Laura Nyro records

Gotta be the first album. Though it's less uniquely hers, almost all the songs are top notch, and it's easily the one I return to the most often.

NYT.

oh and this has reminded me to order the remaster of the first album, so thanks dell.

Well, you're welcome.

I instigated this poll b/c I can't decide to save my life. I'm gonna try to come up with an answer before the poll's expiration date, though.

Lately I'm thinking NYT, but First Songs and Eli have such classics on them, that it becomes tough. I haven't listened to the later stuff in a long time or even ever given them a fair shake, but I'm gonna try to do that over the next coupla days.

what remaster of the first album? link?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjdowef1oKE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIWkRAw5feE&feature=related

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0010X70WW/ref=s9_asin_image_3?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1HYAB0RGC5KV3CJFFKGA&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=142678391&pf_rd_i=468294

ah nice, with the original art and track listing too! hasn't come stateside yet, but i'm sure it will if it's revola

i heard nyt first and it was one of those moments of revelation. quickly acuired eli and miracle as those were remasterd and shiny and on sale. didn't hav the same impact, but i still love them. been getting into christmas this december and that's a deepening of her work i was hoping for, though like sandy denny on her solo albums she's starting to sound a little tired, bruised, but it works for the album.
i'd love to know what the feelings are about her comeback albums.

i've got smile and nested in addition to the classics, and while i don't hate them, they're definitely lacking a spark. i find it hard to even pay attention to the lyrics.

I also heard NYT first, except I hated it. Heard Eli a year later and love it. The great pop songs are completely gone by NYT, but I can at least tolerate it now. Getting through Christmas and the Beads of Sweat is a total chore. Easy pick.

Eli

not getting at you xox, but i have to say even someone cool on nyt would have to admit there's at least three or four great pop songs on there.

I have a feeling that for me it's gonna come down to NYT vs Eli...with First Songs threatening. I just don't know...

there's at least three or four great pop songs on there.

Just gave it another listen and it's a very strong album. I'd appreciate the catchier material more if they had the fuller arrangements of the previous album. I'm glad I own it, though. Different sort of thing.

I need to hear the first one.

Must get a playable copy of NYT - have a huge soft spot for 'Christmas.....' but i think i've got to vote for the first record

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

Heh, i just got a Tomcat when i tried to vote.

I'll vote Eli, in honor of the upcoming Super Bowl...

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

I forgot to vote, naturally, oops...but probably would have gone with Tendaberry. But, it's so difficult, the first three lp's are all pretty grate.

so i'll start with the winner then? of tendaberry?

grate urself =P

I dunno, Surmounter...honestly, they all have their merits. Truth, be told, I would actually proceed in chronological order. "The First Songs" is enough to convert...but any of the three first records are safe bets. Yeah. I'm pretty confident about that.

great

I missed this poll, but probably would have voted for Eli anyway, like I did in this poll

I also missed this one, but it's a near-impossible task, for me. Her first 4 albums are untouchable masterpieces in their own right, and are difficult to compare as they feel like a progression in her artistic maturity and vision. 'Eli and the Thirteenth Confession' was the first album of hers I ever heard, and as such I'll always particularly love it, but I also believe that 'Christmas and the Beads of Sweat' is a hugely underrated, truly great album. Can't believe no-one voted for it!

Heard "You Don't Love Me When I Cry" the other night and proceeded immediately to the CD store to get Eli & NYT. Playing NYT at work today...suddenly realized I had been levitated out of the room and building by this music. Not in Kansas anymore indeed!

has anybody else purchased the More Than A New Discovery reissue on Rev-Ola?...I did, and discovered that it was simply the First Songs album, with an inaccurate tack listing...I notified Rev-Ola, who said they'd also realized their mistake and would be sending me the correct one...(haven't received it yet)...

Good move, Bimble. Yeah, that song kills. I still can't pick one out of the first several. Lately I've been appreciating Christmas... more than I had previously.

yeah i did henry

The other night, when I was trying to fall asleep I kept hearing her voice singing in my head without it actually being any of her particular songs. I mean I didn't remember any particular tune or phrase, it was just this vague overall presence of her voice in my head. Yeah I guess she made a pretty big impression on me with those two albums earlier that day at work.

