Four Women Revisited

I love a good tribute. Some people, myself included, say that certain songs should be left alone if the cover cannot do it justice.  But every now and then- I can appreciate when artists pay homage with respect and without trying to replicate the original.  They bring their own style to the song while staying true to the essence of it.  Well that's exactly what Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius, Jill Scott and Ledisi did for Nina Simone's Four Women.  Check out their tribute on BET's Black Girls Rock 2010.



Now, let's not forget the original from the Queen herself. Nina's version has no peer. It's melancholy.  Truth bearing.  Unflinching. Unapologetic.  She introduces each woman with grace even if their lives sound graceless. Life is hard but they are not victims.  They are not martyrs. She allows us to meet four women who have lived through remarkable circumstances. It's one of her crowning achievements and let's be honest; pluck any song from Ms. Simone's catalog and you can say the same for any one of them.  I dedicate this to my dear friend, the Lioness, who told me she held the honor of being Sweet Thing in a dance interpretation of Four Women when she was a little girl.  Such a grown up theme for them to do- and I know she nailed it. 



Apart from a remake, I think it's astounding what Talib Kweli did with Nina's song.  His interpretation is called For Women and I love it because it is in fact for us. Lyrically, he goes beyond the surface. He goes beyond the names and colorfully illustrates what makes these four women who they are.  Aunt Sarah.  Saffronia.  Sweet Thing.  Peaches.  Their stories are expounded upon. Their histories and realities are brought to life in the most articulate and esteemed manner.  It's deep. It's a labor of love and it's beautiful.

Respect to a true gem, Ms. Nina Simone