Nina Simone — Black Is the Color of My True
Album: Verve Remixed, Vol. 2Avg rating:
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Total ratings: 569
Length: 4:53
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Black is the color of my true love's hair
His face is like roses so fair
He's the prettiest face
And the neatest of hands
I love the ground on where he stands
Oh I love my love
And this he knows
I love the ground on whereon he goes
If you no more on earth I see,
I can't serve you as you have me
The winters passed and the leaves are green
The time is passed that we have seen
But still I hope the time will come
When you and I will be as one
I go to the Clyde to mourn and weep,
But satisfied I never could sleep
I write you a letter
Just a few short lines
I'll suffer death ten thousnad times.
So fare you well my ain true love
The time has passed but I wish you well
But still I hope the time will come
When you and I wil be as one.
I love my love and this she knows
I love the ground whereon he goes
He's theprettiest face and the neatest of hands,
I love the ground whereon he stands.
His face is like roses so fair
He's the prettiest face
And the neatest of hands
I love the ground on where he stands
Oh I love my love
And this he knows
I love the ground on whereon he goes
If you no more on earth I see,
I can't serve you as you have me
The winters passed and the leaves are green
The time is passed that we have seen
But still I hope the time will come
When you and I will be as one
I go to the Clyde to mourn and weep,
But satisfied I never could sleep
I write you a letter
Just a few short lines
I'll suffer death ten thousnad times.
So fare you well my ain true love
The time has passed but I wish you well
But still I hope the time will come
When you and I wil be as one.
I love my love and this she knows
I love the ground whereon he goes
He's theprettiest face and the neatest of hands,
I love the ground whereon he stands.
Comments (43)add comment
Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair
full title 'n' all ... from "Nina Simone", 1958.
full title 'n' all ... from "Nina Simone", 1958.
Most excellent!
whomhow wrote:
Agreed.
agreed totally.
DaidyBoy wrote:
DaidyBoy wrote:
I hold Ms Simone in very high esteem and my ears think that this devalues her talent. Just me, though.
Agreed.
River Clyde mentioned gives a hint to it's long term ancestry ...
woodchuk wrote:
I'm pretty sure it's an American folk song, from about 100 years ago.
A very interesting take on what seems like an old Irish folk tune... 7 for now...
I'm pretty sure it's an American folk song, from about 100 years ago.
agreed totally.
DaidyBoy wrote:
DaidyBoy wrote:
I hold Ms Simone in very high esteem and my ears think that this devalues her talent. Just me, though.
I hold Ms Simone in very high esteem and my ears think that this devalues her talent. Just me, though.
ShamanManu wrote:
Diito. Thanks Bill.
made me look for the original - masterpiece!
note for Bill - play it! :D
note for Bill - play it! :D
Diito. Thanks Bill.
made me look for the original - masterpiece!
note for Bill - play it! :D
note for Bill - play it! :D
sid1950 wrote:
Verve Records
Not to be confused with The Verve or The Verve Pipe. :)
Not a fan of the Verve or of this sort of music, but Nina brings something new to this version. Interesting to hear a cover of a cover.
Verve Records
Not to be confused with The Verve or The Verve Pipe. :)
garyalex wrote:
Yes it was great! A troubled woman, but an incredible artist. I'm a Nina fan, and she's had a bit of a revival recently with this documentary and a tribute album released in July. And NPR had a story on her recently I think too.
For anyone interested in learning more about Nina Simone, watch "What Happened Miss Simone?" on Netflix. It's an amazing story.
Yes it was great! A troubled woman, but an incredible artist. I'm a Nina fan, and she's had a bit of a revival recently with this documentary and a tribute album released in July. And NPR had a story on her recently I think too.
sid1950 wrote:
I'll take that a step further: Show me one musician that didn't learn or play someone else's music. That's just how it works. When you (and I mean _you_) listen to a recording of someone playing a cover of another song, the fact that _you_ are actually hearing it is incidental. They've played that cover before. It just happened to get recorded and now you're listening to it.
Artists by nature will always learn, build upon, and be influenced by prior artist's work. That's just how it works.
