"Stoned Soul Picnic" by Laura Nyro (1968)and a #3 hit by The Fifth Dimension (1968)
Laura Nyro (1947-1997) was a singer songwriter from New York City. Although Nyro made many great recordings-her songs found much greater success when done by others. She was kind of a unique vocal stylist (she would go off on odd tangents) and lyricist (She would create neologisms) but she combined those idiosyncrasies with soulful tuneful melodies that one might not normally expect would come from a white girl. Nyro was a sort of what fellow New Yorker, Lady Gaga would have been if Lady Gaga was shy.
Nyro was good enough that she attracted the attention of David Geffen and Clive Davis -two of the most successful men in the music industry-but even their support would not make her a singing star. Instead she became the writer of many top ten hits for others. I enjoyed many of her songs in their cover versions for years before I actually heard her singing them herself. I just assumed that Laura didn't have good singing voice and that's why you would never would hear her on the radio. I was wrong about that. She has a great voice-but her versions of her songs are lacking in the TOP 40 commerciality that is found in the remakes.
I believe that at least eight of her songs hit the top 40, including one #1 "Wedding Bell Blues" which was done by The Fifth Dimension. She never had a top 40 hit herself as an artist. Still, time has probably been kinder to Laura's original versions-then the hit versions. For whatever reason-none of the acts that made hits of her songs are in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, but Laura Nyro is. Interestingly, Laura largely withdraw from the entertainment business and ended up living with painter, Maria Desiodario. She died in 1997.
"And When I Die", a #2 hit by Blood, Sweat and Tears (1969) and from Laura Nyro (1967). This song probably benefits the most from having somebody older then Laura singing it.
"Wedding Bell Blues" by Laura Nyro (1966) and a Fifth Dimension #1 hit (1969). It is odd coincidence that the name Bill was in the original version, yet also the name of Billy Davis, Jr. who actually married fellow Fifth Dimension member, Marilyn McCoo.
Stoney End by Laura Nyro (1967) and by Barbara Streisand (1971) #6 hit. This song was Streisand's first attempt at rock-pop music.
An interview with Laura Nyro
Also on Felpin's Pond
Copycat songs-Lauren Daigle, Blurred Lines, Glass Tiger and others...
