Ah yes, it's showing in Netflix and good news, since in our country has now netflix.. So you can watch it there. Anyway.. If you asked me, how I end up being a fan of Nina Simone these days? Blame David Lynch. Just kidding.. Anyway, after that one song, and my fave song of hers, which is Sinnerman, I was surprised that she sang I mean from end of 50's till the 70's especially with the civil rights movement.
Anyway, this documentary became an instant classic to me and very good treat to not only to her fans but audiophile or music fans alike. There was only one thing I hope they improved on, I hope they focused a bit more, how she done it, or how she was able to create music even the only training she had was doing classical music. Like how she created Sinnerman or Pirate Jenny?
But other than that, it's a fantastic documentary. 3 things I loved in this documentary.. First was the flow of the documentary. I mean, from where she born until the end, no mix or jumping scene except for the first scene. I love the transition they made for her story. As they unravel each important events in her life, there was always an interesting fact about her. I was surprised that she became an activist and one of the reasons, she left US was not due tax evasion, but she just gave up in the US after all her civil rights friends died one by one. Most surprising of all, no singing training for her. I mean, she just sang because she needed to earn working in a crummy club as she said. Wow, sheer talent and genius.
Another factor I loved this documentary, was the audio recordings or archival interviews done straight from her. At the course of this docu, with her answers in the interviews, you'll understand her as more of a person. Not the artist or singer but how she lived, thinks and yes, view life. Although it was proven that she lived as Nina Simone 24/7, she still shown as a normal person and worse, a very broken, depressed person. I love the parts which shown her letters and some footages on how she performs. Despite her strict rules and uncontrollable rhythm, her prescence in the stage indeed a worth to see and most importantly, to hear.
Lastly, I loved the interviews done to the people around her. Although I hoped they interviewed more artists, especially those she inspired.. It was very sad yet inspiring. Give credit to Lisa, Nina's only daughter of telling most of the meat of this documentary, even some parts of it she admit, she had bad feelings towards Nina but she still felt proud and love her mom. How about the parts of her ex-husband, her former band mates and some friends who not only close to her but also helped her especially for her second coming. I was very sad at the part where Nina exiled in France with no money and only working for a couple of hundred bucks in a crappy bar.. She was almost done but great thing, she was saved and helped her to cope her mental/psychological illness. That part was also interesting and shocking to me. Great thing, she rised up and you can see at the last part of the film, she was like a goddess that despite she is not that great anymore due to her age, just her name and presence, will flock the venue. The only person I can think who can do that today, Morrissey.. Damn if you also look how she perform with the piano, a living legend. That's what happens if you play the piano since 4 yrs old. Damn..
Well, this year, it was a lot of great music documentaries. Count in Kurt Cobain, then this one and yes, the one I should watch is Amy. All of them, troubled, depressed, fame consumed them type of story.. But Nina stands out not only she was able to handle the demons inside her, but also.. As she says, she feels free when she see a piano in front of her.
That title above, a very fitting title.. Especially if you are a new fan of hers.
All of them answered empathically in this documentary. I'll listen more of her songs perhaps.
By the way, I love Sinnerman as the ending song, even it was cut short. =)
I just hope she did not change her real name, Eunice. Not bad right?
Sinnerman
by Nina Simone
Oh Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
Where you gonna run to?
All along dem day
Well I run to the rock, please hide me
I run to the rock,please hide me
I run to the rock, please hide me, Lord
All along dem day
But the rock cried out, I can't hide you
The rock cried out, I can't hide you
The rock cried out, I ain't gonna hide you guy
All along dem day
I said, Rock, what's a matter with you rock?
Don't you see I need you, rock?
Lord, Lord, Lord
All along dem day
So I run to the river, it was bleedin'
I run to the sea, it was bleedin'
I run to the sea, it was bleedin'
All along dem day
So I run to the river, it was boilin'
I run to the sea, it was boilin'
I run to the sea, it was boilin'
Along dem day
So I run to the Lord, please hide me Lord
Don't you see me prayin'?
Don't you see me down here prayin'?
But the Lord said, go to the devil
The Lord said, go to the devil
He said, go to the devil
All along dem day
So I ran to the devil, he was waitin'
I ran to the devil, he was waitin'
Ran to the devil, he was waitin'
All on that day
I cried -
POWER!!!!!!!
(Power to da Lord)
[8x]
Bring down,
(Power to da lord),
[4x]
POWER!!!
(power to da lord)
[12x]
(Instrumental)
Oh yeah, Woh yeah, Woh yeah
Well I run to the river, it was boilin'
I run to the sea, it was boilin'
I run to the sea, it was boilin'
All along dem day
So I ran to the Lord
I said, Lord hide me, please hide me
Please help me
Along dem day
He said, child, where were you
When you oughta been prayin'?
