Just because Nyro has a treasure trove of songs written by her own hand doesn't mean she avoids the covers. The original "The Confession" segues into a perky "High Heeled Sneakers", and the set is wrapped up with a medley containing two old pop ditties "La La Means I Love You/Trees Of The Ages/Up On The Roof".
But with all that this record has going for it, it's her compositions that still is the engine that drives the whole proceedings. Even relatively newer numbers like "Wild World" and "My Innocence" hold up well against her better known earlier works, partly because the backing band gives them the same exuberant treatment, but also because — as this set illustrates so well — Nyro had been a very consistent composer throughout her career.
Sooner or later, you expect some of those more familiar tunes to be played and she doesn't disappoint. "Stoned Soul Picnic" stands apart from the 5th Dimension version because it contains a new, funky interlude. And if you like BS&T's "And When I Die," you will see this song in a different light here with Laura's perfectly delivered vocal backed only by electric piano and a little guitar.
"When I Die" sounds especially poignant since ovarian cancer claimed her life less than nine years later at the age of 49, just six months after that deadly disease took fellow songstress Eva Cassidy away from us. There is a smaller tragedy in that this release is currently out of print stateside and you have to pay import price to get a fresh copy. Until then, you'll have to pony up about three times the price of a regular CD. Or you can take your chances that the next 3 CD's you buy are collectively as good as this one. It could be a tough call.
Listen: Laura Nyro "The Confession/High Heeled Sneakers"
Listen: Laura Nyro "The Wild World"
Listen: Laura Nyro "And When I Die"
Listen: Laura Nyro "Stone Soul Picnic"
Listen: Laura Nyro "Wedding Bell Blues"
Note: MP3's are ripped at a low bit rate and available for only about a week.
Article comments
1 - S Peterkin
Eva Cassidy died of Melanoma on Nov 2, 1996 at age 33 not as your writing states from Ovarian Cancer. Otherwise, a great write-up of Laura, who like Eva Cassidy, will always be remembered as one of the biggest talents America had to offer during that time. Anyone interested in more information on Eva Cassidy should check the wonderful site maintained by her cousin, Laura Bligh.
2 - J. P. Spencer
A friend of mine recently gave me a Laura Nyro songbook containing all the songs on her first four albums. The friend knew I was a fan and the friend that gave it to her didn't know who Laura was, which is borderline tragic. I can't think of anyone around today that puts an effort into make songs sound as good as Laura's songs.
3 - Pico
S Peterkin--
Yup, I had that one coming. I inserted the Eva Cassidy reference at the last minute because I realized that anyone who like Eva's music would likely also like Laura's (even though one was a master interpreter and the other a master composer). What I meant to convey was that they both died of cancer in the general sense, not the same kind of cancer. Chaulk it up to laziness, here.
Anyway, thanks for the positive comments; both of these women left behind some great music and their untimely passing was a big loss to us all.
J.P. Spencer--
"I can't think of anyone around today that puts an effort into make songs sound as good as Laura's songs. "
I'm probably biased because I'm a baby boomer, but that's what I think, too.
-P
4 - Char
I think Laura Nyro was a GREAT composer and I really enjoyed her music. As one who was hellbent on Aretha Franklin, The Temptations and other 60's Motown music -- Nyro's music jumped out at me as something different. As a fellow-NewYorker, I appreciated her R&B/Jazzy/Rock styles that made her famous. I hope more people will begin to appreciate her melodic (Emmily) and rough ride (Eli's Coming) sounds and I wish she was hear to receive the nods she so deserves.
5 - Pico
Amen, Char, amen.
-P
6 - nyrize
Laura Nyro was the best musician ever...top for me and she will always remain in my heart...what a voice she had.