The Best of Nina Simone

~ Release by Nina Simone (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Annotation

Copyright: Nina Simone

Annotation last modified on 2025-12-29 11:39 UTC.

Tracklist

1▶Digital Media
2▼Digital Media
#TitleRatingLength
1I Got It Bad
lead vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1962)
vocals:
Nina Simone
cover recording of:
I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good) (in 1962)
lyricist:
Paul Francis Webster (in 1941)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1941)
publisher:
EMI Robbins Catalog Inc. (ASCAP), Robbins Music Corp., Sony/ATV Harmony and Webster Music Co.
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, Volume I)
44:04
2Blue Prelude
recording engineer:
Rudy van Gelder (in 1959-04)
producer:
Hecky Krasnow
piano:
Nina Simone (in 1959-04)
vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1959-04)
arranger:
Robert Mersey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 2004)
recorded at:
Van Gelder Studio (Hackensack – July 1, 1959) in Hackensack, New Jersey, United States (in 1959-04)
cover recording of:
Blue Prelude (in 1959-04)
lyricist:
Gordon Jenkins
composer:
Joe Bishop
43:19
3Work Song
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1961)
producer:
Cal Lampley
bass:
Chris White (jazz bassist) (in 1961)
drums (drum set):
Bobby Hamilton (percussionist, keyboards, vocals) (in 1961)
guitar:
Al Schackman (in 1961)
piano and lead vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1961)
vocals:
Nina Simone
cover recording of:
Work Song (lyrics added by Oscar Brown Jr.) (in 1961)
lyricist:
Oscar Brown Jr. (US jazz singer-songwriter from Chicago)
composer:
Nat Adderley
publisher:
Upam Music Co. and シンコーミュージック・パブリッシャーズ (Shinko Music Publishing Co., Ltd.)
version of:
Work Song (original instrumental)
4.52:33
4Just Say I Love Him
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1961)
producer:
Cal Lampley
bass:
Chris White (jazz bassist) (in 1961)
drums (drum set):
Bobby Hamilton (percussionist, keyboards, vocals) (in 1961)
guitar:
Al Schackman (in 1961)
piano:
Nina Simone (in 1961)
vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1961)
cover recording of:
Just Say I Love Her (Engl. translation "Dicitencello vujie") (in 1961)
lyricist:
Enzo Fusco
composer:
Rodolfo Falvo
additional arranger:
Jimmy Dale (American jazz composer, pianist, music arranger) and Jack Val (ASCAP songwriter)
translator:
Martin Kalmanoff (ASCAP songwriter) and Sam Ward
translated version of:
Dicitencello vuje
56:31
5Come on Back, Jack
conductor:
Ralph Burns
arranger:
Ralph Burns
cover recording of:
Come on Back, Jack
lyricist:
Earl S. Shuman (composer / lyricist)
composer:
Leon Carr
2:13
6Willow Weep for Me
recording engineer:
Rudy van Gelder (in 1959)
producer:
Hecky Krasnow
piano and lead vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1959)
arranger:
Robert Mersey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 1969)
recorded at:
Van Gelder Studio (Hackensack – July 1, 1959) in Hackensack, New Jersey, United States (in 1959)
cover recording of:
Willow Weep for Me (in 1959)
lyricist and composer:
Ann Ronell (in 1932)
publisher:
Ann Ronell Music and Bourne Co. (not for release label use, this is a music publisher)
sub-publisher:
日音 Synch事業部 (NICHION, INC. Synch Division)
3.353:11
7Summertime
producer:
Bob Blake (co-producer of Nina Simone's live 1959 album "At Town Hall") and Jack Gold
bass:
Jimmy Bond (on 1959-09-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (on 1959-09-12)
membranophone:
Albert “Tootie” Heath
piano:
Nina Simone (on 1959-09-12)
vocals:
Nina Simone (on 1959-09-12)
recorded at:
The Town Hall in Theater District, New York, New York, United States (on 1959-09-12)
live cover recording of:
Summertime (American songbook standard from 1935 opera Porgy and Bess) (on 1959-09-12)
lyricist:
Ira Gershwin (in 1934), Dorothy Heyward (playwright) (in 1934) and DuBose Heyward (in 1934)
composer:
George Gershwin (composer) (in 1934)
