Angel of the Morning: The Best of Nina Simone

Angel of the Morning: The Best of Nina Simone features 36 tracks across two CDs, showcasing an artist whose musical expression moves fluidly between jazz, blues, soul, and gospel. This 2009 compilation brings together tender love songs, socially conscious tracks, and covers—all imbued with Nina Simone’s unique, personal touch. Her deep voice, innate sense of rhythm, and expressive phrasing tie this diverse repertoire together.

Songs like To Be Young, Gifted and Black and I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free highlight themes of dignity and the yearning for freedom, while Mississippi Goddam delivers a direct, protest-driven energy. In these performances, music becomes a powerful vehicle for personal and social expression, without ever sacrificing melodic appeal.

A more intimate side of her artistry is revealed in tracks such as I Loves You Porgy, I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl, and Since I Fell for You. Her restraint, deliberate emphasis, and the way she shapes every word lend these songs profound emotional depth. The title track, Angel of the Morning, further demonstrates how she can transform a familiar melody, imbuing it with an entirely different atmosphere.

The selection also includes Suzanne, Just Like a Woman, Here Comes the Sun, and To Love Somebody, showcasing her ability to weave popular songs into her own distinct musical language. This collection is an excellent choice for those who appreciate expressive vocals and genre-spanning music, as well as for anyone looking to discover Nina Simone for the first time. While the lyrics invite careful listening, the songs are equally compelling thanks to the timbre of her voice, her melodies, and the atmosphere of each performance.