What a debut this must have been, as Nina Simone burst on to the scene with this disc! Recorded over 14 hours in a single day in New York in December 1957, the album was released in 1959 by Bethlehem Records and was an immediate success. Nina was classically trained and fond of Bach and Liszt, but also well versed in the African-American folk songs that she heard in her youth in a musical family. She studied at the Julliard School in NYC, taught music privately and played in Atlantic City. Sid Nathan, owner of Bethlehem Records offered her the chance to record and paired her with bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Albert ‘Tootie’ Heath as her rhythm section. Nina is on piano and vocals and, at times, it is extraordinary to realize that this young lady was in the recording studio for the first time!

Tracklist:
A1 Mood Indigo
A2 Don't Smoke In Bed
A3 He Needs Me
A4 Little Girl Blue
A5 Love Me Or Leave Me
A6 My Baby Just Cares For Me
B1 Good Bait
B2 Plain Gold Ring
B3 You'll Never Walk Alone
B4 I Loves You Porgy
B5 Central Park Blues