Nina Simone
Young, Gifted and Black48 total reviews
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
What an amazing lady! She is to be admired for persevering in her quest to sing, and to protest against racism, with her music. Your poem was a delight to read, Debbie, and your extensively researched author's notes really allowed us to see, and get to know, Nina the child and the woman. All was such a pleasure to read! Well done, my friend. Sandra xx
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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What an amazing lady! She is to be admired for persevering in her quest to sing, and to protest against racism, with her music. Your poem was a delight to read, Debbie, and your extensively researched author's notes really allowed us to see, and get to know, Nina the child and the woman. All was such a pleasure to read! Well done, my friend. Sandra xx
Comment Written 17-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much, Sandra, for your time, kindness and care here, so greatly appreciated xx
Comment from JSD
Love this Debbie. Just popped in to read the interview reviews and saw this. I just adore Nina. Bitter Fruit reminding of the great Billie Holliday song, Strange Fruit? I have loads of her stuff. Have you heard her tribute to Martin Luther King sung live the day after he was shot. It's incredible. Check out any of her live albums. Also worthy of mention is her Four Women. Debbie, this is a fitting tribute to a proper legend. Well done. X
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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Love this Debbie. Just popped in to read the interview reviews and saw this. I just adore Nina. Bitter Fruit reminding of the great Billie Holliday song, Strange Fruit? I have loads of her stuff. Have you heard her tribute to Martin Luther King sung live the day after he was shot. It's incredible. Check out any of her live albums. Also worthy of mention is her Four Women. Debbie, this is a fitting tribute to a proper legend. Well done. X
Comment Written 17-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much, John, for this kind and informed (as ever with your musical tastes) review. Yes, she sang Strange Fruit too. But Bitter Fruit came into my head and it was getting a bit too fruity to mention too much of the stuff! I think the tribute to MLK is The King Of Love is Dead (They were all like pins to a magnet with that guy). The problem was he was so magnetic that everything went quiet(er) after his passing. Thank you again, John. The interview has done very well hasn't it? Take care Debbie X
Comment from jenintorre
Wow. Excellent! What more can I say. Thanks so much for the music. 'Feeling good' is my favourite number of all time. I met Nina Simone back in the 90's at Central T.V. Studios where she was filming with Meat loaf and other artists.
Have a nice day. Jen.
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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Wow. Excellent! What more can I say. Thanks so much for the music. 'Feeling good' is my favourite number of all time. I met Nina Simone back in the 90's at Central T.V. Studios where she was filming with Meat loaf and other artists.
Have a nice day. Jen.
Comment Written 17-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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Well, I'm equally wowing your cool reference to meeting Nina, so I'm fascinated to know what your work was:) Thank you so much, Jen, for such a lovely, informative review. I greatly appreciate this. Take care Debbie
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Hi Debbie. Back in the day I had a Dance center and Agency. We supplied artists for T.V. Shows (among other things)Those were the days, however I now live in Sunny Spain and living the life. How about you. What do you do or did? Love Jen. X
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Nothing nearly as exciting. I was a teacher, then a Probation/Parole Officer for 25 years, dealing with the highest risk offenders and writing court reports (obviously where I got my love of case studies or just being plain nosy). How I long for your lovely climate - stuck here in the rain and cloud (South Wales, UK). Love Debbie x
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Hi Debbie
Ah a fellow Brit. Your job sounds well interesting as I am also very mosey. Take care. Jen. X
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Of course Central TV. I always immediately assume I'm talking to an American. My job was great in the beginning. We had a lot of autonomy and could do a fair bit of useful family intervention etc. And then computers took over and the IT department took control over humanity!!
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Too right!
Comment from Gloria ....
I am not overly familiar with Nina's work but she definitely had all the natural talent. I expect that with her bi-polar disease and activism she would've been sidelined by the music industry that wants a star they can mold into their own shape. The music moguls didn't, and still don't, promote difficult talent because it's bad for business.
Your metre and rhyme is spot on, and you have seamlessly worked in some key titles from her more well-known songs. Not an easy thing to do by any stretch of the imagination. Your well-researched author notes add to our understanding of an eclectic and undeniably influential musician and activist.
Another magnificent piece, Debbie. Many thanks for sharing. :)
Gloria
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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I am not overly familiar with Nina's work but she definitely had all the natural talent. I expect that with her bi-polar disease and activism she would've been sidelined by the music industry that wants a star they can mold into their own shape. The music moguls didn't, and still don't, promote difficult talent because it's bad for business.
Your metre and rhyme is spot on, and you have seamlessly worked in some key titles from her more well-known songs. Not an easy thing to do by any stretch of the imagination. Your well-researched author notes add to our understanding of an eclectic and undeniably influential musician and activist.
Another magnificent piece, Debbie. Many thanks for sharing. :)
Gloria
Comment Written 17-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much, Gloria. Yes, I think it was testament to her very assertive and committed personality that she rose to the heights she did. Her illness went on for decades and friends would have to surreptitiously mix her medication into her food when she failed to take it. Quite a handful and I have to admit I found this one quite difficult. Thank you for understanding her situation so well. Take care Debbie
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Debbie,
I feel like I should know Nina Simone, but for some reason her music doesn't ring a bell with me. I thought the Byrds sang Turn, Turn, Turn, but maybe they both did. I suppose on the one hand, the trials of growing up in the south brought about a richer musical style. Adversity can sometimes bring out the best in people. Well done gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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Hello Debbie,
I feel like I should know Nina Simone, but for some reason her music doesn't ring a bell with me. I thought the Byrds sang Turn, Turn, Turn, but maybe they both did. I suppose on the one hand, the trials of growing up in the south brought about a richer musical style. Adversity can sometimes bring out the best in people. Well done gal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment Written 16-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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Dear Tom, thank you so much for your kind and supportive review. You're right about the Byrds but she also covered it as she did with many of her songs (including The Beatles). I think you're absolutely right about adversity and, boy, did she have some fight in her! Take care Debbie
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
I love Nina Simone. You did her justice. You have so much information... a nice background for your poem. The only thing I have a suggestion... change subtitle....
