I Put a Spell on You: The Autobiography of Nina Simone

by Nina Simone and Stephen Cleary

Book Overview

James Baldwin used to tell Nina Simone, "This is the world you have made for yourself, now you have to live in it." Simone has created for herself a world of magnificent peaks. Often compared to Billie Holiday and Edith Piaf, Simone is known as one of the greatest singers of her generation. She has recorded forty-three albums, ranging from blues to jazz to folk, and her hits like "I Loves You, Porgy," "My Baby Just Cares for Me," "I Put a Spell on...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306813270
• ISBN13: 9780306813276
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.9" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Not as powerful as her music. Few things are.

I always wondered how she put so much passion and anger into her music. Now I know. She lived a very up and down life. She knew what she wanted and went after it no matter how much pain or joy is caused her. After reading this book , I can understand how she performed on stage like it was her last night on earth. She was surrounded by tough situations and a tough life. I applaud her for her fire and passion. People are saying that it wasn't written well enough, keep in mind that she was a musician first and foremost. I was happy to read this book even though the onslaught of sad moments in her life kept coming right at you. I think she was way ahead of her time and I really respect her even more after having read this book.

Educational, Fast Paced, and incredibly interesting.

I became a fan of Nina simone the day I watched the remake of The Thomas Crown Affair, and it stuck. I've since bought her old cd's and just recently purchased and read her book, I put a spell on you, Her story is amazing, and written with a lot of her personality in it. I finished this book soo quickly, A must for anyone interested in Nina Simone outside of her music.

Buy this book

Just about the only thing as rich, as continuously shocking, moving, funny, proud, lusty, painful, regal, beautiful and bizarre as Nina Simone's music is her life, told here with frankness that'll make you weep. Buy this book. Buy the Colpix years anthology 2 CD set. Send them to your friends.