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA), Chappell Music Ltd., Dubose and Dorothy Heyward Memorial Fund Publishing, George Gershwin Music, New Dawn Music, Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Warner/Chappell (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.), Warner/Chappell Music Holland BV, Warner/Chappell North America Limited (formerly incorporated as Marmalade Music Ltd., from 1968/09/19–1999/11/09), Ira Gershwin Music (in 1935), WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (from 1935 until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
version of:
Porgy and Bess: Act I, Scene I. “Summertime” (Clara)
cover recording of:
Summertime (American songbook standard from 1935 opera Porgy and Bess)
lyricist:
Ira Gershwin (in 1934), Dorothy Heyward (playwright) (in 1934) and DuBose Heyward (in 1934)
composer:
George Gershwin (composer) (in 1934)
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA), Chappell Music Ltd., Dubose and Dorothy Heyward Memorial Fund Publishing, George Gershwin Music, New Dawn Music, Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Warner/Chappell (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.), Warner/Chappell Music Holland BV, Warner/Chappell North America Limited (formerly incorporated as Marmalade Music Ltd., from 1968/09/19–1999/11/09), Ira Gershwin Music (in 1935), WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (from 1935 until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
version of:
Porgy and Bess: Act I, Scene I. “Summertime” (Clara)
2:45
8I Love to Love
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1961)
producer:
Cal Lampley
bass:
Chris White (jazz bassist) (in 1961)
drums (drum set):
Bobby Hamilton (percussionist, keyboards, vocals) (in 1961)
guitar:
Al Schackman (in 1961)
piano:
Nina Simone (in 1961)
vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1961)
cover recording of:
I Love to Love (Herbert Baker song) (in 1961)
lyricist and composer:
Herbert Baker
33:22
9That’s Him Over There
recording engineer:
Rudy van Gelder (in 1959)
producer:
Hecky Krasnow
piano:
Nina Simone (in 1959)
vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1959)
arranger:
Robert Mersey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 1969)
recorded at:
Van Gelder Studio (Hackensack – July 1, 1959) in Hackensack, New Jersey, United States (in 1959)
cover recording of:
That’s Him Over There (in 1959)
lyricist:
Marilyn Bergman
composer:
Lew Spence
4.352:29
10You’ve Been Gone Too Long
recording engineer:
Rudy van Gelder (in 1959)
producer:
Hecky Krasnow
piano:
Nina Simone (in 1959)
vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1959)
arranger:
Robert Mersey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 1969)
recorded at:
Van Gelder Studio (Hackensack – July 1, 1959) in Hackensack, New Jersey, United States (in 1959)
cover recording of:
You’ve Been Gone Too Long (in 1959)
lyricist and composer:
Brother John Sellers
52:08
11Children Go Where I Send You
recording engineer:
Rudy van Gelder (in 1959-04)
producer:
Hecky Krasnow
piano and lead vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1959-04)
arranger:
Robert Mersey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 1960)
recorded at:
Van Gelder Studio (Hackensack – July 1, 1959) in Hackensack, New Jersey, United States (in 1959-04)
cover recording of:
Children Go Where I Send Thee (in 1959-04)
lyricist and composer:
[traditional] (special purpose artist)
part of:
Roud Folk Song Index (number: 133)
42:50
12It Might as Well Be Spring
recording engineer:
Rudy van Gelder (in 1959-04)
producer:
Hecky Krasnow
piano and lead vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1959-04)
arranger:
Robert Mersey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 2004)
recorded at:
Van Gelder Studio (Hackensack – July 1, 1959) in Hackensack, New Jersey, United States (in 1959-04)
cover recording of:
It Might as Well Be Spring (State Fair) (in 1959-04)
lyricist:
Oscar Hammerstein II (of Rodgers & Hammerstein) (in 1945)
composer:
Richard Rodgers (composer) (in 1945)
publisher:
Chappell Music Ltd., Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc. (song publisher, never a release label), Williamson Music Company, Williamson Music, Inc. and ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label)
part of:
The 18th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1) and Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1945 winner)
