Nina Simone & Me with Laura Mvula BBC Documentary 2016

To mark the release of ‘Nina’, the high profile new Hollywood film, BBC Music sends British soul singer Laura Mvula to New York to explore the musical roots of the legendary American singer in ‘Nina Simone and Me’. Previously broadcast on BBC Four, this is an extended version of the programme exclusively for iPlayer.
The programme follows Laura as she traces the story of Simone’s musical career. From her classical music beginnings, through to her extraordinary rise and notoriety as the ‘High Priestess of Soul’, Laura discovers the story behind one the legendary figures in jazz, blues and soul music. The film explores Nina’s commitment to the cause of black civil rights, and the impact of two of her most powerful songs, ‘Mississippi Goddam’ and ‘Young, Gifted & Black’.
Laura’s journey takes her to Greenwich Village, where she meets Nina’s long-time guitarist, friend and musical director, Al Shackman, and meets soul singer and activist Camille Yarbrough who talks about how she was inspired by Nina and discusses Four Women - Laura’s favourite Nina composition.
As well as featuring Laura performing some of Nina’s songs, such as ‘Little Girl Blue’, ‘Sinnerman’ and ‘Feeling Good’, the film features rare and original 1960s archive footage of some of Simone’s finest recorded performances.

[@GhanaMamba]

"Many people say I sound like nina simone, no one sounds like nina simone." You tell it girl. 👏🏾👏🏿

[@tiarawatkins2285]

Zoe Saldana’s apology video bought me here.. this documentary is beautiful.. better than the movie

[@sipokazimanda9303]

Thank you Laura Mvula for doing this- for reminding us who Nina was and still is, because really her music still speaks to us even though she's no more❤❤❤

[@brooktu4249]

This was an excellent documentary in which Laura Mvula sets out to get some understanding of who Nina Simone was, and how she impacted her times. Unfortunately, I think that exploration would take the interested heart a lifetime of dedicated observation and immersion. With all her grace, musical genius and personal faults, there is not likely to be anyone as open and honest, as impactful and gifted as Nina Simone. I love this doco - there is a genuine sweetness to the search for who Nina was, through the power of her music. 💜

[@primalamusica3]

Very good documentary ! Thank you! Nina Simone was such a unique artist and an outstanding pianist .

[@mpumibikitsha6891]

What a brilliant piece of work!!! Wow!!! Thank you so much Laura Mvula! I’ve never heard of you but I’m so grateful for having come across on this platform. Now I know about you and I’ll follow your work. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙏🏽❤️

[@ireneb2156]

Awesome story. Keep her legacy going. Amen.

[@junglejane3836]

I cant explain quite yet all that Nina Simone has done for me. But she gave me such power.

[@jartisteobscure3992]

This mini documentary/ode was -- to me -- respectful, introspective and very educational. I love what both the powerhouse Nina Simone and the lovely sprite Laura Mvula represent, as well as the soulful music they have gracefully created and shared. In this day and age unfortunately I can say it is rather timely... but I feel fortunate there exist a beautiful soul such as Laura's to in a sense carry the torch of light albeit in perhaps a slightly different "dialect"...one that can speak to people today and tap into the current frequency. Thank you for being positive, truthful, and honoring the past whilst shinning a light on a beautiful possible future starting by being yourself now and gracing us with your artful perspective💖

[@NajSinghs]

I agree

[@anidgomes2380]

PERFECT....me perdoe o inglês...mas Nina Simone é MARAVILHOSA 👏👏👏🙏💖🇧🇷🌏🇧🇷💖🙏👏👏👏

[@brianrivera3291]

Beautiful! I had not lived until I heard Nina Simone.

[@j.c7719]

I remember the first time I heard her sing 'Feeling Good' when I was about 10, I've never been so moved by music and this incredibly powerful woman whose voice oozes pain and life experience.

[@danzinder179]

Great homage from a carrier of her torch.

