Reviews (page 6 of 14)
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
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)
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
First time listen. Hit absolutely perfect this morning. Great stuff.
Now how is this the only Nina record on this thing. It good but it should be put a spell on you
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!
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.
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.
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.
Love it! 4/5
this album made me feel like i was too underdressed to be listening to it. 4/5
A classic for sure
Emotional, soulful, soaring, elegiac. A beautiful album.
Really enjoyable album. The first two tracks are very danceable amd the second one has interesting lyrics. Wild is the wind though is one of the best songs ive heard(controversially i prefer Bowie's version though but her vocals are killer!). Overall a great combination off jazz and blues.
Exquisite. Iconic. Important.
Excellent leftovers.
wild is the colour of my true love's hair
Lots of passion in these tracks a real gem for sure
Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: Four Women, Lilac Wine, Wild Is The Wind I thoroughly enjoyed this. Lovely singing, thought-provoking lyrics, and excellent piano and other instruments. Nice to put on and cook dinner to.
Thank you, after the horrifying experience of yesterday (Meatloaf) gladly an album that has my full appreciation. Not being into vocal jazz, I have always made an exemption for Nina (Simone) and Billie (Holiday), and although I won't rate this album as her best, that would be "Pastel Blues", it's definitely a close call. The power of "Four Women", the tenderness of "What More Can I Say", the intensity of "Wild Is The Wind" and of course the way she plays the piano, this album shows all that Nina Simone was capable of. 4/5
Gorgeous and well produced.
A very good album.
nice to know where music started, she has an incrediblle voice and incredible what she sings about
I'm guessing there will be other Nina Simone on the list. I think it is important that she be on here but I don't know enough to say what albums. This one was alright it's got a bunch of staple covers on it which are probably less important than Old Jim Crow and Mississipi Goddam
Really good album. Her voice is exceptional alone, but in combination with her expressive and skillful piano playing it’s really outstanding.
i wanna be in love 7/10
Haunting and poignant. Nina Simone gives a lesson in both technique and performance. It's an album that's hard to write about, as nothing could even come close to describing what a wonder this album is. This is an album I know I'll keep coming back to.
Great artistic piece, beautiful melodies and haunting vocals. Good for a somber mood and to have on in the background
Nina actually wrote this album after having had dinner at Len Houmous’ house when he served his famous or rather quite infamous Houmous Bean Cassoulet 3.5 6/11 Break Down And Let It All Out
She can be a bit of an acquired taste, but her voice, paired with her piano, brings out highly distinctive emotions in these songs about love and loss.
A few different genres on this one which was nice. Wind is the wind and black is the colour of my true loves hair were my favourites.
mega schöni musig. aber iri stimm gfallt mer nöd ganz: ich find schön dass si pur isch, aber ich find s vibrato mängisch mega weird. s album sehr variabel, am schluss ischs mer chli z ruhig. s letzte lied macht aber wieder en gebührende abschluss;)
Great voice. Great singer! I'd heard the name, but never heard the music. Big miss! The production is, for the most part, better than most from this time. Really solid recording. The first bit I didn't like was "Break Down And Let It All Out" as it's too repetitious and her voice strays into annoying to me, People seem to like the title track, but it's the one that annoys me the most. It's filled with the things singers do to show off their range and tricks - instead of serving the song. (See: Mariah Carey and her ilk) Some of it is nice, lounge-y, but then gets into histrionics. I've heard "Lilac Wine" by Jeff Buckley (quick shoutout to JB. If you haven't listened to him, you should!) Turns out he's pretty faithful to this version. Both are good. Overall, I think this is a great album for people to be exposed to. I will put a couple of these in the rotation for mellow times. Let's call it a 4. Good but not astounding.
Beutifully hartowing at some points
Liked the album, great jazzy songs
Man this album transported me somewhere else. Beautiful voice, and instrumentals. Very close to a 5 but it's not something I could listen to again and again. Great album though. Also Sapphronia is not a name Nina Simone
A nice combination of genres from a woman who sure can sing. Great piano and lyrics come together to make a great setting.