part of:
State Fair (1945 film soundtrack)
part of:
State Fair (1962 film soundtrack)
part of:
State Fair
3.653:53
13The Gal From Joe’s
cover recording of:
The Gal From Joe’s
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) and Irving Mills
4.52:07
14Memphis in June
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1961)
producer:
Cal Lampley
bass:
Chris White (jazz bassist) (in 1961)
drums (drum set):
Bobby Hamilton (percussionist, keyboards, vocals) (in 1961)
guitar:
Al Schackman (in 1961)
piano:
Nina Simone (in 1961)
vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1961)
cover recording of:
Memphis in June (in 1961)
lyricist:
Paul Francis Webster (in 1945)
composer:
Hoagy Carmichael (in 1945)
publisher:
Almo Music Corp. (USA, affiliated with ASCAP) (in 1945), Universal Music Publishing International Ltd. (in 1945) and Webster Music Co. (in 1945)
52:35
15It Don’t Mean a Thing
lead vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1962)
cover recording of:
It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) (in 1962)
lyricist:
Irving Mills (in 1931)
composer:
Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (Duke Ellington, US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1931-08)
publisher:
Duke Ellington Music and EMI Mills Music (ASCAP-affiliated)
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, Volume I)
42:28
16I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl
producer:
Stu Phillips (US TV/film composer, conductor & producer)
conductor:
Ralph Burns
arranger:
Ralph Burns
recording of:
I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl (Nina Simone's version)
writer:
James “Tim” Brymn, Nina Simone, Dally Small and Clarence Williams (US jazz pianist, composer, singer and bandleader)
arranger:
Nina Simone
publisher:
Sam Fox Publishing Co. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
version of:
Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl (Bessie Smith's version)
live recording of:
I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl (Nina Simone's version)
writer:
James “Tim” Brymn, Nina Simone, Dally Small and Clarence Williams (US jazz pianist, composer, singer and bandleader)
arranger:
Nina Simone
publisher:
Sam Fox Publishing Co. (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
version of:
Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl (Bessie Smith's version)
2:42
17Since My Love Has Gone
arranger:
Stu Phillips (US TV/film composer, conductor & producer)
recording of:
Since My Love Has Gone
writer:
Jack Aaron (co-writer of "Since My Love Has Gone") (in 1951) and Herbert Wasserman (jazz drummer) (in 1951)
composer:
Giuseppe Verdi (Italian opera composer) (in 1853)
publisher:
Dartmouth Music (ASCAP)
is based on:
La traviata: Atto III. “Addio, del passato bei sogni ridenti” (Violetta)
2:46
18Stompin’ at the Savoy
recording engineer:
Rudy van Gelder (in 1959-04)
producer:
Hecky Krasnow
piano:
Nina Simone (in 1959-04)
vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1959-04)
arranger:
Robert Mersey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 2004)
recorded at:
Van Gelder Studio (Hackensack – July 1, 1959) in Hackensack, New Jersey, United States (in 1959-04)
cover recording of:
Stompin’ at the Savoy (in 1959-04)
lyricist:
Andy Razaf
composer:
Benny Goodman (clarinetist and bandleader), Edgar Sampson and Chick Webb
publisher:
EMI Robbins Catalog (ASCAP), Ragbag Music (ASCAP), Razaf Music, Rytvoc (ASCAP), フジパシフィックミュージック SBK事業部 (Fujipacific Music SBK Department) and ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., holding company – do not use as release label)
42:06
19I’ll Look Around
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1961)
producer:
Cal Lampley
bass:
Chris White (jazz bassist) (in 1961)
drums (drum set):
Bobby Hamilton (percussionist, keyboards, vocals) (in 1961)
guitar:
Al Schackman (in 1961)
piano:
Nina Simone (in 1961)
vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1961)
cover recording of:
I’ll Look Around (in 1961)
lyricist:
Douglass Cross (US songwriter)
composer:
George Cory
publisher:
Universal/MCA Music Ltd. (not for release label use!)
