nature

under the covers #25

/ mobius faith
Otherworldly Overview
Nina Simone will probably always be remembered as one of the finest interpreters of song.  She has covered some of the biggest songs of her generation.   But her songs are not mere covers.    She completely re-interprets songs making them personal statements, protest anthems, consciousness raising art.    

Today I'm posting her cover of Bob Dylan's, Just Like A Woman.   In Dylan's original version he is merely making an observation but when Nina sings it,  she OWNS it - she makes it all about her.   
She identifies with and personalizes it to depths that make it one of the most emotional renderings of this song.

UNDER THE COVERS #7

/ mobius faith / 1 Comment
SHED BY THE POND
Paul Simon is a songwriter on par (in my mind) with Dylan and McCartney.     Paul's fourth solo album, Still Crazy After All These Years is still a personal favorite.  Great songwriting.   Wonderful performance.    So how does Paul's music get translated into jazz?     Quite easily if your keyboard player, Dr Lonnie Smith.    The good doctor has been has been around for decades and only recently passed away (2021).    All In My Mind is his second to last studio recording and is as good as anything he has done.   Just amazing keyboard work.  

Simon's 50 WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LEAVE YOUR LOVER (from Still Crazy...) is ably covered here with a jazz funk vibe that Smith makes his own.     Enjoy.