I've been a Laura Nyro fan for over 50 years, so thank you. When young people tell me what a great songwriter Taylor Swift is, I can only laugh. We were so lucky back then, to have really talented people to inspire us. To think that she wrote "And When I Die" when she was only 17. Lovely version of that song here.
I’m there with you. There are a lot of great young singer/songwriters and bands like Margot Price, Rykarda Parasol, Chelsea Wolf, Jessica Pratt, etc. But Taylor Swift is one NOT of them. Same for friggin’ Beyoncé and Billie Eilish. All crap. Will never be in Buffy, Laura, Joni or Carly’s league.
Granted, i love Taylor Swift, she is a major talent, i collect her stuff & her latest, TTPD: The Anthology, is amazing, BUT she is no Laura Nyro, who is on a higher level...utterly brilliant, original, genius...just got her new boxset "Hear My Song: 1966-1995"...stunning, career-spanning, 19CD & amazing hardcover 90 page coffeetable book with great writings, testimonials & photography...buy it...i paid $250 & so worth it...
I have loved Laura Nyro's music for most of my life. When my Mom passed away in 2013, I thought of Stoney End, "I was born from Love" and "Cradle me mama, cradle me again". Laura had so many great songs and I appreciate your take on them. Cheers!
I've been a hardcore Laura Nyro fan since I was 15 in 1967 and saw her at the Monterey Pop Festival. It's good to find new interest in her music. She was a total original, not unlike Kate Bush and Bjork in that she had a very singular style and vision. I remember a friend telling me that her younger sisters hated Nyro's music because it was nothing like that of the singer Olivia Newton-John. Right, it was challenging and took real investment in time and focus to be appreciated. It wasn't mass-pleasing bubblegum. And her we are over 50 years later trying to educate listeners who won't expend energy on anything left of the mainstream middle. Laura Nyro always was true to her own north star. Her music is among the best I've known in my life. I will always love it and keep listening to it. Thanks for doing the good work.
I find it a relief of joy to see such a talented woman remembering Laura Nyro. You did a terrific job! I enjoy your voice, too. You are a great Gift to this Earth. Thank you. Thank you.
Laura Nyro is sooo many songwriter's secret weapon - they keep her a secret, so they can draw from her without people realising. Elton John and Todd Rundgren are amongst the few to admit it. She needs to be recognised as one of the greatest singer-songwriters ever - what an explosive, creative talent.
Great comment. I encourage everyone to check out Todd's first solo album recorded soon after he left the Nazz. It was like he found a way to inhabit the essence of Laura's songwriting genius. I'm a big fan of his and that record is in my top 5 evaluation of his catalog.
A favorite story about her, from a RUclips comment under a posted concert of hers from the seventies: the poster said he waited and ambushed her by the bus after a show, telling her, with emotion, how much he had wanted to meet her: "I've waited for ten years for this moment". Laura Nyro smiled and said "So have I, and here we are!"
That guy did an interview with Laura...half hour long Richard Knight Jr i think, great interview, and it was actually 12 years...she seemed such a cool fun yet humble & grounded...her son Gil then a teenager listened to rap...
@@rorystorm4284 As an aside, Rory, I'm about fourteen hundred pages into Mark Lewisohn's amazing Beatle bio "Tune In", so I've been spending a lot of time with Rory Storm and the Caldwell family!
Great to see Laura get some well deserved recognition. I always thought she left us sooner. The jazz influences in Stoned Soul Picnic are what make it wonderful. My appreciation of Laura is much deeper thanks to your analysis
Thank you for highlighting Laura Nero, one of my all-time favorite songwriters. She was unique. In addition to the usual gospel and R&B influences, she brought show music into the picture. She was soulful as hell. I was fortunate to see her live-a great experience.
Aimee, thanks for posting this; I can’t like it enough! Janis Ian, who attended Manhattan’s High School of Music Art, remembered Laura as a classmate there. In the late Michele Kort’s book, “Soul Picnic,” the author quotes Janis Ian as saying something to the effect that Laura steadfastly rebelled against learning formal music theory in school. She didn’t want academic study to interfere with her creative process. This had to have limited her facility with the language that musicians use to verbally communicate with each other. This likely stemmed from the fact that Laura had synesthesia and saw music in colors. There is a story about Laura, during the recording of the “Eli” album, telling the studio musicians that she wanted “more yellow!” Charlie Calello would then translate this into terms that the musicians could understand. If you want to do a deep dive into Laura Nyro’s life and music, I would highly recommend Michele Kort’s book entitled “Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro.” It probably says something more about the state of women’s healthcare in our country that Laura’s partner, Maria Desiderio, died from ovarian cancer just two years after Laura. And Ms. Kort herself also later died of ovarian cancer.
Thanks for including in your post news of Ms. Kort's passing of which I was unaware. She was a pivotal figure in advancing awareness of LN and creating greater community among LN's "tribe."
Most interesting to me since I am a writer of sorts and people keep telling me to read all the great writers to see how they do it. But..I have read some great writers and have appreciates them but I am not interested in copying their style rather let my own blossom. You will about me when I get to where I want to go.
My hero Todd Rundgren's early solo albums were heavily influenced by Laura. “Baby Let’s Swing/The Last Thing You Said/Don’t Tie My Hands" not only sounds like her but also references her. He eventually helped her produce her last album before her death, "Mother's Spiritual". (Check out the Todd interview on RUclips: "Todd Rundgren on Working with Laura Nyro | Red Bull Music Academy".) Laura was so special and a constant inspiration to me. I think the first song of her's that I heard was "Blackpatch" from a Columbia loss-leader compilation album called "Different Strokes". She was truly one of a kind. Thanks for the wonderful retrospective, Aimee!