I can see where Kate Bush is similar. I've never heard anyone I'd feel comfortable comparing to Kate before. It's really strange. And yet Kate could be so much more eccentric and uniquely English. Anyway I'm not ready for a Taking Sides thread between them, let's put it that way. Please don't start one. Yet.

The thing I keep coming away with about Nyro is the way she goes from quiet to loud to quiet again. I was so impressed with her spirit of creativity. It seemed to me she was tuned in to some creative force that was completely outside herself. But I've only listened to these albums one time each. I'm not really qualified to be babbling on about them quite yet, and still I am! Because I know they're dead good once-in-a-lifetime records, even if I haven't fully unraveled their mysteries as of yet.

I'd recommend people to start with Eli....because N.Y. Tendaberry is the hard stuff. I started with Tendaberry myself, which meant that when I checked out the other stuff, it was a slight letdown (except for "Poverty Train").

It's funny, I like Petula Clark and The 5th Dimension and if I only knew about Laura's first two records, I'd be perfectly happy with her as one of these-type artists.

ts: Laura Nyro vs. Nara Leao

When "Captain For Dark Mornings" starts and she's banging on the piano doesn't sound just like the beginning of that song on Kate Bush's first album that goes "After the party..." man I'll have to look that up. It's "Feel It", the really sexual one. Does anyone here know what I'm talking about? You don't think Kate really tried to rip her off do you? I feel really weird about that.

The other night I was thinking I bet there are people in this world who think Ricki Lee Jones is as good as Nyro. No fucking way. Nyro was fucking genius, okay? I know folks say Eli is the better album and I can see how it's more catchy, but honestly, I felt pulled in and tuned in to Tendaberry from the start.

Go 'head. If you think Ricki Lee Jones is better, name one song.

What is the next album I should get? Christmas?

did you ever read my poll dedicated to ricki/joni/laura throwdown?

Takings Side: Laura Nyro vs. Joni M. vs. Rickie Lee Jones

classic

Coolness! Thanks.

I'm trying so hard to keep control, but she has made mincemeat of my brain/emotions.

"Poverty Train" for starters.

This woman has made mincemeat of my soul. Music just does NOT get any better than this, I am sorry. Search far and wide, it never ever gets any better than this.

I...yeah.

She is one of my all-time, all-time musical heroes/inspirations.

Oh god. I don't want to gush I really don't but she has shredded my soul. Once you get through about 3/4 of the way through Eli it's like anything can happen.

Yeah, I kinda fear that a lotta people don't realize how incredible Stoned Soul Picnic (hers, the original) is. She really cuts to the heart of what it's all about. (Whatever "it" is!)

"Can you sur-rey?..."

They'll be lots of tiiiiiiime and wiiiiiine. Red, yellow, honey, sassafrass and moonshine...

Bimble's right about the similarity with that Kate Bush song. But I wouldn't say it's plagiarism. Nah. She's just banging the piano on the same, minor, key. Hey, are you guys drunk?

Speaking for myself, I just get sloppily excited about life.

Do you're self a favour and listen to "I am the blues" from the smile Album...possibly the finest song she wrote...I just listened to "Christmas..." for the first time in years this morning...utterly sublime and perfect Sunday morning listening...also "Season Of Lights" is one of the great live albums...I also think she may of been the best of the Holy Trinity (Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones)...

I just wanted to add that I think her music has held up very well just like Nick Drake's has because like him, she had a really great producer. How many records from the late 60's can you think of that SOUND as good as Eli & NYT? Especially Eli! I was actually surprised to learn this stuff was from the late 60's because it sounded like it could have been from as recent as the late 70's to me. Eli says it was produced by Charlie Calello and Laura Nyro. NYT says it was produced by Laura Nyro and Roy Halee.

Also doesn't anybody think "December's Boudoir" is a bit odd considering we're trying to say Kate Bush the goddess didn't rip Nyro off?

I mean don't get me wrong, it pains me to even suggest that Kate ripped anyone off, it really does. But...there's really something weird going on with that song.

Ok, you've forced me to become a pirate. Now tell me which Laura song.

Uh, Kate song, I guess I mean. Which one is like "December's Boudoir"?

