“Nina Simone And Her Friends” by Various Artists - album review

features in: (B-list) Album Chart of 1959(B-list) Album Chart of the 1950s

TJR says

Bit of a shady release this one, Nina and her "friends", Carmen McRae and Chris Connor, having left Bethlehem Records and signed with other companies by the time the album was issued. According to Nina, this Bethlehem LP was published without her knowledge after she had signed with Colpix, and before the first Nina LP for that label (The Amazing, July 1959). All tracks on this LP (3 from each artist) were recorded in 1957, and in Nina's case during her first studio recording sessions which spawned her debut LP.

The liner notes play-up with the Nina angle:

“Nina Simone has come a long way towards stardom since her hit "I Loves You, Porgy", from her album BCP 6028 [Jazz As Played], a record which brought her national prominence overnight. Nina today is one of the most sought after nightclub and concert entertainers. She is definitely not an "also ran", like so many contemporary artists, who after one hit return into obscurity. Her voice is so full of true emotion, of a sincere and honest feeling, that one cannot help giving her the fullest attention. On these sides Nina Simone accompanies herself on the piano, supported by Albert Heath on Drums and Jimmy Bond on Bass. While she is now a nationally known artist, her following will continue to grow and she will be among the truly great Pop-Jazz vocalists of our time, known the world over.”

The Jukebox Rebel
20–Sep–2009

Tracklist
A1 [03:11] 4.0.png Nina Simone - He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands (Traditional) Songwriter
A2 [02:36] 3.6.png Carmen McRae - Cottage For Sale (TBA) Jazz
A3 [02:37] 3.2.png Chris Connor - Old Devil Moon (TBA) Jazz
A4 [04:09] 4.3.png Nina Simone - I Loves You, Porgy (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, DuBose Heyward) Jazz
A5 [03:02] 4.5.png Carmen McRae - Try A Little Tenderness (Harry MacGregor Woods, James Campbell, Reginald Connelly) Crooner / Cabaret
A6 [02:09] 2.9.png Chris Connor - You Make Me Care (TBA) Jazz
B1 [04:00] 3.8.png Nina Simone - For All We Know (John Frederick Coots, Sam Lewis) Songwriter
B2 [02:53] 3.2.png Chris Connor - What Is There To Say? (TBA) Jazz
B3 [02:19] 3.9.png Carmen McRae - Too Much In Love To Care (TBA) Crooner / Cabaret
B4 [03:09] 4.3.png Nina Simone - African Mailman (Nina Simone) Jazz
B5 [02:34] 3.7.png Chris Connor - Good Bye (TBA) Jazz
B6 [03:04] 3.5.png Carmen McRae - Last Time For Love (TBA) Jazz

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