Have always loved this album but the original vinyl is somewhere in the basement. Glad to have it back in CD form. I think it's one of Simone's best.

Baltimore is a mellow, melancholy Nina Simone and the songs are indelible. This must be the 5th or 6th copy I've owned - the others have either worn out or been pinched. I bought it on impulse because I decided I couldn't bear another day without a copy.

With her mellifluous voice, Nina had the ability to transform any lyric into a moving poem. Here again she proves her worth as a highly skilled interpreter of many different styles of music: ballads, gospel, folk, pop and soul. The title track is fairly lightweight compared to what follows, like the brooding Everything Must Change. There is a funky beat to the heartbreaking The Family, a tale of tragedy and hope. My favourites include the rousing Balm in Gilead and the uplifting ballad That's All I Want From You with its simple and haunting lyrics. Her version of My Father is elegant and atmospheric, with a particularly brilliant arrangement, whilst Music For Lovers is dreamy and romantic. The album concludes with the buoyant gospel sounds of If You Pray Right. The varied material permits her unique voice to reveal more of its subtle hues. Baltimore is a gripping album of beautiful songs that will richly reward the listener.

Although Ms. Simone is quoted as saying that she had no say whatsoever in the selection of these songs and that the material was not her personal choice, this group of songs is still amazingly beautiful. "Baltimore" remains one of my favorite CD's by this consumate artist. First, there is the title song by Randy Newman with its reggae beat. Some of the others I cherish are "Everything Must Change", "My Father", "Music For Lovers", "Rich Girl", and the beautiful hymn "Balm in Gilead." Ms. Simone accompanies herself on many of these cuts. On "My Father", the beautiful tribute Judy Collins wrote for her father, the piano literally cascades. (The orchestra was added later and at times almost drowns out both Ms. Simone's voice and her piano. Some arranger should have done better on that one.) Anyone who has ever listened to this great singer knows there is literally nothing she cannot do as no style or form is too difficult for her. Here she is upbeat, soulful and then so beautifully tender and soothing in the grand hymn about there being a balm in Gilead that comforts the sinsick soul.

More beautiful Simone!

Nina has the ability to transform any lyric into a poem. Here again she proves her worth as a highly skilled interpreter of many different styles of music: ballads, gospel, folk, pop and soul. My favorites include the funky but heartbreaking The Family, the rousing Balm in Gilead and the uplifting ballad That's All I Want From You with its haunting lyrics: "A sunny day/with hopes up to the sky/Not a day that comes and dies/That's all I want from you". Her version of My Father is elegant and atmospheric, with a particularly brilliant arrangement. The varied material permits her unique voice to reveal more of its subtle hues. Baltimore is a gripping album of beautiful songs that will richly reward the listener.