Nina Simone
Margo Jefferson on Will Smith, TikTok and identity: ‘I don’t like the sense that we are so fragile’
Ahead of her new memoir, the critic talks about her current pop culture obsessions and why she identifies with Nina Simone
David Shariatmadari
22, Apr, 2022 @11:00 AM
Bob Dylan essay collection celebrating art of songwriting to be published
Publisher Simon & Schuster says The Philosophy of Modern Song ‘resembles an epic poem’
Laura Snapes
09, Mar, 2022 @11:55 AM
Best music books of 2021
Sinéad O’Connor’s extraordinary memoir, the untold story of 90s Dancehall and a portrait in song from Paul McCartney are among the releases hitting the high notes
Alexis Petridis
08, Dec, 2021 @9:00 AM
Children’s books roundup – the best new picture books and novels
Schnauzers in trousers, a Diwali sparkler and Lenny Henry’s kids’ fiction debut, plus the best new YA
Imogen Russell Williams
22, Oct, 2021 @11:00 AM
Warren Ellis on the performance that changed him: ‘The room transformed. I could see flames’
The Bad Seed and Dirty Three bandmember had a life-changing encounter with Nina Simone in 1999. At Guardian Australia’s monthly Zoom book club, he reflected on stealing her chewing gum – and its lingering significance
Michael Sun
01, Oct, 2021 @2:46 AM
Guardian Australia’s Book Club: join Warren Ellis to discuss Nina Simone’s Gum
For this month’s Zoom book club, the acclaimed Australian musician will join us from his UK tour with Nick Cave to discuss his life, his career and his deeply original book with Andrew Stafford – and with you
Andrew Stafford
30, Sep, 2021 @5:21 AM
Summer of Soul review – the best concert film ever made?
Questlove’s magnificent documentary features rediscovered footage of Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone et al in their prime
Mark Kermode Observer film critic
18, Jul, 2021 @7:00 AM
‘The revolution could not be televised’: why were so many black concert films erased from history?
New documentary Summer of Soul recalls an iconic moment in 60s music – but it has taken far too long for us to see the footage
Steve Rose
12, Jul, 2021 @8:00 AM
Zoe Saldana apologises for playing Nina Simone in controversial biopic
Actor previously defended her role in the film but now says ‘somebody else should tell her story’
Ben Beaumont-Thomas
06, Aug, 2020 @12:50 PM
Nina Simone, Montreux Jazz 1976: a difficult, unsteady return to the limelight
Simone’s prowess on the piano and her exceptional baritone were intact, but the 76 Montreux show can be tough to watch for the uninitiated
Vanessa Okoth-Obbo
29, Jul, 2020 @10:00 AM
Raye's lockdown listening: 'Nina Simone tears your skin and burns your eardrums'
The British dance-pop star considers Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come amid the Black Lives Matter protests, and picks out tracks by Otis Redding, Miraa May and more
Interview by Ben Beaumont-Thomas
12, Jun, 2020 @9:30 AM
Nina Simone: where to start in her back catalogue
Our writers help you explore the work of great musicians. Next up: the deft genius who raged searingly at injustice
Dorian Lynskey
20, Apr, 2020 @9:28 AM
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