Nina Simone: Emergency Ward -1972 RCA Victor 1st Pressing Promo Stereo 12" LP
$
25
Favourite Auctions
To save auctions to your favourites, please login
If you don't have an account, please register
Description
1972 RCA First Pressing Stereo Release of Composer/Pianist/Jazz Vocalist Nina Simone Entitled Emergency Ward!, Produced by Nina Simone, Andrew Stroud and Weldon J. Irvine Jr., Recording Engineer Is Ed Begley, All Choral Arrangements Conducted by Weldon J. Irvine Jr., Music Arrangements on "Today Is a Killer" by Nina Simone, All Orchestrations by Weldon J. Irvine Jr. - "This unusual record from 1972 is Nina Simone's statement on the Vietnam War. The cover is a collage of news clippings from the conflict, and the song selection and arrangement, though dealing with matters more spiritual than political, reflect the events of the day. The entire first side consists of a powerhouse medley of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" and a poem by David Nelson called "Today Is a Killer," set to music by Simone. The Harrison song is transformed into a sweaty gospel workout that takes its rhythm from the Capitols' "Cool Jerk" and its call-and-response vocal arrangement from the Reverend James Cleveland. Simone artfully alternates the celebratory romp with slow, somber passages featuring her improvised lyrics and passages from the Nelson poem. Even as it passes the 18-minute mark, the medley never loses power, and it remains one of Simone's finest moments. After the triumph of the first side, the flip is only a slight letdown. "Poppies" is melodically vague, but Simone's strong delivery sells it, while George Harrison's "Isn't It a Pity" gets an intense, drawn-out treatment, mostly featuring just Simone's piano and voice. The cover of Emergency Ward! claims it was recorded in concert, but only the first side appears to be live, and even that is riddled with sloppy edits. Though it is one of the stranger records in the Simone oeuvre, Emergency Ward! is consistently thrilling." - Selections on Side 1 Are Medley: a. George Harrison's My Sweet Lord b. David Nelson's Today Is a Killer(Poem) - Tracks for Side 2 Consist of the Lennie Bleecher/Jeremy Wind Penned Poppies and the George Harrison Standard Isn't It a Pity at 11 Minutes 2 Seconds - Used Copy, Cover Near Mint, Record Mint- - Stereo Recording, RCA Victor Promotional Album with Stamp on Front Cover, Product Code LSP-4757 - California Residents Add 9.75% Sales Tax - International S & H Extra -
price rating
