Reviews (page 5 of 13)
All the songs were so nice, they are so good
I have listened to Nina Simone before and didn't understand her. I still don't but now it's in a different sense. She encaptures love in it's very essence. However what she did best was enlighten me about her struggles. I will never be able to comprehend the hardships she experienced but her portrayal of them in this album convey what kind of injustice she had to go though in a very deep way.
fav songs: four women why keep on breaking my heart wild is the wind black is the color of my true love's hair intimate, elegant, soulful 80/100
What a powerhouse singer. Incredible voice.
Tried it while studying, it was nice.
Nina Simone is a pleasure to listen to even if you only know her through being sampled all over the place. She makes you feel the struggles and torment of black Americans through this album. She didn’t have a bad track; her vocal performance was outstanding. The Soul, Jazz vibe was so fun and it's clear why artists use her work, the most famous being Jay-Z using the beat and vocals from ‘Four Women’. 4⭐️
3.5/5
This is why you do this project. To find gems you didn’t know existed
7/10
Really like this one
Very, very nice. Beautiful voice. Very chill.
First time ever listening to Nina Simone. Great voice and her piano playing was impressive too
Amazing no notes
Paar klassiekers. Fijne achtergrondmuziek.
This is who Amy Winehouse wished she was.
My initial reaction is confusion that Nina Simone gets one album on this list but Elvis Costello gets 6, Bob Dylan gets 7 and David Bowie gets 9. I then remembered the book states its intended to bring attention to gifted songwriters so that partially explains the bias but I Put a Spell on You and Pastel Blues could easily have made this list too and could be argued ahead on this one. 3.5/5. Raising to 4.
Beautiful voice, really enchanting album for someone who doesnt listen to this genre often
This feels very Chet baker-ish. Excited to give this a listen on a Sunday evening during a long cook or something.
в целом хороший альбом 1 и 6 песни заводный 2 жемчужина этого альбома 3 я похожа на летний ночной легкий дождик 9 трагичная и приятная 11 шикарный сэмпл 5я интересная но уже менее цепляющая 7-я чуть интереснее и повеселее но в целом тоже норм остальное в рамках альбома звучит органично Альбом хороший, но не то что бы я часто переслуштвал
Sublime. What a freaking voice.
Man kan plocka upp vilken Nina Simone-skiva som helst och den är bra. Det här är inget undantag. Hon smälter ihop jazz, blues, soul, gospel på ett självklart sätt. Få kan leverera med den uppriktiga och kompromisslösa känslan som Simone. Det man kan ha emot att just det här albumet väljs ut till boken är att det inte är inspelat som ett album, utan är en samling låtar från olika inspelningar och som till stor del redan hade släppts i olika versioner.
Det märks att det är en samling av låtar från olika inspelningssessioner, från inledande rythm ’n’ blues-rökaren I Love Your Lovin’ Ways via det betydlig mer återhållsamma soundet i Four Women till full orkestrering i That’s All I Ask. Det är oavsett en samling riktigt starka låtar med en fantastiks röst. Jag håller nog faktiskt titelspåret som det svagaste kortet. Det talar för kvalitén på albumet. Starkast avtrycket gör Simones text till Four Women.
Fav- Wild is the wind 4/5
The title track is one of the best songs I've ever heard.
Instrumentals very nice. Simone has a very powerful voice. This feels like a good album to play when doing work and can tune back in whenever. Imagine making your way to a bar in Arizona, after walking a long and dusty road. The locals all look up at you in a glance, and then return to their dalliances. This album is playing in the bar when this scene happens.
Very powerful album.
4/5 nina soars with strong compositions
it was nice loved 4 women
I really lucked out here, because I happen to LOVE her voice! Every single song here has an incredible performance from her. Her vocal runs are fantastic, even when they don't really seem to add to the lyrics. Sometimes she's just showing off. Which is fine by me, because she sounds awesome. While every song has her beautiful voice, most songs here accompany that with a truly astounding instrumental. The piano embellishments are just as pretty, and if it's not a subtle ballad like her Black Is The Color rendition, then those are replaced with epic crescendos like the one at the end of What More Can I Say? Not everything here is immediately arresting, but I strongly enjoyed this record. I had recently listened to one of the Aretha Franklin albums on this list, and was expecting something in that vein. But what we get here, despite the bright pink cover, is something really poignant and desperate. She's really screaming on this, even when it's a happy song. I'll have to get into more of her hits...
