The second of two ballads compilations to be issued in January of 2005 (the second being
Nina Simone for Lovers),
Love Songs likewise shouldn't be confused with BMG's 2004 release of the same name. While they share the same title, the songs are different and feature some of the lesser known moments from her career at RCA from 1967-1972.
Nina delivers a set of songs that are par with her extremely high standards, but she seems a little uncomfortable when it comes to covering contemporary songs like
Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman" and
the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody." She more than makes up for it with stellar renditions of
Leonard Cohen's masterpiece "Suzanne" and an onslaught of
Simone standards, including a haunting version of "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair." It's not a definitive compilation of
Simone's career, but fans looking to dig a little deeper below the surface will find
Love Songs to be a pleasant surprise. ~ Rob Theakston