In the late fifties, Nina Simone made such a profound debut in the jazz field that the label “jazz singer” threatened to bind in her infinite and many-faceted talent.

Now, this album sets the record straight with a varied repertoire ranging from blues and ballads to Broadway melodies. Still dramatic, still outspoken and somewhat controversial, Nina is, today, much more than just a jazz songstress. And if her style still leans toward the take-it-or-leave-it, that attitude is purely academic.

For who could be so insensitive as to “leave it” when Nina is performing a fine blues number like “Nobody” or the free and easy Cole Porter paean to “The Laziest Gal in Town,” or even a bit of bygone-day romanticism, “The Last Rose of Summer,” performed indulgently proper and straight? Nina Simone is versatile. We could say it over and over again, but why? This album says it so much more eloquently.