Etta James, "At last". Yet another incredible voice.

Her version of "Strange Fruit" is phenomenal, Nina was a pure talent.

“Please don’t let me be misunderstood” is another great one from her.

I couldn't click fast enough. She is playing the piano also. The most beautiful, defiant activist during the turbulent Civil Rights, Vietnam eras. Her defiance and courage are comparable only to her voice and piano. Janis Joplin and Nina Simone - my two idols, and neither one were scared of shit.

If anyone doesn't like this there is no hope for them. So glad you found Nina - lots of impressive songs there. She wasn't just a singer she fought hard for civil rights. Try ''Mississippi Goddam!'' or even ''I put a spell on you''. ''My baby just cares for me'' is fun. :-)

Nina Simone was a rare talent. One of those genius artists that have “it” in every fibre of their beings and our ears and souls are blessed she existed on this Earth!❤️❤️❤️

Nina Simone (February 21, 1933 - April 21, 2003) was a legend! Not just for her phenomenal voice but for her activism.

Nina was a magnificent singer. The recording is from 1965, from Nina's album "I put a spell on you" - and the song "I put a spell on you" on that album is a brilliant version. Nina died in 2003, aged 70.

I’ve been waiting for you two to bring her to your channel. She is one in a billion. More popular in Europe than USA. I first heard her in the late 60’s. Her cover of Lenard Cohan’s Suzanne is awe inspiring. Her tribute to MLK brings tears to my eyes. I think it is called “king of love” but not sure. Just ANYTHING she sings is so moving, you feel it deep in your soul.

Oh, man, you need to do one where she’s singing live and you can see how amazingly cool and awesome she was.

This voice is like a reminder to your soul. It touches that part of humanity in all of us.

This is the perfect song to introduce yourself to the world of NINA. I fully support your exploring this rabbit hole! Nina had a tumultuous life and was known for being troubled, but she could tap into a song with an incredible intensity. Also check out her songs SUGAR IN MY BOWL, JUST LIKE TOM THUMB'S BLUES and also try to catch some of her live performances. You guys previously reacted to HOUSE OF THE RISING SON by The Animals, but she actually did it first. Find her live version of that song from The Village Gate.

NINA!! NOW WE'RE TALKIN'! I love how impressed all y'all were. (This recording is from early 1965, so that modern-ish video was made literally decades after this song was released.) But have I got great news for you - this barely scratches the surface of her nearly limitless talent! Nina adored classical music, and she could perform almost any style of music on her piano. She was an absolute virtuoso. Her life and her politics are definitely worthy of study, but I'm just going to list some of her greatest songs and performances: "Love Me Or Leave Me" (in which she demonstrates her deep love of Bach), "My Baby Just Cares For Me", George Gershwin's "I Loves You Porgy", "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", Jacques Brel's "Ne Me Quitte Pas", "Lilac Wine" "Wild Is The Wind" "Sinnerman" "House Of The Rising Sun" "Ain't Got No, I Got Life" and "Mississippi Goddam". For starters, anyway.

She is channeling soul straight from the source.

I adore Nina Simone. Her cover of George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun" is one of my all time favorite songs. Thanks for the reaction.

Nina Simone has so many beautiful songs. Such a captivating voice. “I Want a Little Sugar in my Bowl”, “Blackbird”, “Black is the Color of my True Love’s Hair”, and the one that always makes me teary (lol) “Wild is the Wind”. She could sing the telephone book and it will be magical 🔥🔥🔥🔥

One of the greatest voices of all time. You must listen to “Sinnerman”.

Ooh. Been a long time since a song gave me chills like this. Thank you both for introducing me to this!

One of my favourites is "My Baby Just Cares For Me".

Strange Fruit from Billie Holiday is a hauntingly, incredible song. I believe Nina Simone did a version of the song as well. Give a listen to it if you haven’t already.

OMG! I love this song! I can’t believe you are reacting to it! Her voice is absolutely amazing and so evocative. I love all of her music but the emotion she can pull out of you is unparalleled. A true legend. You’ve got to listen to more of her. Definitely check out Do I move you, Blackbird, I put a spell on you, please don’t let me be misunderstood, Sinnerman and I shall be released. All must hear songs Hough you can’t go wrong with anything of hers that you choose.

Oh wow. So much to explore with Nina. TRULY one of a kind.

She also plays piano and did the orchestration! Genius!

You should consider Etta James and Sarah Vaughn for female friday. Choose live performances so you can see how amazing all these women were!

"sinnerman" is ... 10 mns long, on another level Nina rules !

Give Natalie Merchant a chance. Glad you did the Nina Simone anthem. Amazing artist.

