Nina Simone in Concert
Nina Simone · 1964
35 min · 7 tracks · blues
A powerful blend of jazz, blues, and gospel that channels raw emotion into a captivating live performance.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Loves You, Porgy Start here — This track showcases Simone's ability to convey deep emotional nuance, transforming a classic into a personal lament filled with longing.
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Mississippi Goddam — As a direct response to racial violence, this song's urgency and defiance highlight Simone's commitment to activism through art.
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Plain Gold Ring — The haunting arrangement allows Simone's voice to soar, emphasizing themes of unrequited love and despair that resonate deeply throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Nina Simone's live performance captures raw emotion and political urgency, making it a standout in her discography.
What we noticed
- Each track features a distinct arrangement that blends jazz instrumentation with blues and gospel influences, creating a dynamic sound.
- Simone's performance includes spoken interludes that enhance the political messages in songs like 'Mississippi Goddam,' making the live context impactful.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intimate live performance vibes
- dynamic emotional journeys
- thought-provoking lyrical themes
- reflective late-night listening
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This live album marked a pivotal moment in her political expression and wider recognition.
- Themes
- racial injustice· live protest music
- Moods
- Uplifting· Introspective
- Career context
- By 1964, Nina Simone had established herself as a significant voice in music, with this album being her first live recording. It followed her successful studio albums and marked a pivotal moment as she began to intertwine her musical artistry with social activism, notably in tracks like 'Mississippi Goddam.'
- Stylistic neighbors
- Billie Holiday· Ella Fitzgerald· Aretha Franklin
Tracklist
- 1 I Loves You, Porgy Start here 2:34
- 2 Plain Gold Ring 6:24
- 3 Pirate Jenny 6:40
- 4 Old Jim Crow 2:41
- 5 Don't Smoke in Bed 5:32
- 6 Go Limp 7:07
- 7 Mississippi Goddam 4:56
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Lady in Satin
Billie Holiday
Shares raw emotional delivery and poignant themes of love and loss, echoing Simone's intensity.
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
Combines gospel roots with powerful vocal performances, reflecting deep emotional and social themes.
Ain't That Good News
Sam Cooke
Merges soul and gospel with socially conscious lyrics, capturing the spirit of protest and hope.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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