[@faisalhussein1028]

NINA SIMONE, a blessing for all music lovers!!! Thank you for posting!!!

[@OrganNLou]

Nina was and is the greatest musical legend!

[@duchessstaceyanngouldbourn5440]

Nina and her music is very infectious

[@j.c7719]

Loved this documentary; Nina Simone will always be one of my favourite artists, she's just a genius, I can't condone what she did in her personal life and no one can really but her gift is undeniable and Laura Mvula is a beautiful woman and an incredible talent, her music to me is like being transported into the lost feelings of happiness you experienced before the world corrupted your mind, imo she too is also a musical genius.

[@larrywalls9081]

This is probably the third time I watched this documentary! Each time I walk away with a greater appreciation of Nina Simone's Courageous Sheer Artistry! I am awestruck once again! Thank You

[@jasonpatten4574]

I had given up on contemporary music and 80's babies and was simply interested in all things Nina Simone when I tuned in. Now I have the pleasure of seeing this informed, sophisticated, and lovely young singer, songwriter Laura Mvula and look forward to following her emerging career. Godbless and Godspeed to Laura and above all many thanks for posting this... Thrilling to see an artist with humility and reverence for the shoulders she is standing on and the kind of talent and charisma that she's poised to rise from the ashes of what has been passing for "popular music" entirely too long. Both a comfort and inspiration to see Laura Mvula honing her craft and emerging on the music scene as an authentic and endearing force Who knew!? I'm certainly glad I do NOW and I look forward to seeing and hearing everything this young artist has to share in future.

[@jackiegarroutte8970]

BEAUTIFUL perspective and beautiful beautiful voice

[@simzalekile]

"No one sounds like Nina"

[@philipsanders9192]

I FEEL INSPIRED' GOD DAMN IT !!!

[@pameliaadams8803]

Beautifully Beautiful music from the heart and soul. None like her.

[@Dhaneshwar9]

Nina’s fire ✨ Passion ✨Excellence ✨

[@alibanori89]

Absolutely delightful documentary. Laura Mvula was poised, mature and a great musician and presenter in this segment. A joy to watch !

[@anidgomes2380]

Tributo perfeito....sintonia na sensibilidade 👏👏👏🙏💖🇧🇷🌏🇧🇷💖🙏👏👏👏

[@comparedtowhat2719]

Laura, is one beautiful woman.

[@Deva7]

Nina Simone was probably the most talented female singer/songwriter in history, and Laura Mvula is the only contemporary artist that comes close.

[@spacemonkey4811]

These are only opinions though yes, the greatest female musical artist who ever lived both in terms of her talent musically and the final rights stance she took, none finer.

[@tulsacaupain2882]

Thank you fest Lady. Come visit us in Amsterdam

[@shakeriateleciajordan9592]

Laura is a beautiful women, I love her hair

[@MR-gs4mk]

Wonderful and Highly talented!!

[@michaelmachine]

Lovely and True. Thank you Laura. :-)

[@Jlt0788]

She (Laura Mvula) should have been considered for the Nina Movie

[@nicchris960]

It was trash so good they had a trash ass actress play her . That movie was so disrespectful to her legacy

[@sheenah209]

Connie Wolf beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Not only was Nina Simone a beautiful black woman but she is a genius, gifted and talented.

[@birdoffire9]

what a beautiful perspective.Thank you

[@eartha360]

this was good

[@francinemarcelin3429]

Thoroughly interesting and comprehensive overview of a legend.

[@wellingtonjesuorobo3218]

simone i love You!

[@lav1973aug]

I cried

[@perfectpens1262]

I wish she could play her in a movie 😔

[@yombuminda3807]

Damn! Who cut the onions?

