Rating: 
Summary: I Loves You Nina
Review: Easy reading written not by a professional writer, but someone who spoke straight from the heart. Nina unquestionably is a little nastolgic and very cocky ... but nonetheless, a phenomenon in her own right. One of this country's most brilliant musicians "I put a spell on you" gave me the opportunity to put a face on those Nina Simone records I play over and over again. I would recommend that those of you who love her music, take the time to understand this remarkable women by reading her biography.
Rating:
Summary: informative
Review: I have enjoyed much of Nina Simone's music that I've been exposed to. I was anxious do read the story behind the singer/pianist. This was a good, brief account of her life and times. Going from a promising start as a classical pianist in the U.S. South to international fame as a singer, Simone saw and experienced a lot of things. The people she knew as friends/lovers seemed to be the elites in their fields. Her work shows that she sought perfection, but also had some insecurities. Many stemmed from the desire of her religious mother's approval. I wish her continued success because her music has made an impression on me.
Rating: 
Summary: In Memoriam
Review: In Memoriam of Nina Simone, the great singer, pianist, composer, arranger, songwriter, feminist, activist, mother and woman. Nina was born in North Carolina, USA, February 21, 1933. Although Nina was called the "High Priestess of Soul" by her fans and was regarded by them as an almost religious figure, she was often misunderstood as well. The High Priestess would walk different paths to find the adequate songs to spread her message. A protest singer; a jazz singer; a pianist; an arranger and a composer, Nina Simone is a great artist who defies easy classification. She is all of these: a jazz-rock-pop-folk-black musician. In fact, we can find her biography in jazz, rock, pop, black and soul literature. Her style and her hits provided many singers and groups with material for hits of their own. Nina Simone passed away on April 21, 2003 in Carry-le-Rouet, France. She was Aged 70. She is survived by her daughter and will be forever missed - yet forever treasured. May our high priestess find her path to peace.
Rating: 
Summary: Nina Simone writes about lovers, not music or her life
Review: It's a sad commentary that Nina Simone wrote such a meaningless book in 1991. I couldn't wait to purchase it after it was released, yet I kept asking myself why she wrote it and who this woman really was. Besides being an interesting interpretor of jazz classics and folk songs, and well known for her ascerbic manner onstage and off, it would have been more thrilling to read about Simone as an artist, not the fact that she basically slept with every man that ever asked her. I felt a bit short changed by her writing...although most of it was no doubt ghostwritten, Nina Simone shows no real interest in music, instead considering jazz an afterthought in her career. She never goes into any details about her life except to blame her husband Andy Stroud for mismanaging her career, America for not giving her a chance, Curtis Institute of music for not accepting her application to study there, and the list goes on...if it were interesting reading, it might be ok. Still, most of this book is not well written at all...it is quite amateurish, and often boring...even the discography included at the back is lack luster..Nina Simone was so well associated with the Civil Rights Movement, yet you get no real feeling or emotion from her words, After reading the book, I continued to buy and listen to her music, but my respect for her is lacking. It's a shame that Nina Simone didn't realize her potential, but there were many artists worse off than Nina Simone, and I for one think she owes a great debt to the US for giving her success and the opportunity to succeed.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book
Review: Just about the only thing as rich, as continuously shocking, moving, funny, proud, lusty, painful, regal, beautiful and bizarre as Nina Simone's music is her life, told here with frankness that'll make you weep. Buy this book. Buy the Colpix years anthology 2 CD set. Send them to your friends.
Rating:
Summary: Nina Simone is great, but this book needed more work
Review: Nina Simone is a great artist with a compelling story to tell. Unfortunately, little of that story comes across in this book. Ms. Simone shares all sorts of details about her lovers, but very little about her music. There is almost nothing in the book about her recording sessions or why she sings particular songs the way she does. While Ms. Simone is very frank about her personal life, I would have liked to have learned more about her music. The book is also confusing because Ms. Simone will spend many pages on just a few days, and then entire years will be dismissed by a sentence or two. Ms. Simone's collaborator should have edited the book better and drawn out more music-related stories from her.
Rating:
Summary: A book of facts not feeling
Review: Nina Simone is one my All-time favorite artists and to read her story in her own words was quite a thrill. She has led a very interesting, unusual, and adventurous life. However, I found myself wishing that she would be a little bit more introspective in the telling of the story. She went from event to event without really giving a detailed picture of how she actually felt. When the book was over I didn't really feel any different than when I began reading the book, just more knowlegeable.
Rating:
Summary: A book of facts not feeling
Review: Nina Simone is one my All-time favorite artists and to read her story in her own words was quite a thrill. She has led a very interesting, unusual, and adventurous life. However, I found myself wishing that she would be a little bit more introspective in the telling of the story. She went from event to event without really giving a detailed picture of how she actually felt. When the book was over I didn't really feel any different than when I began reading the book, just more knowlegeable.
Rating:
Summary: She put a spell on me
Review: Nina Simone proves in this autobiography that she is indeed a survivor...as a black woman trying to make it in a white man's world, Nina Simone soared to fame with her unique style and graceful approach to music. This book traces Nina's history as a young ambitious child in North Carolina to a sophisticated, wise diva in Amsterdam. It is apparent upon reading this book, that it was Nina's destiny to become an International success as a performer. Reading about what was at the heart of her decisions both as a performer and as a civil rights activist in the 60s, enabled me to admire her all the more. This book is essential for Nina fans all over the world!
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE this book
Review: This is a most fabulous book! I could not put it down! It's a fascinating account of Nina's life.....which is never a dull moment. Lots of incredible insight into what it's like to be a performer. Beautifully written, as though she's in the room with you, telling you her own story. Nina was such an amazing person, and there is so much depth in this book. I highly recommend this book....I can't say enough. If you love Nina, if you love autobiographies.....this is THE book!
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