Nina. Where we should even begin with Nina Simone? Brace yourself – because this post is filled with plenty of music videos that tell her story. But first, you must hear her legendary voice and music. In a different time, she would have been an accomplished classical pianist. Despite all the hardships, racial injustice and adversity, Nina has risen to become a commendable artist and activist. As can be seen, she left behind a powerful musical and personal legacy. Additionally, she often performed and spoke at civil rights events. Nina was a vocal critic of racism and injustice.
Only a select number of notable artists are timely and timeless. Seldomly do they tenderly touch our soul. Likewise, fewer are immortalized by their music or art. Nina was one of them.
Feeling Good
Grab a glass of wine, and simply enjoy. This post is not for reading, but for listening. In fact, just pick up one video, feel the moment and just be.
Birds flying high, you know how I feel
Nina Simone
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Breeze driftin’ on by, you know how I feel
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It is a new life for me, yeah
…
And I’m feeling good
Wild is the Wind
“So personal and intimate, she hangs on every word and her purposeful imperfection and trembling vibrato give this song desperation like no other. Her piano flourishes underneath the melody, provide the aura of emotional whirlwinds that drift in and out, back and forth, crescendo and diminuendo. A true work of great art by a virtuoso talent that only comes along once in a generation. Ms. Simone, may your voice and this song lives on forever.” (by The Debut of Mowis)
Just Say I Love Him
She is strange. So are the plays of Brendan Behan, Jean Genet, LeRoi Jones, and Bertholt Brecht.
Langston Hughes
She is far-out, and at the same time common.
She is different. So was Billie Holiday, St. Francis, and John Donne. She has hit the Big Town, the big towns, the LP discs and the TV shows — and she is still from down home. She did it mostly all by herself. Her name is Nina Simone.
She has a flair, but no air, she has class but does not wear it on her shoulders. Only chips. She is unique. You either like her or you don’t. If you don’t, you won’t. If you do — whee-ouuu-eu! You do!
Ain’t Got No, I got life
Mr. Bojangles
Nina Simone was born Eunice Waymon, the sixth of eight children, in 1933 in a clapboard house on Livingston Street in Tryon. The house is just 660 square feet and had no running water. Her mother was a Methodist preacher, and her father wore many hats as a dry-cleaning shop owner and a handyman. Tryon was segregated when Simone was born, and her home was in the center of the then-African-American side of town. Growing up in the house, Simone developed a love and talent for the piano, learning to play on her mother’s pump organ. Read more
Andrew Alexander
Just in Time
What is Freedom to you, Mrs. Simone?
Without a doubt, Nina was a true force of nature. Here is Nina in her own words.
Hats off to you, Madame Simone!
Yours truly, Tijana
Finally, deservedly, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.