Baltimore is the fourteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter and pianist Nina Simone, released in January 1978 by CTI Records. Due to a lack of promotion, and Simone's dissatisfaction with the record, it became a commercial failure, failed to chart, and also received mixed reviews from critics. Baltimore would also become her first and only album released under her contract with CTI Records. The title track was originally written and recorded by Randy Newman in 1977.

History Nina Simone (born Eunice Kathleen Waymon) was signed to CTI Records after the veteran jazz producer Creed Taylor saw her perform live in 1977 at Drury Lane, and together they would record "Baltimore," Simone's first album since 1974's It Is Finished.Creed Taylor's liner notes for Baltimore

However, sessions for the album were very tense: Simone disagreed with Taylor's production choices—particularly his interest in a reggae sound, which first caused Simone to ask "What is this corny stuff?"Cohodas, Nadine (2012). Princess Noire: The Tumultuous Reign of Nina Simone. University of North Carolina Press. p. 291. . Simone's dissatisfaction delayed production, but she would eventually record her vocals for the album in a single hour-long sitting.Princess Noire, p. 292 Simone would later recall of the historic barn where Baltimore was recorded "a basement in Belgium where I was forced to sing songs in order to get out of there."Princess Noire, p. 294

Simone would later say of the album, "The material was not my personal choice, and I had no say whatsoever in the selection of songs. It was all done before I could make any decisions," leaving it unclear whether Simone—who had notably insisted on creative control in her contracts with previous labels—is referring to the final selection of tracks included on the album or the entire selection of songs ever recorded for it. While Simone may not have had full control over the song selection, she had previously chosen to perform several of the album's songs live, including "Music for Lovers" as early as 1966 (suggesting that she had some say in the songs recorded for Baltimore, as it is unlikely that Taylor would have chosen this song on his own.) Princess Noire, p. 188

Several of the songs on Baltimore were performed for Simone during the concert Taylor attended before signing her to record Baltimore, including "Balm in Gilead," "Rich Girl," "Everything Must Change," and "That's All I Want from You." Additionally, Simone would rerecord "If You Pray Right," retitled "Heaven Belongs to You," on her album Fodder on My Wings and performed "If You Pray Right" and "Baltimore" for her live 1987 album Let It Be Me.

The album failed to do well commercially, although it received substantial press attention. Critical reception for Baltimore was mixed.

The title track was released as a single in the UK, US, and Australia in 1978, and "The Family" was released as a single in the US in 1979.

In early 2025, Miss Simone's brother, Dr. Samuel Waymon, released "Baltimore" (In Four Movements), in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

In the "official video" that accompanied release of his arrangement, Dr. Waymon examined the history and significance of Newman's composition and explained his rationale in selecting it. The production includes additional imagery highlighting societal conflicts in Baltimore, Maryland (USA) and similar communities throughout the world.

Critical reception

The New York Times noted Simone's "deep, mannish voice and her aloofness."

Track listing

Personnel Musicians Nina Simone – vocals, piano Eric Gale – guitar Gary King – bass Chuck Israels, Homer Mensch, John Beal - double bass Jimmy Madison – drums Nicky Marrero – percussion Al Schackman – musical director, piano on "Baltimore" Jerry Friedman – guitar on "The Family" and "Rich Girl" Will Lee – bass on "Rich Girl" Andy Newmark – drums on "Rich Girl" David Matthews – string arrangements, piano on "The Family" and "Forget" String section: Barry Finclair, Charles Libove, David Nadien, Harry Glickman, Harry Lookofsky, Herbert Sorkin, Marvin Morgenstern, Max Ellen, Richard Sortomme – violin Alfred Brown, Emanuel Vardi, LaMar Alsop – viola Alan Shulman, Charles McCracken, Jonathan Abramowitz – cello Albertine Robinson, Babi Floyd, Deborah McDuffie, Frank Floyd, Jo Armstead, Maeretha Stewart, Milt Grayson, Ray Simpson – backing vocals

Production Creed Taylor – producer, liner notes David Palmer – engineer White Gate – album photography Sib Chalawick – album design

Notes