I’ve heard this before. First of all, Nina Simone is great. There is a good mix of jazz, r&b, and folk here and the album is well constructed, so it was surprising to learn these were all tracks from a few previous sessions that didn’t make it into her earlier albums. The performances are strong and themes of love, heartbreak, and the black experience interplay really well, especially “Four Women” which is an amazing and powerful song. I dig it.
That isn't really my sound. That said, I miss when real art was made from real emotion. Obviously this is masterful.
Great vocals, awesome record
Fire asf, very 60s indeed
Absolutely beautiful and conscious album, Ninas voice is as always so beautiful and the songwriting here is ahead of its time 8/10 Favourite: Four Women Least Favourite: If I Should Lose You
Phenomenal voice and vibes
Side B leans a little heavy on the ballads for my liking, and I know I prefer at least a couple other albums of hers, but the best stuff is undeniably great. 4/5
Damn some of these songs were powerful. Really enjoyed this album and her voice Fave songs: Four Women, If I Should Lose you 4/5
4 stars A beautiful, emotive album. It has some of the best songs Miss Simone ever made. There are also more generic moments, but none of it is dull or bad.
4/24/26. One of the more unique voices I've heard; soulful and haunting, but endearing. I need to check out more Nina Simone!
Four Women is pretty epic. It was the inspiration for Peaches taking that stage name.
Nina is one of The Vocalists for me, someone who seems so intimately familiar with the nooks and crannies of her own voice that every line feels like a gift. it's because of that affinity for her voice that this isn't my favorite record of hers - i prefer her sparer, more unaccompanied, more naked. it's very hard to argue with her in ballad-mode though, particularly the steady, spacey pulse of Lilac Wine, one of the places i find her band to be really special rather than a bit distracting. Black Is The Color..... is also stunning, though it's hard to think of that song as anyone's but Patty Waters'. still though, nothing short of a rich and unending pleasure to listen to Nina sing, and i hope Little Girl Blue is on this list so i can really gush
Wild.
Me gusto pero hay que estar en el animo correcto para escucharlo
I love your loving ways was such a great start to this album! I thought it was super fun and had a great swing to it. Four women was a beautiful piece of music. The story, the calm instrumental, and the focus on the vocals. What more can I saw was also gorgeous. That building piano was lovely. When it moves into lilac wine and goes for the more melancholy tone, it was perfect. That pulsating piano behind the vocals really added to it. That’s all I ask, break down and let it all out, good tracks! Break down in particular had such a cool melody to it. Why keep on breaking my heart was another great track, and the title track itself, well, it was a mix of everything I liked from the previous tracks. Black is the colour of my true loves hair, I did find harder to listen to. It was just a bit slow for me. I had similar feelings about If I should lose you. Either way I lose was a great closer! Bringing in those horns was awesome. 4/5 ⭐️ 111/1089
Нину Симон очень люблю, добавила пару песен, но у нее есть работы гораздо сильнее и выразительнее
I really liked the first half and I thought all of her lyrics were excellent. The second half though dragged and felt like a different album. But that includes some live songs which maybe weren’t in the original? So I’ll be generous and go light 4.
Nina Simone is a unique talent, but this isn’t an album I’d listen to again. Like “strange fruit” or “to pimp a butterfly” it is powerful art about race and in America but not really something I’d actively choose to put on. (Even Kendrick provides some upbeat tracks and fun on his album”) The whole thing is just morose and heavy with lots of similar arrangements throughout. PI totally get why, and get that as a white guy in 2026 I’m not the intended audience for this, and that’s ok. I’m glad I heard this, but a little joy or hope would be nice too.
I love her voice
Total surprise for me but listened to it more than once already
Nina's voice is haunting and moving. The lyrics of Four Women were powerful. Would not be surprised if Amy Winehouse listened to Nina at some point, or at the very least they share very similar vocal qualities. Great album front to back, and I'd love to hear more from her.
