Pastel Blues

Infobox Album
Name = Pastel Blues
Type = Album
Artist = Nina Simone


Released = 1965
Recorded = New York, March 21 April 1 & 6 1964 May 19 & 20 1965
Genre = Blues Soul Jazz Folk
Length =
Label = Philips Records
Producer =
Reviews =
Last album = "I Put a Spell on You"
(1965)
This album = "Pastel Blues"
(1965)
Next album = "Let It All Out"
(1966)

"Pastel Blues" is a studio album by singer/pianist/songwriter Nina Simone (1933-2003). It was recorded in 1964 and 1965 in New York City and released in 1965 by Philips Records. The name "Pastel Blues" is somewhat deceiving because the songs on the album incorporate different musical styles besides the blues, such as jazz, soul and folk music.

Information about songs on this album

*"Be My Husband" was written by Andrew Stroud, Simone's husband and manager at the time. She sings it a cappella with her handclapping and a hi-hat as her only accompaniment. The song was later retitled as "Be Your Husband" and covered by Jeff Buckley on "Live at Sin-é (Legacy Edition)" (2004).
*"Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" was originally sung by Bessie Smith. She was a blues singer in the 1920's/1930's and her songs had a great influence on Simone.
*"Tell Me More and More and Then Some" and "Strange Fruit" were originally sung by Billie Holiday.
*"Sinnerman" is one of Simone's most famous songs. Simone learned the lyrics of this more than 10 minute song when it was used on revival meetings by her mother to help people confess their sins. An earlier version of this song exists, recorded live at The Village Gate, but was never used on the Colpix album "Nina at the Village Gate" (1962). "Sinnerman" has been featured in various films, commercials and remixes, including "The Thomas Crown Affair", "Cellular", the Absinthe Films snowboarding video "Futureproof", an episode of the TV show "Scrubs", the David Lynch film "Inland Empire", the video game "", remixes by Hip-hop producer Kanye West, and Felix da Housecat (for Verve Record's Verve Remixed series). Bob Marley & The Wailers also recorded a slightly different version in 1966.

Track listing

#"Be My Husband"
#"Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out"
#"End of the Line"
#"Trouble in Mind"
#"Tell Me More and More and Then Some"
#"Chilly Winds Don't Blow"
#"Ain't No Use"
#"Strange Fruit"
#"Sinnerman"