Nina Simone - High Priestess Of Soul (1967)

"High Priestess of Soul" is a studio album by jazz singer, pianist and songwriter Nina Simone. The songs are accompanied by a large band directed and arranged by Hal Mooney. The album contains pop songs (such as "Don't You Pay Them No Mind") and African American gospel and folk related songs written by Simone herself (such as "Take Me to the Water" and "Come Ye"). After this album title –an attempt to broaden her appeal by management execs– Nina Simone was sometimes titled “the high priestess of soul”, although she completely rejected the title herself because it placed a label on her as an artist. However, according to her daughter, Simone, she never hated that moniker

Perhaps a bit more conscious of contemporary soul trends than her previous Philips albums, this is still very characteristic of her mid-'60s work in its eclectic mix of jazz, pop, soul, and some blues and gospel. Hal Mooney directs some large band arrangements for the material on this LP without submerging Simone's essential strengths. The more serious and introspective material is more memorable than the good-natured pop selections here. The highlights are her energetic vocal rendition of the Oscar Brown/Nat Adderley composition "Work Song" and her spiritual composition "Come Ye," on which Simone's inspirational vocals are backed by nothing other than minimal percussion.

Tracklist:

A1 Don't You Pay Them No Mind
A2 I'm Gonna Leave You
A3 Brown Eyed Handsome Man
A4 Keeper Of The Flame
A5 The Gal From Joe's
A6 Take Me To The Water
A7 I'm Going Back Home
B1 I Hold No Grudge
B2 Come Ye
B3 He Ain't Comin' Home No More
B4 Work Song
B5 I Love My Baby


Nina Simone - High Priestess Of Soul (1967)
(320 kbps, cover art included)