More Oldies but Goodies like Nina Simone?

Nancy Wilson. Extremely underrated.

I actually think that some of Simone’s protest songs sound very dated. Then again, I have been listening to them since they came out during the civil rights movement. The material is certainly as topical today as when it was minted, but the music, not so much.

If you want to hear some roots of rock’n’roll, listen to Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharp. I believe Mahalia stayed with gospel music, but Sister Rosetta veered into secular music. If you’re into rock and haven’t heard them, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.

fast_mick ...

Nina Simone is great, no doubt. Wonderful piano player as well.

I’ve been a Nancy Wilson fan since the 1950’s. There used to be a DJ in Santa Monica who played a lot of her music. He always referred to her as "The Fancy Miss Nancy." You’ll see see why when you order her music. Be sure to get the stuff she did early on ... from the 50’s through the middle 60’s. Her voice kind of went down hill after that. Same thing with Carmen McCrea. 

For further exploration, try ballads sung by Sarah Vaughn, Billy Holiday, Dinah Washington, Carmen McCrea ... .and then some of the big band singers that made it out of the 30’s and 40’s to become pop favorites. Try these: Jo Stafford, June Christy, Chris Connor, and believe it or not ... Doris Day. If you try Doris Day, get her "Day by Day" album. Its mono, but it has true audiophile sound. It will have you thinking: "who needs stereo."

Good luck ...

Frank

Thanks for your help, i will buy some Aretha Franklin lps she is certainly great.

The other problem with Nina Simone reissues is that there are a lot of labels i have never heard of and i am not sure of the sound quality.

Wax Love Italy
Wagram France
DOL
Bethlehem US
Vinyl Passion

Why buy reissues? Simone LPs are relatively plentiful and commonly cost no more than a reissue made from 40 year old tapes?