Nina Simone Dies

Gothamist is deeply saddened by Nina Simone's death. She was age 70 and died at her home in France. Her unusually rich and evocative voice communicated a thousand things at once. Although she was called frequently labeled as a jazz musician, she said, "If I had to be called something, it should have been a folk singer because there was more folk and blues than jazz in my playing."

Gothamist's first Nina Simone album was The Best of Nina Simone with "I Loves You, Porgy" and "I Put a Spell on You" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." And "Ne Me Quitte Pas." Sigh. We'll miss you, Nina.

Nina Simone's official website

The uneven but still interesting remake of La Femme Nikita, the John Badham directed Point of No Return, had Bridget Fonda's addict-turn-assassin listening to Nina Simone. Point of No Return soundtrack, but Gothamist would recommend The Very Best of Nina Simone.