To the commenter below who complained about this: music is supposed to be reinterpreted. There is nothing wrong with an artist going back and doing a new and different take on an old song. That's what keeps music fresh, and it is the music that is most important I like this one.
I'll take that a step further: Show me one musician that didn't learn or play someone else's music. That's just how it works. When you (and I mean _you_) listen to a recording of someone playing a cover of another song, the fact that _you_ are actually hearing it is incidental. They've played that cover before. It just happened to get recorded and now you're listening to it.
Artists by nature will always learn, build upon, and be influenced by prior artist's work. That's just how it works.
For anyone interested in learning more about Nina Simone, watch "What Happened Miss Simone?" on Netflix. It's an amazing story.
Lazarus wrote:
Is this a parody of Donovan's song "Colors"? The music is kinda cool... hmmmm... I'll leave it unrated...
Judging by more recent revelations, you have now decided that this piece deserves recognition.; - even if it does make you cross-eyed. Noticed any hairs on your palms? That would be a clue.
Is this a parody of Donovan's song "Colors"? The music is kinda cool... hmmmm... I'll leave it unrated...
Judging by more recent revelations, you have now decided that this piece deserves recognition.; - even if it does make you cross-eyed. Noticed any hairs on your palms? That would be a clue.
interesting mix of old meets new. vocals are amazing. I usually enjoy verve remixes when they accentuate a bass line. I like the keyboards but the percussion seems to be a bit canned w/ little soul.
Everybody in my alien space craft loves this song... we be dancing cross-eyed and buck naked like Willy Shakes... we love sex, drugs, and rock n-roll...
Poacher wrote:
Is it really a problem revisiting good tunes and putting another slant on them? Nothing takes away from her original performance, that is still there and intact.
Personally, I like anyone taking a song that they obviously love and then spending time in refashioning it. After all. . . should we not be promoting recycling in these times? ;)
Well, I tend to be pretty open-minded to people putting a new slant on things and mashing stuff up. But this one doesn't really work. The drumming is like that guy in the cinema who can't help delving into his bag of crisps during the romantic scenes.
Is it really a problem revisiting good tunes and putting another slant on them? Nothing takes away from her original performance, that is still there and intact.
Personally, I like anyone taking a song that they obviously love and then spending time in refashioning it. After all. . . should we not be promoting recycling in these times? ;)
Well, I tend to be pretty open-minded to people putting a new slant on things and mashing stuff up. But this one doesn't really work. The drumming is like that guy in the cinema who can't help delving into his bag of crisps during the romantic scenes.
Not a fan of the Verve or of this sort of music, but Nina brings something new to this version. Interesting to hear a cover of a cover.
To the commenter below who complained about this: music is supposed to be reinterpreted. There is nothing wrong with an artist going back and doing a new and different take on an old song. That's what keeps music fresh, and it is the music that is most important I like this one.
The main reason I listen to RP is the eclectic playlist. I don't like everything they play, but every so often I discover something new. John Peels show on BBC Radio used to be my gateway to new music, but now I use RP. In the last year I have discovered London Grammar & Wolf Alice. I'm now 64, and still listen like to be surprised by something new. Keep up the good work guys!
To the commenter below who complained about this: music is supposed to be reinterpreted. There is nothing wrong with an artist going back and doing a new and different take on an old song. That's what keeps music fresh, and it is the music that is most important I like this one.
The main reason I listen to RP is the eclectic playlist. I don't like everything they play, but every so often I discover something new. John Peels show on BBC Radio used to be my gateway to new music, but now I use RP. In the last year I have discovered London Grammar & Wolf Alice. I'm now 64, and still listen like to be surprised by something new. Keep up the good work guys!
Holy moly ... I recognized the song, but not the singer - I checked the player to see if this might be something new from Alt-J ... coulda been!t
Jelani wrote:
......... and me, "Most Excellant"
I really like this.
......... and me, "Most Excellant"
bam23 wrote:
Is it really a problem revisiting good tunes and putting another slant on them? Nothing takes away from her original performance, that is still there and intact.
