Nina Simone - At The Village Gate (Gatefold, 180 Gram) (LP)

AT THE VILLAGE GATE captures the legendary Nina Simone live with her fine trio in 1961, still early in her career, at New York City's intimate Village Gate club. Simone is a musical anomaly, and her music can be very hard to categorize. She is a classically trained pianist. At times her complex piano parts call to mind Bach ("Bye Bye Blackbird"). She is a folk singer-witness her biting version of "The House of the Rising Sun." She is a gospel singer, as heard in GATE's roof-raising version of "Children Go Where I Send You." She is a jazz singer, with a finger-poppin' and shuffling version of "Just inTime." She's also a protest singer and a powerful actress capable of manipulating our fiercest emotions through song. Simone is all these things. Moreover, she understands that only the music matters-whatever form it may take. Like smoke, her music constantly shifts shapes. Simone's eclecticism makes her a perfect artist for any time. This legendary concert document will always sound fresh