I can't believe you found Laura on that Columbia compilation, just as I did. The song was/is "Blackpatch" and from the moment I heard it, I was a Laura zealot. I'm still spreading the word about her 51 years since hearing "Blackpatch" on that LP. I was fortunate enough to see her in concert three times. Thank you for providing me with a magical memory from 1973.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!! I was introduced to Nyro in 1968 with the release of "Eli and the 13 Confessions". The fact that she is almost forgotten today is heartbreaking. She was as fine a songwriter as was working at the time. Her material still holds up all these years later, as you so ably demonstrated. (Elton John said "Burn Down the Mission" was his attempt at emulating Nyro.) What a genius she was! Perhaps if she had lived longer, she would be receiving similar recognition to Joni Mitchell, another overlooked giant, whose Gershwin Prize was long overdue. Again, thank you so very much for this heartfelt analysis and tribute.
Never forgotten! I was introduced to her in 1968, too, as a college freshman. Luckily, with the internet, people keep rediscovering her, and falling in love, as you and I did!
I saw the title and hit the like button immediately on principle, although, to be fair, the rest of the video supported my decision. So glad you chose Wedding Bell Blues as your first analysis. Her own renditions are neglected to the listener's peril. Eli's Comin', Sweet Blindness, for two examples.
I love these popular music history lessons. They are helping me (b.1951) to "connect the dots" of the soundtrack of my younger life. Such a blessing. Thank you.
I love your enthusiasm and respect for Laura Nyro! Thank you for sharing her songs with us. To me Laura had her own unique musical and poetic language that was solely her own. It was great hearing others record her songs because they were heard by a wider audience, but when Laura sang them herself, her beautiful soul and soulfulness informed each song in a way that was hers alone. I always marveled at her vocal overdubs on songs like Eli and Stoned Soul Picnic. . So much more I could say about Laura. She was one of a kind. Much gratitude to you.
Todd wanted to produce a comeback album for her but when they met they didn't hit it off. Also her nails were so long at the time she couldn't really play piano.
Incorrect information. 1.Her nails Never stopped her from playing. 2. She liked him but not Romantically. He had a crush on her but she wanted a professional music relationship not sexual. 3. Their meeting was early in her career and was not. looking for a comeback album. Many years later in the '90's he helped her with an album called Mother's Spiritual.
I was also born in 1947 and grew up in New York singing Harmonyon street corners. One day I heard " Stone soul picnic which completely blew my mind. She was the inspiration for my limited but fun endeavor as a singer-songwriter pianist. Eli's coming has got to be my favorite album of all time. Well done and thanks for what you've done here!
@36058 Saw her in concert at CW Post college 1970. No nonsense performance. She came out and performed with piano for approximately one hour. Never addressed the audience. Did not do an encore. Just magnificent. In a class all by herself. One of the great songwriters, and performers of the era. Thank you for this recognition. You're also pretty great yourself .
I've loved Laura Nyro since I was a teenager and VH1 had a big re-release of Monterey Pop for its 30th anniversary (not long after she passed away). It was Poverty Train that got me hooked. Then realizing how many of her songs were hits for all these other huge groups, just astonishing. And she was so young! Wish I could like this video more than once.
Thanks Aimee, I loved this film. Your enthusiasm is contagious and based on your recommendation, I've ordered Stoned Soul Picnic: The Best Of Laura Nyro which is 2 CDs with 34 tracks in total, very good value. I do remember Laura when I was young but didn't pay her much attention, I was a big Joni Mitchell fan. I thought your singing of Laura's songs was excellent and your voice seemed to fit perfectly.
So happy to hear you mention Billy Child’s’ take on Nyro’s music. I remember driving through L.A. with the car windows open, blasting Map to the Treasure hoping everyone would hear this amazing music.
I was introduced to her in the 90s when a short-lived but influential Swedish music magazine reviewed her final album. It was the only album they ever chose not to give a rating, because they felt it would be undignified to judge the last work of an artist who knew she was nearing the end. I picked up the CD, dove into her back catalog, and she's been with me ever since.
My older sister used to play her records on a little record player back in the late 60's. I remember the music coming out of her bedroom and thinking it was cool. I was 9 years old. I then rediscovered her again 5 years ago. A very sensitive, talented songwriter. People who don't know about her are missing out on a wonderful experience. Thanks for highlighting Laura.
Aimee, Wonderful that you are promoting Laura Nyro and her music. I do love love love Billy Child's interpretation.... so moving. Your singing too... you had me at E Flat going to the F. You're right "Save the Country" just feels so now. Keep on doing your thing, it's great!
Everything I know about LN is on Christmas and the Beads of Sweat. Don’t have any idea why I never listened to any of the rest, but I have loved her at least 50 years. Once again Aimee, thank you so much for waking me up.
You must listen to Eli & the 13th Confession and New York Tendaberry. They are her masterpieces! Also Gonna Take a Miracle, an album of girl group covers with Patti LaBelle is so soulful. Especially, "The Bells."
Thank you so much Aimee. That is so informative and well sung and played. Hopefully it will spread awareness to what a great singer songwriter Laura was.
Thank you for the Billy Childs take on "And when I die". Amazing. It's hard to believe how young Laura Nyro was when she wrote these sophisticated songs. I read that she played an early version of Eli’s Coming in Jr High.
Ok, I read that she performed an early version of the song in Jr High music class to prove to the teacher that rock and roll "wasn't junk". It would make sense that she had some original songs worked up before age 18 because she signed with Artie Mogull as a minor.
Nice and great remembrance of Laura Nyro. Thank you. She got credit back in her day and was highly regarded, liked and loved. But I think you're right that later generations never had much interest.
