Nina Simone and Me with Laura Mvula
In a personal tribute, British soul singer Laura Mvula travels to New York to celebrate the Nina Simone songs that mean most to her and explore their musical roots.
Over half a century since she first performed her songs, Nina Simone is more popular than ever. From Sinnerman to Mississippi Goddam, Feeling Good to My Baby Just Cares for Me, she is an artist with an extraordinary songbook that mixes jazz, blues, soul and even classical.
British soul singer Laura Mvula travels to New York to celebrate the Nina songs that mean most to her and explore their musical roots. Performing with a Harlem gospel choir, uncovering the influence of Nina's classical training and meeting Simone's long-time guitarist Al Shackman, Laura presents a personal tribute to the genius of her musical hero.
Last on
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Nina Simone: Defined by her goddam contradictions
Brian Morton charts the extraordinary life of Nina Simone.
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Dr Simone will see you now
Writer Brian Morton recalls two eventful meetings with the legend that was Nina Simone.
Clips
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Nina Simone’s Gospel roots
Duration: 01:17
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How Nina ruled with a rod of iron
Duration: 01:35
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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Nina Simone & Abbey Lincoln
Blues For Mama
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Laura Mvula & Camille Yarbrough
Feeling Good
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Nina Simone
Feeling Good
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J. Fred Coots & Sam M. Lewis
For All We Know
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Nina Simone
Four Women
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Laura Mvula & Camille Yarbrough
Four Women
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Nina Simone
Good Bait
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Laura Mvula
Green Garden
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Nina Simone
I Put A Spell On You
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Nina Simone
I Want A Little Sugar in my Bowl
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Nina Simone
Little Girl Blue
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Laura Mvula
Little Girl Blue
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Nina Simone
Love Me or Leave Me
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Laura Mvula
Love Me or Leave Me
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Nina Simone
Mississippi God Damn
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Laura Mvula
Mississippi God Damn
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00:02Laura Mvula
Green Garden
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00:13Nina Simone
Sinnerman
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Nina Simone
Mississippi God Damn
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Nina Simone
My Baby Just Cares For Me
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Nina Simone
Nobody's Fault But Mine
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Laura Mvula
Sinnerman
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Camille Yarbrough
Take Yo' Praise
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00:27Nina Simone
Feeling Good
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Laura Mvula |
| Producer | Kath Pick |
| Director | Kath Pick |
| Executive Producer | Richard Bright |
Broadcasts
- Fri 29 May 2015 19:30
- Wed 22 Jul 2015 01:00
- Sun 6 Sep 2015 20:00
- Mon 7 Sep 2015 02:30
- Sun 20 Dec 2015 22:30
- Sun 18 Jun 2017 19:00
- Sun 30 Jul 2017 19:00
- Mon 31 Jul 2017 03:30
- Sun 6 Aug 2017 02:30
- Fri 22 Jun 2018 19:30
- Sat 23 Jun 2018 03:00
Sat 16 Oct 2021 23:40BBC Two except Scotland- Fri 6 May 2022 21:00
- Sat 7 May 2022 02:45
- Sat 17 Jun 2023 00:55
- Mon 26 Feb 2024 00:15
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