This album, originally issued as Little Girl Blue on Bethlehem (SBCP6028) was Nina Simone’s first album and first studio recording ever. Made when she was 25-years old, it was a huge success and led to a tremendous career which would produce more than 80 studio sessions. After making these tracks, Simone would not record again for two years, finally returning to the studios for a 1959 New York date with a large orchestra directed by Bob Mersey. Simone would never record again with neither Jimmy Bond or Albert “Tootie” Heath. The singer’s career came to a close in 1993, when she cut her final sessions with a sextet in Los Angeles. She died in France on April 21, 2003.[info sheet from distr.]