There is an absolutely brilliant tribute to Nina Simone in the current issue of the Fader. The editors have published a rare collection of pictures that were taken in the 1960s—mostly candid shots of the icon interacting with friends. "Nina Simone: A Song in Many Parts" is accompanied by spot-on commentary by both contemporaries and present-day performers. Below, Ms. Simone as she prepares to perform at Carnegie Hall, 1964.
Dick Gregory, the stand-up comedian and social activist, marched with Nina many times during the civil rights era of the 1960s: "She wasn't that visible because she came didn't come down to sing, she came down to march. I think her nervous breakdown was probably caused by being on the frontline and seeing what actually happened to black folks."
Andy Stroud (above) was married to Nina Simone from 1961 to 1970. He was her longtime business manager and maintains NinaSimone.biz: "When she started writing protest songs, she would see Aretha and Nancy Wilson doing guest appearances and she would go into a frenzy, like 'Why ain't I?!?' I said, 'You can't scream and holler about killing white people and think they're going to have you as an entertainer.' "
Jill Scott met Nina Simone "at a show in Philadelphia five or six years ago. She was so very regal; always wearing her hair natural and always accenting her distinctively African features. To be such a classic beauty, a black woman unabashed, and have the world tell you you're not—the treatment of Nina Simone was rude and very disrespectful."
Kenny Dope, the New York City DJ, is one-half of the legendary Masters at Work production duo that remixed Nina's "See-Line Woman" for Verve Remixed. "We didn't have masters. Her recording was amazing, it was recorded in the 1960s—we just found the break. Her spirit is totally there."
Speaking of Nina Simone's indefatigable spirit ... Black America Web columnist Tonya Weathersbee essays Simone's anthemic "Mississippi Goddam" and the refusal of Haley Barbour—that state's governor and former Republican National chair—to issue a posthumous pardon to wrongly convicted Clyde Kennard, recently profiled here at Rod 2.0.
"Nina Simone: A Song in Many Parts" (The Fader)
It’s Time for a Chorus of Nina Simone’s ‘Mississippi Goddam’ (BAW)
Nina Simone: Revisited (VIBE.com)
Previously:
Mississippi: No Pardons. Ever. (Rod 2.0)See Also:
New at Rod 2.0—Divas!
NINA DIVINE!
MY GOODNESS..THERE IS NO OTHER LIKE MS. SIMONE!
THANKS FOR THE HEADS AND THE PHOTOS! SHE WAS BRILLIANT!
BRIIIILLLLIANT!
THERE YOU GO AGAIN...ON TOP OF IT ALL!!!!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 14 May 2006 at 22:52
Oh, Nina was such an inspiration. Have never heard of this magazine but I'll buy one tomorrow at Borders. You're the best!
Posted by: patrick s | 14 May 2006 at 23:33
The high priestess of soul she was such a rebel. Don't really see Mary J doing her justice. But MJB has her look. Their music and lives are just so opposite.
Posted by: greg | 15 May 2006 at 01:25
Terrific recap and photos, Rod. Never gonna be another Nina. Birds flyin' high...
Posted by: Andrew in Seattle | 15 May 2006 at 09:38
Love her.
Posted by: James | 15 May 2006 at 10:06
Nina Simone was a wonder. Unapologetic for who and what she was- not for sale...
I had the pleasure of seeing her final Washington, D.C. concert at Constitution Hall where she demanded to know, "What the hell is WRONG with you, America? You've got to get Bush's ass the hell up out of here!" At Constitution Hall!!!
There was only one Nina. Courage and activism like hers are missed in times like these.
Thanks for the great article, Rod.
Posted by: Courtney Baker-Oliver | 15 May 2006 at 15:52
I bought a CD of Nina's, after I heard it featured in that La Femme Nikita knock-off movie "Point of No Return" and loved the sadness of the album. However, I didn't know she was a civil rights activist! And those pics of her are truly glamourous! I'm inspired to go seek out the rest of her catalogue! thanks for posting this!
Posted by: hot lunch | 17 May 2006 at 00:32
Hey Rod, thanks for the tip, going to go out and pick up the issue. Thought you and your readers may enjoy http://www.aanthems.com/archives/2001/08/dishwater_gives.html>this Nina anecdote from 2001 after seeing her in Oakland.
Posted by: Aaron | 20 May 2006 at 22:06
U beat me 2 it, sorta, Rod....
I discovered Nina as a depressed, confused, unsure teen.... and even tho i didnt learn enuff about her 'till
not long before she died...
I realize i recognized 'who' she was, and that she MEANT something, just BY her VOICE.....
Can i send u the blog i do about my personal 'Tragic' Diva Trinity....? Her, Billie (Holiday), and Edith (Piaf) ..?
Posted by: ST. | 21 May 2006 at 06:20