Really good! 4/5
Heel eerlijk. Eerste keer dat ik dit album luister, maar had stiekem al score ingevuld van tevoren.
I feel bad not giving it five stars but I feel like, absent “Four Women,” it just doesn’t rise to the level of its timeless contemporaries. That, or, it’s just too slow for me.
A powerful listen
I love your lovin' ways - 4 Four women - 4 What more can I say? - 3 Lilac wine - 3 That's all I ask - 3 Break down and let it all out - 4 Why keep on breaking my heart - 4 Wild is the wind - 3 Black is the color of my true love's hair - 3 If I should lose you - 3 Either way I lose - 4
I new I liked Nina Simone but This album blew me out of the water. Nina Simone's voice and delivery demands attention Slow , jazzy, moving .
Nina is one of my favorite artists ever. Her voice and creativity was only bound by her personal limitations, but you can always peak into her power with every song she recorded. I like how this album reflects the middle of her peak artistic form. I was familiar with the Bowie and Buckley versions of Lilac Wine and Wild is the Wind, but the originals are so much better. There will never be another artist like her.
Started off as expected; beautiful voice, poppy and boppy…and then…”What More Can I Say?” Oh my oh my, this is why I love Nina Simone. The percussion arrangement on “Break Down And Let It All Out” is interesting. Seems pretty 60s to me. The album continues, the piano on “If I Should Lose You” flutters and I expect the album to end….yet some doo-wop begins and I learn I’m not done yet. There is more heartbreak to experience…. The great Nina Simone…I think she brings out the most in anyone she works with and it shows with the performance of the studio musicians on this one.
Nice
Overall rating: 7.3/10 (3.65/5 stars) Favorite song: "I Love Your Lovin' Ways" Least favorite song: "Either Way I Lose" a. I Love Your Lovin' Ways - 9.5/10; I like the beginning a lot. I like how different it is from the rest of the album. It has a very different feel to it, and I love that. I think this is a very good first track for an album like this. b. Four Women - 6/10; I like the flute parts but I thought the ending was alright. c. What More Can I Say? - 9/10; I love the variety of instruments in this song and all of the harmonies. The vocals are amazing in this song and I did really like the crescendos. d. Lilac Wine - 5.8/10; I thought it had the same kind of vibe as "Four Women." It was alright overall with no very major standouts in this song. e. That's All I Ask - 7.6/10; I liked the vibe of this song mostly. I liked how the instruments sounded as well. f. Break Down And Let It All Out - 7/10; I loved the saxophone!!! I didn't really like how much the song title was repeated. I don't typically like repetition like that. g. Why Keep On Breaking My Heart? - 8/10; Really the same comments as "Lilac Wine." I liked the vibe and there wasn't many major standouts, but still a good song. h. Wild Is The Wind - 9/10; I love the piano in this song the most. I also love how the vocals match the piano perfectly. I wasn't a huge fan of the riff a little after the middle of the song, but it did match the song. I think the vocals are very pretty in this song regardless. i. Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair - 7.8/10; At this point in the album, I feel like most of the songs are having the same sound to it. Which is expected, it being that they're all in the same album. And it's a good sound. But I don't like repetition, and I think I was getting bored. There's not many major standouts in this song, but the song sounded pretty. j. If I Should Lose You - 8.8/10; I like the piano at the start. I also like the vocals a lot. I mostly like when the vocals get lower a little in this song. I like the piano a lot later in the song as well. Nothing I really hated in this song. k. Either Way I Lose - 4.5/10; The vocals in the back get very distracting, especially since they carry throughout the whole song. I do like the instruments in this song too. When the vocals in the back fade out a little at the end, the song gets very enjoyable because all the instruments are playing together and I think it sounds very beautiful.
Wild Is The Wind is so hauntingly beautiful! My favorite. What More Can I Say? is pleading in a lovely/not desperate way. Reminds me of Hanif talking about songs where the protagonist is pleading, except he was writing about toxic men and Nina Simone is perfect. Either Way I Lose is a banger. I will be adding it to my soul/jazz playlist.
