Nina Simone - The Definitive Collection 1958-62 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Nina Simone was one of the most distinctive, individual and complex musical personalities of the second half of the 20th century, her music starting out from the base of the classical music she aspired to perform and compose throughout her career, but which encompassed other influences and styles as she became a commercial performer, recording artist and later a political activist, so that she could never be clearly categorized as a jazz, pop, gospel, R&B, folk or any other genre of artist. She made her recording debut in 1958, and the next few years were among the most prolific of her career, encompassing both studio and 'live' recordings as she recorded first for the Bethlehem tag and then for Colpix, marking her down as a pianist and singer who was a versatile and unique interpreter of songs from across the jazz, blues and pop spectrum. This great-value 78-track 4-CD set comprises just about every recording which she released during the formative years of her career and which established her reputation, featuring the tracks from the albums InchLittle Girl BlueInch, InchNina Simone & her FriendsInch, InchThe Amazing Nina SimoneInch, InchNina Simone at Town HallInch, InchNina Simone at NewportInch, InchForbidden FruitInch, InchNina at the Village GateInch and InchNina Simone Sings EllingtonInch. It also includes tracks released on singles which were not otherwise included on albums, naturally featuring the chart hits InchI Loves You PorgyInch, InchNobody Knows You When You're Down And OutInch and InchTrouble In MindInch. It's a comprehensive overview of the early career of a very special artist Album Tracks 1. Mood Indigo - 4 58 2. Don't Smoke in Bed - 3 12 3. He Needs Me - 2 29 4. Little Girl Blue - 4 16 5. Love Me or Leave Me - 3 22 6. My Baby Just Cares for Me - 4 37 7. Good Bait (Instrumental) - 5 26 8. Plain Gold Ring - 4 48 9. You'll Never