Sunday, March 10, 2019

Laura Nyro:Her originals vs. The covers

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"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.



"Eli's Coming"  A #10 hit by Three Dog Night (1969)  and by Laura Nyro (1967)




Finally, "Save The Country" (1968) just by Laura Nyro. A rare TV performance by her.


An interview with Laura Nyro

Also on Felpin's Pond
 Copycat songs-Lauren Daigle, Blurred Lines, Glass Tiger and others...

1 comment:

  1. I'd just like to say that Laura Nyro may be my favorite artist.She is certainly in my personal "pantheon".What an incredible talent!To play, write and sing at such at high level.Simply astounding. A true American treasure.

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