Acoustic Sounds Series · Philips
Nina Simone. Three records on Philips.
A concert at Carnegie Hall and two studio albums from 1964 and 1965: In Concert, I Put a Spell on You and Pastel Blues.
All three mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound from the original analogue tapes, pressed at Quality Record Pressings, in a Stoughton Printing gatefold.
Nina Simone on Philips
From Carnegie Hall to the studio
After her years at Colpix, Nina Simone moved to Philips. Her first album there was In Concert, recorded in spring 1964 across several appearances at Carnegie Hall. It includes “Mississippi Goddam”, which staked out her support for the civil rights movement.
Two studio albums followed in 1965: I Put a Spell on You with full orchestra and chanson, and Pastel Blues with blues, spirituals and the long “Sinnerman” at the close.
02 / The records
Three sides of one voice
Each record with Michael’s words on it. Prices and availability come live from the shop.
Carnegie Hall, spring 1964
In Concert
Nina Simone
Seven selections from Carnegie Hall appearances in March and April 1964 – from “I Loves You, Porgy” to “Mississippi Goddam”. Nina Simone sings, plays piano and talks to her audience. This album began her years with Philips.
Have a listen “I Loves You, Porgy” – Michael 45 plays it in his video. video from 7:45
With Rudy Stevenson, Lisle Atkinson and Bobby Hamilton
“When you listen to this at home on your system, I bet you’ll wish you had been in the crowd at this concert.”
studio album, 1965
Pastel Blues
Nina Simone
From the handclaps of “Be My Husband” to the long “Sinnerman” at the close; in between, “Strange Fruit” and “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out”.
Have a listen “Sinnerman” – over ten minutes at the close of the record, Michael’s personal highlight. video from 5:08
“Sinnerman – 10 minutes, 15 seconds – my personal highlight on this recording.”
studio album, 1965
I Put a Spell on You
Nina Simone
Pop song, blues, chanson and full orchestra: “Feeling Good” opens almost alone before the brass comes in, “Ne Me Quitte Pas” shows her love of European song, and then there is the title track.
Have a listen “Feeling Good” – opens almost alone before the brass comes in.
“I Put a Spell on You – beautiful again, a beautiful title track, of course outstanding.”
From Michael’s videos
What Michael 45 says about Nina Simone
On In Concert
“When she sings live, she goes for it – full throttle.”
“A beautiful album from Nina Simone, Pastel Blues … it’s so great that we now have it as an audiophile pressing at 33⅓.”
The edition
How the records are made
- Mastering
- Ryan K. Smith, Sterling Sound – from the original analogue tapes
- Pressing
- Quality Record Pressings, 180 grams, 33⅓ RPM
- Sleeve
- Stoughton Printing tip-on gatefold
- Series
- Verve/UMe Acoustic Sounds Series, supervised by Chad Kassem
Frequently asked
Quick answers
Why Philips?
After her years at Colpix, Nina Simone recorded for Philips; In Concert began that period. The reissues appear in the Verve/UMe Acoustic Sounds Series.
Are the records mastered from analogue tapes?
Yes. According to Acoustic Sounds, Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound mastered all three from the original analogue tapes.
Which record first?
If you want Nina Simone live, take In Concert. Michael 45 says of her: “When she sings live, she goes for it.” His personal highlight on Pastel Blues is “Sinnerman”.
Details from Michael 45’s product texts and the Acoustic Sounds product pages (18 Sept 2026). Quotes from Michael 45’s videos with time stamps. Price and availability live from the shop.