Wow! Exceptional voice! This listen was beautiful. Definitely revisiting!
Amazing voice, I need to dig deeper I think. Awesome to hear the original version of Lilac Wine, and also reinforces my respect for Jeff Buckley, who as it turns out did a super authentic version of it.
You could be listening to a lot worse back in the late 60s
a maioral
Pues
Got stoned and fell half asleep while listening to it. Everything about it sound so relaxing. Love the emotions that she puts into her voice <3
Soul classic, what a voice!
Really enjoyed this, great music from a even better person
Nina Simone est dans une classe à part. Avoir autant d'authenticité que de puissance c'est une recette hors du commun. Personne peut rester indifférent.
Could’ve been released today, thought it sounded current. Powerful passionate vocals. First time I’ve listened in full to a Nina album. Enjoyed it and it has a replayability element. My benchmark, I would purchase the vinyl but not a 5/5. More like a 4.3/5.
I like it. Old school blues.
Legendary jams, unique and beautiful
Primera mitad floja, segunda exquisita
Альбомам Ніни Сімоне менше 4 ставити не можу.
Not in love with Nina's voice, but this album was interesting. I like it, but don't quite love it.
Gorgeous, will absolutely get played again. It’s not cohesive but it’s an incredible overview of her range.
Great music. Especially loved Four Women. Nina’s voice has so much emotion.
Great record. Huge vibes, classic
3.5⭐️/5 04.03.2026
Medio country cooll
I was not expecting that. I haven't listened to many jazz albums, but from the ones I have listened to, they tend to drone on. Wild is The Wind keeps a punchy instrumental that feels like it is just getting more and more grand.
nustebau, cia juk jay-z arba jo ten prodiuseris koks nors samplino "Four Women" i jo daina story of oj, damnn. Ok siaip albumas geras tikrai prie nieko negaliu prisikabint, klausyciau antra karta, kad suprast apie ka dainuoja, nes dabar buvau pasileides tik, kad grotu fone. 4/5 kadangi tai nera mano go-to muzika.
A great example of Nina Simone's music world.
Man, this is awesome. She has such a beautiful, effortless voice she has. Not overcomplicated bullshit, just soul and a message to share with the world. The piano and drums also hit different fasho fasho. Kinda therapeutic. "That's All I Ask" sent me into a pschodelic trip, no need for substances. Unbelivable. I feel like if I understood the historial context of the songs, it would be even more enjoyable. I don't usually hear female Soul/R&B singers, this just opened my eyes to it. Damn, it's really hard to decide between 4 and 5 stars. Probably another 4.5
Really nice album. No bad songs. Nina Simone is an icon guys come on.
This is a difficult one to rate for me. Very big cultural impact, great voice, but I won't put the album on again very soon.
精彩的专辑，行云流水精彩纷呈。歌词也非常值得称赞
The mix of different genres in this album was truly incredible, and shows the talent of Nina Simone to be able to write songs in so many different genres. However, I would argue that this comes at a trade-off, because the more genres in an album, the less likely it is to be perfect. I loved many songs on this album, but also don’t really care for the rest. For that reason, I can’t give it a perfect score. Still an amazing album, though.
yeah vibey
woah
Thoughts before listening: I am constantly told that I should listen to Nina Simone. She is one of the most heavily recommended artists of all time. That being said, I know very little of her music. It seems like highly orchestrated r&b and soul with lots of political and social commentary. Review: So this is soulful jazzy arrangements with Nina Simone's strong vocals leading the way. Its a powerful listen for sure, with "Four Women" and "Break Down and Let it All Out" being the standout tracks for me. Maybe a bit too many ballads for my personal taste, but thats certainly not an indictment of the album as a whole, just my preferences. 4-stars
Lovely blues.
yo dude this is sick. but why three albums by black artists in a row this isnt black history month /s 4/5
good
Incredible vocalist, as everyone knows. Skilled piano player and interesting songs.
What a voice. I'd heard the famous covers of Lilac Wine and the title track before this but Simone delivers both with wonderful gravitas that blew me away. The Simone penned Four Women is outstanding.
