smäktande!
Sjukt bra sångare. Flera otroliga låtar I sig, men känns spretigt när det sätts ihop till ett album. Lilac Wine och titelspåret är ju galet bra.
Not for me.
Beautiful voice, poignant songs, and a definite vibe.
I can definitely see the appeal of this album. She's got a great voice, and the instrumentals nice jazz arrangements. I really liked it but didn't love it enough to give it 5.
Pre: know feeling good and some of her hits Post: great classic vocals
Okay I'm not usually into jazz arrangements, but some of the songs on here are beautiful!! This is actually stellar!! All hail Nina Simone for getting me into jazzy arrangements.
A delightful album that rides the back of an incredible voice. It's a warm blanket of an album and deserves a 4/5.
Nina Simone's voice is timeless. The songs on here are excellent, and this is one of the rare albums that I truly loved listening to. Favorite Songs: Lilac Wine, What More Can I Say?, Black is The Color of My Lover's Hair
I did not expect to like an album that is essentially a compilation album so much, but most of the tracks on Wild is the Wind fit together very well. "Either Way I Lose" was an odd inclusion and not a great way to end the album, in my opinion.