I'm old enough to remember Nyro's songs being played in cover versions on the radio, but I wasn't old enough to be part of the record-buying public until she was out of the limelight. When _Rolling Stone Magazine_ put out their latest "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list, there was a Nyro album on there. I remembered hearing the name when I was young, but it didn't really mean anything to me. I checked it out, and I thought that for once, a new album had entered that list because it actually deserved to be there. I just wonder why she wasn't on the first two versions of that list.
@@JRBWare1942 That level of raw heart neither seeks, compromises, wants, nor ever attains full mainstream acceptance. That talent can't fake it if it wanted to. It's too busy on the requirements of the craft, singing, playing, writing, practicing, performing and it doesn't end there. It has to feel and understand the truth while being constantly bombarded by the din along with everyone else. Likewise, those who hear and feel her are similarly a small subset of the population. There is no need to lament this. She was there then, she is here now. Time is a good test of art. Maybe the best test. Aimee got it right.
I loved this so much. I was just recently turned on to Laura Nyro by Narada Michael Walden, and I was really moved when I listened with intention to some of her songs. Now I'm really hooked!
Saw her live many times, from a tiny venue at Bryn Mawr college while I as in college at the U of P in Philly, NYC, LA, Santa Monica.....loved her then and still listen frequently. Gone too soon.
Marvelous! This was like stepping back in time to when all I had was an AM transistor radio. The technical music nuances and your commentary were an added bonus. Now off to listen to Billy Childs and to explore your own music. Thanks for the effort that went into this.
There are moments like Timer, Gibsom Street, and New York Tenderberry where she merges pop song and art song. I love her. Look for Todd Rundgren's ode to her ---'Baby, Let's Swing".
I love Laura Nyro from the first time I heard her. The song was Blackpatch. It was 1971. What captured me, was not only her exceptional musical genius, but also her beautiful soul, which was imbued into her playing and singing. Thank you Aimee. You appear to have embraced that beautiful spirit that was Laura Nyro in the way you spoke so sweetly and passionately about her.
Beautiful video, Amy. I found Laura only in 2015 after beginning my music life in 1966 with Georgy Girl. After 2 days of listening, she became my lifelong favourite, putting Jimi Hendrix back to 2nd place. A few days ago, a Laura Nyro 19 CD box set was announced with book with contributions by Elton John and others. It follows the vinyl box set released about 5 years ago.
She got to me when I was 17 and she's in a class by herself. She had the skills of Gershwin and Billy Strayhorn as a composer. Her talent level is off the charts. "Mercy On Broadway" might be my favorite song but the competition is stiff with her other songs. There are so many.
Also, another overlooked gem: one of Laura’s final recordings - a 1994 cover of “La-La (Means I Love You)” with The Manhattan Transfer on their album Tonin’. So much soul; not to be missed! 👍
50 years ago I was still in high school. At the time I didn't realize how fortunate I was to be playing bass in band of such incredibly talented people. Stony End brought down the house and we rocked the hell out of it. It brings me straight back to a sliver in time full of power and joy. Chris, Joe, Paula, Mike I miss you so much! AIMEE NOLTE you are very special.
Very good cover of and tribute to Laura. I've adored her for almost 60 years. No one compares, period. Just one small correction: in "Wedding Bell Blues", the lyrics are "I'll never scheme (not steal) or lie.." The Ricki Lee Jones comment referred to Laura famously having synesthesia and saying things like "more yellow" as instruction to the jazz players who accompanied her in the studio. She may not have had all the technical terms to convey her meaning, but fortunately they got her!
Second time through this. Brought my wife along this time. She surprised herself knowing the words to all those songs without knowing they all came from Laura Nyro. Such a beautiful time spent with Aimee! Thank you!
I also remember reading that for New York Tendaberry album she asked Miles Davis to play on it, to add some stuff after the tunes were recorded. Mikes listened to the tracks and said something to the effect that she had already played everything that needed to be played. If I remember he said she already played whatever he would add. I think that record of hers is one of my favorite records of all time.
Thank you for drawing attention to this great songwriter and performer. I fear that she may be neglected with the passage of time. But, she deserves her very own chapter in the Great American Songbook.
Wow. You v did such a great job on this. Thank you so much for sharing. It's so amazing how you can switch between talking in detail and singing so well and jumpinn in playing.. all so easily. You are a force!
Save the Country was written in response to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr and the Vietnam War, and references the Kennedy's as well. The lyric is written in the vernacular of MLK's great speeches. She was utterly brilliant.
Thank you for making this video! About 10 or so years ago I was discovering all the songs and it was blowing my mind. She also doesn’t care about tempo lol
Another huge influencee is Todd Rundgren who more-or-less re-invented himself as a wannabe Nyro in the late 60s, thus alienating his bandmates in The Nazz and springboarding his solo career some of which simply drips Laura Nyro's vibe. As for her songs, "Crazy Love" is the one that knocks me out for not only the words and her vocal performance, but the piano part. Immense.
Bravo! You hit on some of her greatest songs and you isolated those incredible parts of Stoned Soul Picnic. Regarding discussing music, I read she noted listening to great jazz minds growing up and she frustrated people in the studio by referring to colors and moods more than technical concepts.
Significantly Laura is one of the only popular musicians of her time that Joni Mitchell spoke of with respect and as a peer. I think Joni saw Laura as a true artist and was impressed by Laura walking away from fame and the star machinery.
David Geffen of Asylum Records loved Laura and made her Asylum's first female artist, before discovering other greats like Joni Mitchell and Linda Ronstadt. It was Geffen who, in an effort to improve Nyro's popularity, worked hard to sell her songs to other artists like Three Dog Night, The Fifth Dimension, Barbara Streisand, BST and others.
