Nina Simone - A Single Woman: The Complete Elektra Recordings

The definitive version of the iconic artist’s final studio album, including 4 previously unissued recordings.

Nina Simone burst into the world with 1959’s Little Girl Blue, and music would never be the same. For over five decades, Nina entertained, enthralled, and educated listeners across her extraordinary recording and performance career.

After a triumphant concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1992, Nina was approached by Elektra A&R executive Michael Alago (whose previous work at the label included Tracy Chapman and Metallica). When asked if Nina was ready to record again, she replied, “Get me the money… then we can talk!” Modeled around two of Simone’s favorites, Frank Sinatra’s A Man Alone (The Words And Music Of Rod McKuen) and Billie Holidays’ Lady In Satin—with the common element that both were recorded with full orchestral accompaniment, the sessions began.

Backed by a 50-piece orchestra, Simone recorded the material that would comprise A Single Woman with producer Andre Fischer (Natalie Cole’s then-husband and former drummer for the band Rufus.) The ten tracks chosen from the sessions were revelatory, weaving songs about love in the style only Nina Simone could conceive and deliver. Simone recorded more material during the sessions, including covers of Bob Dylan, Prince, The Beatles, and Bob Marley, pointing to a potential follow up, but—sadly, A Single Woman would be her final studio album before her passing in 2003.

A Single Woman was reissued in 2006, adding seven of those performances left behind. Now, four more previously unissued recordings from those sessions have been added to create A Single Woman: The Complete Elektra Recordings—21 tracks on CD. Newly remastered, this collection also contains new liner notes from the British Ambassador of Soul, David Nathan, outlining both the recording of the album, but also recounting his nearly three-decade relationship with Dr. Simone—beginning when he formed the UK Nina Simone Appreciation Society in 1965.

Experience this icon’s final studio recordings in the most comprehensive way with A Single Woman: The Complete Elektra Rcordings.