Nina Simone - Little Girl Blue (65th Anniversary Pink Vinyl Limited Edition LP)

Nina 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.

Recorded for Bethlehem Records in 1957, Little Girl Blue 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.

The 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.

The 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.

"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.

Backed 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.

This 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.

The 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.