Love it for a cozy day, so relaxing and beautyful
At first the variety of production styles, orchestral jazz, Motown R&B, operatic Broadway-like songs, and reinvented folk really put me off. But I listened through a couple more times and it really cohered around a fundamentally Nina Simone temperament. Still, it makes me want to go listen to one of her other recordings, because I just have a bias toward feeling like I'm in one room with one band (no matter how big) at a time when I sit down with an album. 4.5/5. Wouldn't dispute that it belongs on the list of 1001 (though I feel like if I listened through more of her catalogue I'd find a substitution or two).
A great jazz and blues album, some amazing instrumentals and vocal work on display here for sure. My standout choices are what more can I say? Lilac wine, and that’s all I ask.
It's interesting to read on Wikipedia that this is actually a compilation of out-takes from previous albums. Considering that, this is a better album than one might expect.
Nice album!
Nina's great - good voice, good songs, etc. Good listen.
A beautiful set of performances. Funny that these were the leftovers from several previous recordings.
No skips. Best: liliac wine Worst: I love your loving ways
I think that this would be a clear example of how music is a form of art. I have recently found a slight interest in Jazz music, having listened to it for the first time very recently, and this just solidifies my new love for it. Her vocals are beautifully crafted and flow very nicely with the music. The instrumentation is classically that of what you would usually find in Jazz, but it doesn't sound like 'any other' Jazz song that you would have on in the background. There are stories behind the songs, and Nina Simone tells them powerfully through the art of music. Favourites: I Love Your Lovin' Ways Four Women That's All I Ask
[Already rated. Original review:] 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.
Icon. Queen. Love it but a little slow at times.
This album was beautiful. Her voice is gorgeous and overall I really enjoyed it!
My Nina Simone knowledge is shamefully limited, so I was happy to be able to sit with a whole album of hers. The opening punch of "I Love Your Lovin' Ways," "Four Women," and "What More Can I Say?" is great, and "Wild is the Wind" is pretty epic. It gets a bit repetitive for me personally, but that's not a complaint. 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4 for an icon.
Might be better than Sings the Blues. Hard to tell, it’s real subtle and simmery.
fuck i love jazz, this is so dreamy i can’t believe i haven’t listened to this before
beautiful album. as always with nina simone the first thing i notice is the incredible piano - not only the performance but also the choices she makes harmonically / in terms if composition. she has such good intuition & its clearly shaped by the amount of classical piano she studied - the chords on lilac wine & the end of wild is the wind sounded particularly rachmaninovian. obvs also love her beautiful distinctive voice & rly liked hearing the way she went theatrical & made vocal distinctions between the four characters in 'four women'
I loved the voice of Nina Simone. The biggest highlight was the cinematic ending to "What More Can I Say?"
Four women is incredible. The album is not what I expected but I didn’t have any clue how it would sound.
Loved it 👊
Very strong writing in Four Women and haunting melodies throughout. Her vocals are really unmatched.
Haunting - it’s like Nina tore out her heart and handed it to you.
After several listens, there is an intensity here that I really appreciate. I actually didn't much like it on first listen, but that's because I didn't have the attention to give.
Nina Simone's voice IS the instrument. No one on the album outshines her. Timeless sound for sure and the way she talks about unrequited love be making ME mad lol. Highlights: Four Women, Lilac Wine, That's All I Ask
I have heard possibly the most powerful vocals ever in my life because of this album. This is a voice that could stop a hurricane or something! The lyrical contents are pretty conscious, which I do like. The instrumentation are pretty well done, especially Nina Simone's piano playing. Highlight Song/s: "I Love Your Lovin' Ways", "Four Women" and "That's All I Ask"
Classic and classy
(6/7) she got soul
très cool! 4+/5
Goosebumps, literally got goosebumps with most of the songs.
Powerful voice. This music will make you feel. It isn’t exactly a “fun” time, but a memorable one.
great album, amazing voice, really enjoyed a lot of these tracks
Beautiful voice, I enjoyed listening to this.
I keep forgetting to explore Nina Simone so this was a welcome listen. I only knew the title track via David Bowie (and it's one of my faves of his) so hearing Nina sing it was a treat. And then of course I had to discover that it was first recorded by Johnny Mathis. Anyway, this was a good one and I will revisit it.
