Entertainment

Exclusive: Nina Simone as You’ve Never Seen Her

ICONIC

See never-before-seen images of Nina Simone recording her classic album ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City.

galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-12-embed_czot7i
David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-13-embed_kpr9mf

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the recording of Nina Simone’s classic album, Nina Simone Sings the Blues, the record subscription service Vinyl Me, Please, has announced a limited-edition package: a re-release of the LP on baby blue vinyl, along with a custom cocktail recipe and art print inspired by the music.

“Nina Simone remains an artist who feels eternally just outside our reach to fully understand, appreciate or critique. In reissuing her classic album Nina Simone Sings the Blues we felt our job was to present the album in its truest form and then get out of the way,” said Cameron Schaefer, head of music for Vinyl Me, Please. “We worked with Sony Legacy to remaster the album from the original tapes, and when they pulled them out of their vaults, they found a box of original promotional photos they never used. So we were not only able to present this album in the highest fidelity, we also got to bring a unique, highest quality physical package as well.”

Here—and only here—see a collection of never-before-seen images of Nina Simone recording the album Nina Simone Sings the Blues. The photos were taken by photographer David Hollander at RCA Studios in New York City, December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-tease_cmp7iz

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-11-embed_h15itc

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-14-embed_noxs64

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-04-embed_fjqese

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-03-embed_ymkxbc

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-01-embed_chozsc

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-02-embed_tosc6e

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-07-embed_funlbq

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-10-embed_wkkire

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-09-embed_ujzih0

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-08-embed_gpmcio

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-06-embed_pc3c8i

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-05-embed_m8zjml

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander
galleries/2016/12/03/exclusive-nina-simone-as-you-ve-never-seen-her/161130-nina-simone-12-embed_me6swx

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.

David Hollander

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.