Thank
you to all of you who write so beautifully of your heart and soul.
Time, mine, yours and ours.
Left out of tales, tailed by talentless and talent isn't the right word for
your words, your wisdom, your whimsy, your wanton world of womanhood, life
giving tone and tone and tone and alone.. So astonished by loss, so
astonished to find nothing but sidebars, asides, some mentions when rooftops
need be screamed from, and begging from strangers, "don't leave don't leave
don't leave". Every note boiled up from bones of past, and the past, and the
passed. Note passed on like baton to one and many, a song. A song. And the
song will never be gone.
Beautifully thought and written
Shelley, Keates, Rimbaud...and
Nyro! My children's children will be your horn, God please let it be! I pray
I may accurately witness this the second time around. I am living it,
finally awakened to the woman who fanned my unconditional love spark,
encouraging my soul's surry to freedom, ultimately donating herself to
attach language humans could understand to aid the animals.
I was really thrilled to see
Laura inducted by Bette. I think Bette put on the greatest performance of
her life, and she wasn't really performing. I got to see what a warm, loving
and noble person she is.
Laura touched down on me in High School, in Los Angeles, around 1968. I was
in love with a boy named Billy and so her song, "Marry Me Bill" lulled me to
sleep every night. I didn't marry Bill, but I found the music that will
always keep me loving her as a friend and confidant.
Tonight, I am playing Laura's
LPs in reverse beginning with "Nested" and back to "Eli".
This incredible, beautiful Siren never ceases to amaze me. I saw her once,
towards the end of her life at a "folk" type festival in NJ. She arrived in
a conversion van with her Partner and a couple of other folks. I am a
devoted fan since the early 70's, although, of course, I heard her creations
before that.
I have always been in love with her!
I will do what I can to keep her music and contributions alive. I am a high
school teacher, community college adjunct (education mule),a retired
chiropractor and, a mediocre musician who knows magnificent music! I know
people in music. I am looking
to get a tribute band together.
Wish me luck!
Regards,
-Dr. K
We all do!
Thanks Patty, for your
devotion to Laura. Its because of your never ending love for Laura, that we
'the fans' get to have a glimpse of an 'angel' that was once among us. Been
a 'fan' since the night I heard her sing on the radio. I was home in
Brooklyn, NY on leave ( US Navy Medic} before going over to Vietnam. One of
the first things I did when I returned home, was to hit the record stores
and buy 'Laura's' music.
Thanks Frank,
I never realized what a gift
of talent and humanity Laura Nyro was until she was already passed away. I
had loved many of her songs but the name (Nyro) on them was sort of obscure,
while the bands and musicians who covered them were often played while
Laura's singing of her own songs were far less played even though she sang
with grace and beauty the words she had written. When you review all the
songs made famous by others that Laura Nyro wrote you begin to realize how
she enriched nearly every life touched by the music scene of the rock n'
roll era. I only wish I could have sat down and talked with her about her
life and her life's work. I suppose that as a conservative Christian we
would have disagreed a lot, but I bet I would have found sharing a day with
her humanity an experience I would have remembered and treasured for a
lifetime. I will listen to her music and will now have to get the book your
website mentions regarding her. Congratulations to all who sought to get her
a place in the rock n' roll hall of fame where she obviously belonged. To
those who knew her as friend and family, I'm sure the pain of her early
departure from this life still stings. But for those of us who never knew or
met her, many of us would if we could ask to spend one day with someone who
lived in the last 100 years would find it difficult not to put her on or
very near the top of the list.
Dan
Previous Comments
In twentieth century popular
music, basically,
there is Laura Nyro, and then there is everybody else.
If anyone sees this.... and
only the right people will.... Laura Nyro is one of the few who are truly
made of music. Made to represent music... put on this planet to lead and
direct us in its secret language. It can't be lost. Listen. I mean really
hear and listen...
As a "60's kid" I was aware of
Laura's early work but not really a fan. At that time my muses were what you
might expect from an adolescent male; Jimi, Cream, The Sons Of Champlin,
Tower Of Power and Rundgren. But at some point last year (many years later)I
made the decision to acquire her first 5 albums.
What a revelation... I listened to little else for 3 months. That's the
thing with her work, once you let it in you begin to feel that you can't
live without it. Her prodigious talent as a songwriter was well known to me,
but it was the passion and texture of that AMAZING voice that really set the
hook.