Gran álbum clásico, muy interesante y recomendado si te gusta el soul
This was great. It sounded like wisdom bottled up. Great story telling. Really enjoyed 4 women. Just all round clever and sounds so fresh.
Enjoyed this, such an amazing voice. Pretty much all of the songs were new to me which I liked. I would listen again, glad it came up
First album and perfect for a lazy and wet Sunday morning. Beautiful story telling and composition
My name is also Peaches
Thumbs up, 4 stars.
beautiful impactful melodies and voice
An awesome voice and lyrics that made me feel things. I've definitely heard her name before but wasn't really sure what to expect.
Rating: 9/10 Beautiful music. Her gorgeous soulful voice is a beautiful instrument in and of itself, her piano playing is excellent, and she's got some good band instrumentation backing her. There's really no point where any of these songs are anything less than great, probably a high point of 60's recorded music. If I'm choosing a favorite song it's Four Women, that's pure poetry, reminds me a lot of Toni Morrison (or would more accurately be, she reminds me of Nina Simone). Really the whole thing does though.
Really nice, kind of a lot to casually put on and listen to, but great if you're sitting down and ready to give your full attention to an album 7.0/10
Loved this in a lot of ways, but I’ve gotta be in the right mood. Definitely of its time but the voice is just so special that it makes it worth coming back to
Listened previously. Expectations: High - Verdict: Great - I love the opener, it's energetic and grabs you. Then we get some beautiful songs. Four Women and particularly Lilac Wine are stunning. Things lose me in the middle just a tiny bit, I'm not keen on Why Keep On Breaking My Heart, but Wild Is The Wind gets things back on track. Either Way I Lose is a good closer.
Really enjoyed this one! I've been getting more into the soul genre recently, so this was a fun one to explore. It's crazy how powerful her voice is, I could listen to it all day!
STANDOUTS: What More Can I Say?, Lilac Wine, Wild Is the Wind Nina Simone is one of the greatest vocalists of the mid-1900s, only really being rivaled by Nat King Cole in my book. That being said, Wild Is the Wind is such a gorgeous album. It really makes you feel like you're sitting in a recliner by the fireplace, reminiscing over the life you've lived so far and yearning for the things you miss. In other words, this is a must-listen, regardless of if you're into vocal jazz or not. 9/10
sehr schön
Intense
The voice! I knew none of these songs but was great to listen to. Should really explore more of Nina's back catalogue. It's not really my preferred listening genre but quality shines through.
Simply stunning
Really beautiful. Break Down And Let It All Out hit my like a punch to the stomach.
What a surprise this collection of performances was! Terrific song choice and great arrangements.
Powerful. Haunting. She could sing about a nickel and I’d hang on every word. She would never make it today.
Great voice and character, great songs, great random choice for a Monday
Nina Simone just gets it man. She's got the voice, the attitude, and the musicality. The album jumps all over the place which is why I'm only giving it a four, but I will be listening to more of her albums.
I liked the first half more than the second half of this album.
Hmm, crackly sound on song 7? Nina Simone's voice, beats on last song
Nina cookin
Nina Simone’s voice is like a broken heart speaking - the way she teases out the pain from somewhere that is gut wrenchingly ephemeral and so deep. With every word your soul breaks, history is told and you understand something you can’t explain but is eternal.
There are Nina Simone albums I enjoy more but this was great
Beautiful album. Other reviews have put it more eloquently. A real gem in this list genereator
Nina Simone wasn't ever afraid of confrontation. She was always pretty full on in her lyrics and delivery. Even in the softer songs, she throws it down and makes you face uncomfortable themes head on. This record isn't obviously loud in a protest-song way, but it is emotionally unflinching. Nina uses silence like a weapon. Whole seconds hang in the air suspended, and you're left wondering if she's about to whisper or snarl. And those dynamics work so well. Take "Lilac Wine". I first heard it through Jeff Buckley, and as a big Buckley fan, I absolutely love his version. But Nina's version of the song? It's devastating. It's on another level and absolutely haunting. She stretches words until they almost disappear, and leaves space between lines. Her voice and piano shift so smoothly from strong to fragile that you barely notice it happening. One second she's confident and clear, the next she sounds like she might crack. For a person who was so ferocious, it's a serious moment of vulnerability. "Wild Is the Wind" almost feels like being in a room with Nina. It's quiet yet loud, intimate yet strong, emotionally devastating yet uplifting and positive all at the same time. Vulnerable and always confrontational.