I completely agree with you Aimee! I used to sing with all her albums and was lucky to see her 2 times in concert. She was a tortured woman who played the piano beautifully and her voice , writing and lyrics were original and incredibly soulful! I love that you are singing her in concert and making these videos. I also was obsessed with the incredibly talented Joni Mitchell............ growing up with all her records. People, until more recently, basically forgot about her????????? WOW! until Brandy Carlyle be-friended her and started singing her tunes. Now people are covering as well as discovering Joni and her amazing talent!!!
Can't believe you are playing Stone Soul Picnic and Save the Country. I never knew where they came from. THIS is awesome from you my beloved friend. I loved the Fifth Dimension when I was young and my mother feared if I listened to them I would marry a black person. She told me so. Well, I married a man, so there.
I loved these songs when they were hits on the radio in the early 70's when I was just getting started with bass lessons, long before I knew who she was. When I discovered her as an artist and listened in depth, I really fell in love with her music and I view her as one of music's supreme beings of all time. I detect a clear linkage between her an some of my favorite songwriters, such as Todd Rundgren, Burton Cummings, Carole King, Elton John, and Donald Fagen.
Thank you for an amazing and thoughtful video. I've watched this video many times and it never grows old. I knew these songs but never associated them with the originator. Caught her induction to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame on YT and it brought tears to Bette Midler. Your video inspired me to learn more theory and hear your full lessons so just signed up with Nebula. Thank u!
My older sister had the Eli album, and its perfumed lyric sheet knocked me out. It's one of those albums that get down deep and you don't ever escape. Aimee says something around 22:00 that made me wonder, well, if I loved Laura Nyro so much, how come I didn't spend the intervening years listening to her relentlessly? It's almost like a deeply spiritual experience or your memories of early Beatles songs: they're there, right where you need them, and not dependent on listening to them.
We've known Ms. Nyro's music since the late 60's......her compositions as noted by Ms. Nolte presumably and other commentators below were covered and often made famous by other musical acts. I remember Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night did an incredible interpretation of several Laura Nyro's compositions. Three Dog Night, like the Pointer Sisters, and so many other acts back then, often were responsible for getting otherwise unknown song writers into the public eye ......because of a TDN or Pointer Sisters or similar cover group putting just the right touch and arrangement to make a tune more accessible and memorable to the younger audiences.
So many great musicians had musical parents, it obviously helps a lot to get musical at a very young age, like a lot of things so. In her case it was a perfect storm of everything, parents, natural talent, very good with words, physical setting setting etc etc. she is already held in high esteem in music, and any more credit would be deserved 🎉
I discovered Laura when I bought stoned soul picnic by the 5 th dimension1968) her name is on the record as the writer, after that I went to every record store trying to find any of her records, back in those days it was difficult to find out anything about an artist who was not top ten Artist
A wonderfull feelgood song, with a tinge of melancholy. I remember it well from the 60s and covered by others. It's a shame she never got the fame or credit and died a sad death at a relatively young age. Tremendously talented with a Jazz slant to many of her songs. RIP Dear Laura.
I've been a Laura Nyro fan for over 50 years, so thank you. When young people tell me what a great songwriter Taylor Swift is, I can only laugh. We were so lucky back then, to have really talented people to inspire us. To think that she wrote "And When I Die" when she was only 17. Lovely version of that song here.
Nyro was one of the greatest songwriters. The 5th Dimension McCoo really brought her music to fruition. I grew up in the late 60s.
I’m there with you. There are a lot of great young singer/songwriters and bands like Margot Price, Rykarda Parasol, Chelsea Wolf, Jessica Pratt, etc. But Taylor Swift is one NOT of them. Same for friggin’ Beyoncé and Billie Eilish. All crap. Will never be in Buffy, Laura, Joni or Carly’s league.
Granted, i love Taylor Swift, she is a major talent, i collect her stuff & her latest, TTPD: The Anthology, is amazing, BUT she is no Laura Nyro, who is on a higher level...utterly brilliant, original, genius...just got her new boxset "Hear My Song: 1966-1995"...stunning, career-spanning, 19CD & amazing hardcover 90 page coffeetable book with great writings, testimonials & photography...buy it...i paid $250 & so worth it...
I have loved Laura Nyro's music for most of my life. When my Mom passed away in 2013, I thought of Stoney End, "I was born from Love" and "Cradle me mama, cradle me again". Laura had so many great songs and I appreciate your take on them. Cheers!
I've been a hardcore Laura Nyro fan since I was 15 in 1967 and saw her at the Monterey Pop Festival. It's good to find new interest in her music. She was a total original, not unlike Kate Bush and Bjork in that she had a very singular style and vision. I remember a friend telling me that her younger sisters hated Nyro's music because it was nothing like that of the singer Olivia Newton-John. Right, it was challenging and took real investment in time and focus to be appreciated. It wasn't mass-pleasing bubblegum. And her we are over 50 years later trying to educate listeners who won't expend energy on anything left of the mainstream middle. Laura Nyro always was true to her own north star. Her music is among the best I've known in my life. I will always love it and keep listening to it. Thanks for doing the good work.
I've been a huge fan of hers since I was 16. I'm 71 now and still love listening to her music.
I find it a relief of joy to see such a talented woman remembering Laura Nyro. You did a terrific job! I enjoy your voice, too. You are a great Gift to this Earth. Thank you. Thank you.
Laura Nyro is sooo many songwriter's secret weapon - they keep her a secret, so they can draw from her without people realising. Elton John and Todd Rundgren are amongst the few to admit it. She needs to be recognised as one of the greatest singer-songwriters ever - what an explosive, creative talent.
