Nina Simone’s 1964 civil rights anthem ‘Mississippi Goddamn’ was released on an album of live recordings from Carnegie Hall. Simone reportedly wrote the song in just an hour, inspired by the deaths of Medgar Evers in Mississippi and the four black children murdered in an Alabama church bombing.
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Song of the Day #3,820: ‘Sinnerman’ – Nina Simone
‘Sinnerman’ is one of Nina Simone’s most famous songs. She turned the traditional Negro spiritual, which she had no doubt heard in her mother’s church as a little girl, into a sprawling 10-minute jazz piano epic.
Simone’s version has been sampled in modern rap songs and used in many TV shows and movies, including both the original 1968 Thomas Crown Affair and the 1999 remake. It’s easy to see why. The pulsating rhythm and raw emotional power of the track are irresistible.
Song of the Day #3,819: ‘I Loves You Porgy’ – Nina Simone
The timing is good for my father’s Nina Simone theme week because it happens to coincide with my parents’ 53rd wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!
For today’s SOTD, I chose Simone’s most famous love song, ‘I Loves You Porgy’ from the Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess. She initially recorded the song for her 1958 debut album, Little Girl Blue, though today’s version is a live performance from 1960.
Song of the Day #3,818: ‘Ain’t Got No, I Got Life’ – Nina Simone
My father recently sent me a link to today’s SOTD accompanied by a single statment: “for your consideration.” Well, I can’t say no to my dad!
I replied that, given Ms. Simone’s stature and the almost complete absence of her songs on my blog, a theme week might be in order. He agreed, and promptly fired off four more potential song choices.
One of those was his favorite, ‘Feeling Good,’ which was written about here by guest blogger Madison as the accompaniment to a scene from the show Legion.
Song of the Day #3,817: ‘The Great Gig in the Sky’ – Pink Floyd
Few films in recent years have received as much lavish praise as Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma. A compilation of critics’ top ten lists has it in the #1 spot with a 200-point lead over the next title. It has been repeatedly called a masterpiece and even, by more than a few writers, one of the greatest films ever made.
Can any movie possibly be worthy of all that hype? Can Roma live up to those expectations?
My answer: It doesn’t, until it does. And then it somehow surpasses them.
