Nina Simone - I Put A Spell On You (2016 Back To Black 180g LP)

Nina Simone - I Put A Spell On You Vinyl LP - 2016 Back To Black 180g Stereo Reissue

Nina 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.

Simone'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.

The 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.