Nina Simone - Live at Ronnie Scott's

Starring:Nina Simone
Studio: Ndb TV
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
There's some deep soul in effect here--as there nearly always was when Nina Simone, who died at age 70 in '03, got anywhere near a piano and a microphone. The fiercely individual, genre-defying performer, filmed in a 1985 performance at Ronnie Scott's in London, is accompanied by drummer Paul Robinson for a set that includes some of her better-known material, like the Gershwins' "I Loves You Porgy" and "Mississippi Goddam," a product of Simone's racially and politically charged '60s period. Elsewhere, she sings a tune ("Fodder in Her Wings") that could be an ancient British folk song, while "God, God, God" and "Be My Husband" are rhythmically driving, almost chant-like meditations. The film is rather grainy and not especially imaginatively directed, but little matter; every note is imbued with conviction and intelligence, and there is absolutely nothing trivial going on here. (Interview segments connect the songs, but there's no bonus material.) --Sam Graham
Description
This DVD features Nina Simone (vocals, piano) delivering an intense emotional performance at the legendary Ronnie Scott's in Soho, London on November 17, 1985. Simone is considered to be one of the most diverse singers of the 20th century, recording material in multiple genres including soul, jazz, pop, blues, gospel, and Broadway. Most often labeled a "soul" singer due to her emotional performing tendencies, Simone is an eclectic musician, who adds a soulful mystique to whatever material she interprets. This brilliant performance at Ronnie Scott's is testament to this fact.

Nina Simone - Live at Ronnie Scott's
Average customer rating:

WORTHWHILE

Beautiful, simply Beautiful!!!

PASS ON THIS TERRIBLE DVD!

Get to know the real Nina Simone

Intimate, beautiful and an absolute joy to watch

Nina Simone - Live at Ronnie Scott's
Starring: Nina Simone
Manufacturer: Quantum Leap
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000092Q6X
Release Date: 2003-05-20

Amazon.com

There's some deep soul in effect here--as there nearly always was when Nina Simone, who died at age 70 in '03, got anywhere near a piano and a microphone. The fiercely individual, genre-defying performer, filmed in a 1985 performance at Ronnie Scott's in London, is accompanied by drummer Paul Robinson for a set that includes some of her better-known material, like the Gershwins' "I Loves You Porgy" and "Mississippi Goddam," a product of Simone's racially and politically charged '60s period. Elsewhere, she sings a tune ("Fodder in Her Wings") that could be an ancient British folk song, while "God, God, God" and "Be My Husband" are rhythmically driving, almost chant-like meditations. The film is rather grainy and not especially imaginatively directed, but little matter; every note is imbued with conviction and intelligence, and there is absolutely nothing trivial going on here. (Interview segments connect the songs, but there's no bonus material.) --Sam Graham

Description

This DVD features Nina Simone (vocals, piano) delivering an intense emotional performance at the legendary Ronnie Scott's in Soho, London on November 17, 1985. Simone is considered to be one of the most diverse singers of the 20th century, recording material in multiple genres including soul, jazz, pop, blues, gospel, and Broadway. Most often labeled a "soul" singer due to her emotional performing tendencies, Simone is an eclectic musician, who adds a soulful mystique to whatever material she interprets. This brilliant performance at Ronnie Scott's is testament to this fact.

Customer Reviews:

WORTHWHILE.......2006-12-10

Though the technical quality is less than state-of-the-art, both in terms of audio and visual, "For A While" and especially "If You Knew" are remarkable artifacts of a sometimes petulant, often maddening and always hugely affecting artiste.

In my mind the two performances, I singled out are 'five star' -- I've yet to find a more emotional performance of "If You Knew" -- cathartic, emotional...
PERFECT.

