"Little Girl Blue" is the debut album by Nina Simone, an iconic American singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist. This jazz album was released by Bethlehem Records in February 1959. While not an immediate commercial success, it allowed Simone to showcase her unique talent and build her reputation as an influential figure in the music industry.
Despite the relative obscurity of the album at the time, it contained what would later become one of Simone’s most celebrated hits – "I Loves You, Porgy," a cover from George Gershwin's opera "Porgy and Bess." This song became Simone’s only top 20 hit in the United States, peaking at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The title of the album "Little Girl Blue" is derived from the Rodgers and Hart song of the same name, which is featured in the album along with other jazz standards. The uniquely diversified musical style, emotional depth, and passionate voice on these tracks established Simone as an artist with an extraordinary range of musical ability.
Throughout her long career, Nina Simone used music not only for artistic expression but also as a means to convey her political beliefs, particularly in the fight for civil rights. “Little Girl Blue” is the first glance into her immense talent that combined musical versatility with messages of social consciousness and activism.