3.55:01
20Under the Lowest
producer:
Bob Blake (co-producer of Nina Simone's live 1959 album "At Town Hall") and Jack Gold
bass:
Jimmy Bond (on 1959-09-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (on 1959-09-12)
membranophone:
Albert “Tootie” Heath
piano:
Nina Simone (on 1959-09-12)
recorded at:
The Town Hall in Theater District, New York, New York, United States (on 1959-09-12)
edit of:
Under the Lowest (live, 1959-09-12: The Town Hall, New York City, NY, USA) by Nina Simone
live recording of:
Under the Lowest (on 1959-09-12)
composer:
Nina Simone
5:25
21Can’t Get Out of This Mood
recording engineer:
Rudy van Gelder (in 1959)
producer:
Hecky Krasnow
piano:
Nina Simone (in 1959)
vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1959)
arranger:
Robert Mersey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 1969)
recorded at:
Van Gelder Studio (Hackensack – July 1, 1959) in Hackensack, New Jersey, United States (in 1959)
cover recording of:
Can’t Get Out of This Mood (in 1959)
lyricist:
Frank Loesser
composer:
Jimmy McHugh (songwriter)
42:30
22Tomorrow (We Will Meet Once More)
recording engineer:
Rudy van Gelder (in 1959-04)
producer:
Hecky Krasnow
piano:
Nina Simone (in 1959-04)
vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1959-04)
arranger:
Robert Mersey
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
WEA International Inc. (not for release label use! copyrights holder, distributor for the world outside of the US) (in 2004)
recorded at:
Van Gelder Studio (Hackensack – July 1, 1959) in Hackensack, New Jersey, United States (in 1959-04)
recording of:
Tomorrow (We Will Meet Once More) (in 1959-04)
writer:
Stephen Gale and Jerry Silverman
43:00
23Rags and Old Iron
recorded in:
New York, New York, United States (in 1961)
producer:
Cal Lampley
bass:
Chris White (jazz bassist) (in 1961)
drums (drum set):
Bobby Hamilton (percussionist, keyboards, vocals) (in 1961)
guitar:
Al Schackman (in 1961)
piano:
Nina Simone (in 1961)
vocals:
Nina Simone (in 1961)
remixer:
Layo & Bushwacka! (DJs Layo Paskin & Matthew Benjamin)
cover recording of:
Rags and Old Iron (in 1961)
lyricist and composer:
Oscar Brown Jr. (US jazz singer-songwriter from Chicago)
4.54:06
24You Can Have Him
producer:
Bob Blake (co-producer of Nina Simone's live 1959 album "At Town Hall") and Jack Gold
bass:
Jimmy Bond (on 1959-09-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (on 1959-09-12)
piano and lead vocals:
Nina Simone (on 1959-09-12)
recorded at:
The Town Hall in Theater District, New York, New York, United States (on 1959-09-12)
live cover recording of:
You Can Have Him (on 1959-09-12)
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin (in 1949)
cover recording of:
You Can Have Him
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin (in 1949)
5:54
25Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me
cover recording of:
Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me
lyricist:
Bob Russell (US songwriter/lyricist Sidney Keith “Bob” Russell) (in 1943)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1943)
publisher:
Music Sales Corporation (American copyright holder in both popular and classical music) and Sony/ATV Harmony
version of:
Concerto for Cootie
3.52:47
26Central Park Blues
double bass:
Jimmy Bond (in 1957-12)
drums (drum set):
Albert “Tootie” Heath (in 1957-12)
piano:
Nina Simone (in 1957-12)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Bethlehem Records (US jazz label, active 1950s–) (in 1958)
edit of:
Central Park Blues (hi fidelity mono) by Nina Simone
recording of:
Central Park Blues
composer:
Nina Simone
publisher:
Memory Music Lane Ltd.
43:03
3▶Digital Media