Nina Simone Baltimore CD

The seeds for BALTIMORE were sown when producer Creed Taylor approached the legendary Nina Simone after her 1977 appearance at London's Drury Lane Theater with the idea of recording an album for his CTI record label. At this point Simone had ended her seven-year association with RCA Records and hadn't made a studio album in almost four years. The results of this 1978 release, mostly recorded in Brussels, are slightly production-heavy yet never less than charming; there's an 18-piece string section (overdubbed in New York), and a small choir, in addition to the band.

Though the choice of material is somewhat puzzling, including versions of Hall and Oates' "Rich Girl" and the country song "The Family" (Simone claimed to have little part in the selection), the album boasts a few spellbinding cuts, including a moving version of Judy Collins' nostalgic song "My Father." There's also a powerful performance of Bernard Ighner's "Everything Must Change," as well as an intense interpretation of the Randy Newman title song.

CTI Master Series remastered reissue of 1978 album for one of the few performers who can bridge the artistic gap between pop & jazz, funk & soul, sometimes within the confines of a single album. Such is the case with Baltimore, the only album she recorded for CTI, as it stands out as one of her best efforts, and a true landmark in an eclectic career. 10 tracks. 2003.

Recorded at Sudio Katy, Brussels, Belgium in January 1978. Includes liner notes by David Nathan & Creed Taylor.

Reissue producer: Didier C. Deutsch.

Personnel: Barry Finclair, Marvin Morgenstern, Herbert Sorkin, Harry Glickman, Charles Libove, David Nadien, Richard Sortomme, Max Ellen, Harry Lookofsky (violin); Lamar Alsop, Alfred Brown , Emanuel Vardi (viola); Jonathan Arramowitz, Alan Schulman, Charles McCracken (cello); Albertine Robinson, Joshie Armstead, Milt Grayson, Ray Simpson, Babi Floyd, Maeretha Stewart, Frank Floyd (background vocals).

Personnel: Nina Simone (vocals, arranger, keyboards); David Matthews (arranger, piano); Max Ellen, Barry Finclair, Harry Glickman, Charles Libove, Harry Lookofsky, Marvin Morgenstern, David Nadien, Herbert Sorkin, Richard Sortomme (violin); Lamar Alsop, Alfred Brown, Emanuel Vardi (viola); Jonathan Abramowitz, Charles McCracken, Alan Shulman (cello); Al Schackman (piano); Jerry Friedman, Eric Gale (guitar); John Beal, Charles Israels, Homer Mensch (acoustic bass); Gary King, Will Lee (electric bass); Jim Madison, Andy Newmark (drums); Al Schackman (tambourine); Nicky Marrero (percussion); Joshie Armstead, Debbie McDuffie, Albertine Robinson, Maeretha Stewart, Babi Floyd, Frank Floyd, Milt Grayson, Ray Simpson (background vocals).

Producer: Creed Taylor.

Q (12/03, p.156) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...It still hits extraordinary peaks....'Everything Must Change' is candidate for the most heartwrenching three minutes of all time..."