CHERRY RED BLACKBIRD - THE COLPIX RECORDINGS 1959-1963 8CD CLAMSHELL BOX

First-ever luxury 8CD box set of expanded editions of the critically-acclaimed and treasured albums that the iconic Nina Simone recorded for Colpix Records from 1959 to 1963 which formed the very foundation for the global reach she achieved as peerless and influential artist over the decades that followed. With an astounding 107 tracks covering over seven hours of music, the original albums THE AMAZING NINA SIMONE (1959), NINA SIMONE AT TOWN HALL (1959), NINA AT NEWPORT (1960), FORBIDDEN FRUIT (1961), NINA AT THE VILLAGE GATE (1962), NINA SIMONE SINGS ELLINGTON (1962), NINA SIMONE AT CARNEGIE HALL (1963) and FOLKSY NINA (recorded in 1963, released in 1964), augmented by 29 bonus tracks consisting of single edits, non-LP sides and a wealth of other material found in the Colpix tape vaults in the early 2000s. Including the legendary performers first readings of classics such as Wild Is The Wind, I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl, Nobody Knows You When Youre Down And Out and Sinner Man (key cuts that Nina would revisit over later albums after her Colpix tenure ended) Plus an astonishing array of diverse material from torch songs You Can Have Him and The Other Woman to the gospel-flavoured Children Go Where I Send You, and a later version of Ninas first US breakthrough 1958 hit I Loves You Porgy along with her indelibly distinctive take on folk songs Cotton Eyed Joe, Little Liza Jane and Black Is The Colour Of My True Loves Hair. With stellar remastering from Nick Robbins and exemplary artwork design by Tony Hodsoll, this essential reissue of Nina Simones eclectic early recordings features a personal essay from Aaron Overfield (her official archivist), commentary by renowned film producer/ storyteller Nia Hill (librettist of the opera 'Nina Simones Absurde) and extensive notes from historian and SoulMusic Records reissue producer David Nathan, who founded the first UK Appreciation Society for Nina Simone in 1965.