While I've never really listened to any of Nyro's solo material, I certainly knew, and loved many of her songs that other artists covered such as Stoned Soul Picnic, Save the Country, Wedding Bell Blues, Eli's Comin', And When I Die, and Stoney End. I became a huge Melissa Manchester fan (still am!) when "Melissa" was released in 1975. While I bought every new album she released after that, I didn't latch on to any of the "Home to Myself" songs until much later. "Easy" is definitely one of the best! I never realized how much of an influence Nyro was on her.
That was me too and then I got curious about Laura Nyro's own music and heard her version of 'Eli's Coming' and my jaw hit the floor, and I needed to hear more. Her first five albums are absolutely essential - one of the great runs in music.
As you can see, I’ve joined Substack so I can communicate with you. Many thanks for again keeping Laura Nyro’s music alive almost a quarter of the way into the 21st century. I enjoyed your article very much!
I got Laura’s first album the year it was released. At the time, age 17, I was equally interested in many other pop artists whom I still respect (but don’t listen to), but she’s the only one who has lasted these many decades for me.
I have a small listening group of friends who meet every few months for listening, conversation and food. They’re mostly classical music lovers and musicians themselves, and in mid-December I’ll give a presentation on Laura. I’ll try covering most of her career in 55 minutes of music and get through my 8 pages of notes and information about her and her many stylistic and career shifts, beginning with Buy and Sell and ending with A Woman of the World.
I’m also having huge anxiety about this! Does her music still appeal to me because of nostalgia? She was a nearly mystical figure for me in college. Is it because I saw her in a solo concert in 1971, after which I was a sobbing basket case? Will some of my friends take issue with her sometimes shrill voice? I want to trust myself, but…
I know a couple who are singer/songwriters in our group will be interested. I’ve wanted to share Laura since the early 90s when I taught an adult ed music appreciation class, and now that it’s upon me, I’m somewhat terrified. Am I just crazy to do this?! At our last gathering I presented songs from A. E. Housman’s A Shropshire Lad, with Anthony Rolfe-Johnson, tenor. It was right up everyone’s alley. Before that, a program I called Colors of Jazz Vocals. They were receptive.
In preparation, reread Michelle Kort’s bio and got lots of juicy bits to include, and have read many essays on Laura, looking for supplemental information.
I'm not a pianist or musician, but LOVE her keyboard accompaniment. Having said that, almost no one mentions it. Think of the opening bars of Upstairs by A Chinese Lamp…perfection in my book. Your thoughts?
I have no idea what you may think of my reaching out like this, and hope you don’t mind. Any thoughts or comments you may have would be sincerely appreciated.
Thanks for sharing this with me. When it comes to sharing music, you never know. I feel like your passion and history with Laura Nyro's music will ensure everyone, at the very least, bends an ear and learns more. It is certainly not a crazy endeavour. Her music is not for everyone but because it was so stylistically broad, I do think there's something in it for just about everyone. For me, it was connecting her music with my love of New York (my first real immersion in her music came just after my first experience of spending time in NYC during autumn). Her and that city are inseparable in my mind.
As you say, she was a fantastic piano player and her unique comping (to my ears, it often mirrors walking through New York, it has purpose but it also has a dreamy and romantic quality) is very appealing.
Let me know how the presentation goes as well as the other songs you feature (and thank you as well for supporting what I do here with a paid subscription - deeply appreciated!).
While I've never really listened to any of Nyro's solo material, I certainly knew, and loved many of her songs that other artists covered such as Stoned Soul Picnic, Save the Country, Wedding Bell Blues, Eli's Comin', And When I Die, and Stoney End. I became a huge Melissa Manchester fan (still am!) when "Melissa" was released in 1975. While I bought every new album she released after that, I didn't latch on to any of the "Home to Myself" songs until much later. "Easy" is definitely one of the best! I never realized how much of an influence Nyro was on her.
That was me too and then I got curious about Laura Nyro's own music and heard her version of 'Eli's Coming' and my jaw hit the floor, and I needed to hear more. Her first five albums are absolutely essential - one of the great runs in music.
Hello again Mr. Gilbert,
As you can see, I’ve joined Substack so I can communicate with you. Many thanks for again keeping Laura Nyro’s music alive almost a quarter of the way into the 21st century. I enjoyed your article very much!
I got Laura’s first album the year it was released. At the time, age 17, I was equally interested in many other pop artists whom I still respect (but don’t listen to), but she’s the only one who has lasted these many decades for me.
I have a small listening group of friends who meet every few months for listening, conversation and food. They’re mostly classical music lovers and musicians themselves, and in mid-December I’ll give a presentation on Laura. I’ll try covering most of her career in 55 minutes of music and get through my 8 pages of notes and information about her and her many stylistic and career shifts, beginning with Buy and Sell and ending with A Woman of the World.
I’m also having huge anxiety about this! Does her music still appeal to me because of nostalgia? She was a nearly mystical figure for me in college. Is it because I saw her in a solo concert in 1971, after which I was a sobbing basket case? Will some of my friends take issue with her sometimes shrill voice? I want to trust myself, but…
I know a couple who are singer/songwriters in our group will be interested. I’ve wanted to share Laura since the early 90s when I taught an adult ed music appreciation class, and now that it’s upon me, I’m somewhat terrified. Am I just crazy to do this?! At our last gathering I presented songs from A. E. Housman’s A Shropshire Lad, with Anthony Rolfe-Johnson, tenor. It was right up everyone’s alley. Before that, a program I called Colors of Jazz Vocals. They were receptive.
In preparation, reread Michelle Kort’s bio and got lots of juicy bits to include, and have read many essays on Laura, looking for supplemental information.
I'm not a pianist or musician, but LOVE her keyboard accompaniment. Having said that, almost no one mentions it. Think of the opening bars of Upstairs by A Chinese Lamp…perfection in my book. Your thoughts?
I have no idea what you may think of my reaching out like this, and hope you don’t mind. Any thoughts or comments you may have would be sincerely appreciated.
Friends in our appreciation of Laura,
John
PS Feel free to bill me for this therapy session.
Hi John,
Thanks for sharing this with me. When it comes to sharing music, you never know. I feel like your passion and history with Laura Nyro's music will ensure everyone, at the very least, bends an ear and learns more. It is certainly not a crazy endeavour. Her music is not for everyone but because it was so stylistically broad, I do think there's something in it for just about everyone. For me, it was connecting her music with my love of New York (my first real immersion in her music came just after my first experience of spending time in NYC during autumn). Her and that city are inseparable in my mind.
As you say, she was a fantastic piano player and her unique comping (to my ears, it often mirrors walking through New York, it has purpose but it also has a dreamy and romantic quality) is very appealing.
Let me know how the presentation goes as well as the other songs you feature (and thank you as well for supporting what I do here with a paid subscription - deeply appreciated!).
My very best to you,
Robert
Laura was a genius. If I had to pick one song of hers, it’s “Stoney End.” Has stayed with me from childhood.
That's a good one, as they say.