I never understood why everyone is so crazy about Nina Simone. I get it now.
Very good. Jazzy blues with piano. 4.25 stars
Mm, Nina Simone's voice is so haunting. Great voice for soul. I love sad women singing about love. It's very relatable. Oh, also the infamous sample from Jay Z's Story of OJ.
Very slow. A poppy favorite artist.
Vey good.
Beautiful voice. Good lyrics. Music
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1001 ALBUMS- # Wild is Simone 🎤. A collection of throwaway tracks compiled together that most artists wish their ‘A’ game were half as good as. Feeling like a singular, cohesive statement, the album showcases Simone’s unmatched ability to move seamlessly between classical, jazz, blues, folk, and soul, all while maintaining her signature gravity and fierce independence. Simone’s voice is the core of this album — rich, nuanced, sometimes trembling with vulnerability, other times thundering with defiance. Her phrasing is never ordinary. She stretches and compresses time, bends notes, and imbues every line with meaning. Nowhere is this more evident than on the title track. 🎧 Classic Track: Wild Is The Wind 🎧 Deep Cut Gem: Either Way I Lose 🎧 Personal Favorite: Four Women 🎧 Memorable Standout: Lilac Wine Simone merges diverse musical traditions in this album: Jazz phrasing and harmonics, Classical piano structure and timing, Folk and blues storytelling with Soulful, gospel-tinged emotional delivery. Each track feels like a world of its own — she doesn’t just perform songs; she inhabits them. The arrangements are mostly sparse, centering her piano and voice, allowing for intimate emotional expression. Simone was a trained classical pianist, and it shows. Her arrangements are sophisticated, often minimalist, and emotionally exacting. Piano lines are meditative or stormy as needed. The instrumentation is often sparse — just bass, guitar, drums — leaving space for her voice and piano to dominate. 🖼️ Album Artwork: Soulful silhouette If you’re looking to understand Nina Simone’s genius, Wild Is the Wind is essential listening. It’s not just an album — it’s an emotional landscape, timeless in its pain, beauty, and resistance.
I love her voice
Day First listen- Wow, I didn't expect it to stir so many emotions. Her voice and the instruments effortlessly touched my heart especially the track wild is the wind. Loveee the piano throughout the album, sublime. (4/5)
I like
Eclectic mix of great tunes. Very chill
A unique voice and moving songwriting.
Beautiful voice. Minimal accompaniment. Old timey good fun. 7.0
I know a little bit about Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddam” from a book I read, but I’ve never listened to any of her music before. Jazz and soul albums have been a bit of a mixed bag for me, so I could either love or hate this album. However, seeing these user reviews, I’m leaning more towards this album being right up my alley. I didn’t fall in love with Nina Simone on this album, but I thought Wild is the Wind was really good. The best thing about this album was the vocals, which were absolutely incredible over the course of the album. Nina Simone’s voice managed to convey so many emotions on these songs. Her tone was so serious and stern, but also incredibly beautiful. The instrumentation was mostly pretty sparse on this album, but it didn’t bother me too much, because Nina’s vocals were the best musical element on the album. The only thing I didn’t like about this album was that everything hinged on the vocals. When there were songs where the vocals weren’t as captivating as other songs, I found myself losing interest. Thankfully, that only happened on three or so songs though. On top of that, this just isn’t the type of album I’d naturally gravitate towards, and even though I thought the vocals were really good, I only found a small handful of songs truly captivating. As for the songs that I really enjoyed, “Four Women,” “Lilac Wine,” “What More Can I Say,” and “Break Down and Let It All Out” were the cream of the crop on this album. I loved the way that Nina’s vocals built to a powerful crescendo on “What More Can I Say,” and the vocals on the chorus of “Break Down and Let It All Out” was just full of raw power. The best of these songs though was “Four Women,” and of course it’s the only song on here that Nina wrote. The lyrics are incredibly powerful, and I loved how vivid the figurative imagery in them was. The vocals were top notch, and the piano and percussion sounded great too. Wild is the Wind wasn’t perfect, but it was great to listen to, and it definitely deserves a place on this list.
