The Very Best of Nina Simone

"The Very Best of Nina Simone" is a selection of twenty songs by the famed American singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist, Nina Simone. Released in 2006 by Sony BMG, the compilation consists of songs from different stages of Nina Simone's career, including some of her most celebrated compositions and performances.

The album showcases Simone's unique fusion of folk, jazz, and soul music, replete with her distinctive contralto vocals and piano accompaniment. The set opens with her iconic "Feeling Good" from 1965 and includes other fan favorites like "I Loves You Porgy," "Ain't Got No / I Got Life," and "My Baby Just Cares for Me." Other standout tracks are her renditions of classics like "I Put a Spell on You," "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," and Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are a-Changin'".

This collection encapsulates the essence of Nina Simone's vast discography and charismatic performances, underlining both her musical prowess and the socio-political messages often present in her work. As such, "The Very Best of Nina Simone" serves both as a great introduction to her influential work for new listeners and as a nostalgic journey through her musical career for long-standing fans.

Born in 1933 in North Carolina, Nina Simone was not only a talented musician but also a prominent figure in the civil rights movement. She used her music to discuss and emphasize societal issues, particularly racial inequality in the U.S., making her one of the leading musical voices of social protest during the 1960s. The emotion and pertinence of these themes can be clearly felt in her music, and her influence extends beyond her discography into her impact as a pivotal figure in American music history, a legacy that is celebrated in this compilation.