Four fabulous female singers joined Al Schackman and the band on a sultry night in Kings Park for Sing the Truth: The Music of Nina Simone. Thousands of people relaxed on the Pioneer Woman’s Memorial lawns listening to the brilliantly talented people pay tribute to a soul diva. Although known world wide as the High Priestess of Soul, American Nina Simone’s music styles ranged from jazz to pop, R'n'B to blues, all sung in her distinctive, alto voice. Born in 1933, she was a key figure in the 1960’s black power movement and recorded over 40 albums (primarily between 1958 – 1974) before dying in 2003.
In Sing the Truth, which closed the Perth International Arts Festival, four singers (Lizz Wright, Simone, Patti Austin and Dianne Reeves), famous in their own right, took turns to showcase the best of Nina’s songs including “Lilac Wine” and “My Baby Just Cares” for me.
Jazz artist Wright opened the show with Gershwin’s “I Loves You Porgy”, using her rich, sultry contra alto voice to set the mood perfectly. A relative newcomer to the international scene (compared to the other performers), Wright’s passion and voice had already been compared to Nina’s before this tour began and it’s easy to see why. The depth and quality of Wrights voice is astounding.
Nina’s daughter Lisa Simone Kelly, who goes by the name Simone, sang the powerfully worded “Work Song” and later engaged the audience, in particular a young man called Jake, with the soulful “Feeling Good”.
Patti Austin brought her formidable talent to “Baby Just Cares for Me”, “Sinnerman” and one of Nina’s most poetic hits “To be young, gifted and black”.
It was jazz legend Dianne Reeves who almost brought the house down with her huge, rich, sassy vocals. Her first number “Be my husband” was updated with a reference to not doing the sewing because she’s a CEO – girl power all round. Reeves sang everything, including her directions to the audience before launching into the spell binding “I Put A Spell On You”.
The five piece band was tight, well balanced and in sync with all four performers. Nina’s original music director and guitarist Al Schackman was joined by two of Nina’s regular band members: Englishman Paul Robinson on Drums and Percussionist Leopoldo Fleming, who had worked with Nina since 1971.
The four singers finished the night with a joint rendition of “Four Women”, bringing the house down as the audience clapped and cheered. An encore would have been nice, but Simone’s words of thanks on behalf of her mother were touching and heartfelt. This concert, seen worldwide, has unquestionably reinforced the beauty and power of Nina Simone’s songs and voice, as well as bringing together four formidable and talented women.
SING THE TRUTH: THE MUSIC OF NINA SIMONE
Venue: Pioneer Women's Memorial, Kings Park
Date/Time: Mon 1 Mar, 7.30pm
Duration: 1hr 30min no interval
Tickets: $92.50 - $82
Bookings: BOCS