There is a remarkable amount of variety on this disc,
Nina Simone's
second recording. Her repertoire ranges from a swinging
"Stompin' at the Savoy"
and an emotional "It Might as Well Be Spring" to an English folk ballad ("Tomorrow"), spirituals, an R&B song ("You've Been Gone Too Long") and the theme song from the movie
Middle of the Night
. Somehow
Simone
brings credibility to each of these very different songs. She does not play much piano (just cameos on two songs) and is backed by a subtle orchestra arranged by
Bob Mersey
that is effective accompanying her vocals. This session finds
voice in top form and with a few exceptions is generally jazz-oriented. ~ Scott Yanow