{"title":"Nina Simone","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"167\" data-end=\"734\"\u003eNina Simone was a singular artist whose voice, piano and uncompromising spirit made her one of the most powerful figures in 20th-century music. Blending jazz, blues, gospel and classical influences, she created performances that were both intimate and commanding. Her vinyl catalogue spans iconic albums such as \u003cem data-start=\"479\" data-end=\"497\"\u003eLittle Girl Blue\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem data-start=\"502\" data-end=\"516\"\u003ePastel Blues\u003c\/em\u003e, alongside recordings that gave voice to the civil rights movement. Explore our curated selection of Nina Simone records — rare pressings, essential reissues and timeless albums that continue to inspire generations.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"nina-simone-fodder-on-my-wings","title":"Nina Simone – Fodder On My Wings (2020 Verve Reissue LP Vinyl)","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"189\" data-end=\"465\"\u003eOriginally released in 1982 after her move to Paris, \u003cem data-start=\"242\" data-end=\"262\"\u003eFodder on My Wings\u003c\/em\u003e is one of \u003cstrong data-start=\"273\" data-end=\"290\"\u003eNina Simone’s\u003c\/strong\u003e most personal and introspective albums. Written during a turbulent period of her life, it blends soul, jazz, gospel, and African influences into a raw, emotional statement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"467\" data-end=\"746\"\u003eThe record includes some of Simone’s most autobiographical songs, like \u003cem data-start=\"538\" data-end=\"574\"\u003eI Sing Just to Know That I’m Alive\u003c\/em\u003e and the searing \u003cem data-start=\"591\" data-end=\"624\"\u003eI Was Just a Stupid Dog to Them\u003c\/em\u003e. It’s both deeply vulnerable and fiercely defiant, showing her unmatched ability to transform pain into powerful music.\u003cstrong data-start=\"748\" data-end=\"769\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"905\" data-end=\"1045\"\u003eA hidden gem in Simone’s catalogue, \u003cem data-start=\"941\" data-end=\"961\"\u003eFodder on My Wings\u003c\/em\u003e is essential for anyone seeking the rawest, most unfiltered side of her artistry.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Verve Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42461850435643,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0630\/3203\/3339\/files\/44060708-3df8-44e8-b535-5347a5a819a2_thumbnail_4096.webp?v=1757916444"},{"product_id":"nina-simone-i-put-a-spell-on-you-2016-back-to-black-180g-lp","title":"Nina Simone - I Put A Spell On You (2016 Back To Black 180g LP)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNina Simone - \u003cem\u003eI Put A Spell On You\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVinyl LP - 2016 Back To Black 180g Stereo Reissue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNina Simone's 1965 album showcases her extraordinary vocal range and interpretive powers across twelve tracks blending jazz, blues, soul, and theatrical material. The album includes her definitive version of the title track (originally by Screamin' Jay Hawkins), the anthemic \"Feeling Good\" from the musical The Roar Of The Greasepaint, and Jacques Brel's \"Ne Me Quitte Pas\" sung in French, demonstrating Simone's ability to transform any material into deeply personal statements. Originally released on Philips and reissued in 2016 as part of the Back To Black series on 180g vinyl, this European stereo pressing captures one of Simone's most successful albums both artistically and commercially.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimone's approach to interpreting material made every song uniquely hers through her commanding vocal delivery, sophisticated piano work, and willingness to reshape arrangements to serve emotional truth rather than commercial expectations. Her version of \"I Put A Spell On You\" strips away the original's novelty elements to reveal genuine romantic obsession, while \"Feeling Good\" becomes a declaration of personal liberation rather than mere show tune. The album balances well-known material with Simone originals and lesser-known songs, each receiving treatment that reveals new emotional depths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe programme's diversity demonstrates Simone's refusal to be confined by genre boundaries, moving from blues to French chanson to musical theatre to original compositions without sacrificing coherence. Her piano playing, classically trained yet informed by jazz and gospel, provides both accompaniment and commentary throughout. Released as part of the Back To Black reissue series on 180g vinyl with original Philips artwork, this European pressing offers this essential Simone album in quality format.