Young and Gifted
Well done!!!
Young and Gifted
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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I love Nina Simone. You did her justice. You have so much information... a nice background for your poem. The only thing I have a suggestion... change subtitle....
Young and Gifted
Well done!!!
Young and Gifted
Comment Written 16-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much, Gypsy, for your kind review! And I would not normally have put that for a subtitle had it not been a song title. If you think it still offends, I will consider changing it. The trouble is, it's such a celebration of being Black. Thank you again. Debbie
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Oh, that sounds good. I didn't think it was offensive, I just thought it wasn't needed but now I know it's a song. I love her music.
Comment from Pam (respa)
-Very nice image and presentation, Debbie.
-Another remarkable poem about a remarkable singer.
-I am not that familiar with her work, but I
listened to a little of "Feeling Good" and recognized that.
-I've probably heard "Take Me to the Water," as well.
-Your research is always appreciated, along with
your talent in writing these poems, always incorporating
works the people are known for.
-Amazing that she had talent at age 3.
-It is always a shame that racism gets in the way,
but she stood her ground for her and her parents.
I admire her for that.
-I like your comparison of her voice becoming
a conduit for her fist.
-I am sorry to hear she had to fight mental
illness along with everything else.
-A very nice concluding verse in the poem as
well as the conclusion in your notes.
-Beautiful work!!!
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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-Very nice image and presentation, Debbie.
-Another remarkable poem about a remarkable singer.
-I am not that familiar with her work, but I
listened to a little of "Feeling Good" and recognized that.
-I've probably heard "Take Me to the Water," as well.
-Your research is always appreciated, along with
your talent in writing these poems, always incorporating
works the people are known for.
-Amazing that she had talent at age 3.
-It is always a shame that racism gets in the way,
but she stood her ground for her and her parents.
I admire her for that.
-I like your comparison of her voice becoming
a conduit for her fist.
-I am sorry to hear she had to fight mental
illness along with everything else.
-A very nice concluding verse in the poem as
well as the conclusion in your notes.
-Beautiful work!!!
Comment Written 16-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 17-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much, Pam, for this very kind and full review which I greatly appreciate! The fact that you read everything and cover details in your review so thoroughly is always very welcome. Take care Debbie
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You are very welcome and deserving, Debbie, and you take care, too.
Comment from LJbutterfly
You did a remarkable job capturing the highlights of Nina Simone's life in poetry. I watched a Netflix documentary about her and know that she struggled with racism and tried to pay the world back, or make her audience uncomfortable with realistic, and often harsh lyrics in her music. She was a phenomenal classical pianist, but was encouraged to sing if she wanted to earn a living with music.
Thank you for your research and comprehensive poem and informative essay on her life.
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2024
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You did a remarkable job capturing the highlights of Nina Simone's life in poetry. I watched a Netflix documentary about her and know that she struggled with racism and tried to pay the world back, or make her audience uncomfortable with realistic, and often harsh lyrics in her music. She was a phenomenal classical pianist, but was encouraged to sing if she wanted to earn a living with music.
Thank you for your research and comprehensive poem and informative essay on her life.
Comment Written 16-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review! And, yes, you're completely right and thank you for understanding that because it really was a case of pay-back time, especially in Mississippi Goddam. She crossed a line, I think, that Maya Angelou warned against and that was to become bitter and not simply angry (bitter eats into its host). She actually became so driven by activism that it took over from her passion for music. That said, she struggled against bi-polar and was medicated for decades so all of that couldn't have helped. I have to say she was the hardest of all my biographies, especially after the much more upbeat and adorable Maya Angelou. I must see if I can get that Netflix documentary. Take care Debbie
Comment from Barry Penfold
Another ripper of poem. A singer who had such a powerful voice and with purpose. Clever rhyming and thanks for the notes. You create a history lesson along with the poem. Well done Debbie. Take care and have a wonderful day.
Regards
Barry Penfold.
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2024
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Another ripper of poem. A singer who had such a powerful voice and with purpose. Clever rhyming and thanks for the notes. You create a history lesson along with the poem. Well done Debbie. Take care and have a wonderful day.
Regards
Barry Penfold.
Comment Written 16-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much, Barry, for this lovely, encouraging review which I greatly appreciate! I'm very flattered by your first sentence which I love! Take care Debbie
Comment from dragonpoet
Hi Debbie,
This is an artist, but it seems she was born at the wrong re to become really famous. It is good that she was an activist too. You used the titles well.
Keep writing and stay healthy:
Have a great week.'
Joan
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2024
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Hi Debbie,
This is an artist, but it seems she was born at the wrong re to become really famous. It is good that she was an activist too. You used the titles well.
Keep writing and stay healthy:
Have a great week.'
Joan
Comment Written 16-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 16-Apr-2024
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Thank you so much, Joan, for your lovely review! I'm very grateful. Enjoy your week too. Debbie
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You are most kindly welcome, Debbie.
Joan