Several months later I was having a conversation with a lovely young
vocalist and musician I was working with. It was a quiet moment and we were
discussing our influences. She told me that her true fascination was with
what she called "Soul Music". I was delighted to hear that someone of her
generation was listening to Aretha, Chaka, Patti Labelle and the like. So I
asked her if she had ever heard Laura Nyro. She had not. So I suggested that
she might want to check out the body of her work as I had by that time drawn
the conclusion that Laura was truley one of the greatest and least
appreciated soul singers of all time. The R&B roots were always evident in
her delivery but that wasn't what I meant. It was that (in my opinion) Soul
Music is or at least should be music that truley touches the soul. And no
one has ever quite gotten "up there in me" like Laura has.
The poetry, the textural use of her varied modes of accompaniment but above
all, the incredible power in her voice. From the belting to her intimate
soto voce, stacked backrounds (no one did it better, she was way ahead of
the pack in that respect as well) or her leads, she never fails to make me
feel her spirit and move my own.
Someone once said that great music has no expiration date. Only the
musicians do. Her work has touched me in a way that will stay with me as
long as I have the ability to hear it in either my ears or my memory.
I believe her work will continue to draw people to it by it's singular
uniqueness, pure musical muscle and masterful finess. Laura Nyro was one of
those talents that come along once in a generation and will continue to
inspire people for generations to come. She is an artistic treasure.
Thank you, beautiful Laura. For everything...
I am a huge Laura fan, but
only for the last few weeks. I always particularly enjoyed the Fifth
Dimension's "Save the Country" and "Stoned Soul Picnic" when I was a
teenager, but now, thanks to Youtube, I have discovered Laura Nyro and I
absolutely cannot go a day without listening to her crystal-clear, beautiful
voice. Love, Love, Love her and her music. R.I.P. Laura.
Back to a time when a
singer/songwriter could move and captivate the listener. with a piano and
microphone. simple, right? the song has to be great to do it. every single
time i listen to her i laugh. and then i cry. i laugh because i think to
myself, why did she go right into the next verse. or, why did she repeat
that section. or, why is she behind the rhythm. i can't figure her out. i
love to sing and i am laughing to myself, i can't figure her out. i am a
drummer but do not sing that great. i am logical and linear. so then, like a
musician i stepped back and listened to the songs. then i got it. she made
me jump up and down. clap my hands. cry... so to see her going into the rock
n roll hall of fame. she is a great talent that was taken away too quickly.
When I was about 10 or 11 my
older sister used to play Laura's records and I always liked what I heard.
Of course Laura was my sisters music and I moved on to Carol King, Neil
Young, Eric Claptin and Led Zepplin.
While cleaning out my deceased parents house I came across "Eli and the
Thirteenth Confession." OMG, I have fallen in love with Laura's music. I
have purchased all of her albums and even made Poverty Train my ringtone.
(pretty funny when my phone rang while getting my taxes done......my
accountant laughted histerically and ask who was the awesome singer.)
Needless to say I never knew much about her. Today, I wanted to know
everything so I found this website. I cried like a baby to discover she was
no longer with us. I can only hope she is watching from above and rejoycing
in her success. I wish I could have known her when she was alive. Congrats
Laura you deserve to be in the hall of fame!
If there's a newsletter or anything please include my email.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
bio refers to Laura Nyro as being "among the most gifted singer/songwriters
of modern times." They got it wrong. She was the most gifted
singer/songwriter ever.
To me, Laura was a gift from
God given to us at the right time, even if we were ill prepared for it. She
was an important figure who helped shape a popular culture at its most
crucial time and in so doing, created art that is truly timeless. To put it
most simply, I love her.
I never heard of Laura Nyro
until I (just recently), saw Bette Midler explain who she was, and "why"
Laura was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. And then I heard "Stoney
End", and then I went omfg, Moneterey Pop festival, ..., and many more songs
later too, and wow !
I am such a stupid man. Forgive me please.
I honestly never really knew Laura was the original Artist who created so
many of those beautiful songs, that I heard as an adolescent, and later
teenager.
"...money talks, and bullshit walks..." but that young girl many moons ago,
was/is the "real" thing. aka - Mozart'ess of the 20th Century.
Young people today have an excuse not to have heard of her, but I have none,
and I'm 55 years old -Lol.
How could I have missed this?
Anyway, hey thanks for keeping this website-flame burning in her honour.