[@dragonfly686868]

28:50 when she was talking about her experience of freedom, and she said, to her, it meant no fear. that was something else! i thought, YEAH!!! I know what she means! I had a glimpse of it a couple times on meditation retreats but it’s got a window. Once the window closes, that “intrinsic no fear” experience is shut away. But even just a little glimpse of it is a proof that we are all not this limited self that we perceive. All of us can get to that state of freedom-which is our true nature! Every time I listen to her, it’s like her entire soul is giving to us from her fingers, her piano playing, her background, her history, her singing, her personality, musicality. Amazing amazing amazing talent and sadly her dream as the first black female concert pianist was not realized n she had to struggle to make ends meet.

[@Estrellabamoregr]

Excelente !!

[@mkt963]

Thanks Laura and BBC

[@s.j.l.8252]

Laura's performance here of LITTLE GIRL BLUE is even better than her recording of it.

[@jsafla666]

There will only ever be one Nina Simone

[@Jbm0230]

I think they should not have said she sounds like Nina Simone. However, she has a similar timbre. It's phenomenal. I love it.

[@rayarthey3706]

Is because she's an Alto as well... doesn't have the darkness of Nina but has a wider vocal range!... Nina remains a powerhouse and my fav sing!

[@yanettgarita1138]

Hol soy latina me gustaría que los documentales fuesen en espaňol ya que es uno paga por esas. Cuentas nina simone maravillosa timpo que era musica

[@swisschoklate736]

🙄 she know deep down she loved the compliment and imitated her.

[@reaseAable]

Please do a remake of the movie.

[@isabellaguzman4717]

Love 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🌹🌹🌹🌹🎧🎧🎧🎼🎼🎤🎤

[@alflessa]

Melhor que o filme

[@abelsancheznegrete9325]

is good, very good

[@tiffanydash3609]

❤️

[@USA50_]

❤️🎶🎙️🇺🇲

[@danielebarretodesouza9448]

Maravilha, Junho 2019

[@enno5030]

2:05 whats the song in the background?

[@kayckdantas]

Good Bait - from the Little Girl Blue Album

[@enno5030]

eternal respect ;). thanks a lot :)

[@Cebo88]

Are you of Black South African Ancestry. Mvula means rain in Zulu.

[@ABCDuwachui]

They clearly did not get the rights to "feelin good" at the end

[@joserosales7219]

What is he song at 22:11

[@kieron82]

A song regarding Nina Simone comes to mind: Salmonella Dub, beat the game, kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoSphIKNZrWAm7c, NZ group that disbanded in late 2000's

[@ericmorgan6791]

You are fabulous darling but there is only one Nina Simone and you don't sound like her. But your voice is beautiful..

[@mackenziedog1872]

The English did the slave trade. I'm welsh but the Church of England won't let me say I'm not English. The queen is on my money.

[@Eyezpopmusic]

girl your technique is lazy you sure "cant handle what nina does" all right. I just wish an African American Girl got the chance to travel the world and study nina on national tv... :-/ appropriation

[@bethlehemkassaye4879]

Nobody can come close to the amazing Nina Simone. I don’t think her technique is “Lazy” she has her own spice,not once did she say she was like her or she can do what she can. As you can see in this documentary, she’s a huge fan of not only her music but her as a person.This documentary, was her way of trying to show How much of an impact Nina Simone had in her life and how much she loved her. Laura lives in England and she travelled to New York I would hardly call that travelling the world. Last thing, what do you mean African-American And Appropriation what exactly is she appropriating?

[@Eyezpopmusic]

oh brother

[@dattatrayanalawade2016]

Very poor. Don't compare. Laura is doing great job. Let's appreciate.

[@ABCDuwachui]

eyezpopmusic don't be a hater

[@bethlehemkassaye4879]

@@Eyezpopmusic “oh brother” what? Do you have a well thought out, genuine response to my comment or were you just spewing hate for no reason?

[@percyvolnar8010]

She does NOT sound like Nina Simone.

[@1977fudge]

i don't remember her saying that she did

[@percyvolnar8010]

@@1977fudge Because she didn't... I said she didn't sound like Nina Simone.... idiot.