Nina Simone - Emergency Ward!

Emergency Ward! is a live studio album by American singer-songwriter Nina Simone, originally released in 1972 by RCA Victor Records.

This unusual record from 1972 is Nina Simone's statement on the Vietnam War. The cover is a collage of news clippings from the conflict, and the song selection and arrangement, though dealing with matters more spiritual than political, reflect the events of the day.

The entire first side consists of a powerhouse medley of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" and a poem by David Nelson called "Today Is A Killer", set to music by Simone. "My Sweet Lord" is transformed into a sweaty gospel workout that takes its rhythm from The Capitols' "Cool Jerk" and its call-and-response vocal arrangement from the Reverend James Cleveland. 

Simone artfully alternates the celebratory romp with slow, somber passages featuring her improvised lyrics and passages from the Nelson poem. Even as it passes the 18-minute mark, the medley never loses power, and it remains one of Simone's finest moments.

After the triumph of the first side, "Poppies" is melodically vague, but Simone's strong delivery sells it, while George Harrison's "Isn't It A Pity" gets an intense, drawn-out treatment, mostly featuring just Simone's piano and voice.

Though it is one of the stranger records in the Simone oeuvre, Emergency Ward! is consistently thrilling.

Check out the tracks: “My Sweet Lord” and “Poppies”. 

This LP record is a Music On Vinyl reissue on 180 gram audiophile vinyl, featuring remastered audio with a printed insert, pressed in Europe.