A cover of “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” — shorter, angrier, and more intimate than the studio version. Chilling.
If it’s a rare transfer from demo reels or radio sessions, the audio may be gritty — hissy, with narrow stereo. But that rawness amplifies Simone’s intensity. Her voice cracks with fury or tenderness unexpectedly. This isn’t polished I Put a Spell on You ; it’s Nina in a small room, staring through you.
If you’ve found a copy labeled Tell It Like It Is by Nina Simone — especially marked “Rar” — you’ve likely stumbled upon a bootleg, a vinyl misprint, or a collection of outtakes from her powerful early ‘70s period. While not a formal studio album, the material associated with this title captures Nina at her most unflinching.
Collectors, completists, and anyone who believes the best art isn’t clean. Avoid if you need perfect fidelity or radio-friendly arrangements.
If you truly have a rare Tell It Like It Is pressing or digital file, treasure it. It’s Nina Simone without a filter — dangerous, brilliant, and absolutely necessary. If you actually have a .rar file labeled that way, make sure to extract it with WinRAR or 7-Zip — the music inside is likely an underground compilation. And if you meant a different album (like Nina Simone Sings the Blues or Emergency Ward! ), let me know and I’ll tailor the review.
A cover of “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” — shorter, angrier, and more intimate than the studio version. Chilling.
If it’s a rare transfer from demo reels or radio sessions, the audio may be gritty — hissy, with narrow stereo. But that rawness amplifies Simone’s intensity. Her voice cracks with fury or tenderness unexpectedly. This isn’t polished I Put a Spell on You ; it’s Nina in a small room, staring through you.
If you’ve found a copy labeled Tell It Like It Is by Nina Simone — especially marked “Rar” — you’ve likely stumbled upon a bootleg, a vinyl misprint, or a collection of outtakes from her powerful early ‘70s period. While not a formal studio album, the material associated with this title captures Nina at her most unflinching.
Collectors, completists, and anyone who believes the best art isn’t clean. Avoid if you need perfect fidelity or radio-friendly arrangements.
If you truly have a rare Tell It Like It Is pressing or digital file, treasure it. It’s Nina Simone without a filter — dangerous, brilliant, and absolutely necessary. If you actually have a .rar file labeled that way, make sure to extract it with WinRAR or 7-Zip — the music inside is likely an underground compilation. And if you meant a different album (like Nina Simone Sings the Blues or Emergency Ward! ), let me know and I’ll tailor the review.
