The performance on this disc took place in Montreal in front of a francophone audience, which helps drive home the love affair between Nina and the French. Many of the tracks feature an enraptured audience who provide thunderous applause and sing along enthusiastically. Unfortunately, this is not even close to Nina’s best live recording and even an infatuated French audience cannot cover the blemishes.
There are some high points in the recording namely the title track, the incredible chops of the backing band and the powerful anti-racism last track “Mississippi Goddamn”, which Nina delivers with true conviction. However, for the money I would run out and buy the 5 star “Nina Simone Live At Carnegie Hall” from 1962 or the 4 ½ star “Nina Simone At The Village Gate” from 1961. These live recordings capture Nina at her very best and are superior in both quality and length. If you already own these two stellar releases you should go ahead and purchase “Let It Be Me” as it offers an interesting supplement for the true fan.
Track Listing:
1. Stars (Jesse)
2. That’s All I Want From You
3. Ain’t Got No/I Got Life
4. Be My Husband
5. See Line Woman
6. Let It Be Me
7. Mississippi Goddam
Article comments
1 - Tan The Man
Nice...
2 - hannibal means
I AM HANNIBAL MEANS...
THE ONE THAT SANG AND PLAYED FLUTE WTH NINA IN THAT MONTREAL CONCERT...
THE CD
LET IT BE ME...
I WAS PROTEGEE OF NINA SIMONE FOR MANY YEARS...
WE FIRST MET WHEN I WAS 27...
I SOMEHOW KNEW FROM AGE 13...WHEN I FIRST HEARD HER SING THAT I WOULD PLAY FLUTE WITH HER AND SING WITH HER IN CONCERT...
DONT ASK ME HOW I KNEW IT I JUST KNEW IT...
I SHOULD LOVE TO TELL OF THE TIME IN WASHINGTON DC WHEN SHE ACCOMPANIED ME IN YOULL NEVER WALK ALONE...
ALL THE WHILE MUTTERING UNDER HER BREATH AT THE PIANO...AS SHE PLAYED...
YOU BETTER BE THAKFUL FOR THIS...
I NEVER DID THIS FOR NO BODY BUT JOHNNY MATHIS...
.AND THEN DID 40 MINUTES OF ENCORES...WEARING HERSELF TO SHREDS...AND FLAMING WITH RAGE...
SAYING
I WILL NOT BE ECLIPSED BY YOU ...HANNIBAL MEANS
I AM PREPARING
MY TRIBUTE TO NINA SIMONE...FIRST TO BE PERFORMED IN SAN FRANCISCO LASTER THIS YEAR...
NINA ENCOURAGD ME TO SING HER SONGS...SHE ALSO GAVE ME PIANO LESSONS...
I HAVE MANY STORIES TO SHARE FROM THE MANY TRAVELS WITH NINA...
GREETINGS
HANNIBAL MEANS
3 - beli
Hello Hannibal,
Beli here.
I just want to take a moment and thank you once again for the fabulous interview you provided me with. The time you gave, the stories you shared, the meals you cooked, and the love you beamed will be remembered and felt by me always.
Your graciousness of allowing me so much time while sharing incredibly detailed accounts of your life and experience with Nina Simone, was far more than anything I could have expected.
Thank you Hannibal... you have allowed me to sit in the company of GIANTS.
"it was so quiet"... I am still laughing out loud!
My Love,
Beli
READERS: if you wish to hear the interview segments with Hannibal, go here: queerchannelradio.com
- and download, podcast, or listen to Show 5/28