I was hooked for life upon hearing the title track on the radio about 20 years ago. I was certainly not disappointed when I got the whole album. The recording here of Everything Must Change (though recorded by half the singers in the recording business) has only been equalled by the likes of Randy Crawford. The touching Judy Collins testimonial "My Father" is heartwrenching in Nina's hands. Hall & Oates' "Rich Girl" can be forgiven, or at least skipped. "Balm in Gilead" is a fine arrangement that she continued to use in concerts for years.

I really hope that Ms. Simone knows how she has touched people with this album. For those that just don't "get it" with "Baltimore", there are dozens of others to choose from. I don't think she lost any fans with this one the way the bulimic white girls abandoned Joni over "Mingus", and the hippies and moldy figs freaked over Buffy's "Illuminations" and even Teena herself disowned her own "Emerald City" fusion of Funk, Soul, Metal and World Beat.

Simply put, "Baltimore" is good music. It is among my prize possessions.


A Beautiful Oddity, a True Classic   January 12, 2000
S. GODFREY (Risca, South Wales)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

For me this is the finest album in Nina's peerless body of work. I read an article by singer-songwriter Chris Rea who picked this out as his all-time favourite album (by anybody)and I can see why. Nina is class, and her heart and soul are on show in every track along with her undisputed musical talents. There is subtely and understatement in the reggae feel of "Baltimore", heartbreaking regret in "The Family" and "My Father". The latter even comes close to eclipsing Judy Collins' original - there can be no higher recommendation. "Balm in Gilead" and "If you Pray Right" accentuate Nina's gospel roots without being in the least bombastic, "Rich Girl" is a blast. The overall feel of this wonderful album is of a true friend who you will want to keep beside you always. No wonder Chris Rea rates it so highly. If, like me, you've been wary of exploring Nina's music ( and there are some fairly dodgy compilations around) look no further than Baltimore. Its a true classic.


Sublime Sounds   September 10, 2002
Pieter (Johannesburg)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

Nina has the ability to transform any lyric into a poem. Here again she proves her worth as a highly skilled interpreter of many different styles of music: ballads, gospel, folk, pop and soul. My favorites include the funky but heartbreaking The Family, the rousing Balm in Gilead and the uplifting ballad That's All I Want From You with its haunting lyrics: "A sunny day/with hopes up to the sky/Not a day that comes and dies/That's all I want from you". Her version of My Father is elegant and atmospheric, with a particularly brilliant arrangement. The varied material permits her unique voice to reveal more of its subtle hues. Baltimore is a gripping album of beautiful songs that will richly reward the listener.


Achingly beautiful   November 28, 2004
Pieter (Johannesburg)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful


With her mellifluous voice, Nina had the ability to transform any lyric into a moving poem. Here again she proves her worth as a highly skilled interpreter of many different styles of music: ballads, gospel, folk, pop and soul. The title track is fairly lightweight compared to what follows, like the brooding Everything Must Change. There is a funky beat to the heartbreaking The Family, a tale of tragedy and hope. My favourites include the rousing Balm in Gilead and the uplifting ballad That's All I Want From You with its simple and haunting lyrics. Her version of My Father is elegant and atmospheric, with a particularly brilliant arrangement, whilst Music For Lovers is dreamy and romantic. The album concludes with the buoyant gospel sounds of If You Pray Right. The varied material permits her unique voice to reveal more of its subtle hues. Baltimore is a gripping album of beautiful songs that will richly reward the listener.



Old fan of Ms. Simone!   August 1, 2001
Fuller, J.B. (ATL, GA)
6 out of 8 found this review helpful

I just simply want to say that for all of the viewers how have never listened to Ms. Simone, please do. I first hear her when I was 8 yrs old. I have never stopped loving her style and vocal range. Her music has the ability to engulf your inner-self...you may not have been there, but you can unstand where she is coming from. Baltimore is my favorite album, but all of her music is moving.

Thank you for your time. And thank you Ms. Simone for the inspiration.

Fulller, Atl, GA