Laura Nyro: Lyrics & Reminiscences

[GodSistah]

I love when this type of thing happens to me...

I got a new book today called, Laura Nyro: Lyrics & Reminiscences, and there is an introduction written by Rickie Lee Jones and in it she mentions Janis:

"At that same time I read about her in a magazine in a high school library where I spent my work study time. Janis Ian mentioned her as the greatest songwriter around. I had loved "Society's Child," and so I was curious about Laura."

It's so cool to be reading along and suddenly come across more Janis!

It made my night!

:)

~Andrea~

[illinoisbill]

Last summer I read Laura Nyro's biography and Janis had alot of input in that book. She retold several of her memories and rememberances of Laura.
If I remember correctly Janis and Laura went to the same school in NYC.
Janis, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Bill

[Oak Kitten]

I did not know about the Janis - Laura connection. I have been a big fan of Laura Nyro for a long time - before I "rediscovered" Janis. I was fortunate enough to see Laura perform at the Newport Folk Festival back in the 80's. It always makes me sad to think of the loss of that tremendous talent.

Oak

[GodSistah]

Bill, that's next on my reading list! :)

Oak, I envy you. Would have loved to seen her perform!

If anyone is interested, here is a flyer for an internet radio show that will be on this weekend. Sunday will be the 10th anniversary of her death.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/431758535_99cec762b6.jpg

:)

~Andrea~

[illinoisbill]

I have few regrets, but one of the few is that I was never able to see Laura Nyro in concert. Eventho I lived in New York, the opportunity to see her just never materialized.
I remember going to the record store when I was about 15 years old and my older (and wiser) sister held up a copy of Eli and The Thirteenth Confession. She heard this record at a friends house and told me it was one of the best albums she had ever heard. Although the album, at that time, was already about 10 years old, I purchased it. I was hooked from then on. I went out and bought every Laura Nyro record that I could find. Her music spoke to me on such a personal level, I just can't explain it. Her music and voice just moves me in so many ways.
My favorite albums are "Eli and TTC", Gonna Take a Miricle","New York Tendaberry" and my all time favorite " Mother Spiritual"
I have since replaced all Laura's records with CD's except "Mother Spiritual" which I am unable to find. I Have seen it on ebay occasionally for anywhere from $75.00-250.00. OUCH!!
I can't believe it has been ten years since Laura's death. She died on my sisters birthday. It was my sister who had turned me on to Laura many years ago and Laura left this earth on my sisters birthday.
Too wierd!

Bill

[DaveM]

Back in the golden age of Napster, I downloaded a version of "I Would Like To Dance" which was attributed to Laura Nyro, but appears to be a duet with Janis. Is anyone else familiar with this track? It is very much Janis' arrangement, but quite different from the CD version or any live version I've heard.

[Wolfwarrior]

It is hard to believe that 10 years have passed since Laura died on April 8th. Her musical and political influence has been profound in my life and so many others. To any of you who are interested, Laura's brother Jan Nigro is organizing a tenth anniversary tribute to his sister to take place in Ithaca, New York on April 28th. For more details on this, please visit www.lauranyro.com. Peace....

[Helge]

Back in the golden age of Napster, I downloaded a version of "I Would Like To Dance" which was attributed to Laura Nyro, but appears to be a duet with Janis. Is anyone else familiar with this track? It is very much Janis' arrangement, but quite different from the CD version or any live version I've heard.

I Would like to Dance is one of my favourite Janis Ian songs -- and I like Laura Nyro! You mean that is was indeed Laura who dueted with Janis? Unfortunately, I don't know anything about this track...

[illinoisbill]

I have never heard of that recording either. Was it a live version? Would anyone have additional info on this recording? Would love to add that little Gem to my Janis/Laura collection of music!

[DaveM]

I cannot be certain that it is indeed Laura Nyro on vocals, but when I downloaded it it was labeled as such. And I got the title wrong--it's "Will You Dance". When played in Windows Media Player, the track identifies the artist as Janis and the album as "Love Ling(ers?)".

Perhaps The Amazing Brogan can be of help.

[Darlene]

I am sorry to say that I never heard Laura Nyro that I know of. But I wish I had. It seems as if I missed a great singer.
Peace, Darlene :(

[GodSistah]

Anyone that missed the Laura Nyro Tribute can hear a podcast of it on iTunes at this address:http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=218942619 or you can search for "Out The Box with Tim Dillinger" and find it that way too!

It was a great show for long time fans and newcomers to her music!


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/431758535_99cec762b6.jpg

And as a side note, I am reading "Soul Picnic" by Michelle Kort and as Bill said, it does indeed have lots of Janis refrences all over it!

;)

~Andrea~