Nina is a legend and this collection of songs is grand and beautiful
7/10
Very good album, albeit compared to After Hours and some others, i felt like it feels a bit short, thus the 4.
What a good surprise. I like Nina, very much, but have never heard of this album. Very tight, BEAUTIFUL production, especially for the time, and all of which makes her great. Musicality, lyricism, and storytelling, all there. Liked it very much, and will re-listen in the future.
Having never consciously explored her music, this was a real treat. A bit out of my world back in the day. I really enjoyed every song on this LP.
Soulful and melancholy album, but really rather beautiful
Always have heard the name but never sat and listened. Was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this. What an enigmatic and interesting vocal performance. There were times when I went to skip a song but I couldn't bring myself to do it. When I thought a song was not resonating with me, I still couldn't turn it off. Very captivating. Will be adding some Nina Simone to the record collection soon.
Four Women is incredible. LOVE her version of Lilac Wine. Very stripped back and mournful. Love the power of Break Down And Let It All Out. I like the schmaltz of Why Keep On Breaking My Heart. If I Should Lose You is beautifully wistful.
i really really really want to like nina simone's music. i really do. i'm not sure why but a lot of it does not jump out at me. i love her voice and wish i liked the more sultry ballads she does a lot more. it's less her and more the song choice, i think. that being said, i liked this well enough. better than average, but didn't blow me away.
A little uneven, but the highs really hit, with beautiful piano chords and unbelievably dynamic vocal performances
Beginning of album and end are excellent, the middle lost me a bit. Four Women was my favourite.
Very chilled, good album
Very close to a five, just a few weak songs here and there. Nina Simone is such a powerful voice and storyteller in her music. Great experience.
Striking. I don’t know if I would intentionally seek this out, but it was impressive.
Beautiful, anything Nina is worth checking out.
Classic, but not an album you could listen to everyday.
Some of the truest vocals I’ve ever heard
nina simone macht rock n roll uuh ye. so e spezielli stimm. sehr fragil. four women isch seeehr cool vier verschiedeni fraueporträts. booooh de schlussss. yeeess. super super schön. what more can i say au suuper schön mega minimalistisch und denn de schluss rieesig. lilac wine geile name. cooli chords wow nina. meeeega schöns lied. suuper ruhig. thats all that i ask mega schöns blöser arrangment. break down and let it all out chli simpler grader. why keep on breaking my heart irgendwie sochli mexikanische schlager type? uuuh ihres vibrato isch suuuper. wild is the wind seehr langsam, klavier super schön macht uhuere viel am schluss. aber het mi etz nöd begeisteret. allgemein zweiti hälfti vom album bitz weniger füür drin. aber immerno guet. either way i lose isch super mit de tüüfe stimm wo d bassline dopplet. mega cool. und sie singt scho fantastisch und au meeega speziell. oke wooow mega song. glaub scho es vieri.
no es cools album amene verregnete morge four women isch chli meh "abgange" und jz simmer wieder bide schön ruhige klavier ballade sehr sön ah und mega cooli stimm! uf break down and let it out gaht sie CRAZY und gad NOMAL weild is de weind isch krass, s klavier macht sache die nächste zwei lieder sind sehr ruhig und intim ich lieb de dom-dom-dom-dom guy hmm 3 oder 4, iwie scho sehr öppis speziells, s klavier und d stimm isch fast scho haunting chan mi immernanig entscheide und loses drum nomal han vorher four women scho gern gha aber BOUM
Powerful voice and some iconic mid-60s songs.
Nina Simone is such a badass. This isn't something I typically reach for, but I'll never ask to turn it off. Her voice is simply inimitable.
so very good!! didn’t realize nina simone sounded like that
A reluctant 4 only because it's not something I'd have to be in the mood to put on. But if you are in the mood, boy is it a rewarding listen, and the more attention you give it the more impressive it gets.
Great album to relax to. Will definitely listen again.
