Gotham Acme (Howard Wolfson’s blog)

It’s Alina Simone Day at GothamAcme!

If you haven’t purchased her new amazing new album, ‘Everyone is Crying Out to Me, Beware’ in digital form, this Friday you will have a chance to purchase it on good old fashioned vinyl.  And if you have already purchased it on cd, you may still want to purchase the lp because Ms. Simone has graciously included an extra song, not previously available, on it for your listening pleasure.

And just because it’s Alina Simone Day, you can sample said previously unavailable, absolutely fabulous track — “For a Rainy Day” — right here!

And just why, you may ask, have I turned my blog over to Alina Simone?  Well, it’s not just anyone who can sing an entire album in Russian, and still catch the ears — and the hearts — of critics everywhere here in the States.

A collection of songs originally written and performed by Russian folk singer Yanka Dyagileva, Ms. Simone’s ‘Everyone is Crying Out to Me, Beware’ is a concept album that succeeds in more than just concept.  You will not understand the words, but you will not need to.  It is a testament to the power and character of Ms. Simone’s voice that she is able to convey Dyagileva’s pathos, passion and urgency without singing a single word in English.

“Half my Kingdom” is the album’s best song; Ms. Simone singing in a half whisper, darting in and around boozy brass and and scuffed guitar, compelling you to follow along the entire way.

For more, head over to Daytrotter, who hosted their own Alina Simone Day yesterday, or better yet, buy ’Everyone is Crying Out to Me, Beware’.