What Happened Miss Simone - Book Review

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There must be 9 or more books about the complex Miss Simone. Just about all of them deal with her troubled life and strained relationships (both with partners & record companies), but there is no denying her musical genius.

This book joins a 'crowded market' where older attempts to document her life are currently selling for just pence on-line & in 2nd hand book shops. I wish it well but will (for the present) stick with the 2 books on her I already own. 

Nina drew much criticism from the press down the years. The song "4 Women" that she wrote & performed really got them going at her .......

.... does it get a mention at all in this book ?

 

 

A fascinating chapter of her life / career was the long spell she was married to (& managed by) Andy Stroud. He would tour with her (he came to the UK in the 60's & maybe 70's as well). Of course they owned (& he ran) Ninandy Records. Nina 'discovered' the Swordsmen while gigging in Cleveland & they were signed to the couple's label. When Nina landed a deal with RCA, they took on some Ninandy artists, the Swordsmen being the main one. So the group had NS / AS connected releases from 67 (?) thru to 71.

Any mention of Ninandy & the Swordsmen (Eddie Anderson & Ray Thompson) in this book ? 

so this book accompanies the documentary of the same name that recently came out? i enjoyed the doco but as alluded to above, it didn't bring anything new to the table.

On ‎10‎/‎03‎/‎2016 at 10:02, Roburt said:

Nina drew much criticism from the press down the years. The song "4 Women" that she wrote & performed really got them going at her .......

.... does it get a mention at all in this book ?

 

 

Yes, there is reference to "Four Women" - "... greatest contribution in 1966 (and amongst her most important works ever). A song only her black audiences could truly understand. It then goes on to describe the @Four Women' in detail.

There is no reference to either Anderson or Thompson within the book.

A bit from another publication about "Four Women" ..........

 

Overrated pop/novelty singer pushed hard on the public by the record industry now and then (when the industry was beginning to realize that controversy sells).