Listen to "I put a spell on you" and listen to her play piano superbly and sing on "''My baby just cares for me''.

I was ten when my dad passed from cancer, and it was my uncle who picked up the torch of turning me on to the great music of history. Miss Simone was one of the first artists he played for me, and she’s been in my top ten ever since. I love everything about her, including her flaws. (More on those later) Wanting to be a classical composer when she was growing up, she was good enough to attend Juilliard Music School in NY. However, she quickly discovered it wasn’t really feasible for a black artist to make the kind of impact she wanted to in that field of music. She began playing clubs. Initially she just wanted to play, and let someone else do the singing. But terms for employment at one of the clubs she frequented was she had to sing. What followed was a career that would see her become one of the most inspiring musicians and civil rights activists, rubbing elbows with everyone from MLK to her close friend Langston Hughes. There are so many songs to choose from to further expand your Nina knowledge, but I’m going to make a push for the next one to be her live version of “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free”. Specifically the version uploaded by the Nina Simone KZfaq page on July 3rd, 2020. It’s full title is Nina Simone - I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free) (Live at Montreux, 1976). I’m going so specific because it’s got great sound, decent resolution, and really lets you see her in her element. In my humble opinion, it’s worth doing a reaction video. Beyond that, any of the ones others are suggesting are great. If you want a straight up commentary with no punches pulled, I’d suggest one of her live versions of “Mississippi Goddamn”: Other tunes worth checking out, and making videos about, would be: “Ain’t Got No, I Got Life”, “Sinnerman”, “The Backlash Blues”, “Why? (The King Of Love Is Dead)”, and “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” I also suggest checking out her cover versions of the Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun” and ‘Screamin’ Jay’ Hawkins’ “I Put A Spell On You”. She covered plenty of classics, and I suggest checking out her version of “My Baby Just Cares For Me”. While inspirational, it’s also worth pointing out she had many issues throughout her life. She was routinely abusive, some physical and some emotional, toward her daughter. They eventually reconciled, but hearing how bad things got is heartbreaking. She also dealt with some drugs and alcohol issues earlier in her career. She was diagnosed in the late 80’s with Bi-Polar Disorder, which helps explain some of the wild shifts her daughter has discussed. I could go on, but there are several really good documentaries on her easily accessible on KZfaq and elsewhere. They also help explain some of the issues she dealt with being a very dark-skinned black woman, and one that many people didn’t exactly view as beautiful. As a white dude who can’t speak to that experience, I’ll let Nina and the others in those documentaries more accurately discuss such things, and the impact they had. I love everything about her. She’s proof positive that everyone is fallible at times, but that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t give up, or find ways to love and appreciate yourself. And she serves it’s okay for our heroes to be human.

Running Johnette and Nina back to back. That's getting it right there.

This song originally was a part of a Broadway play "The Roar of the Grease Paint, The Smell of the Crowd" 1964. Nina recorded her version in 1965. It's a great song and her cover is the one everyone thinks of. It's even in several commercials. She is definitely a treasure, old school and no one tops her, IMO

"Feeling Good" (also known as "Feelin' Good") is a song written by English composers Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the musical The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd. It was first performed on stage in 1964 by Cy Grant on the UK tour and by Gilbert Price in 1965 with the original Broadway cast.

One of my all time favorites. Changed my life when I first heard it. A badass song about a woman embracing her empowerment and taking charge of life

I agree about her touching your soul. Besides soulful, I've always felt like the word that best describes her is genuine. Her voice is real, not perfect but beautifully flawed, sincere, emotional and so genuine. She can make you feel the emotion of the song better than anyone.

Nina is one of my all time faviots.Follow that with Shirley Bassey.The GOAT female singer.Effortless power.

What a fabulous song. LOVE me some Nina Simone!!!

“My baby just cares for me” is another classic from Nina…

HER VOICE DOESN'T 'SELL IT'. IT JUST 'IS', SOLID AND HONEST ... AUTHENTIC.

This song was written by British singer actor Anthony Newley for a stage musical “the roar of the greasepaint-the smell of the crowd in England 1964 Nina did it in 1965 It has been covered by several artists Michael Buble had a hit with it a few yrs ago

Thanks a million! what an awesome ton of voice! Nina is phenomenal. My fav by her are "Don't let me be misunderstood" (created by her), "My way", "Ne me quitte pas," "I put a spell on you", "My baby just cares forme", ....

I don’t know what I enjoyed more..this song or the reactions of you both. Priceless!

Her singing brings tears to my eyes, no matter what she sings, because it's so so beautiful. Angels would only want to sing like that.

