release date: 1967
format: cd (2011 reissue) / vinyl (2013 reissue) (MOVLP878)
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,32]
producer: Danny Davis
label: RCA Victor / Music On Vinyl - nationality: USA
Studio album by Nina Simone following High Priestess of Soul (1967) is her first release with RCA Victor in long series of acclaimed albums with that label, who understood better to showcase her multifacetted talents more directly than the management at Coolpix Records and Phillips had succeded in.
The album is both a return to the musical sources to her acclaimed debut and also a turn to a more personal expression, where she gives new stylistic twists to familiar vocal jazz staples with soul, with folk, and of course with a strong element of blues. On top of that, the album also showcases Simone as composer of five original compositions.
Nina Simone Sings the Blues is a natural part of the Holy Grail of jazz alogside a handful of her albums.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5, All About Jazz 4 / 5 stars ]