I watched Bette Midler's
speech and had tears in my eyes the whole time, then put on New York
Tendaberry and got all teared up again. Laura Nyro was a genius and a
visionary and left a long shadow. Both she and Duane Allman (Another
visionary) died too young but we have them together on 'Beads Of Sweat', the
fiercest, most passionate meeting of ice and fire I've ever heard.
I am nearly 60 years old. Time
has ravaged my memory. For so long now, I have tried to remember Laura
Nyro's name. I remember her music well as that part of my memory has
remained. Today, May 19, 2012, I happened across a repeat of the HBO
broadcast of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees for this year. I am
happy to say that the memories of my youth, and the name that went with the
awesome music that was Laura's, came back to me. I immediately ordered every
album of Laura's that I could find online. I thank God that Laura Nyro's
name, as well as her music, will be with me for the rest of my life. Thank
you, Laura, for the beauty of your music. It is your legacy for generations
to come.
Mark
Me. I never thought I'd be one
to tune in the 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, but man am I glad
I did. For there, right in front of me was a reminder of a now gone treasure
that I'd forgotten about. Like Bette Midler said, I was one who had wondered
what happened to that authentic singer/songwriter Laura Nyro. I remember
Laura and her music, both of which I had missed, until now. I am so back
into Laura's music. It reminds me of a happier, yet complexed, and
interesting time. How I long for those days and time. Thank you Laura.
I found this page while
mourning the loss of a friend. She was a lot like Laura in some strange way
that I can't explain. Dana would like that. So would Laura. Her music is
something that can't be compared to somebody else's. Laura never needed the
R-N-Roll HOF, it needed her. My grieving for my lost friend is a little
easier listening to Laura's music.
Laura Nyro was and is a
blessing, a heaven-sent tribute to melody and lyric and proof of the
occasional arrival of genius on Earth. When, as Americans, we catalog the
the greatest artists our culture has hosted Laura Nyro belongs amongst the
archangels of inspiration, story-telling and the purity of the human spirit.
When we herald our greatness - as we tend to do far too often - we are never
misguided when we mention Nyro, Dylan, Gershwin, Berlin, Sondheim, Porter,
and Gaye among the tune-smiths who have put our country and our collective
soul to song.
Like a lot of other things in
my life at age 63, I am discovering how much of life I missed. Saw her for
the first time last night on the awards and had no idea she wrote all of
those songs. Same thing happened several years ago with Ray Price...had not
idea he wrote so much great music that other artist performed. This gal had
so much talent and she didn't fit the rubber stamp mold which is fabulous.
We are starving to death today for some real music other than rap crapp and
three chord wonders. Is there another one out there like her that I have
missed.
It is no surprise that there
are many "diamonds in the rough" of the Bronx in New York City. Laura Nyro
was clearly one of them.
Laura Nyro wrote songs I never knew she wrote and yet I lived through those
times and heard those songs sung by other Recording Artists. I am 50 years
old and, yes, I am saying that.
One must understand that it wasn't until the seventies when a good portion
of Recording Artists started writing there own songs. So, with that being
said for the sixties and early parts of the seventies.....it was easy to
recognize the recording artist but not the song writer. The song writer
usually stood behind the image of the recording artist back then.
I have heard her name mentioned and maybe seen her photos, at passing times,
in life.
I never knew that the songs she wrote were certain songs that impacted 2
Generational Decades (60s & 70s). Just a few songs was all it took from her
to impact a 2 Generational Decades.........man, that says quite a bit.
Congratulations Laura Nyro on being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame 2012.
Humble, TX
I was so surprised to find
that some of the songs I grew up with, listening from my parents, were
written by this amazing artist. I was totally, emotionally boweled over by
the tribute given by the Devine Miss M to Laura at her induction to the Rock
& Rolll Hall of Fame ceremony. It was a beautiful moment that I hope many
felt part of too.
Previous Comments
Finally, this gorgeous,
brilliant, musical soul will be introduced to new listeners (R&R Hall of
Fame, 2012). The first song I ever heard of hers: Luckie-and it changed me
forever. After that, I had to own every record, sing every song, play an
listen to her sing a billion times. I was listening to Christmas In My Soul
yesterday and the song made me cry with its beauty and wisdom and artistry.
I heard it my sleep all night long. So many years later, she is ever-present
and real. Everything about her is beautiful. Oh, Laura. I miss you so!
