B. Doro | Mt. Bethel, PA United States | 01/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Nina Simone's voice is an acquired taste - and granted some people never acquire it. Yet, as much of a stickler as I usually am for things like PITCH, I didn't have any trouble enjoying this album! I found her approach to all of the material very engaging and I was genuinely moved by her renditions of the title track, THE FOLKS WHO LIVE ON THE HILL and PAPA, CAN YOU HEAR ME. The arrangements are all thoughtful and supportive, and I'd have to say that this is a very special CD for me - evocative, challenging, emotionally heart-wrenching and resigned. Nina really TAKES YOU SOMEWHERE - and isn't that what art's about?"
Moody, doomy, brilliance
Joshua E. Hinkson Jr. | 10/01/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"the greatest diva returns and delivers- dear miss simone keep recording gems such as this we need your genius, please return to the recording studios. delight us and give us the joy of life you GIVE- LONG MAY YOU REIGN! this cd is something else - sublime, all hail to dr simone"
Incomparable!
Mar-mar | Sacramento, CA USA | 01/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"An untouchable final recording by the High Priestess of Soul. She manages to harness the fear of loneliness and the sagely wisdom of one who has experienced love and will have it again, into a beautiful almost overly produced recording. The title track, "Single Woman" rivals Billie Holiday's "The End of A Love Affair" as one of those prophetic songs that will go on haunting you forever. If you need a good cry, take this CD out, make some tea and sit back. A warning, though, this is for Nina fans. I can't imagine beginning here and coming away as happy as I have. You need to know the arc of her work, though tunes like "Marry Me", "The More I See You", "Just Say I Love Him" will go over well with everyone. If you are a fan, you MUST own this CD!!!"
Lush and So Rich
Mar-mar | 05/07/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I came across this CD, and wondered if I'd like a '93 recording of Nina as much as I liked her earlier work. Oh, do I. Although she plays piano on only one song, she holds her own with these orchestra-backed songs. Her voice is rich and full, and totally hers. Time has blessed her with an alto as strong and rich as pure cream. She takes the song "Papa, Can You Hear Me"--that's right, from the movie "Yentl"! And she makes it strong and sorrowful as it never was before. Heck. Buy this album."
A Masterpiece
Joshua E. Hinkson Jr. | Mount Vernon, NY United States | 07/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Nina Simone's return to recording after a hiatus was truly pleasing with this album. She is one of America's best storytellers. Every song on this album is the song of a troubador and she delivers them that way. Nina has been a loner and seen a thousand faces. All of the joys and pains of her career are totally evident in this album."