Description
Nina Simone – Fodder On My Wings – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Nina Simone’s Fodder on My Wings, originally recorded in 1982 and re-released in 2020, is a deeply personal and introspective album that captures the legendary artist at one of her most emotionally raw and creatively experimental moments. Recorded after Simone had relocated to Paris, the album reflects her struggles with loneliness, financial hardship, and personal grief while exploring themes of identity, resilience, and spirituality.**
With a mix of jazz, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and avant-garde elements, Fodder on My Wings showcases Simone’s ability to channel her pain and experiences into a transcendent artistic statement. Tracks like I Sing Just to Know That I’m Alive and Alone Again (Naturally) highlight her emotional vulnerability, while songs like Fodder on My Wings and Liberian Calypso emphasize her global and cultural consciousness.
By the time Simone recorded Fodder on My Wings, she was living a life of relative isolation in Paris, estranged from her family and struggling with mental health challenges. This period of her life was marked by personal upheaval, yet it also allowed her to create some of her most introspective and unique music. The album was initially recorded for the small French label Carrere Records, and while it didn’t gain much attention at the time of its release, it has since been recognized as a hidden gem in Simone’s discography.
The 2020 reissue by Verve Records brought Fodder on My Wings to a wider audience, featuring remastered sound quality and bonus tracks that highlight the album’s enduring significance.
Fodder on My Wings blends jazz, gospel, Afro-Caribbean, and European art song influences, creating a diverse and experimental sound. The production is minimalistic and raw, emphasizing Simone’s virtuosic piano playing, emotionally charged vocals, and a sense of intimacy. The album’s eclectic arrangements reflect Simone’s restless creativity and her ability to incorporate global influences into her music.
The stripped-down instrumentation, including African percussion and sparse bass lines, adds a sense of immediacy and intimacy, as if Simone is performing directly for the listener.
Track Highlights
I Sing Just to Know That I’m Alive
This opening track sets the tone for the album, with Simone declaring her purpose as an artist in a deeply personal and triumphant statement. The lively Afro-Caribbean rhythm contrasts with the weight of the lyrics.
Fodder in Her Wings
The title track is a haunting and introspective piece that captures Simone’s struggles with loss and self-doubt. Her raw vocal delivery and poignant lyrics make it one of the album’s emotional high points.
Liberian Calypso
A joyful and playful track, this song draws on African rhythms and celebrates cultural identity. It showcases Simone’s ability to blend serious themes with uplifting melodies.
Alone Again (Naturally)
A reinterpretation of Gilbert O’Sullivan’s classic, Simone transforms the song into a deeply moving exploration of grief, infusing it with her own experiences of loss.
Heaven Belongs to You
A spiritual and meditative track, this song reflects Simone’s connection to her faith and her yearning for peace and transcendence.
Vous Êtes Seuls, Mais Je Désire Être Avec Vous
Sung in French, this track is a contemplative and melancholy piece that underscores Simone’s connection to her surroundings in Paris and her feelings of isolation.
Thandewye
A rhythmic and hypnotic track that incorporates African influences, reflecting Simone’s fascination with global music traditions.
Le Peuple en Suisse
A satirical and humorous song about her experiences living in Switzerland, this track offers a rare glimpse into Simone’s wit and storytelling.
The album’s themes revolve around loneliness, resilience, spirituality, and cultural identity. Simone’s lyrics often feel autobiographical, addressing her struggles with mental health, the loss of her father, and her search for a sense of belonging. The title itself—Fodder on My Wings—symbolizes how Simone transformed her personal struggles into creative fuel.
Her use of multiple languages (English, French, and African dialects) underscores the album’s global and multicultural perspective, reflecting her life as an expatriate and her deep connection to her African roots.
Upon its original release, Fodder on My Wings was largely overlooked, as it was released on a small label and during a challenging period in Simone’s career. However, the 2020 reissue brought the album renewed critical attention, with reviewers praising its emotional depth and raw honesty.
Critics and fans have since embraced it as one of Simone’s most underrated works, noting its importance in understanding her journey as an artist and individual. The album is now recognized as a vital part of her catalog, showcasing her resilience and artistic brilliance during one of her most vulnerable periods.
Fodder on My Wings highlights Simone’s ability to use music as a vehicle for processing pain and asserting her identity. Its themes of self-discovery, grief, and cultural pride resonate deeply with audiences, particularly in the context of Simone’s legacy as a trailblazer for Black empowerment and artistic freedom.
The album’s global influences and personal narratives have inspired contemporary artists who seek to blend genres and address complex emotional and cultural themes in their work.
Fodder on My Wings is a raw and deeply affecting album that captures Nina Simone at her most introspective and experimental. With its blend of jazz, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and heartfelt lyricism, the album offers a window into Simone’s struggles and triumphs as an artist and individual. Its rediscovery through the 2020 reissue has solidified its place as a hidden gem in her discography, offering listeners an intimate and transformative experience that reflects the enduring power of her music.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
I Sing Just To Know That I’m Alive
Fodder In Her Wings
Vous Etes Seuls, Mais Je Désire Etre Avec Vous
Il Y A Un Baume A Gilhead
Liberian Calypso
Alone Again Naturally
I Was Just A Stupid Dog To Them
Color Is A Beautiful Thing
Le Peuple En Suisse
Heaven Belongs To You
Thandewye
Stop
They Took My Hand
