Exclusive: Nina Simone as You’ve Never Seen Her
See never-before-seen images of Nina Simone recording her classic album ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City.

David Hollander

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the recording of Nina Simone’s classic album, Nina Simone Sings the Blues, the record subscription service Vinyl Me, Please, has announced a limited-edition package: a re-release of the LP on baby blue vinyl, along with a custom cocktail recipe and art print inspired by the music.
“Nina Simone remains an artist who feels eternally just outside our reach to fully understand, appreciate or critique. In reissuing her classic album Nina Simone Sings the Blues we felt our job was to present the album in its truest form and then get out of the way,” said Cameron Schaefer, head of music for Vinyl Me, Please. “We worked with Sony Legacy to remaster the album from the original tapes, and when they pulled them out of their vaults, they found a box of original promotional photos they never used. So we were not only able to present this album in the highest fidelity, we also got to bring a unique, highest quality physical package as well.”
Here—and only here—see a collection of never-before-seen images of Nina Simone recording the album Nina Simone Sings the Blues. The photos were taken by photographer David Hollander at RCA Studios in New York City, December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander

Nina Simone records ‘Nina Simone Sings the Blues’ at RCA Studios in New York City. December 1966.
David Hollander
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