Finally... there is a little
justice. Laura's in the Rock in Roll Hall of Fame. Can't say much about her
fellow classmates but better now than never. This woman's been singing in my
soul for decades and I'm so honored to have felt her voice and artistry in
my life. I'm almost glad she's not more "popular". I never tire of informing
the great unwashed as to who and what she was. I am tired of hearing "Laura
who?" though. Still to all who know and love her to hear of her induction on
NPR I almost drove off the road.
There is a god.
My partner Edward j. white
passed away a year after Laura did. He loved her, her music and wrote her
frequently. She always allowed us backstage after her concerts, including
her Christmas Eve performance at the Bottom Line. Ed left me her music
including a home recording never released. She was special in our life and I
am only sorry that both Laura and Ed are not here to savor this wonderful
moment, long awaited and much deserved. May they both be celebrating in
heavens and listening to Eli's Comin'. I, am still here with my cigarettes
and ashes. Thank you for the music Laura.
Christmas in my Soul indeed
this holiday season.
What a blessing to see Laura finally receive the accolades that are her due!
Wonderful, thrilling news this day.
Blue Laura, a fan for 45 years
At last!
Tears in my eyes this day upon learning that Laura is finally where she has
always been for her fans, at the top of the Hall of Fame!
Christmas in my Soul indeed this holiday season...I am thrilled!
Hooray for my hero, Ms. Laura Nyro!
Congratulations on Laura Nyro
being accepted into the RRHF, even though it took way too long. She was in
good company with Donovan, who they also kept waiting too long. Someday I
hope to get around to reworking that piece I wrote about Laura when I was
high(!), and will share it with you. Aloha, Michael
PS. I still believe Christmas and the Beads of Sweat is as great as the best
album of the Beatles, Bob Dylan, or anyone else.
Today is December 7, 2011 and
Laura is among the 2012 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to Laura's family, friends, admirers, and best of all, those
yet to discover her. Laura Lives--Surry on Down!!!
I used to lie in bed late at
night listening to WABX-FM Detroit waiting...waiting...waiting...for "Eli's
Comin'" to play. Then I'd become completely still and attempt to totally
absorb every nuance of the most achingly, hauntingly beautiful and powerful
voice I had ever heard. I saw her perform at Cobo Hall and will never forget
it. Today we beckon the return of the Sacred Feminine and I know that The
Goddess sang through Laura.
"I've got a lot of patience
baby and that's a LOT of patience to lose". Speaking from me, I'm thrilled
that Laura is finally in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. She is most, most,
most deserving. Love you Laura and thank you to your spirit that lives on!
signed,
Gene
It is great that Laura Nyro is
being honored with induction at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.It was great
that so many of us got to at least hear her music or her in concert over the
decades she was with us. You can still buy her music via amazon and other
sites and it is timeless.To grow older with her ballads,her soul tunes,etc.
is a privilege. Let's hope we will always cherish her memory and music and
support ovarian cancer research,too.
Mark in Charlotte
She made it finally Laura
Laura Nyro is in the rock hall of fame so
Happy for her Congrats to her class of 2012 ... smile upwards to such a
creative true song writer
Music and Peace always
Antony
Like so many of my generation
(I'm 62), I've been in love with Laura for several decades now. While I've
listened to her work thousands of time, it remains refreshing, invigorating
and new. I just read Laura has been elected for induction into the Rock &
Roll Hall of Fame. It's certainly about time. I eagerly await her actual
induction and accompanying tribute.
David (in New Jersey)
I never gave a better gift to
my daughter than my love of Laura.
I have listened to many of
Laura's songs over the years and didn't know that she wrote all those lyrics
because the songs were performed by other people. That, of course, is my
error and my loss. She is magnificent and deserves Hall of Fame credit for
what she accomplished. I respect her immensely for not wanting to be so
commercial with her work. She wrote for herself and a limited audience,
those people who can appreciate genius when they hear it. I am forever
grateful for the beautiful creations she brought and still brings to
listeners. If there is anything I can do to help you with your film, please
ask. My wife and I are both college English teachers, and my wife has
written some plays, one of which has been performed. Thank you.
Belton
Absolutely Love her .. every
time i hear a song she sings i am touched ... so much soul .. i heard her
for the first time on a Columbia records compilation called Different
Strokes .. that had a number of Columbia artists on it..i have been a fan
ever since..she stirs me deep in my soul with her mournful passioned voice
and beautiful chord changes.. i can say she was one of my first musical
influences and pushed me towards my career as a songwriter.. thanks you
Laura
John
As a 61-year-old
pianist/arranger, and one of the lucky few who saw Laura perform live at
L.A.'s Troubadour back in '69, I've been enjoying the great satisfaction of
creating and performing in a nightclub revue of Laura's songs here in L.A.