Really great grooves and playing. Strong voice but there’s something about the tone that doesn’t quite work for me on some of the songs.
Nina Simone's voice and piano add strength to the content of her lyrics. Her song "Four Women" are still relevant in these times, especially given the right-wing blow back to any person of color assertion of their self identity.
Nina Simone is an entrancing vocalist whose mellifluousness belies an emotional depth and lyrical complexity that is easy to overlook or to mistake for simple performance.
4/5. Хорошенький)
Favourite Track: What More Can I Say? or Lilac Wine
Lilac Wine!!
not what I typically listen to but very interesting.
Nina Simone is one of the greatest vocalists of our time, and I've always admired her when I've heard individual songs. But I'll admit I was a little worried about how I'd respond to an entire record of this mid-60s material, largely voice and piano. But on hearing it: Wow her voice, and her sense of timing as she interprets these songs. "Four Women" stands out in this collection, an incredibly affecting song. 4 stars - the romantic songs aren't my favorite, but the rest was very powerful.
her voice is very unique, not sure if i’m a fan. she sounds a little bit like a man. i liked the song about the four women but i don’t know if jazz is my thing
One of the most beautiful and emotional albums I’ve ever heard She has such a distinctive singing voice and the instrumentation is grand
I didn’t know that Lilac Wine wasn’t a Jeff Buckley song. I also didn’t know that Jeff Buckley is, a lot of the time, singing in a Nina Simone voice. Good, great, liked it a lot.
Great vocals
So good. Very easy to listen to. Absolutely timeless.
I've recently got a new appreciation for blues. Nina Simone was an amazing singer with a wonderful warm tone to her voice. Normally I don't like slower songs like "Four Women", but this song touches something in my soul. I adore this record.
A great album, starts of with a powerful rock song, and then spends the rest of the album in slower, more intimate songs. It is amazing how it combines themes of love with slavery and blackness. An amazing album I'm happy to Have listened to, and may listen to again in the future
Crazy how good a lot of this was! It did slow down a bit in the middle and you can tell It wasn’t written as one thing, but man when it hits it hits
My favorite song on the album is wild as the wind. Very beautiful feels like a movie score. Who ever was playing the piano absolutely deserves some recognition. The whole album was beautiful.
It’s a pretty great album but I’m not sure I really enjoy it…if that makes sense? Even the catchier songs. Not that all music has to be fun…I don’t know, maybe I’ll regret this and change it to a 5. Who knows.
wow jazz QUEEN
In my mind I put this in a box with the Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald albumsI have already gotten. In that company it stands out solely due to the depth of the lyrics. My comparison may not be fair as this album was released nearly a decade after those two. Regardless, I think it is clearly better.
Album #34: Wild is the Wind - Nina Simone Genre (W): Jazz, blues, folk, R&B Singles: Four Women I have listened to this album once before. Thoughts: Nina Simone was ahead of her time. I love her voice most of all, it’s not the most clear but it has the most emotion, much like Billie Holiday. I know the song “Lilac Wine” when Jeff Buckley covered it too. This entire album carries with it a somber, or for some a calming, tone. I think it’s because of the sparse arrangements and the songwriting. It’s a genius move, and I’m glad to listen to it. Favorite songs: I Love Your Lovin’ Ways, Four Women, What More Can I Say?, Lilac Wine, Break Down and Let It All Out, Why Keep On Breaking My Heart, Wild is The Wind, Black is the Color of my True Love’s Hair, If I Should Lose You, Either Way I Lose
Never heard of album or singer. Based on the timing of the release I have pretty low expectations. I love your lovin is very 60. Kind of catchy. Cool piano. Definitely dated. Woah was not expectingthe jay z story of OJ sample in the second song. The production is so good just like the Jay version. Lyrics not as good. Great song either way. What more can I say I super emotional. What an ensemble of intsruments. Another really well made song. Super interesting album because it’s not at all my style but I enjoy it a lot. Not at all what I was expecting. Lilac wine is another emotional song that works. Breakdown and let it all out is much happier while still being emotional. Songwriting on This one is the best so far. Wild is the wind🔥🔥🔥. Another one still being sampled to this day. Piano is so good. Lyrics are so good. This one is 100% better than the logic song that samples it. If I should lose you sounds ahead of its time. Love the piano solo at the end. Production again o either way I lose is so good. It’s not the best song on the album but it’s still a good song. This album was way better than expected. I can fully understand the influence, it’s a sound so different from everything else around this time. 4 stars.