This was very good but for some reason it doesn't hit with me the same as some other albums in this era and genre. I like Nina's voice, and the songwriting is beautifully done, but I think the music just doesn't totally appeal to me for some reason. She's still getting 4 stars though, she's a powerful presence.
Oh yeah, the iconic Miss Simone. This early record hints at her coming socially-conscious greatness. Still, that voice and presentation commands and transcends the fairly stock material about love with its thrills and its pain. “Four Women,” the one song that presages what was to come in her catalog, is the showstopper here.
Beautiful album. Beautiful voice.
Tunnelmallista ja hienoa tulkintaa.
A wonderful showcase of Nina Simone’s range, 'Wild Is the Wind' is a strong, powerful, heartfelt, primal, raw, evocative, and deeply emotional album. Simone blends jazz, soul, folk, and classical influences with remarkable control and depth. You feel every note she plays and sings. An incredible album, simmering with a quiet, aching intensity, that stays with you long after it's finished.
Great album. Loved her voice and knew quite some songs apparently (though mostly as covers). Definitely will listen to this again when I’m in the mood for it.
❤️❤️❤️ : Wild is The Wind Four Women I Love your Lovin' Ways 🙂🙂🙂 : Why Keep on Breaking my Heart Break Down and Let It All Out
8.57, toimisto, koss, qobuz
Insanely talented
Prefer her live work, but this comes close.
Another talented artist who wrestled with mental illness. Would the talent still be there if the illness was not? Powerful voice and a poignant listen.
Heard lots from Nina Simone before, but non from this album. A couple of belters, not much more to say, it's Nina Simone!
Occasionally sublime always real now and then meh
Incredible singer and great texts for the time.
Incredible voice, incredible talent. Heartbreaking and hauntingly beautiful songs.
Pretty good - I do think I prefer some of Nina Simone's earlier stuff such as her album and pretty iconic song, "I put a spell on you". Overall, this was a pretty poetic album, lots of personal experiences and struggles embedded into it. I didn't feel the melodies were as cohesive for me as other albums or music of hers. Favourite song: Lilac Wine
Very chill and laid back album. Clearly a banger
9/10, its fucking Nina Simone. Her voice is incredible.
There's nothing like her voice and this album is mesmerizing. Going 4 because I've never heard it, but could get up to 5 someday.
A really wonderful and unique voice. Great listen, great vibes.
This makes my emotions all confused. I want to dislike it but I also like it. The music resonates deep in the soul.
Nicht meine Musikrichtung, dafür aber echt gut
Just a joy to listen to
Good but not really for me
Прекрасная музыка для душевных посиделок, для немного задумчивого настроения. 7,5 из 10.
Good variety - enjoyed the upbeat and different nature here!
is this yearning
dost prijemny jazzovy instrumental + zaujali ma hiphopove sample
The first track is a full on blues number, which I love. The rest is soulful jazz with intense lyrics. Less my jam, but if you really listen to the lyrics (not my usual style) it’s very moving. Four women is intense/heartbreaking. I’m sure in some ways it deserves 5 stars, but I can’t quite get there overall.
The thing about this album is that I really want to give it a 9 because it has MULTIPLE 10/10 songs on it (and a few 9/10s), but then there's also a lot of 7/10s...so I guess 8 is the most round number I can give it.
Glorious
Some absolutely stunning songs - Four Women is one I had somehow never heard and absolutely floored me both musically and thematically. For me the slowest songs are the best, her voice is truly unique and I love how unprocessed, raw and in some cases slightly imperfect it sounds. The piano playing is incredible and I don't think I'd every fully processed just how good she is. The R&B and blues-y numbers are still good but don't hit quite as hard, but still show off her versatility. Truly a one of a kind artist.
Some beautiful songs although the album felt disjointed at times. Black Is The Color is an all time favorite.
nice
Nina as usual, in charge and after 3 notes she has your attention - a master in every sense. She embodies the music, with her it's always an emotional affair. Lilac wine a particular favorite, although I also love Jeff Buckley's version.