(called "Stoned Soul Picnic", what better?). It's been such a treat to
introduce 20- and 30-somethings to Laura's work, and to enable my fellow
Boomers to experience some of their favorite songs again. I admire some of
the current female singer-songwriters, but nobody approaches Laura. To
paraphrase "Been On A Train," she had guts, gospel and brains.
Older Comments
A strong mysterious voice you
had
compelling us to listen again and again
enthralling and transporting us to magical realms
lying at times gently in your arms
safe inside our December's Boudoir
other times your voice would demand
for us to rally and wail -
wail at the injustices in our World
and for an end to all senseless wars
And always your Spiritual Nature would touch us
abiding as we tarried within Louise's Church ,
thinking of her , Frieda , Sappho And Laura ,
and those she admired so much
Her legacy will live on -
instilled Deeply and Lovingly within our Soul
I remember with fondness one
of the first concerts that I had the privilege to attend (I was a sophomore
then at U of Penn in Philadelphia) when Laura, amidst the snowy weather,
came to Bryn Mawr college....the weather was forbidding but she didnt
disappoint; wonderful setting for a truly memorable night.
Robert
For over 40 years I have
carried the songs of Laura in my mind and in my heart. I am a songwriter but
never reached the level I heard and felt in her. Here music can stir things
in my soul that I myself cannot access. She was a gift to us all and left a
lasting impression on not just myself and all of her fans but on American
Music.
I am listening to her again tonight, with fond memories of my youth swirling
though my mind with her as my soundtrack. I never knew her and yet I feel a
deep loss for her. And yet I feel joy for all that she gave us and will live
on forever.
Thank You Laura
I just discovered Laura today.
My sister-in-law told me that she was my dearly departed ( 2 years ago)
wife's favorite artist back in the '60s. I never knew that !! I found this
web site and felt immediately "connected" to my wife through reading about
Laura and her music. I have heard many of the cover songs through the years.
Now its time for the originals. I will be adding "Stoned Soul Picnic" to my
collection today. Thanks for a wonderful website experience.
Billy
Laura's music has been a part
of my life since the late 60's. I was always amazed at her voice and the
pure soulfulness of it. She needs to be recognized so others can be exposed
to her great talent. I had the great pleasure of seeing her live at the
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium , with her on piano and 3 backup singers and
was mesmerized by her talent. Being the male groupie that I was towards her
I was able to walk her to her car (of course being watched by guards) but
she was kind and gracious to me. A night I will never forget.
I love the picture of Laura on
the Home page. I think you changed it. Well done.
My program broadcasts Laura
Nyro's music quite a bit as I have always considered her to be a
representative of authentic talent, and beauty. She was an original whose
contributions will never be forgotten in this world.
'The Stone Age' with Dan Wargo / Public Radio Exchange (www.prx.org) /
www.bigislandradio.com February, 2011
Laura's music is heard almost each week in Minnesota, Iowa, California and
Montana-Wyoming...Thanks,
Dan
I knew Laura Nyro just today
listening a track from "New York Tendaberry" on the radio.
And i suddenly loved her lovely music that make me feel very deep vibes of
my soul.
Alessandro.
I really don´t understand why
she isn´t "popular", besides her hits and others songs. Her music is unique
and very powerful. First of all, what´s the meaning of "popular"?
Where I live - Brazil - she´s not well known. What a shame, I must confess.
In other way, some people say things like that: "- I´ve heard this song
before, but I don´t know the artist who made it". That´s when I answer the
question, "It belongs to Laura Nyro, you should know who she is, what she
represents to music, etc & etc... that´s our role as followers to her work.
But what´s the meaning of success? Let´s think about it. If Hall of Fame
inductee will become reality one day, that´s fine for us, but it will be in
a natural way. Popular? She is a gift. That´s it: a beautiful gift. Forever.
Let´s see the next years. In the meantime, let´s enjoy her music and spread
her messages to the world. She would love it, for sure.
Laura, we love you.
Paulo - Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
So, it´s 2011, I´m 45 yo and
finally 'discover' Laura´s music...