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Philips","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42461864198203,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0630\/3203\/3339\/files\/R-21758989-1719078150-6433.jpg?v=1770951851"},{"product_id":"nina-simone-baltimore-1978-japanese-cti-vinyl-lp-gatefold","title":"Nina Simone - Baltimore (1978 Japanese CTI Vinyl LP Gatefold)","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"1061\" data-end=\"1214\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVinyl\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: EX\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSleeve\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: VG+\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObi:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e EX\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOur grading system explained \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/dpbg4u-d1.myshopify.com\/pages\/secondhand-grading-guide\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ehere\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePhoto is of the actual item.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNina Simone - Baltimore\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eVinyl LP - Japanese CTI Gatefold with Obi and Insert\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of Nina Simone's most intimate and spiritually powerful recordings, \u003cem\u003eBaltimore\u003c\/em\u003e captures the legendary singer and pianist in Brussels during January 1978, performing a deeply personal programme that ranges from reggae-inflected social commentary to gospel affirmation. Produced by Creed Taylor for CTI Records and released in Japan in a handsome gatefold edition with obi strip and Japanese\/English lyric insert, this album showcases Simone at a crucial moment in her career, living in self-imposed European exile yet creating music of undiminished power and conviction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe album opens with the title track \"Baltimore\", a searing indictment of urban decay and racial injustice that demonstrates Simone's unwavering commitment to using her art as social commentary. Arranger David Matthews provides a reggae-influenced setting that was contemporary for 1978 yet honours Simone's jazz roots. Her voice, weathered and deepened by experience, carries the weight of lived truth rather than mere performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Everything Must Change\" reveals Simone's gift for finding profound meaning in popular material, transforming what could be a simple ballad into a meditation on impermanence and acceptance. \"The Family\" and \"My Father\", both arranged by Simone herself, showcase her ability to craft intimate narratives that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. Her piano playing throughout demonstrates the classical training that underpinned all her work, even as her phrasing and approach remained rooted in jazz and gospel traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSide two continues with \"Music For Lovers\", another Simone arrangement, before launching into Hall \u0026amp; Oates' \"Rich Girl\", which Simone transforms from a pop hit into a vehicle for social observation about materialism and values. \"That's All I Want From You\" receives a tender reading, while \"Forget\" explores the pain of moving past relationships and trauma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe album's final two tracks embrace gospel explicitly. \"Balm In Gilead\", the traditional spiritual, receives a powerful reading featuring backing vocalists including Ray Simpson (who would later join the Village People) and a full choir. Simone's delivery is both celebratory and searching, her voice and piano creating a sacred space. \"If You Pray Right\" closes the album with an affirmation of faith that transcends religious boundaries, Simone's conviction making the message universal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Matthews' string arrangements add lushness without overwhelming Simone's essential directness. The rhythm section of Gary King on bass, Eric Gale on guitar, and Jim Madison on drums provides contemporary grooves while remaining sensitive to Simone's dynamic range and unpredictable phrasing. Percussionist Nicky Marrero adds colour, while the extensive string section brings orchestral depth to Matthews' sophisticated charts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProducer Creed Taylor's liner notes (included in the insert) describe attending Simone's December 1977 London concert and being unprepared for the intensity she brought to the recording studio a month later in Brussels. His observation that Simone \"turns everything - even the most simple, mundane phrase or lyric - into a radiant, poetic message\" perfectly captures what makes this album special. Mixed at Electric Lady Studios using the then-innovative Aphex Aural Exciter, the recording captures both the intimacy of Simone's voice and piano and the warmth of the orchestral elements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Japanese pressing, manufactured and distributed by King Record Co. Ltd., represents CTI's commitment to superior vinyl quality. The gatefold packaging, obi