This certainly took over my morning. A voice that is both comfort and weapon. So many highlights but Four Women, Lilac Wine and Either Way I Lose show her range, power and most importantly - control. So just lie back and let her take the wheel.
very moody in a good way
This is a very versatile album, lots of different styles, rock and roll blues, haunting ballads and jazzy showtunes with big orchestral features Nina Simone is a beast on the piano too, so good playing so complicated stuff and singing all the while, amazing
Beautiful
Great voice, sometimes strange use of it but I really enjoyed it.
- her vocals soar on what more can i say? omgggg
VERY soulful, i saved a couple of songs and listened to the album almost 2 ways through, definitely a good change of pace from the last album. when heard LILAC WINE i knew it was gonna be good for the rest of the album. i love jeff buckley and through this album i found out that the song lilac wine goes deeper than jeff. not every song was my favorite but i especially enjoyed the storytelling in the song four women. definitely looking to explore more of her music. wonderfully emotional and heavy voice.
That voice.
What a powerhouse Nina Simone was — both musically and as an activist. Her voice is so distinct, with such raw emotion that make many of her songs feel like poetry set to music. She continues to have influence, as I actually first discovered some of her work through modern samples, like Jay-Z’s use of “Four Women” in “The Story of O.J.” Favorite tracks: - Four Women - What More Can I Say? - Why Keep On Breaking My Heart - Wild is the Wind
Gorgeous and smooth. What a voice. Could be an easy weekend record, a soundtrack to a dinner party or smoky bar - it really took me away.
Incredible voice, and a few songs that stuck with me, though I wish the engineering was a bit cleaner
Bra skit
Nina Simone goes up to the limit of how visceral and passionate music can be and regularly crosses it. listen after 8 hours of standing up at work when you're finally able to give your feet a rest. will feel about as good as the best sex (not that i would know) deserves to be one of the 1001? yea but not as much as Pastel Blues!! why the snub? it has Sinnerman for goodness sakes!!
Beautiful album with poignant lyrics. Probably close to a 3.76 for me, but going to go with a 4.
Quite interesting. I probably don't listen to enough Nina Simone.
Wirklich sehr schön und groovy
Not my fave album from her
I love Nina Simone. This is a good album, although not my favorite by her.
Good
I love Nina. Such a wonderful voice. A complex person too. Her stuff isn't the type that I listen to often, but it's really quite good.
Excelente voz.
I don't know if there is a definitive Nina Simone album, in part because of the circumstances of the industry, especially for Black artists, and for jazz artists, in the 50s and 60s, but this is probably as close as a studio album of hers gets. Everything central to her existence - her Blackness, her voice, her rage, her love, her grief - is here, and she sounds incredible throughout.
I've never heard of either Nina Simone or the album. Nina has an impressive voice. The lyrics of her songs are great. Very good music and arrangements. I don't listen to this genre and especially this kind of partly minimalistic realization very often, but I always like it from time to time. 4/5
NYC jazz bar with passion
4/5 stars Very smooth jazzy vibes, super soulful, incredible vocals. Relaxing to listen to but powerful at the same time.
Really great album. Such range and diverse sounds.
Nina is the queen
Oufff
Loved Four Women - the end is almost haunting. Overall really enjoyed this one. Incredibly soulful and melancholic and such a unique voice.
first listen love her
Interesting
Simone’s voice and presence are commanding. Many of the pieces are beautiful. In the end, there’s a little too much drama in the presentation, which feels a little stiff. Still I’ll likely play this again and I’m willing to bet that familiarity will soften the few edges. It’s a 4.
Great voice and impactful lyrics - would definitely listen again
Nina Simone is amazing, but this album is not even close to her best album. It's not even the top 2: I put a spell on you, and Pastel Blues; both are much better albums. Fortunately, I listened to them all on the same day.
A high 4, maybe a 5 - what a voice.
I enjoyed this, but it's not the sort of thing that is typically in the rotation. Clearly the product of skilled musicians and artists.
A nice listen
My name is peaches
Such a great voice