"Sinnerman" by Nina Simone

Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to? To the rock? To the river? To the sea? Well, wherever you run, you'll still be starring in a Strong Songs analysis of one of Nina Simone's greatest recordings.

Yes, it's time for Strong Songs' first-ever analysis of a live recording, as Kirk digs in to legendary pianist/vocalist Nina Simone's 1965 interpretation of the traditional spiritual song "Sinnerman." It's time for some syncopated piano, popless grooves, band crash-landings, hand-clap breakdowns, hip hop samples, and one spectacular vocal cadenza.

Artist: Nina Simone

Album: Pastel Blues (1965)

Written by: Traditional, arr. Nina Simone

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

• "I Put a Spell On You" and "Feeling Good" as performed by Nina Simone on I Put a Spell On You, 1965
• "Strange Fruit" as performed by Simone on Pastel Blues, 1965
• "Sinner Man" arranged by Les Baxter for his orchestra
• "Oh, Timbaland" by Timbaland from Shock Value, 2007
• "Get By" by Talib Kweli from Quality, 2002
• Audio from John McTiernan's underrated 1999 remake of The Thomas Crown Affair
• Audio from Liz Garbus' excellent 2015 documentary What Happened, Miss Simone?

OUTRO SOLOIST: Rob Reich

This episode's outro soloist is the wonderful bay area pianist/accordionist Rob Reich. Rob performs all over the place with a bunch of different groups, and is a total pleasure to see play. He's got a bunch of albums you can check out and contributes to an array of interesting projects (Live silent-film scores! Circus music!) and experiments. Find more at his website, http://www.robreich.com/.

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