I said,Lord, Lord, hear me prayin'
Lord, Lord, hear me prayin'
Lord, Lord, hear me prayin'
All along dem day
Sinnerman you oughta be prayin'
Oughta be prayin', Sinnerman
Oughta be prayin',
All on that day
I cried -
POWER!!!!!!!
(Power to da Lord)
[12x]
Go down
(Power to da Lord)
[3x]
POWER!!!!!!!
(Power to da Lord)
[3x]
Power, Power, Lord
Don't you know I need you Lord
Don't you know that I need you
Don't you know that I need you
Power, Lord!
I'm a Sinnerman, and I need that power Lord....
by the way, Thanks to David Lynch!
yes, I woke up at 4:30am and dressed up so fast and went to Dell office.. for what? for our community service day.. we went to La Mesa Dam.. what did I expect? I don't know.. at first.. we were just talking about what we will do and are we getting some freebies.. hehe things like that.. not high expectations.. just to volunteer for this save the forest program.. our goal in our regeneration program.. and that's it.. we left the office around what.. hmmm 6am.. and then we reached great fairview.. we got lost.. after 30 mins.. we found the village which leads to the Dam.. hehe I only saw that Dam in TV especially it's a project of ABSCBN foundation.. so it's like their advertisement for forest awareness.. so there.. after we reached the park. we gone down.. by the way, on the way to the park, we ate some crackers and of course.. free shirt again!!! haha it's the 3rd shirt I got from Dell.. love it.. hehe everytime there is an event.. I know, there will be some freebies in store for the participants.. so I knew it..
let's go back to the park whatever scenario.. so we gone down from the bus and proceed right away to the pavillion.. the place was great.. really, honestly.. I will tell you why later.. so there.. and the program started with the introduction of the park and some kind words from our team.. after that brief introduction.. hmmm we watched some video about the park, like history.. and it's purpose in our lives.. one interesting fact that I can share from the park is, the ecopark is the only forest situated in the Urban metro manila.. which also includes the largest water supply in the city as well, unfortunately, it is only one.. one Dam.. but having a forest in the middle of the chaotic Manila.. is really great.. so we really need to take care of this only forest.. so the first activity we did was putting the soil through the plastic.. it was a fun activity because well, we are like gardeners.. hehe then the second one is putting the small plant to the soil with plastic that we made.. I think, I did not get some pictures while doing those activities.. hehe and then our Managers, done the tree planting ceremony for Dell.. so many activities with such small time.. by the way.. we did not have so much volunteers.. so I think only 60-70 people joined the said program for today.. after those nursery and planting ceremonies.. we were given a talk about vermicomposting.. well, organic farming as well.. if you ask what it is, it's farming without the use of a pesticide, machines, we only use the nature and biodegradable materials to farm.. vermi is well worm for short.. we need to use a lot of worms for organic farming.. it was a long talk and everybody was screaming their hearts out when they demonstrate the procedure, with live worms!!! hehe it is a long procedure.. I was not able to get all of it, but I definitely interested with that because with organic farming, rest assured, all your crops, or even spices, are 100% organic.. meaning they are more nutritious than those we buy in the market or supermarket.. those crops are made from the conventional farming method.. even the organic method is kinda tedious, long.. but in the end, you are not only making healthy and delicious crops but also you save the environment at the same time..
so if I have some spare land in the future for farming.. I will use that method.. hehe I will learn that method.. anyway, after that very long yet interesting talk... we gone to the important part of our activity.. strolling around the park.. I love the park.. well, it's an eco park.. so we have a guide.. quite smart I say about her, even she did not tell her name.. hehe but she explained every part of the park.. we gone looking at each tree.. then we looked some places, including the paintball place.. the swimming pool.. the LaMesa Dam itself.. some places there as well.. it is a really a great place.. to come back.. I will refer it to my friends.. why? you can do a lot of things there, even you can't stay there overnight.. but, which park you can do like swimming, playing paintball, nature trekking.. almost everything.. so it's worth to comeback and help the forest I guess.. hehe news just got in, hmm Nina's mom, whose been in the hospital last week, just passed away.. I need to confirm it but it's sad.. it's very hard.. so I hope Nina will able to overcome this and pray to God that her Mom will be in a better place.. in heaven.. rest in peace for her.. so well, I will pray for her.. and if I can squeeze my schedule tomorrow, I will visit to her with Joanne.. by the way, what we ate a very good lunch.. I ate twice because of the excess food.. hehe and drank so much softdrinks.. I love the event.. free food, free.. whatever.. hehe ok, I will add some pics.. and I can't explain the great scenary in that park.. so feast your eyes.. that's all for today.. take care, God bless to all.. good day and good luck!!
