Sing strong

Nina Simone sang more like a man than some men, say the Bee Gees. Nothing wrong with singing like a man, however, if you do it well. Nina with her deep, powerful voice did. The Rhino label's Collectables series includes a disk combining the LPs "The Amazing Nina Simone" and "Nina Simone at Town Hall," the latter of which emphasizes her piano playing in spots. I recommend the CD as a varied collection of Nina Simone's music and a good value. Her versions of "Summertime" and "Fine and Mellow" sure don't sound like anybody else, especially anybody named Gibb.