Monday 12 December 2016

Pastel Blues – NINA SIMONE****

Be My Husband/Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out/End Of The Line/Trouble In Mind/Tell Me More & More & Then Some/Chilly Winds Don’t Blow/Ain’t No Use/Strange Fruit/Sinnerman

Pastel Blues was a well received album of mainly blues songs from Nina Simone, but also includes some jazz and folk. Her piano playing was accompanied by a small band. (US:139)

Pastel Blues can only be described as flawless. Nina Simone can only be described as flawless. A voice totally unlike any I have ever heard. Its easy to see while she influenced so many great soul singers. Trouble In Mind and Sinnerman are moving beyond description.”

“Nina Simone's deep and rhythmic vocals seem to make everything perfect. What makes Pastel Blues different, and probably better, than the rest of her stuff is the song selection. Fantastic tunes make this album so easy to listen, and to enjoy, that I couldn't help becoming addicted from the first time I heard it.”

Pastel Blues has been my introduction to Nina Simone and I’m already finding it hard to believe anything of hers after this will be able to surpass it.”

Pastel Blues is much grittier and rawer than its title may suggest. It finds Simone revelling in the focus placed on her voice and piano. As well as blues, she employs various styles including jazz and folk, with a number of electrifying highlights.”

“This is Nina at the piano, joined by a small band as she ignites a set of late night torch songs including her stunning version of Sinnerman, and much more.”

“This is one of my favourite records from the best female piano player in popular music. These blues are played out and sung by Nina in her vocal prime and you can hear the sound of her southern roots, in her playing and her voice, better here than just about any of her other albums.”

“The album concludes with a live ten minute version of Sinnerman. If you're a Simone fan, that's all you need to know. If you're not, you should be.”

“It's Nina Simone; how can you not love this? She is fantastic. There just aren't enough artists like this out there anymore.”

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