Nina Simone's speciality is the eclectic and there is nothing quite like her personal variety of magic in music. With her unique vocal style and her classically influenced piano playing, she brings her own singular artistic vision to each song she performs. The now legendary singer began her recording career in 1959 after briefly studying classical piano atJuilliard and performing in an Atlantic City nightclub to much acclaim.
This fine compilation brings together most of the tracks from her Bethlehem label debut as well as an assortment of later tracks. Included here are her hit versionsof "I Loves You Porgy" and "My Baby Just Cares For Me", as well as her crushingly beautiful "Don't Smoke In Bed", and the African flavoured arrangement and intense vocal performance of "Plain Gold Ring". Every song on this marvellous compilation is an absolute knockout.