Great one! You can feel the emotion in her voice, a combination of pain and joy. Also, check out her version of I Put A Spell On You and Mississippi Goddamn. Will give you chills.

Want your heart and emotions ripped out? There is a live video of her sitting at a piano singing "I wish I knew how it feels to be free.... Jaw dropping!

Nina somone .you will see she is a true. Very talented queen ."my queen"

Damn, the goosebumps!

I'm so happy you have discovered Nina. She's always been one of my personal favorites. It's time to try more legendary ladies. Etta James "At last" Billie Holiday "Lover man" Willie May "Big Mama" Thornton Who wrote and originally sang the song Ball and Chain. Listen to her live version on the Complete Vangard recordings.

You need to see her live videos to understand why people treasure her so much. She was a phenomenal pianist, too.

Nina Simone was also an amazing piano player, and was usually playing piano on her songs. Another great song of hers is "Sugar In My Bowl."

Her song Why the king of love is dead, brings tears to my eyes. Made in honor of MLK. She was close to him and marched with him in Selma, March on Washington, many others.. The FBI had her on a list because of the civil rights movement. She said in a interview after MLK was murdered she fled the country in fear that they would come after her.

This song is sublime. It's been used in several movies over the years. Also love her "Sinnerman" song.

Her voice, those horns, the entire combination just gives me a head to toe shiver like I'm a dang cartoon relaxing into it.

Nina Simone is simply majestic her voice is a voice that is both beyond the future and absolutely from the long distant past, full of richness sadness and hopes of things to come.

You guys MUST react to Nina's "Sugar In My Bowl". It makes me think of a hot steamy rainy afternoon in New Orleans, in an old Creole cottage, big 4 poster bed with a ceiling fan above it, and Nina drifting thru the open window. It just takes me right there, I can see it in my mind. Please please check it out!! 🙏💜💚💛

"Wild Is The Wind" is sublime. Her voice transcends.

Nina Simone's rendition of Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair is my favorite.

20 yrs ago I was watching a movie with an amazing soundtrack. Yes it was Nina. I’ve been in love with her voice ever since 👏👏👏

Wow what a great voice so soulful love her. There is another female singer from the 80’s by the name of Allison Moët great voice hope y’all try a listen.

Also "Sinner Man" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"! Nina's a monster!

The GREAT Nina Simone. Every time I hear her I just think "Wow!" She is a jazz artist and does blues also and she plays the heck out of the piano. This song is an old classic. It was written by Anthony Newley in 1964 for a musical; Nina's version was recorded in 1965. Her voice evokes "the feels" for sure.

This song is just everything. No one has nor had a voice like Nina Simone.

I remember her having a huge hit here in the UK with 'Ain't Got No, I Got Life', please react to it or at least have a listen, it's a superb song. I just looked it up and it was #2 in the charts here in 1968 (yeah I'm old but I can still tell good music when I hear it !)

Nina Simone was a fierce civil rights activist in the 60’s. Her songs “Mississippi Goddamn” and “Strange Fruit” were super controversial and she was investigated by the FBI. Not an easy life, but an important one. Also, on the lighter side, check out “Sinner Man”.

Thank you for playing this! Nina Simone is amazing!

Nina has a history as well as a talent. She can touch your heart and soul as well as your mind and conscience.

I love Nina Simone.. and your reaction to this guys. I feel the same way about Etta James and her songs I'd Rather Go Blind and At Last!😍🥰 :))) Ella Fitzgerald's Summertime is also good for your soul. 💞

Nina Simone is the real deal. Her version of "I Put A Spell On You" is top notch for torchiness. "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" from 1964 also deserves your attention. Compare her version with The Animals version. And check out her cover of "Nobody's Fault But Mine" from 1968 and then compare it with Led Zeppelin's version from 1976. Or go deep with her 1966 cover of "Wild Is The Wind" and then compare it with David Bowie's version from 1976.

Yes - Yes - YES!! Nina Simone is unique - just glorious - thank you

Nena has an Angelic Voice, full of soul, and personal experience. 🙏🏻

She's amazing, and what a character

The song: ”Mississippi God Damn” is unbelievable. It addressed the racial violence of the time and caused a great deal of controversy at the time. The entire South was on fire, but Mississippi, .... God Damn!!!

Her voice gives me goosebumps. She has lived life and It's all there in her voice.

Her voice was perfectly imperfect. Unlike anyone else. A force of nature, she was an awesome person. Like, truly someone to stand in awe of. She had no shits to give about being anyone but herself, always. What a woman.

So much great music, Sinnerman, I Got Life, Don't Let Me be Misunderstood, and on and on. Also an incredible piano player. Try to find some of her live video performances, especially I Got Life from the musical Hair. Outstanding.