Alright, I take it back...but wasn't there a tiny bit in that song when it reminded one of the Kate Bush song "December Will Be Magic Again"? It seemed that when she sang the word "December" it was similar to the notes Kate used. And remember Kate also had the word "boudoir" in a song on her first album. Possibly I'm sounding like an ignorant American, but oh well. Anyway I take it back. Kate didn't rip her off at all.

But listen up:

LAURA NYRO IS THE BEST FEMALE MUSICIAN/SONGWRITER TO HAVE EVER RECORDED EVER

I have decided this after very careful thought. She has transcended Ms. Kate for me. I am serious. I am spellbound.

And I especially wanted to note the ONE TWO punch of "Woman's Blues" followed by "Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe)" which made me want to fucking dance around at work today. I don't know if it's her voice or the drumming, but my god, my fucking god. I can be STONE COLD SOBER and that shit SENDS ME OVER THE MOON. I am serious.

Also Stoned Soul Picnic isn't fucking bad either. Sang it while walking down the street outside my work today.

I just got Eli and love it. Sounds like NY Tendaberry should be next?

yes, and also get the Stoned Soul Picnic comp unless you plan to get the rest of her studio LP's...(which you should)...

Nothing like Stoned Soul Picnic on a sunny day

Every time I listen to ‘New York Tendaberry’ I can’t believe this album exists…talk about sui generis…she was on some other level…it this was released today we’d be marvelling but to think it’s 55 years old is astonishing…would of loved a Laura Nyro/Alice Coltrane collab album…amazing

Surry on soul

One of my favourite details in New York Tendaberry is how the piano riff at the end of "Captain for dark mornings" fades out, staggering, hesitant and wounded, only to reappear in a different key, revitalized and reborn, at the beginning of "Captain Saint Lucifer".
That arc of healing between the second and second-to-last songs redeems a lot of the suffering in between.

^ great post

xpost every time i hear "beads of sweat" i can't believe it exists. duane allman on lead in the right ear and cornell dupree on rhythm in left ear; chuck rainey playing some amazing bass lines; not to mention typical greatness from laura.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd2BRFQPTyk

Would have thought this was being revived for this news!

https://madfishmusic.com/artists/lauranyro/

• 10 Original Studio Albums, 6 Live Albums including 2 Previously Unreleased Live Concerts, Laura’s original demo tape from 1966 and bonus disc of rarities including mono versions, alternative versions and live tracks

• All albums remastered especially for this collection

• All housed in a deluxe, lift-off lid box

• Coffee-table book with in-depth liner notes by Vivien Goldman, foreword from Sir Elton John and testimonials from Charlie Calello, Will Lee, John Sebastian, Jackson Browne, Clive Davis, Lou Adler, Randy Brecker, Bernard Purdie, Scott Billington, John Sebastian and Gary Burden

• Rare, previously unseen photographs including intimate family shots illuminate the book

Included within this set are all of Laura’s ten studio albums: More Than A New Discovery (1967), Eli And The Thirteenth Confession (1968), New York Tendaberry (1969), Christmas And The Beads Of Sweat (1970), Gonna Take A Miracle (1971), Smile (1976), and Nested (1978), Mother’s Spiritual (1984), Walk The Dog & Light The Light (1993) and her posthumously released masterwork Angel In The Dark (2001). Six live albums: Spread Your Wings And Fly: Live At The Fillmore East (1971), Season Of Lights… Laura Nyro In Concert (1977), Live / The Loom’s Desire (1993 & 1994), and two previously unreleased concert recordings from San Francisco (1994). Rounding off this complete collection is Laura’s first ever demo tape Go Find The Moon (1966) and a collection of Rarities. All remastered and housed in individual sleeves with original artwork.

At the centre of this deluxe package is a 94-page coffee table hardback book with liner notes by acclaimed author Vivien Goldman, forewords from Sir Elton John, Laura’s son Gil Bianchini, and brother Jan Nigro. Featuring contributions and testimonials from Charlie Calello, Will Lee, John Sebastian, Jackson Browne, Clive Davis, Lou Adler, Randy Brecker, Bernard Purdie, Scott Billington, John Sebastian and Gary Burden. Never-before-seen photographs and intimate family shots illustrate this detailed compendium.

Wow that looks fantastic