It's Nina. The voice is just so good, it's impossible not to enjoy. Also, the album is nicely varied where it fits together without getting same-y. Nina cried power.
yeah this is chill better production than i thought such a good voice, esp song 9 songs 1,2,3 good esp enjoyed very much
Heel smooth en jazzy, lekker soul en ik kende Lilac Wine al van Jeff Buckaroo en die my skin is black sampl natuurlijk, heel leuk om het origineel te horen. Goed album!
Svårt ibland att betygsätta artister som haft stor betydelse för musiken. Bra album visst, men kommer kanske inte lyssna igen.
Fantastic album. One of her best
what a voice
This was an experience indeed. I knew Wild is the Wind only from Bowie and Lilac Wine from Jeff Buckley. First track didn't take me in but after that it was all fantastic. Heartfelt songs with beatiful performances.
Great album
Nina Simone has all the passion. No one else has passion because she has it all. Every song is great on this album. My one complaint is that some of the songs fade out so abruptly it’s jolting.
Wunderschönes Album, intim, träumerisch.
This was really really good.
Nina Simone has an awesome voice. Strong album.
Beautiful voice. Gets a little boring.
This is a good soul album with good arrangements and great vocals. However, the whininess of Simone's timbre surprised me; it feels like an acquired-taste voice despite receiving much in the way of acclaim. Once you get past the voice(which I can rather easily see being a turnoff for many), you get well-produced soul with excellent singing and good lyrics. I can see this being influential, and it's almost perfect, but the voice is make-or-break in soul. While Nina has a great voice, it's not the best voice I've ever heard, and that ultimately makes it a 4 alongside the lack of upbeat, energetic songs.
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.
Das war ein tolles Album!
What a voice, litteral chills!
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.
What a gorgeous record.
Very good
Amazing vocal range
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
There’s definitely magic happening in this.
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
What a singer.
love her
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
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
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
Lovely. Some iconic stuff on here I recognize. Her voice remains incredible. Nothing much else to add. 4/5
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!
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.
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
This is really good I love the voice also love, love songs 🥹
sooo good!! I Love Your Lovin' Ways is my favorite song from this album
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.
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
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
7/10
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.
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.
It is really beautiful, the raw vocals and emotion gave me the chills.
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.
Some lovely songs
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.
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
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
Lo escuché semi entero un sábado AM. Bueno.
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
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.
Some gorgeous things on here.
It was good but to old school. Very happy and lively tho
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.
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
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.
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
Gorgeous. Nina's voice is something else.
Jazzy piano Definitely inspired Jeff Buckley Pretty damn good
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.
And she cried 'power'.
At first you wouldn't think her voice would be good for singing, but somehow it actually works well.
Really liked this !!!
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
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*
Gorgeous!
Dope
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.
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.
😵😵😵
You can't help but be moved by Nina.
Absolutely stunning. There'll never be another like her
Like her singigng and Piano plyibg!
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.
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
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
Really Liked the song 4 women. Didn't mind the other songs. Were chill
Really good.
Excellent bit of Nina Simone all good tracks very mid 60s feel but really listenable.
Loved it, great lyrics, great voice! 4.5/5
really nice listen. i looove lilac wine
Great album, Nina Simone has a beautiful voice
8 This is peak Nina 4 me. One of my fave albums by one of my Fave artists luv luv luv
Älskar henne.
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