The unmistakeable Etta. My favourite of her 60's rock-soul belters (and one of the lesser-played ones; I was surprised when it didn't even make it onto the Etta Chess box set), recorded when she had a drug habit that would make Keith Moon blush. I ended a DJ set with this song and the reaction was phenomenal.
from the single Fire (Cadet 5620) available on CD - Tell Mama: The Complete Muscle Shoals Sessions (Chess)
I went to a funeral today, which is never going to be the most pleasant way of spending time. However, it was a humanist service and, as such, an appropriate and touching way to remember the individual concerned. Music was played, including Why? by The Communards: a great thing. Not neccessarily a brilliant song, but a very unusual choice.
Of course, events like this spark everyone off thinking and talking about their own fitting ends. I nominate this; a bit of Nina would be great at a funeral. I love the black farce of this track, and what a great piece of final gallows humour to play a song about hell as the curtains close around your coffin in the crematorium.
from Silk & Soul (RCA SP-3837) available on CD - Nina Simone And Piano! / Silk & Soul (Camden Deluxe)