Great comment. I encourage everyone to check out Todd's first solo album recorded soon after he left the Nazz. It was like he found a way to inhabit the essence of Laura's songwriting genius. I'm a big fan of his and that record is in my top 5 evaluation of his catalog.
Yes, She was an influence to Todd Rundgren very early on before he even sang very much. He later started production of one of her albums
@@davidsmalley8684Todd is very good on intros as is Laura Nyro
A favorite story about her, from a RUclips comment under a posted concert of hers from the seventies: the poster said he waited and ambushed her by the bus after a show, telling her, with emotion, how much he had wanted to meet her: "I've waited for ten years for this moment". Laura Nyro smiled and said "So have I, and here we are!"
That guy did an interview with Laura...half hour long Richard Knight Jr i think, great interview, and it was actually 12 years...she seemed such a cool fun yet humble & grounded...her son Gil then a teenager listened to rap...
Nyro.
@@rorystorm4284 Autocorrect strikes again.
@@rorystorm4284 As an aside, Rory, I'm about fourteen hundred pages into Mark Lewisohn's amazing Beatle bio "Tune In", so I've been spending a lot of time with Rory Storm and the Caldwell family!
Great to see Laura get some well deserved recognition. I always thought she left us sooner. The jazz influences in Stoned Soul Picnic are what make it wonderful. My appreciation of Laura is much deeper thanks to your analysis
Thank you for highlighting Laura Nero, one of my all-time favorite songwriters. She was unique. In addition to the usual gospel and R&B influences, she brought show music into the picture. She was soulful as hell. I was fortunate to see her live-a great experience.
Great to see you discovering Laura Nyro...to hear her songs back in the day....a tremendous talent songwriter and awesome jazz singer...
Aimee, thanks for posting this; I can’t like it enough! Janis Ian, who attended Manhattan’s High School of Music Art, remembered Laura as a classmate there. In the late Michele Kort’s book, “Soul Picnic,” the author quotes Janis Ian as saying something to the effect that Laura steadfastly rebelled against learning formal music theory in school. She didn’t want academic study to interfere with her creative process. This had to have limited her facility with the language that musicians use to verbally communicate with each other.
This likely stemmed from the fact that Laura had synesthesia and saw music in colors. There is a story about Laura, during the recording of the “Eli” album, telling the studio musicians that she wanted “more yellow!” Charlie Calello would then translate this into terms that the musicians could understand.
If you want to do a deep dive into Laura Nyro’s life and music, I would highly recommend Michele Kort’s book entitled “Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro.”
It probably says something more about the state of women’s healthcare in our country that Laura’s partner, Maria Desiderio, died from ovarian cancer just two years after Laura. And Ms. Kort herself also later died of ovarian cancer.
Thanks for including in your post news of Ms. Kort's passing of which I was unaware. She was a pivotal figure in advancing awareness of LN and creating greater community among LN's "tribe."
Most interesting to me since I am a writer of sorts and people keep telling me to read all the great writers to see how they do it. But..I have read some great writers and have appreciates them but I am not interested in copying their style rather let my own blossom. You will about me when I get to where I want to go.
My hero Todd Rundgren's early solo albums were heavily influenced by Laura. “Baby Let’s Swing/The Last Thing You Said/Don’t Tie My Hands" not only sounds like her but also references her. He eventually helped her produce her last album before her death, "Mother's Spiritual". (Check out the Todd interview on RUclips: "Todd Rundgren on Working with Laura Nyro | Red Bull Music Academy".) Laura was so special and a constant inspiration to me. I think the first song of her's that I heard was "Blackpatch" from a Columbia loss-leader compilation album called "Different Strokes". She was truly one of a kind. Thanks for the wonderful retrospective, Aimee!
I can't believe you found Laura on that Columbia compilation, just as I did. The song was/is "Blackpatch" and from the moment I heard it, I was a Laura zealot. I'm still spreading the word about her 51 years since hearing "Blackpatch" on that LP. I was fortunate enough to see her in concert three times. Thank you for providing me with a magical memory from 1973.
_Walk the Dog and Light the Light_ was actually her last album.
@@iantuition Good call. I forgot about that one!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!! I was introduced to Nyro in 1968 with the release of "Eli and the 13 Confessions". The fact that she is almost forgotten today is heartbreaking. She was as fine a songwriter as was working at the time. Her material still holds up all these years later, as you so ably demonstrated. (Elton John said "Burn Down the Mission" was his attempt at emulating Nyro.) What a genius she was! Perhaps if she had lived longer, she would be receiving similar recognition to Joni Mitchell, another overlooked giant, whose Gershwin Prize was long overdue.
Again, thank you so very much for this heartfelt analysis and tribute.
Never forgotten! I was introduced to her in 1968, too, as a college freshman. Luckily, with the internet, people keep rediscovering her, and falling in love, as you and I did!
I Never Meant to Hurt You can bring me to tears even today!
I discovered Laura Nyro back in 1970. Thanks for the memories.
I saw the title and hit the like button immediately on principle, although, to be fair, the rest of the video supported my decision.
So glad you chose Wedding Bell Blues as your first analysis. Her own renditions are neglected to the listener's peril. Eli's Comin', Sweet Blindness, for two examples.
Laura Nyro's songs were a part of my growing up. Thanks for reminding me of her and happy Thanksgivings Day (Canada)
Thanks so much for the Billy Childs reference! i can't tell you how emotional your deep dive is for me. Here's hoping for a Laura Revival!
I love these popular music history lessons. They are helping me (b.1951) to "connect the dots" of the soundtrack of my younger life. Such a blessing. Thank you.
