Maps of Music

I Put a Spell on You (1965)

Where the lyrics of I Put a Spell on You take you, and where it was really made.

The title track was written in 1956 by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and this 1965 album is where Nina Simone recorded it.

Key places

Recorded in New York City (1965)

Recording site Record Plant Studios — The album was recorded in New York City during 1964 and 1965. The point shows the city centre; the source does not name the studio. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• I Put a Spell on You is a studio album by American singer, songwriter, arranger and pianist Nina Simone
• Released in 1965 by Philips Records
• Recorded in New York City during 1964 and 1965
• The title track peaked at number 23 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart and number 28 on the UK Singles Chart

Background

• The title track was written in 1956 by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
• The album and its title track share the same name
• The album is credited to a singer, songwriter, arranger and pianist, which describes Nina Simone's role in the record

Recording

• Nina Simone plays piano and sings on the album
• Rudy Stevenson plays guitar
• Hal Mooney is credited for arrangement, conducting and production
• Horace Ott is credited for arrangement and conducting
• The album was recorded in New York City between 1964 and 1965

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933, in Tryon, North Carolina; the sixth of eight children.
• Began playing piano at age three or four and gave a classical debut recital at age 12.
• Failed to gain admission to the Curtis Institute of Music, which she attributed to racism.
• Played piano at a nightclub in Atlantic City and adopted the stage name "Nina Simone" in 1954, after which she began singing as well.

Career

• Debut album Little Girl Blue (1958) included "I Loves You, Porgy", her only Billboard top 20 single in the US.
• Recorded more than 40 albums up to 1974; her 1960s protest songs such as "Mississippi Goddam" tied her to the civil rights movement.
• Left the US in 1970 and settled in Europe, later living in Liberia, Barbados, the Netherlands, and France.
• Autobiography I Put a Spell on You was published in 1991; she continued performing until her death on April 21, 2003.
• Known as the "High Priestess of Soul"; Rolling Stone ranked her No. 21 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Members

• Solo artist; she was accompanied by percussionist Leopoldo Fleming and guitarist Al Schackman throughout most of her career.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

Reappraisal

• AllMusic reviewer Richie Unterberger gave the album 3 stars out of 5
• Unterberger called it one of her most pop-oriented albums but also one of her best and most consistent
• He wrote that Simone gives an edge to the potentially fey pop songs
• He singled out 'Blues on Purpose' as a straight jazz instrumental break

Records

• Billboard 200: peaked at number 99
• UK Albums Chart: peaked at number 18
• Title track 'I Put a Spell on You': Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles number 23
• Title track: UK Singles Chart number 28

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Re-issued in November 2020 by Verve and Universal Music Enterprises as part of the "audiophile-grade" Acoustic Sounds series
• Ranked 88th on Apple Music's 100 Best Albums list in 2024
• Placed third on NPR's 2017 list of 150 Greatest Albums Made by Women
• Catalog number PHS 600-172 / PHM 200-172

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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