Broadway Blues Ballads – NINA SIMONE***

Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood/Night Song/The Laziest Gal In Town/Something Wonderful/Don’t Take All Night/ Nobody/I Am Blessed/Of This I’m Sure/See-Line Woman/Our Love (Will See Us Through)/How Can I/The Last Rose Of Summer

Broadway Blues Ballads shows a different side to Nina Simone’s work, including her take on some less well known show tunes, plus a distinctive interpretation of Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.

“In Broadway Blues Ballads you get Nina Simone trying lighter tones, beautiful pop-soul songs and Broadway tunes, but she's not willing to give up her anguished & determined style altogether. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood is an example of Simone's revolutionary aspirations and may be the best song to define her musical career. Ms. Simone never wanted to be pigeonholed into one genre, she was always exploring new sounds, new ideas, new styles.”

“The studio recorded Broadway Blues Ballads is ultimately less than successful but still boasts a number of Simone classics. Her version of Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood is definitive, with an opulent and beautifully sophisticated string arrangement and one of Simone's most emotional and impressive vocal performances. The arrangements elsewhere are similarly string-drenched, but sometimes trade opulence and sophistication for schmaltz."

“This album was intended to showcase Nina Simone's artistic diversity, but the syrupy arrangements don't really suit her style. Certainly, songs here like Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood and The Laziest Gal In Town are instantly appealing and memorable and Simone carries the material off with aplomb, but there are also songs that are less successful and don't show the true depth of Simone's artistry.”

“There's a lot more Broadway and a lot more ballads than blues on this, which ranks as one of her weaker mid-'60s albums.”

“This album is brilliant. She didn’t really do many albums like this (big show numbers), but I am so pleased she did. She even covers a trite song The Laziest Gal In Town and makes it sound good. She also does the same with the Last Rose Of Summer, one of my favourite tracks here, plus the rhythmic See-Line Woman, another early goody from Ms. Simone.”