I love your enthusiasm and respect for Laura Nyro! Thank you for sharing her songs with us. To me Laura had her own unique musical and poetic language that was solely her own. It was great hearing others record her songs because they were heard by a wider audience, but when Laura sang them herself, her beautiful soul and soulfulness informed each song in a way that was hers alone. I always marveled at her vocal overdubs on songs like Eli and Stoned Soul Picnic. . So much more I could say about Laura. She was one of a kind. Much gratitude to you.
The only singer who moves me emotionally every time I hear her.
My mother had played Nyro albums throughout my childhood. These songs are ingrained in my soul. Thanks for the reminder, beautiful playing and voice!
Stone Soul Picnic..cool changes and vibe. I can't imagine having these modulations in a song today. So nice to hear some harmony!
What a great tribute you give to Laura. Music that cuts to the soul, Stoney End so good😊
Todd Rundgren credits Laura for his piano style. 19:25
Todd wanted to produce a comeback album for her but when they met they didn't hit it off. Also her nails were so long at the time she couldn't really play piano.
You can definitely hear the influence in his ballads.
@@nodrog567Not just his ballads- his entire chordal language of consonant bitonalism!
Incorrect information.
1.Her nails Never stopped her from playing.
2. She liked him but not Romantically. He had a crush on her but she wanted a professional music relationship not sexual.
3. Their meeting was early in her career and was not. looking for a comeback album. Many years later in the '90's he helped her with an album called Mother's Spiritual.
*SUPER DESERVED TRIBUTE* Laura Nyro (Laura Nigro)
The Bronx NYC
I like your icon.
I was also born in 1947 and grew up in New York singing Harmonyon street corners. One day I heard " Stone soul picnic which completely blew my mind. She was the inspiration for my limited but fun endeavor as a singer-songwriter pianist. Eli's coming has got to be my favorite album of all time. Well done and thanks for what you've done here!
You caught the Laura Nyro groove just right, Aimee. Fascinating to hear you explain the changes. Takes me right back to the times and how it felt.
Nyro always deserved more props. Nice post, Aimee.
@36058
Saw her in concert at CW Post college 1970. No nonsense performance. She came out and performed with piano for approximately one hour. Never addressed the audience. Did not do an encore. Just magnificent. In a class all by herself. One of the great songwriters, and performers of the era. Thank you for this recognition. You're also pretty great yourself .
She performed at CW Post in CT.? WOW. That's incredible! I never knew that. She was Amazing! Wish I could have been there! 😥
CW Post on Long Island. She also performed at several other Long Island colleges around that time including Suffolk Community and Stony Brook.
I've loved Laura Nyro since I was a teenager and VH1 had a big re-release of Monterey Pop for its 30th anniversary (not long after she passed away). It was Poverty Train that got me hooked. Then realizing how many of her songs were hits for all these other huge groups, just astonishing. And she was so young! Wish I could like this video more than once.
Thanks Aimee, I loved this film. Your enthusiasm is contagious and based on your recommendation, I've ordered
Stoned Soul Picnic: The Best Of Laura Nyro which is 2 CDs with 34 tracks in total, very good value. I do remember Laura when I was young but didn't pay her much attention, I was a big Joni Mitchell fan. I thought your singing of Laura's songs was excellent and your voice seemed to fit perfectly.
So happy to hear you mention Billy Child’s’ take on Nyro’s music. I remember driving through L.A. with the car windows open, blasting Map to the Treasure hoping everyone would hear this amazing music.
Thanks Aimee. Long time follower and lover of jazz standards. But this is just wonderful.
I was introduced to her in the 90s when a short-lived but influential Swedish music magazine reviewed her final album. It was the only album they ever chose not to give a rating, because they felt it would be undignified to judge the last work of an artist who knew she was nearing the end. I picked up the CD, dove into her back catalog, and she's been with me ever since.
My older sister used to play her records on a little record player back in the late 60's. I remember the music coming out of her bedroom and thinking it was cool. I was 9 years old. I then rediscovered her again 5 years ago. A very sensitive, talented songwriter. People who don't know about her are missing out on a wonderful experience. Thanks for highlighting Laura.
Aimee, Wonderful that you are promoting Laura Nyro and her music. I do love love love Billy Child's interpretation.... so moving. Your singing too... you had me at E Flat going to the F. You're right "Save the Country" just feels so now. Keep on doing your thing, it's great!
I am so glad you found Laura and that you made this video. I’m going to hop on over to Nebula now. Thanks, Aimee.
Laura Nyro wrote some GREAT songs. My personal favorites are Stoney End, and And When I die.
Everything I know about LN is on Christmas and the Beads of Sweat. Don’t have any idea why I never listened to any of the rest, but I have loved her at least 50 years. Once again Aimee, thank you so much for waking me up.
You must listen to Eli & the 13th Confession and New York Tendaberry. They are her masterpieces! Also Gonna Take a Miracle, an album of girl group covers with Patti LaBelle is so soulful. Especially, "The Bells."
Thank you so much Aimee. That is so informative and well sung and played. Hopefully it will spread awareness to what a great singer songwriter Laura was.
Thank you for the Billy Childs take on "And when I die". Amazing. It's hard to believe how young Laura Nyro was when she wrote these sophisticated songs. I read that she played an early version of Eli’s Coming in Jr High.
Actually she was a little older. Probably between 18-21. Still brilliant, amazing, and precocious!
Ok, I read that she performed an early version of the song in Jr High music class to prove to the teacher that rock and roll "wasn't junk". It would make sense that she had some original songs worked up before age 18 because she signed with Artie Mogull as a minor.
Wonderful Aimee you have a beautiful voice.
Laura’s album with Labelle is a great favourite of mine
Nice and great remembrance of Laura Nyro. Thank you. She got credit back in her day and was highly regarded, liked and loved. But I think you're right that later generations never had much interest.
