Media Questions Of The Week

 

Was Chloe Bailey’s performance of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good?”  for ABC’s Juneteenth program too sexy? 

 

 

Did Verzuz really turn down a match between Stephanie Mills and Chaka Khan? 



Throwback:Nina Simone-Feeling Good

Nina Simone recorded her version of “Feeling Good” for her 1965 album I Put A Spell On You. Cy Grant sang the original for musical  The Roar of the Greasepaint-The Smell Of The Crowd. Simone’s Hal Mooney-produced recording of “Feeling Good” had more emotional texture than Grant’s. She powerfully used her voice and transformed a show tune into a Civil Rights anthem. It wasn’t until Simone’s interpretation was used in a 1994 Volkswagon commercial that it became popular. Simone’s recording has been sampled numerous times and placed on film and television soundtracks. In 2018,  Simone was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Mary J. Blige who also recorded “Feeling Good” which sampled Simone’s version.

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Amerigo Gazaway Presents Nina Simone & Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation Of Eunice Waymon

[youtube id=”FJHi0eborcw”]Amerigo Gazaway commemorates the 20th anniversary of Lauryn Hill’s debut album by imagining a recording session between Hill and Nina Simone. The Miseducation Of Eunice Waymon is almost a flashback to Hill’s performance of Simone’s music earlier this year at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame’s induction ceremony. Gazaway offers a preview of the project with his treatment of Simone’s “Feeling Good.” Watch the video teaser and stream “Feeling Good” which can be downloaded. The Miseducation Of Eunice Waymon will be available November 9th.



Watch: Lauryn Hill Perform At Nina Simone’s RRHOF Induction Ceremony

[youtube id=”RcttQDV9Lo”] Nina Simone was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame and Lauryn Hill performed a three-song tribute to her. She sang “Ne Me Quitte Pas,” “Black Is The Color Of My True Love’s Hair” and “Feeling Good.” Mary J. Blige gave the induction speech at the ceremony that took place Saturday in Cleveland. Nina Simone’s brother Nyack Sam Waymon accepted the honor on behalf of his late sister. Andra Day also performed “I Wish I Knew How It Felt To Be Free” and “I Put A Spell On You” with The Roots. The event will air May 5th at 8 PM ET on HBO. 

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