I Put A Spell On You – NINA SIMONE****

I Put A Spell On You/Tomorrow Is My Turn/Ne Me Quitte Pas/Marriage Is For Old Folks/July Tree/Gimme Some/Feeling Good/One September Day/Blues On Purpose/Beautiful Land/You’ve Got To Learn/Take Care Of Business

I Put A Spell On You from jazz vocalist Nina Simone is considered to be one of her most pop orientated albums and one of her more consistent, enabling her to reach the UK album chart for the first time. (US:99 UK:18)

"The spell that Nina Simone casts in her songs is completely unique, something that is her own very personal form of expression. It is an honest and very human emotion because it is built on the unfailing integrity of this remarkable artist."

"When she sings a song, she means it. And you always know that she means it. She means the loving tenderness you'll hear in One September Day, she means the lusty exuberance of Gimme Some and she means the desolation of Ne Me Quitte Pas. She chose these songs, and all the rest of the tunes in this album, because they are songs that have both meaningful lyrics and meaningful music."

"Captivating work by Nina – working here in that unique crossover style she was using in the mid 60s – a blend of jazz and soul arrangements that were perfect for her intimate folksy style. The album's one of her first few for Philips, and it really has her opening things up a bit – going for a new range of expression that includes influences that wouldn't have been heard on her sets a few years back."

"One of her most pop-oriented albums, but also one of her best and most consistent. Most of the songs feature dramatic, swinging large-band orchestration, with the accent on the brass and strings. Really fine tunes and interpretations, on which Simone gives an edge to the potentially fey pop songs. The title track is a jazzy string ballad version of the Screamin' Jay Hawkins classic."

"Nina Simone can be considered an acquired taste - like black coffee, fine brandy or good cigars. With a voice that's less than perfect, she's nevertheless full of passion and pain, joy and raunchiness in her music. This album covers all those emotions set against the background of well-arranged orchestration and her exceptional skill as a pianist."

"For Nina fans, this LP is a nice break away from some of her moodier, darker work."