I'm old enough to remember Nyro's songs being played in cover versions on the radio, but I wasn't old enough to be part of the record-buying public until she was out of the limelight.
When _Rolling Stone Magazine_ put out their latest "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list, there was a Nyro album on there. I remembered hearing the name when I was young, but it didn't really mean anything to me. I checked it out, and I thought that for once, a new album had entered that list because it actually deserved to be there. I just wonder why she wasn't on the first two versions of that list.
@@JRBWare1942 That level of raw heart neither seeks, compromises, wants, nor ever attains full mainstream acceptance. That talent can't fake it if it wanted to. It's too busy on the requirements of the craft, singing, playing, writing, practicing, performing and it doesn't end there. It has to feel and understand the truth while being constantly bombarded by the din along with everyone else.
Likewise, those who hear and feel her are similarly a small subset of the population.
There is no need to lament this. She was there then, she is here now. Time is a good test of art. Maybe the best test.
Aimee got it right.
Love these videos, Aimee, a reintroduction to someone I've heard of but don't really know.
I loved this so much. I was just recently turned on to Laura Nyro by Narada Michael Walden, and I was really moved when I listened with intention to some of her songs. Now I'm really hooked!
Saw her live many times, from a tiny venue at Bryn Mawr college while I as in college at the U of P in Philly, NYC, LA, Santa Monica.....loved her then and still listen frequently. Gone too soon.
Thanks, Aimee. I have been appreciating your content and choices. Thanks for sharing it. 😊
Laura Nyro was top notch. Amazing songwriter and beautifully unique vocal style.
Very cool to see you excited about Laura Nyro.
Marvelous! This was like stepping back in time to when all I had was an AM transistor radio. The technical music nuances and your commentary were an added bonus. Now off to listen to Billy Childs and to explore your own music. Thanks for the effort that went into this.
Is there a Billy Childs specific recording?
Thanks, Aimee. It's wonderful to see/hear Nyro's work honored so beautifully. (And your voice sounds great, as always!)
There are moments like Timer, Gibsom Street, and New York Tenderberry where she merges pop song and art song. I love her. Look for Todd Rundgren's ode to her ---'Baby, Let's Swing".
I love Laura Nyro from the first time I heard her. The song was Blackpatch. It was 1971.
What captured me, was not only her exceptional musical genius, but also her beautiful soul, which was imbued into her playing and singing.
Thank you Aimee. You appear to have embraced that beautiful spirit that was Laura Nyro in the way you spoke so sweetly and passionately about her.
Beautiful video, Amy. I found Laura only in 2015 after beginning my music life in 1966 with Georgy Girl. After 2 days of listening, she became my lifelong favourite, putting Jimi Hendrix back to 2nd place. A few days ago, a Laura Nyro 19 CD box set was announced with book with contributions by Elton John and others. It follows the vinyl box set released about 5 years ago.
Elton John has said his piano style and writing were greatly influenced by Laura Nyro.
@@JazzGal-i6i Yep.
Been listening to Laura's music from her beginning. I play guitar and have learned so much from you. Thank you. Like your voice up there.
Love Laura Nyro. Saw her at the Santa Barbara Bowl in the 70's. Untimely passing.
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing Laura Nyro forward to new listeners who may not have discovered her. ❤
Aimee, thanks for showcasing this great artist. It gave me what many would refer to as the gold standard in songwriting, to study.
She got to me when I was 17 and she's in a class by herself. She had the skills of Gershwin and Billy Strayhorn as a composer. Her talent level is off the charts. "Mercy On Broadway" might be my favorite song but the competition is stiff with her other songs. There are so many.
Also, another overlooked gem: one of Laura’s final recordings - a 1994 cover of “La-La (Means I Love You)” with The Manhattan Transfer on their album Tonin’. So much soul; not to be missed! 👍
50 years ago I was still in high school. At the time I didn't realize how fortunate I was to be playing bass in band of such incredibly talented people. Stony End brought down the house and we rocked the hell out of it. It brings me straight back to a sliver in time full of power and joy. Chris, Joe, Paula, Mike I miss you so much!
AIMEE NOLTE you are very special.
Very good cover of and tribute to Laura. I've adored her for almost 60 years. No one compares, period. Just one small correction: in "Wedding Bell Blues", the lyrics are "I'll never scheme (not steal) or lie.." The Ricki Lee Jones comment referred to Laura famously having synesthesia and saying things like "more yellow" as instruction to the jazz players who accompanied her in the studio. She may not have had all the technical terms to convey her meaning, but fortunately they got her!
Second time through this. Brought my wife along this time. She surprised herself knowing the words to all those songs without knowing they all came from Laura Nyro. Such a beautiful time spent with Aimee! Thank you!
That is awesome!
Was lucky to see her 1972(LABELLE) and 1976 here in Detroit
Aimee, if you don’t already know it, check out Laura’s song “Timer” - she employs metric modulation to describe time as a friend and adversary.
I’ve always thought of the “two young brothers” as Jack and Bobby Kennedy.
I also remember reading that for New York Tendaberry album she asked Miles Davis to play on it, to add some stuff after the tunes were recorded. Mikes listened to the tracks and said something to the effect that she had already played everything that needed to be played. If I remember he said she already played whatever he would add. I think that record of hers is one of my favorite records of all time.
Rick interviewing Tori and you're analyzing Laura's music. I'm a very happy camper.
Thank you once more for reminding me how good she was and with your musical explanations of chord shifts to mesh the spirit of her pieces.
Like a mix of jazz and Jeanne Ritchie
Thank you for drawing attention to this great songwriter and performer. I fear that she may be neglected with the passage of time. But, she deserves her very own chapter in the Great American Songbook.
Exactly. Great talent.
