She has flair, but no air. She has class, but does not wear it on her shoulders. She is unique. You either like her or you don't. If you don't, you won't. If you do--whee-ouuueu! You do!
-Langston Hughes, 1962
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Harlem, Central Park Concert
Below I have posted five parts of a live performance at a Central Park festival from 1968. Following the videos I have posted a review of the concert from the New York Times, July 8, 1968 as well as an article published later that references the Central Park concert (I believe it is referencing the same concert) that will be of interest mainly because of the writers assertion: "We like her better when she leaves politics alone." I'm not sure who the 'we' is, but I can guess. The funny thing about the assertion, and from what I have learned about Simone, is that if she 'left politics alone' there wouldn't be a Nina Simone.
The first song of the day is "Four Women."
Sources
Robert Shelton. "Nina Simone Sings for 5,000 in Park" in The New York Times (July, 8 1968). Nina Simone File. Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library. Clipping File, 1925-1974.
Unknown author. "Drive Us Mad Nina" in New York News (c. 1980). Nina Simone File. Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library. Clipping File, 1925-1974.
Picket lines School boycotts They say it's a communist plot But all I want is equality for my sisters, my brothers, my people and me -Nina Simone, "Mississippi Goddam"
This blog is a space for Nina Simone's music, concert footage, and lyrics. I also include the context in which I came to listen to Simone as well as some brief reflections on the blues aesthetic in African American music and literature as related to the CUNY Graduate Center course 'Blues People' (Spring 2009) taught by Professor Michelle Wallace.
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