Nina Simone - Live at Ronnie Scott's
There's some deep soul in effect here-–as there nearly always was when Nina Simone, who died at age 70 in '03, got anywhere near a piano and a microphone. The fiercely individual, genre-defying performer, filmed in a 1985 performance at Ronnie Scott's in London, is accompanied by drummer Paul Robinson for a set that includes some of her better-known material, like the Gershwins' "I Loves You Porgy" and "Mississippi Goddam," a product of Simone's racially and politically charged '60s period. Elsewhere, she sings a tune ("Fodder in Her Wings") that could be an ancient British folk song, while "God, God, God" and "Be My Husband" are rhythmically driving, almost chant-like meditations. The film is rather grainy and not especially imaginatively directed, but little matter; every note is imbued with conviction and intelligence, and there is absolutely nothing trivial going on here. (Interview segments connect the songs, but there's no bonus material.)--Sam Graham