Record #0134: I Loves You, Porgy / Love Me Or Leave Me – NINA SIMONE

Bethlehem 11021 (original, 2^nd pressing) USA, 1959
Words & Music by:  Side A – Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin; Side B – Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson
Musicians:  Nina Simone (vocals and piano), James “Jimmy” Bond (bass), Albert “Tootie” Heath (drums)
Recording sessions:  New York, NY, Dec. 1957
Highest chart positions: US #18, US R&B #2

The title song is originally a duet from the opera “Porgy and Bess”.

Both tracks were included on Simone’s debut album “Little Girl Blue” (Bethlehem 6028). That album and this single started her career.

Jimmy Bond had a studio-only group called “the James Bond Sextet” in the mid-60’s. :)

List price:  Not listed in the Price Guide – not a rare piece either.