L'hommage: Nina Simone | Magazine Rack

BLUES & SOUL MAGAZINE (No. 51) 2/1971

NINA SIMONE - SUPERSTAR FOR 1971
by David Nathan

   As has been noted by her many fans and soul people generally, there has been a marked
silence from the High Priestess of Soul for some time – particularly record-wise – so that I
greeted the news of Nina’s concerts in Holland with great relief and I was naturally delighted to
have the opportunity, through the auspices of “Blues & Soul”, to see Nina personally to find
out what had been happening and to review her in-person appearance.
   Nina has recently been involved obtaining a divorce from her former manager, hence the
need for a total reorganization of her business affairs. She is now managed by her very capable
brother, Same Waymon, who filled me in on exactly what’s been happening. Just prior to her
last engagement in July, Nina played at the famed Fillmore East in New York, which many
might regard as a rather strange and unsuitable venue for the lady. It was her second
appearance there and, in contrast to her first one, when she was on the bill with Isaac Hayes
and Miles Davis, she was the sole attraction. The concert was highly successful and the
Fillmore audience proved that Nina is definitely a firm favorite with everyone!

VACATION

   It was at this juncture that Nina decided to take an indefinite vacation – her first in over
fourteen years non-stop work! During this period a great deal has been happening for her,
however, and Nina has been prominently featured in three important American magazines. In
October, Albert Goldman wrote a piece on her, entitled “The Retur of The Queen of Shebang”
for ‘Life’ magazine in which he noted how, in contrast to many other ‘jazz’ singers, Nina has
adapted to the changing audiences via her repertoire and had found a great deal of success in
consequence. During November, ‘Essence’ featured Nina with her daughter Lisa in a series of
fashion photographs which must be amongst the best she’s ever had taken. In the December
issue of ‘Redbook’ magazine, well-known poet and writer Maya Angelou did a three-page
spread on the High Priestess. In addition work has now begun on Nina’s autobiography which
is being written by columnist Nikki Giovanni for publication either at the end of 1971 or the
beginning of 1972.
   On the recording scene, Nina is still pacted to RCA Victor and has been preparing a new
album for January/February release in the States. To be called “The Ghetto Suite”, it will
feature several compositions by Galt MacDermot, one of the songwriters from “Hair”. Nina
herself has been busy writing music for poems written by black children from the Bronx aged
between six and fifteen. The album is due to be cut either live in concert or in front of an invited
studio audience during the course of the next fortnight and no double a single will be culled
from it. Meantime the “Young, Gifted and Black” concept has been gaining impetus, inspired
by Nina’s composition of the same name and apparently a number of buildings have been re-
dedicated and have had name changes!

AMSTERDAM CONCERT

   So, although Nina did not make any live appearances during the latter half of 1970, she has
been far from inactive. And her Amsterdam concert on Friday, January 8 proved that Nina
Simone is still a unique figure in the soul world today. Despite several problems – for which
Nina was not responsible – her appearance at Concertgebouw reaffirmed everyone’s faith and
loyalty in her. The major problem was the lack of rehearsal on the part of the Boy Edgar Band
who opened the concert and who provided Nina’s backing and although she had originally
been scheduled to do five songs (Nina was appearing as a special guest on the programme
which was televised), this was cut to three.
   In a stunning red-and-fur gown, specially designed for the occasion, Nina opened with a
very jazzy version of “Compared To What”, written by Gene McDaniels and recorded by
Roberta Flack. Nina drew as much from the lyrics as she could and the effect was remarkable.
It’s a powerful song and it was powerfully delivered. She followed with Leonard Cohen’s
“Suzanne” against a simple bongo, guitar and piano accompaniment which was very effective.
Nina was then scheduled to finish with Judy Collins’ “My Father” – a new and very beautiful
song – but again, due to lack of rehearsal by the band, she had to do it again after a very bad
beginning by the pianist. The audience was naturally angry that this appeared to end Nina’s
section of the programme and several people left the hall in protest.

AT THE PIANO

   However, being a true artiste, Nina refused to disappoint the many who had come to see her
and after hurried consultation with the bandleader and co., she returned to the concert
platform. This time accompanying herself on the piano, Nina went into “Strange Fruit”, a
chilling, bitter song which was always a highlight of Billie Holiday’s repertoire. It’s a moving
poem about the start and shocking realities of the American Deep South, which were daily
occurrences up until a few years ago. Seldom has Nina performed it so perfectly and during
her performance there was not a sound to be heard.
   With basic accompaniment from the drummer, Nina swung into “To Love Somebody” and
decided to complete her spot with a beautiful rendition – again accompanied solely wither own
inimitable piano – of “My Father” which proved ample compensation for the problems
experienced earlier in performing this tune. Naturally, the audience demanded more and it came
in a memorable version of “See Line Woman” a perennial Simone favorite, which called for
audience participation. Nina then left a very satisfied audience to standing ovations and took
with her several bouquets from contented fans!
   The future certainly looks very promising for Nina and in addition to her current album, she
will be recording another one during June or July. She will be back on the road in March for
college dates until July and no doubt will be doing several television dates during this period.
Present plans call for Nina to do a European tour either late 1971 or early 1972.
   And the lady herself? She is alert and alive as ever and very positive about the year to come
and assured me that “1971 is going to be an important, decisive and big year for us” – to which
all her fans can only add – right on, Nina!