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Few singers could conjure as much emotion through words and tone as Nina Simone. While many of her best-known albums from the '60s and '70s have become widely available in recent years, music from her ex-U.S. years have been much harder to find. Among the most sought-after is Fodder On My Wings, a 1982 album originally released on the French label Carrere. Decades out-of-print on a major label, the album will be re-released by Verve and UMe - complete with new cover art - on April 3. Whether you prefer CD, vinyl, or digital, there will be a configuration to add to your library.
In addition to the original ten tracks, the 2020 edition will also feature three bonus tracks from the sessions that were briefly available on a re-sequenced 1988 reissue of the album. Among Fodder's highlights are a brief but jubilant opener called "I Sing Just To Know That I'm Alive" (available to stream now - check out the lyric video below.) There's also a searing version of Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again (Naturally)" that turns into a diatribe about her father, the intimate "Fodder on Her Wings," and the autobiographical "I Was Just A Stupid Dog To Them."
Fodder On My Wings shows a vulnerable yet powerful side of Nina Simone, and it's an essential addition to any fan's music collection. Look out for it in shops April 3 or pre-order your copy with the links below.
Nina Simone, Fodder On My Wings (originally released as Carrere LP 67.885, 1982 -- reissued Verve/UMe, 2020)
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1. I Sing Just To Know That I'm Alive
2. Fodder In Her Wings
3. Vous êtes seuls, mais je désire être avec vous
4 Il y a un baume à Gilhead
5. Liberian Calypso
6. Alone Again (Naturally)
7. I Was Just A Stupid Dog To Them
8. Color Is A Beautiful Thing
9. Le Peuple en Suisse *
10. Heaven Belongs To You
11. Thandewye
12. Stop *
13. They Took My Hand *
Note: This reissue follows the track listing for the 1988 CD reissue (Cy Records CD 3129673362226), including the bonus tracks marked * that were not on the original 1982 issue.
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Great to see this is getting a proper re-issue on a respected label, and good to see they have included the 1988 tracks. Real shame about the 'bargain bin compilation' style cover though. I'm surprised Verve would let that pass. It has nothing to do with the album style or mood or even how she looked then!
The original cover is beautiful, the new one is terrible and very ugly. Maybe there are legal conflicts. The first pictures showed the original cover of that reissue.