Wow. You v did such a great job on this. Thank you so much for sharing. It's so amazing how you can switch between talking in detail and singing so well and jumpinn in playing.. all so easily. You are a force!
So nice of you. Thank you.
Always wonderful to hear your insights.
Save the Country was written in response to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr and the Vietnam War, and references the Kennedy's as well. The lyric is written in the vernacular of MLK's great speeches. She was utterly brilliant.
Thanks Aimee. Love your work and your voice. What a fabulous tribute.
I adore Laura Nyro's cover of Carole King's Up on the Roof. The best version ever.
i love Laura Nyro! She was creative, unique and very talented. Her music is brilliant!
Thank you for making this video! About 10 or so years ago I was discovering all the songs and it was blowing my mind. She also doesn’t care about tempo lol
Another huge influencee is Todd Rundgren who more-or-less re-invented himself as a wannabe Nyro in the late 60s, thus alienating his bandmates in The Nazz and springboarding his solo career some of which simply drips Laura Nyro's vibe.
As for her songs, "Crazy Love" is the one that knocks me out for not only the words and her vocal performance, but the piano part. Immense.
Bravo! You hit on some of her greatest songs and you isolated those incredible parts of Stoned Soul Picnic. Regarding discussing music, I read she noted listening to great jazz minds growing up and she frustrated people in the studio by referring to colors and moods more than technical concepts.
She also changed tempos a lot within her songs
Significantly Laura is one of the only popular musicians of her time that Joni Mitchell spoke of with respect and as a peer. I think Joni saw Laura as a true artist and was impressed by Laura walking away from fame and the star machinery.
Excellent video! Kudos to a job well done!🎉
Its about time Laura and her incredible talent are showcased. I love and admire her more than Carole King and Joni Mitchell.
I can hear in Rickie Lee Jones early albums the influence of the genius of Lauro Nyro.
David Geffen of Asylum Records loved Laura and made her Asylum's first female artist, before discovering other greats like Joni Mitchell and Linda Ronstadt. It was Geffen who, in an effort to improve Nyro's popularity, worked hard to sell her songs to other artists like Three Dog Night, The Fifth Dimension, Barbara Streisand, BST and others.
I completely agree with you Aimee! I used to sing with all her albums and was lucky to see her 2 times in concert. She was a tortured woman who played the piano beautifully and her voice , writing and lyrics were original and incredibly soulful! I love that you are singing her in concert and making these videos. I also was obsessed with the incredibly talented Joni Mitchell............ growing up with all her records. People, until more recently, basically forgot about her????????? WOW! until Brandy Carlyle be-friended her and started singing her tunes. Now people are covering as well as discovering Joni and her amazing talent!!!
Can't believe you are playing Stone Soul Picnic and Save the Country. I never knew where they came from. THIS is awesome from you my beloved friend. I loved the Fifth Dimension when I was young and my mother feared if I listened to them I would marry a black person. She told me so. Well, I married a man, so there.
AND a white woman had so much soul. I'd love to know the story. :Love you Aimee and your family.
😂
Thanks for this. I've known the name forever, but I learned a lot here. I completely missed that she wrote "And When I die".
I loved these songs when they were hits on the radio in the early 70's when I was just getting started with bass lessons, long before I knew who she was. When I discovered her as an artist and listened in depth, I really fell in love with her music and I view her as one of music's supreme beings of all time. I detect a clear linkage between her an some of my favorite songwriters, such as Todd Rundgren, Burton Cummings, Carole King, Elton John, and Donald Fagen.
Great video!
Thank you for an amazing and thoughtful video. I've watched this video many times and it never grows old. I knew these songs but never associated them with the originator. Caught her induction to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame on YT and it brought tears to Bette Midler. Your video inspired me to learn more theory and hear your full lessons so just signed up with Nebula. Thank u!
So nice of you. Thank you. Make sure to click the “classes “ tab to find all my best stuff there!
My older sister had the Eli album, and its perfumed lyric sheet knocked me out. It's one of those albums that get down deep and you don't ever escape. Aimee says something around 22:00 that made me wonder, well, if I loved Laura Nyro so much, how come I didn't spend the intervening years listening to her relentlessly? It's almost like a deeply spiritual experience or your memories of early Beatles songs: they're there, right where you need them, and not dependent on listening to them.
Thanks Aimee, I love you too.
Good on you Amy.
We've known Ms. Nyro's music since the late 60's......her compositions as noted by Ms. Nolte presumably and other commentators below were covered and often made famous by other musical acts. I remember Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night did an incredible interpretation of several Laura Nyro's compositions. Three Dog Night, like the Pointer Sisters, and so many other acts back then, often were responsible for getting otherwise unknown song writers into the public eye ......because of a TDN or Pointer Sisters or similar cover group putting just the right touch and arrangement to make a tune more accessible and memorable to the younger audiences.
So many great musicians had musical parents, it obviously helps a lot to get musical at a very young age, like a lot of things so. In her case it was a perfect storm of everything, parents, natural talent, very good with words, physical setting setting etc etc. she is already held in high esteem in music, and any more credit would be deserved 🎉
I discovered Laura when I bought stoned soul picnic by the 5 th dimension1968) her name is on the record as the writer, after that I went to every record store trying to find any of her records, back in those days it was difficult to find out anything about an artist who was not top ten Artist
A wonderfull feelgood song, with a tinge of melancholy. I remember it well from the 60s and covered by others. It's a shame she never got the fame or credit and died a sad death at a relatively young age. Tremendously talented with a Jazz slant to many of her songs. RIP Dear Laura.
Saw this on Nebula, I love your passion when playing and speaking to us! Also Laura Nyro mentioned❤!
Thank you!
When I was a teenager I bought 2 Laura Nyro albums. I always thought she should have been better known.