Personally, I like anyone taking a song that they obviously love and then spending time in refashioning it. After all. . . should we not be promoting recycling in these times? ;)
So, apparently, Nina Simone's original rendition was not sufficiently modern, so it was necessary to add de rigueur drumming. Fortunately today we all understand that every piece of music is improved by adding a beat, of some sort. What ever was she thinking?
Is it really a problem revisiting good tunes and putting another slant on them? Nothing takes away from her original performance, that is still there and intact.
Personally, I like anyone taking a song that they obviously love and then spending time in refashioning it. After all. . . should we not be promoting recycling in these times? ;)
So, apparently, Nina Simone's original rendition was not sufficiently modern, so it was necessary to add de rigueur drumming. Fortunately today we all understand that every piece of music is improved by adding a beat, of some sort. What ever was she thinking?
I really like this.
really bad
woodchuk wrote:
Well spotted!
Nina here unfortunately doesn't do any justice to the original by Christie Moore, one of the Best contemporary Irish folk singer
A very interesting take on what seems like an old Irish folk tune... 7 for now...
Well spotted!
Nina here unfortunately doesn't do any justice to the original by Christie Moore, one of the Best contemporary Irish folk singer
Lazarus wrote:
Is this a parody of Donovan's song "Colors"? The music is kinda cool... hmmmm... I'll leave it unrated...
Let me rate it for you, Laz. 1
Is this a parody of Donovan's song "Colors"? The music is kinda cool... hmmmm... I'll leave it unrated...
Let me rate it for you, Laz. 1
A very interesting take on what seems like an old Irish folk tune... 7 for now...
Is this a parody of Donovan's song "Colors"? The music is kinda cool... hmmmm... I'll leave it unrated...
sirdroseph wrote:
I have the Nina Simone Anthology CD on my computer, but have to admit that it's been so long since I listened to it that I couldn't remember how the original sounds, so I just switched over for a listen and compare.
The version on the Anthology CD is live but regardless I have to agree with sirdroseph, it blows this remix out of the water. Much slower, just her voice and a sparse piano. Absolutely beautiful.
I don't know this is ok, but loses all of the emotion by remixing it like this. The original is much more powerful.
I have the Nina Simone Anthology CD on my computer, but have to admit that it's been so long since I listened to it that I couldn't remember how the original sounds, so I just switched over for a listen and compare.
The version on the Anthology CD is live but regardless I have to agree with sirdroseph, it blows this remix out of the water. Much slower, just her voice and a sparse piano. Absolutely beautiful.
This version comes in one of the numerous Supperclub albums. But where can I find the original version?
sirdroseph wrote:
Right.
Original is much more powerful and beautiful.
I don't know this is ok, but loses all of the emotion by remixing it like this. The original is much more powerful.
Right.
Original is much more powerful and beautiful.
wonderful playlist - this is like the Ambassador's reception Bill, you are spoiling us and I can't sex these here piglets just born for listening to RP
scraig wrote:
You funny.
I thought it was Tom Petty.
You funny.
I don't know this is ok, but loses all of the emotion by remixing it like this. The original is much more powerful.
I thought it was Tom Petty.
Hi Bill, a better chioce, I want some sugar in my bowl!
Nina, the greatest, Bill, MORE Simone, Black & Blue
This is from her Colpix "Town Hall" album origionally. 1950's. Imagine that. "Cotton Eyed Joe", "Afro Cuban Instrumentials", amazing live performance. Classic. One of her very best.
Her voice is very scary in this.
I don't remember Nina sounding so, um, low.
Outstanding mix of this track! Glad they moved this to the regular channel 
A very interesting take on what seems like an old Irish folk tune... 7 for now...
Proclivities wrote:
I'm pretty sure it's an American folk song, from about 100 years ago.
Both are a bit true, according to Wiki at least, with the following note:
"Black Is the Color (of My True Love's Hair)" (Roud 3103) is a traditional ballad folk song known in the US as associated with colonial and later music in the Appalachian Mountains. It is believed to have originated in Scotland, as it refers to the River Clyde in the lyrics. American musicologist Alan Lomax supported the thesis of Scottish origin, saying that the song was an American "re-make of British materials."[1]
I personally rated the tune an 8 primarily based on the "Verve Remix" effect. LLRP!!