... the other Black experience
Nina Simone Tribute
Nina Simone
(1933–2003) was no stranger
to rhythmic revolution. A classically trained pianist known for
her rough exterior, gruff voice, and musical genius, her vibrant material still sounds fresh.
With songs like “Sinnerman” and “Feeling Good” used in various films and
television shows including Point of No Return, The Thomas Crown Affair, and Six Feet Under, her haunting voice is constantly
being rediscovered by new generations. And that’s what Generation Soul is
all about.
Beginning her career in the 1950s performing in supper clubs and jazz spots, the Tyron, North Carolina native born (Eunice Kathleen Waymon) switched musical lanes in 1963 and
never turned back. Enraged by the murder of civil rights activist Medgar
Evers in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as the tragic bombing of the
16th Street Baptist Church in Alabama that
killed four little girls, Simone composed her landmark song “Mississippi
Goddam.”
(1933–2003) was no stranger
to rhythmic revolution. A classically trained pianist known for
her rough exterior, gruff voice, and musical genius, her vibrant material still sounds fresh.
With songs like “Sinnerman” and “Feeling Good” used in various films and
television shows including Point of No Return, The Thomas Crown Affair, and Six Feet Under, her haunting voice is constantly
being rediscovered by new generations. And that’s what Generation Soul is
all about.
Beginning her career in the 1950s performing in supper clubs and jazz spots, the Tyron, North Carolina native born (Eunice Kathleen Waymon) switched musical lanes in 1963 and
never turned back. Enraged by the murder of civil rights activist Medgar
Evers in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as the tragic bombing of the
16th Street Baptist Church in Alabama that
killed four little girls, Simone composed her landmark song “Mississippi
Goddam.”
With acid in her voice, Simone spat, “Alabama’s gotten me so upset, Tennessee made me lose my rest / And
everybody knows / Mississippi Goddam!” From the stage Carnegie Hall,
where she first recorded the bleak track for Phillips Records in 1964, to
marches throughout the south, Nina loudly wailed her anthem of social
injustice in America. Ironically, it was also at Carnegie Hall where Nina
performed her last concert in 2002.
For the rest of this essay, go to: http://www.soulsummer.com/generation-soul-nina-simone
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mamadoc on -
Thanks for that! I was late getting turned on to Nina (1990) but it was love at first read. Came across an interview with her and I had to know who this bold & cocky woman was. I was hooked from first listen. One of the things I love about listening to Nina Simone is that she paints a picture as she sings. There aren't many artists I get such strong visuals from but Nina takes you there.
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Permalink Reply by Fashionfreak on -
love nina simoneeee....her voice was so deep and sultry!
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Permalink Reply by Madamoiselle De Sade on -
Nice. I'm currently reading "Bad Women Feeling Good", it's about blueswomen and how what they did, what they sang and how they sang it came from a background of traditionally being someone who wasn't supposed to speak. Nina Simone is talked about at length.
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Permalink Reply by Mamadoc on
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thanks for the book suggestion! I need to read that one.
Mlle d. Sade said:Nice. I'm currently reading "Bad Women Feeling Good", it's about blueswomen and how what they did, what they sang and how they sang it came from a background of traditionally being someone who wasn't supposed to speak. Nina Simone is talked about at length.
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Permalink Reply by Madamoiselle De Sade on
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It's good, I like it. http://books.google.com/books?id=vmMaOwelZKAC&printsec=frontcov...
The cover attracted me but the foreword won me over. Badu, Blige, Courtney Love and Nina Simone are all referenced in one page. Bessie Smith, Aretha, etc., Even Ma Rainey is mentioned in her rightful place as the first person to ever record blues. I like that Janis Joplin is in there. When a lot of people think of great blue women, not a lot think of Joplin.
Mamadoc said:thanks for the book suggestion! I need to read that one.
Mlle d. Sade said:Nice. I'm currently reading "Bad Women Feeling Good", it's about blueswomen and how what they did, what they sang and how they sang it came from a background of traditionally being someone who wasn't supposed to speak. Nina Simone is talked about at length.
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Permalink Reply by Mamadoc on
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Very cool! I definitely need this one.
Funny you mention Janis because I am a big Janis fan & when Joss Stone came out, I for the life of me couldn't understand how they were comparing her to Aretha Franklin. She reminded me more of Janis Joplin but for some reason so many seemed to want to make her Black.
Mlle d. Sade said:It's good, I like it. http://books.google.com/books?id=vmMaOwelZKAC&printsec=frontcov...
The cover attracted me but the foreword won me over. Badu, Blige, Courtney Love and Nina Simone are all referenced in one page. Bessie Smith, Aretha, etc., Even Ma Rainey is mentioned in her rightful place as the first person to ever record blues. I like that Janis Joplin is in there. When a lot of people think of great blue women, not a lot think of Joplin.
Mamadoc said:thanks for the book suggestion! I need to read that one.
Mlle d. Sade said:Nice. I'm currently reading "Bad Women Feeling Good", it's about blueswomen and how what they did, what they sang and how they sang it came from a background of traditionally being someone who wasn't supposed to speak. Nina Simone is talked about at length.
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