Beautiful, simply Beautiful!!!.......2006-01-31

Nina has such grace and a since of reality about her. These qualities exudes through her music. The DVD captures both her grace and reality. The little snippets of the interview with her between the music is wonderful. I have read her autobiography and in the interview she refers to many instance that happen to her, that she also wrote about in her book. The bottomline is that due this DVD I know feel a little closer connection to this amazing women, who has changed my life. I only wish it was longer, because I enjoyed it so much.

PASS ON THIS TERRIBLE DVD!.......2005-02-23

I'm an avid fan of Nina Simone so I was looking forward to this DVD...But seeing her sweat profusely throughout the show & even complain that's it's way too hot makes this disappointing & disheartening. They should have never released this DVD especially with the artist looking soaked & uncomfortable which is a real travesty. Hopefully her other DVD Nina Simone Live is better. Don't waste your time with this dog!

Get to know the real Nina Simone.......2003-07-11

When I saw this DVD in the store, I bought it immediately. This video of Nina Simone's gig at Ronnie Scott's was my introduction to her. When I first saw her on TV, sitting at the piano with her shoulders bare, I thought she was a man! Her sound didn't really help to clarify things. This performance was certainly anything but slick, and newcomers to the mystique of the High Priestess of Soul will find it hard to relate at first viewing. Luckily, I had taped the performance and was able to watch it over and over again. It grew on me, and I heard and saw something new with each viewing. The heartbreaking tenderness of the ballads, which she transformed into something intensely personal with something as simple but as heartfelt as a sigh. The drive and fury of the protest songs, many of which come from Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht and their collaboration in Mahoganny. Her phrasing can be a bit off-center but her musicianship is redoubtable. I'm glad I'll be able to watch this performance on DVD( and it is a slight improvement over videotape, both in sound and visuals), over and over and over.....

Intimate, beautiful and an absolute joy to watch.......2003-07-06

There was a moment at the beginning of this dvd when I thought, "Oh no, this might [be bad]." Having been a huge Nina Simone fan for so long I've been waiting for this dvd for a long time, so you can imagine my excitement when I finally sat down to watch it. The picture and sound quality of the dvd were so bad though I had my doubts, but, when Nina started singing I knew that it would all be alright. In fact, after a while I didn't even mind the way it looked because I allowed myself to imagine that I was actually there at Ronnie Scott's that night watching and listening to this amazing woman perform. Of course I was way too young back then to appreciate or even be allowed there but that's beside the point, this is my review and I'm allowed to be anachronistic if I choose :)

There is a lot to love about this dvd. Nina's performance is one of if not the most intimate performance I have ever watched and I know it's hard to understand that if you're not there in person but somehow she managed to transcend even the barriers of a television set. Listen to the way she beautifully performs her "two love songs" as she calls them, "If You Knew" and "Mr. Smith" and then effortlessly move from playing the harpsicord (on a keyboard) to the piano on "Fodder In Her Wings". Other standouts include her wonderful rendition of "I Loves You Porgy" and "The Other Woman". Both showing such vulnerability and sadness you wonder how anyone cannot possibly love her??? Her two signature songs, "Mississippi Goddam" and "My Baby Just Cares For Me" are absolutely wonderful as is the entire concert. "Mississippi Goddam" this time blended with "Alabama Song" from Brecht's "Mahagonny". Brilliant! My absolute favourite though is "For A While". I have never and I doubt I will ever hear a song perform with such aching tenderness, truth and sadness. What she does towards the end of this song is evidence of her amazing knowledge of musical performance and also one of the most moving moment I have ever witnessed. It's worth buying the dvd for this one performance alone.

I am always reminded of experiencing an amazingly emotional yet cathartic show everytime I watch this. OK, is it not evident that I am a fan? But that aside, I truly do believe this is worth the price if you're a fan, have just discovered her or somehow magically stumbled here but enjoy quality music and a performer who really knows how to get inside your heart and soul.

Interview clips throughout the concert, inserted between songs give insights into this remarkable woman but is not really necessary. Her music speaks for itself.

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