Wild is the Wind / High Priestess of Soul
Nina Simone has long been notorious for her eclecticism, and this set of two 1966 LPs provides ample evidence of her disinterest with strict segmentation.Wild is the Windis culled from five separate '64 and '65 sessions and finds the mercurial madam backed by an orchestra and small ensembles. Most striking is Simone's own "Four Women," an early indication of her always-near-boil rage.High Priestessfinds Simone essaying everything fromChuck BerrytoDuke Ellingtonto the accompaniment of a big band directed by Hal Mooney. The boisterous arrangements aren't particularly flattering, but Simone is engaged and engaging throughout.--Steven Stolder