I Put A Spell On You

🖤 Nina Simone – I Put a Spell on You

(Philips Records, 1965 – Vinyl Edition)

Some albums seduce. I Put a Spell on You commands. This LP marks a stylistic shift for Nina Simone, embracing lush orchestration and pop structures while deepening her emotional palette. With her unmistakable contralto and classical piano phrasing, Simone delivers a performance that’s both cinematic and intimate.

The title track, “I Put a Spell on You,” originally by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, becomes something entirely different in Simone’s hands—less theatrical, more hypnotic. Her delivery is restrained yet piercing, turning desire into declaration.

Other standout tracks include:

• “Feeling Good” – triumphant and elemental, now iconic
• “Ne Me Quitte Pas” – a French ballad of heartbreak, delivered with aching precision
• “Marriage Is for Old Folks” – playful and satirical
• “July Tree” and “Beautiful Land” – poetic and pastoral
• “You’ve Got to Learn” – a quiet anthem of resilience
• “Take Care of Business” – bluesy and assertive

The arrangements, led by Hal Mooney, are rich with strings, woodwinds, and subtle jazz textures. Studio monitors will reveal the full fingerprint—Simone’s phrasing, the orchestral swell, and the emotional microdynamics that define her voice.

Visually, the album cover is elegant and enigmatic: Simone in profile, dressed in blue, against a black backdrop. The bold yellow-orange typography adds contrast and presence. It’s a portrait of poise and power.

I Put a Spell on You is not just a stylistic pivot—it’s a spell cast in vinyl. It honors the lyric, the arrangement, and the listener’s appetite for transformation. It’s music that listens as deeply as it mesmerizes.