Sony BMG will re-release material from R&B performer Bill Withers and legendary soul singer Nina Simone in the form of two DualDisc albums due on Oct. 11. Withers' 1971 debut, "Just As I Am," and a Simone compilation "The Soul of Nina Simone" have been expanded with DVD documentary interviews and live footage.
Collecting 15 tracks from her landmark 1960s recordings, Simone's retrospective will be the first new compilation to be packaged in a DualDisc format. Simone referred to her style as "Black classical," and built her reputation on intense, plaintive renditions Broadway and jazz standards such as "I Loves You Porgy" and contemporary hits like Bob Dylan's "Tom Thumb's Blues," both of which are featured on the disc.
Also included are two previously unreleased tracks, "Porgy and Bess Medly" from the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" from the Westbury Music Fair.
The Dual Disc will include a DVD of rare and unreleased performances from the "Ed Sullivan Show," "Live At the Bitter End" and the 1969 "Harlem Festival," often referred to as the Black Woodstock.
Withers recorded "Just As I Am" in the summer of 1970. In the midst perpetual rejection from industry A&R men and a crumbled relationship, Withers caught a break with Sussex Records, which paired him with producer Booker T. Jones.
The album eventually birthed the smash single "Ain't No Sunshine," winner of the 1971 Grammy for best R&B song. The DVD side will include a new documentary on the making of the album and Withers' early life, as well as live performances of "Ain't No Sunshine," "I'm Her Daddy," and "Harlem."
Here is the track list for "The Soul of Nina Simone":
"Felling Good"
"In the Dark"
"Since I Fell for You"
"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"
"To Love Somebody"
"My Man's Gone Now"
"I Think It's Going To Rain Today"
"My Baby Just Cares for Me"
"I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl"
"Save Me"
"The Look Of Love"
"I Get Along Without You Very Well"
"Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues"
"Nobody's Fault But Mine"
"Porgy and Bess Medley"
Here is the track list for "Just As I Am":
"Harlem"
"Ain't No Sunshine"
"Grandma's Hands
"Sweet Wanomi"
"Everybody's Talkin'"
"Do It Good"
"Hope She'll Be Happier"
"Let It Be"
"I'm Her Daddy"
"In My Heart"
"Moanin' and Groanin'"
"Better Off Dead"
