"Sinnerman" by Nina Simone

Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to? To the rock? To the river? To the sea? Well, wherever you run, you'll still be starring in a Strong Songs analysis of one of Nina Simone's greatest recordings.

Yes, it's time for Strong Songs' first-ever analysis of a live recording, as Kirk digs in to legendary pianist/vocalist Nina Simone's 1965 interpretation of the traditional spiritual song "Sinnerman." It's time for some syncopated piano, popless grooves, band crash-landings, hand-clap breakdowns, hip hop samples, and one spectacular vocal cadenza.

Artist: Nina Simone

Album: Pastel Blues (1965)

Written by: Traditional, arr. Nina Simone

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

"I Put a Spell On You" and "Feeling Good" as performed by Nina Simone on I Put a Spell On You, 1965
"Strange Fruit" as performed by Simone on Pastel Blues, 1965
"Sinner Man" arranged by Les Baxter for his orchestra
"Oh, Timbaland" by Timbaland from Shock Value, 2007
"Get By" by Talib Kweli from Quality, 2002
Audio from John McTiernan's underrated 1999 remake of The Thomas Crown Affair
Audio from Liz Garbus' excellent 2015 documentary What Happened, Miss Simone?

OUTRO SOLOIST: Rob Reich

This episode's outro soloist is the wonderful bay area pianist/accordionist Rob Reich. Rob performs all over the place with a bunch of different groups, and is a total pleasure to see play. He's got a bunch of albums you can check out and contributes to an array of interesting projects (Live silent-film scores! Circus music!) and experiments. Find more at his website, http://www.robreich.com/.

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