Betty Carter, Nina Simone
Posted by: kj burrell on 22 February 2004
I've been meaning to get some cds by these two for ages. Any recommendations about where to start? ( Not complilations)
Posted on: 23 February 2004 by Mike Hughes
Nina Simone and Piano is a classic but a bit harsh if you're a a beginner. I would seriously recommend a compilation that has references to the original recordings and find out what you like.
Posted on: 23 February 2004 by Kevin-W
For Betty Carter, try he live album "The Audience And Betty Carter" - still available on CD as far as I know, and by common consent one of the best jazz/vocal albums ever.
Kevin
Kevin
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by Sundance
You should be looking for her older stuff, some of which has been re-produced on CD, namely:
1. Nina at the Town Hall
2. Forbidden Fruit
3. After Hours
Kid
..Life has just got better
1. Nina at the Town Hall
2. Forbidden Fruit
3. After Hours
Kid
..Life has just got better
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by Bubblechild
Both of them are just great.
I like the later Betty Carter stuff, but then I like hearing people when they're slightly mad. I like late Nina and, FWIW, late Billie too.
If you fancy a late-ish mad studio album of Betty's, try "I'm Yours, You're Mine". Great musicians and nice choice of material.
No doubt a compilation is the easiest way into Nina-world, but personally I find many of them lack a bit of soul, and would say that splashing out on three or four albums rather than one compilation would be money really well spent.
The good thing is that there are several releases featuring two albums on one CD. For example, "Nina & Piano" (which is, as Mike says, wonderful) is available on the same CD as "Silk & Soul", which makes for an interesting contrast; you could also try "Black Gold" / "Emergency Ward" / "It Is Finished", which has got some lovely moments and a real flavour of the intense, erratic atmosphere of a Nina gig.
There's also the album that has two cuts of "My Baby Just Cares..." as well as the instrumental "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Little Girl Blue" with the Good King Wenceslas counterpoint - actually the whole album is great, but darned if I can remember what it's called.
"A Single Woman" is a nice late one - I think lots of people hate it: she does sing out of tune a bit and do some odd stuff. But I like it.
I'd be really interested to hear what you discover - no doubt there's loads of stuff by both of them that I haven't heard. Enjoy!
I like the later Betty Carter stuff, but then I like hearing people when they're slightly mad. I like late Nina and, FWIW, late Billie too.
If you fancy a late-ish mad studio album of Betty's, try "I'm Yours, You're Mine". Great musicians and nice choice of material.
No doubt a compilation is the easiest way into Nina-world, but personally I find many of them lack a bit of soul, and would say that splashing out on three or four albums rather than one compilation would be money really well spent.
The good thing is that there are several releases featuring two albums on one CD. For example, "Nina & Piano" (which is, as Mike says, wonderful) is available on the same CD as "Silk & Soul", which makes for an interesting contrast; you could also try "Black Gold" / "Emergency Ward" / "It Is Finished", which has got some lovely moments and a real flavour of the intense, erratic atmosphere of a Nina gig.
There's also the album that has two cuts of "My Baby Just Cares..." as well as the instrumental "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "Little Girl Blue" with the Good King Wenceslas counterpoint - actually the whole album is great, but darned if I can remember what it's called.
"A Single Woman" is a nice late one - I think lots of people hate it: she does sing out of tune a bit and do some odd stuff. But I like it.
I'd be really interested to hear what you discover - no doubt there's loads of stuff by both of them that I haven't heard. Enjoy!
Posted on: 25 February 2004 by Mike Hughes
Erratic - what a lovely summary of the live Nina experience! People applauding because she made it to the piano and a double speed version of My Baby plus three quarters of the gig out of tune and one quarter competent. Happy days!
I also dislike compilations but Nina's recorded output is one of the rare situations where a compilation really is the best place to start. I have Nina albums that I could never love but others that I love and could not be without. Had I bought one of the several excellent compilations I could have avoided several mistakes.
I also dislike compilations but Nina's recorded output is one of the rare situations where a compilation really is the best place to start. I have Nina albums that I could never love but others that I love and could not be without. Had I bought one of the several excellent compilations I could have avoided several mistakes.
Posted on: 26 February 2004 by kj burrell
Thanks for the recommendations. A bit of shopping this weekend, methinks. I think I might go for a Simone compilation, although I usually regard compilations as lacking any real soul or character... The Piano Trio thread is also tugging at my wallet.
Kevin
Kevin