Nina Simone – A Very Rare Evening (Vinyl LP)

Tidal Waves Music proudly presents a vinyl LP reissue of Nina Simone’s A Very Rare Evening. Originally released on PM records in 1979, it features Weldon Irvine on organ, Don Allias on drums and jazz legend Gene Perla on bass. Included on these European sessions from 1969 you’ll find Nina classics and rare versions of recordings written by Aretha Franklin, Barry Gibb, Randy Newman and Pete Seeger. One of the most sought after Simone albums, A Very Rare Evening is now back on the format for the first time since 1979. Produced by Gene Perla, officially licensed from PM Records and featuring the original artwork created by A.M. Schnider.

“Anything by this lady of song is welcome, especially when she’s in front of an adoring audience, as she is in these decade-old, never-released sides. Simone covers all bases from Barry Gibb’s “In The Morning,” to Pete Seeger’s adaptation from the Book of Ecclesiastes, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” She gives special meaning to such tunes as the poignant “The Other Woman,” the gospel inflected “Save Me,” and “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today.” But the highlight is her own tune, composed with keyboardist Weldon Irvine, Revolution.”- Cash Box Magazine

“Though the Simone catalog overflows with live recordings, this 1969 German concert outranks all others. Focusing almost exclusively on then-contemporary material – the Gibb brothers’ “In the Morning” and “To Love Somebody,” Randy Newman’s “I Think It’s Going to Rain Today,” Aretha Franklin’s “Save Me,” the Byrds’ “Turn! Turn! Turn!” – Simone is at her most assuredly earthy and intrepidly regal.” – The Jazz Times