She has some very political, protest songs but she also has some great fun/love songs such as My Baby Just Cares for Me and I Put a Spell on You (maybe for next 🎃!)

All the way, soul to soul, the greatest singer of the the 20th century…a legend among legends…listen to her albums and she will change your world forever.

Nina Simone was a genius! One of the rare haunting voices that is still one of my favorites

Another artist to consider for female friday is Sarah McLachlan and her song Angel. ( If you haven't done a reaction to it yet) 👍

I have to chime in with the recommendations for "Mississippi Goddamn." Also try "Strange Fruit," but I suggest you listen to Billie Holiday's original version first. Also, "Young, Gifted, and Black."

Literal goosebumps and tears every time I hear time song! What a voice.

Nina is amazing - I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free might be my favourite but she has so many great songs to choose from.

Nina's "Go To Hell" is my favorite live, and "Four Women" is amazing live as well.

Nice reaction vid man

This is the one I've been waiting for!! Sinnerman is my other favorite among her many, many great songs.

Nina was the High Priestess of Soul and her Backlash Blues is fantastic!

Love this song... Have you ever heard "Rise Up" by Andra Day? It is amazing and I hope to see you react to it on one of your female Friday spots soon.

PLEASE listen to her songs "sinnerman" and "young, gifted and black"! Where is your tip jar (patreon paypal) because I would SURELY toss y'all some coin for you to listen to those two songs. I mean not even a reaction video, yall LISTEN to at least those 2 songs. Nina Simone is a goddess.

Nina Simone is a legend in Europe. Listen to her with a completely open mind because she was an innovator next step measure

One of my all time favorites - as Amber said, this is one that you feel in your soul.

My faves from her are I Got Life and Mississippi Goddamn. She was an expert pianist who never apologized for who she was or how fierce she needed to be to make it in the world. Honestly, some of her stuff I don’t get but that’s my shortcoming, not hers. She also does a killer version of Summertime, which I think you’ve reacted to by Janis.

With Nina Simone every song was a statement, or she didn’t sing it, period! Her life was an example of being your convictions. Her daughter Lisa inherited her power. She has been on Broadway in Rent, Lion King, and Les Miserables. Another great voice and actor.

If this song doesn't hit you, you got no soul. I weep every time when I listen to Nina singing this. 💜

This this this artist and this song and that beginning and that scatting end… when I first heard this, out of the blue in the 90s… I felt like “oh God is real… and her name is Nina Simone”

"Mississippi Goddamn" is an astonishing song. There is a live version of it out there somewhere, where she's grinning and singing it right into the faces of a white audience, who sat there stony-faced. She was one powerhouse of a woman.

If u want a different take on this song, try the cover by Muse.

Thank you! I’ve been waiting for this. Please consider Nina’s Sinnerman … truly a gift to the world.

The defiance and pride in that voice causes you to cower such as you might when facing a storm.

"I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" is a bittersweet song about lamenting the lack of equal rights for all ethnicities in the 50s and 60s, and it's absolutely stunning. "Mississippi Goddamn" is another stunner, a piano-driven song that pays tribute to the victims of racial violence, from Emmett Till to the four little girls killed in a church bombing in the 60s. Instead of singing a gentle tribute, she hollers and wails and expresses her anger over the needless deaths.

She's amazing - you should check out Angelina Jordan's cover of this song (I think she was 8 or 9 when she did it) - a definite tribute to Nina Simone's version . . . definitely a must hear!

You did not mess with Miss Nina Simone. She's been known to stop and walk off stage when people were talking through her singing. One of the few artists to heckle their audience, she demanded and commanded respect and would tell you to your face that she was a QUEEN! She loved her black self and was a vocal supporter of the Civil Rights and Black Is Beautiful movements. Listen to her sing "To Be Young, Gifted and Black". It's inspirational. I'm Scottish and saw her live at her peak in the late 60s during the Edinburgh Festival which happens every year, just her sitting at a piano and she did not disappoint. Strong, beautiful and a voice to shatter your soul or wrap it up in. Luckily the audience was respectful and there were no incidents that night. Just great music and talk from one of the true originals. Just to think that she only began singing to keep her job as resident pianist at a bar when she was starting out because the manager demanded that the pianist should also sing. Thank you to that manager. I recommend My Baby Just Cares for Me for Nina in lighter mood. Or anything off the Baltimore album, just coz. It was not her favourite album but it is mine.

Nina often does have an emphatic effect. I gave my my much-loved 16-year old niece a compilation CD of some of my favourites including a couple of Nina Simone tracks and the following morning she went out and bought a double CD version of Nina Simone's greatest songs.