strip, and bilingual insert make this an attractive edition for Simone collectors and CTI enthusiasts alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"CTI","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43050194599995,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0630\/3203\/3339\/files\/IMG_5367.jpg?v=1764450557"},{"product_id":"nina-simone-little-girl-blue-65th-anniversary-pink-vinyl-limited-edition-lp","title":"Nina Simone - Little Girl Blue (65th Anniversary Pink Vinyl Limited Edition LP)","description":"\u003cp\u003eNina Simone's debut album remains one of the most stunning first statements in jazz history, capturing the then-25-year-old pianist and vocalist in 1957 at the moment she transformed from classical music aspirant Eunice Waymon into the incomparable Nina Simone. This 65th Anniversary Edition, released on 9 August 2024 as a limited edition pink vinyl pressing remastered by the legendary Kevin Gray, honours this landmark recording with audiophile quality and striking presentation befitting its classic status.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecorded for Bethlehem Records in 1957, \u003cem\u003eLittle Girl Blue\u003c\/em\u003e introduced a completely original voice to jazz. Simone's classical piano training is evident in her sophisticated touch and harmonic choices, yet she approaches standards and blues with a deeply personal emotional directness that transcends stylistic categories. Her contralto voice, rich and slightly husky, could convey both vulnerability and strength, sometimes within the same phrase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe album opens with Duke Ellington's \"Mood Indigo\", and immediately Simone's distinctive approach is clear: sophisticated yet accessible, respecting the tradition while making it entirely her own. \"Don't Smoke In Bed\" showcases her gift for intimate ballad interpretation, while \"He Needs Me\" (from the film Pal Joey) becomes a meditation on emotional dependency that feels both tender and clear-eyed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe title track \"Little Girl Blue\", a Rodgers and Hart standard, receives a definitive reading. Simone's piano introduction sets a melancholic mood before her voice enters with the vulnerability suggested by the title, yet with an underlying dignity that prevents sentimentality. This performance exemplifies her ability to find profound meaning in popular material through interpretive genius rather than vocal pyrotechnics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Love Me Or Leave Me\" swings with authority, while \"My Baby Just Cares For Me\" - which became an unexpected international hit decades later when used in a 1987 Chanel commercial - demonstrates Simone's playful side and impeccable sense of rhythm. Her piano accompaniment throughout is never merely supportive; it's an equal partner in expression, drawing on her classical technique while swinging with jazz feeling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBacked by the understated yet expert rhythm section of bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Al Heath, Simone explores a diverse programme. \"Good Bait\" showcases her bebop chops, \"Plain Gold Ring\" delves into blues feeling, while \"You'll Never Walk Alone\" transforms the Rodgers and Hammerstein show tune into something approaching a spiritual affirmation. The album's emotional centrepiece, \"I Loves You Porgy\" from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, receives a reading of such tenderness and longing that it became Simone's first chart success. The album closes with \"Central Park Blues\", an original composition that demonstrates Simone's gifts extended to writing as well as interpretation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 65th Anniversary Edition has been remastered by Kevin Gray, one of the most respected mastering engineers in the world, known for his meticulous work on audiophile reissues. Gray's remastering brings new clarity to Simone's voice and piano while honouring the intimacy of the original 1957 recording. The limited edition pink vinyl pressing adds visual appeal while maintaining sonic integrity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe package includes liner notes by Daphne A. Brooks and Joe Muranyi, providing historical context about Simone's early career and this album's significance. Released through Dark Horse Records and BMG, this reissue represents the care contemporary labels are taking to preserve and present classic jazz recordings for new generations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bethlehem Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43075651502139,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0630\/3203\/3339\/files\/nina-simone-little-girl-blue-pink-vinyl-65th-anniversary-edition-sealed-uk-vinyl-lp-album-record-dh0024xus-844086_1200x696copy.jpg?v=1765698034"}],"url":"https:\/\/lushliferecords.com.au\/collections\/nina-simone.oembed","provider":"Lush Life Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}