@officialmeshell
Mark your calendars for October 9, when the multitalented Meshell Ndegeocello drops her 10th (!) studio album POUR UNE ÂME SOUVERAINE (“for a sovereign soul”): A Dedication To Nina Simone. The album brings together songs that the iconic Simone made famous, both songs that she wrote or were written for her. Meshell brings a great group of singers to help her in this endeavor, folks like Sinead O’Connor, Lizz Wright, Valerie June, Tracy Wannomae, Toshi Reagon and Cody ChesnuTT.
Nina Simone was a huge influence on Meshell, both musically and politically. Her music was highly instrumental in the fight for equal rights in the United States. “She wanted success, was pressured to make hits, but her own sound was still irrepressible,” explains Meshell. “She had things to say, she protested. She was a loud, proud black, female voice during a time when black female voices were not encouraged to make themselves heard.”
The challenge in making the album was for Meshell to find her own voice, giving the songs her own subtle spin while, at the same time, honoring Nina. Everyone who’s familiar with Simone knows that there are multiple versions of the same songs, so the goal wasn’t to recreate them, but find a way to make them fresh. Hopefully, that’s what Meshell has been able to achieve.
Tracklisting
1. Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood
2. Suzanne
3. Real Real feat. Toshi Reagon
4. House of the Rising Sun feat. Toshi Reagon
5. Turn Me On
6. Feelin’ good
7. Don’t Take All Night feat. Sinead O’Connor
8. Nobody’s Fault But Mine feat. Lizz Wright
9. Be My Husband feat. Valerie June
10. Black is the Color of My True Loves Hair feat. Valerie June
11. See Line Woman feat. Tracy Wannomae
12. Either Way I Lose
13. To Be Young, Gifted and Black feat. Cody ChesnuTT
14. Four Women
Meshell Ndegeocello Tour Dates
07/20: New York, NY @ Lincoln Center, Avery Fisher Hall
07/28: New York, NY @ The Fats Waller Dance Party, Annunciation Park on Bruce Paltrow Field
08/04: Oakland, CA @ Art & Soul Festival
08/11: Burnaby, CA @ Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival
08/27: Big Indian, NY @ Women’s Music Summit, Full Moon
08/28: Big Indian, NY @ Women’s Music Summit, Full Moon
08/29: Big Indian, NY @ Women’s Music Summit, Full Moon
08/30: Big Indian, NY @ Women’s Music Summit, Full Moon
08/31: Big Indian, NY @ Women’s Music Summit, Full Moon
09/07: Pittsburgh, PA @ City of Asylum
09/08: Pittsburgh, PA @ City of Asylum
10/19: Durham, NC @ Duke University, Reynolds Industry Theater
10/20: Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall Theater
12/07: Los Angeles, CA @ UCLA Live
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