Nina Simone
was on her way to becoming a major name by 1962, with her protest and civil rights songs granting her acclaim and recognition far beyond the jazz world.
Sings Ellington
is a change of pace for the singer/pianist, who is heard performing 11 songs written by
Duke Ellington
and/or
Billy Strayhorn
. Backed by an unidentified string orchestra (the accompaniment is often sparse) and
the Malcolm Dodds Singers
, she not only revives the usual Duke hits but such obscurities as "Hey, Buddy Bolden," "Merry Mending," and "You Better Know It." None of these performances sound like a typical treatment of
Ellington
material, with
"I Got It Bad"
having a gospel feel,
"Something to Live For"
being brief but heartfelt,
"I Like the Sunrise"
sounding like a big production number, and
"Satin Doll"
being taken as an instrumental. Though short in length, what is here is quite intriguing and original. ~ Scott Yanow