I Put a Spell On You, Nina Simone, 1965, :32
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
I adore Nina Simone, one of the true vocal titans, easily up there with Aretha and Frank Sinatra if not their superior. Her rich, commanding contralto just gives power to everything she sings, and her material usually tends toward the serious. This album is more swingy and pop than some of her other material, and even includes an instrumental. She also does "You've Got To Learn," an English translation of Charles Aznavour's "Il Faut Savoir," which I find odd since she sings with ease in French, such as on "Ne Me Quitte Pas" here. Favorite tracks: "Tomorrow Is My Turn," "Marriage Is for Old Folks," "Gimme Some."
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Beach Boys' Party!, Beach Boys, 1965, :31
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Corny acoustic sing-alongs with the Beach Boys, with tambourine and bongo accompaniment. Brian Wilson mostly sits out, and "fun" "impromptu" crowd noises were dubbed in later. It sounds truly dreadful, but I have to give this a guilty-pleasure four stars. It's not by any means a great album, but good clean fun. They do Beatles and Dylan songs! And it has "Barbara Ann," an essential track. Favorite tracks: "Barbara Ann," "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow," "I Should Have Known Better."
