Originally released as Little Girl Blue on the Bethlehem label in June 1958, what is perhaps most remarkable about Nina Simone’s debut studio album is that, purely in terms of her storytelling ability, she was an artist who arrived fully formed. Backed by bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Albert ‘Tootie’ Heath, highlights include two of her most beloved signature songs, ‘I Loves You Porgy’ and ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’, the incredibly touching title track which sees Simone deftly interweaving ‘Good King Wenceslas’ into the Rodgers and Hart ballad, plus a powerfully emotive take on ‘Don’t Smoke in Bed’. To witness the marriage of one of the 20th century’s greatest composers with one of its greatest musical iconoclasts, head straight for ‘Mood Indigo’. The generous bonus tracks include five songs originally issued as Colpix singles, recorded in New York in 1962 and featuring the singer in an orchestral setting (with either Stu Phillips or Ralph Burns conducting), plus an extended live version of the Jimmy Cox blues, ‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’, recorded at the Lake Meadows Club in Chicago.