Of course I knew some of her songs, but never realised she recorded so many
beautiful songs. Wow, what an intense voice she has. Great songwriting too.
I can she/hear the influence she had on Todd.
Grooveshark.com has an extensive playlist of her songs, what a find!
George from Overseas
Hi! I recently watched
Laura's performance at Monterey and from the first note of "Poverty Train",
I thought What Is This????? Absolutely stunning!! Now I seem to have been
hooked and cant wait to discover more about this beautiful, fascinating
woman. Very much looking forward to learning more. I wonder what is the
update with the movie???
Cheers!
Tim
Mahe Island, SEYCHELLES
I first saw Laura perform at
Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. around 1972. It was a full house. A
beautiful venue.
She was at a black grand piano, a small round table was near her with a rose
in a bud vase and a glass of wine. A night I will never forget.
Through the years I was lucky enough to see her live several more times. The
last for me was at the Botonical Gardens in Denver where I now live. That
was about 2 years before she passed. There are no words to describe her
brilliance and beauty. She is part of my soul. In my mind she was my friend
and I loved her.
Bruce, Denver Colorado
What will it take to have
Laura, inducted into the 'SongWriter's Hall Of Fame? I saw the press release
today. June 16th in NYC another group of songwriters will be inducted. I
scanned the list of those that are in the Songwriter's Hall Of Fame. I must
say I was shocked! To see some of the names. I just don't get it? Maybe am
not suppose to?
Frank
I am a huge Laura Nyro fan and
have made it a personal mission to introduce her and her music to as many
people as possible. I am a musician, singer, songwriter, and arranger of
choral music. I'm putting the finishing touches on an arrangement of "Save
the Country" for a youth choir I direct. The arrangement has more in common
with the 5th dimension version than Laura's original, but I decided one
thing I would keep is the final few bars of Laura's original, which leads to
a concluding unison F-natural(at least that's what it is in the key I'm
using) I always found that a striking contrast to the richness of the song's
harmonies overall. I wondered if anyone or perhaps Laura herself ever
explained that ending. To me it was sort of a statement about war, and how
we try so hard to change that part of our collective karma, celebrate life,
and achieve peace, we always find a way to get sucked back into senseless
conflict. Anyway, that's what my take is. I'd be curious to hear others.
Meanwhile, I'll continue to be a pied piper for Laura for as long as draw
breath. Cheers!
Laura Nyro provided the
sweetest background to my life from the first time I heard her in 1967 up
until this very moment - she is singing to me as I write this. I tear up
every time I hear her voice because it brings me so much joy and peace. I am
so grateful that she played the Wiltern in L.A. back in the late 1980's and
I was able to see and hear her live - one of the best nights of my life. God
Bless Laura Nyro.
I wrote a new article that
mentions Laura in the first paragraph, and knew you would enjoy reading it.
When I looked up the Laura Nyro site it was too cool to see that I also
wrote about deer by coincidence as you will see. Best regards,
Michael
Hello!
I am a Nyro archivist from Canada. Does the documentary on Laura's life have
a projected release date as of yet? I was also wondering if you could post
the great news on your next website update that Audio Fidelity is releasing
a limited edition premium vinyl edition version of "The First Songs" now
available! The information from their website can be found here:
http://www.audiofidelity.net/content/laura-nyrothe-first-songs
Keep up the great work! This is now the one and only website totally devoted
to Laura Nyro.I always enjoy my frequent visits here. Kindest Regards From
Canada,
Susan
I first heard Laura's music in
1969. IU was 15 at that time. I had never heard anyone sing as beautifully
as her and have all her vinyl, duplicates on casette, and many on CD. I saw
Laura at the Bottom Line in NYC twicw and at Night Stage in Cambridge, Mass.
I din't know she was gay until I observed the line waiting to get into Night
Stage. I thought to myself, So what! She has been an inspiration to me since
age 15. I am now 56. In 1989, my wife and I had a still born, full term baby
girl who we named Emily and we play the song Emmie regularly which serves as
a reminder of our poor lost soul. Still, it is not morose. I just, this
evening wrote a story about Laura on my advertiser supported, information
based web site here in the Mid Hudson Valley region of New York State. If
anyone would care to read it, find it at hvinsider.com. It should be up on
the site sometime Tuesday, March 15th. I wrote it from the heart to the best
of my recollection. Miss you Laura, my special honey. I love you!
Bob, Newburgh NY
Previous Comments
I stumbled upon Laura’s first
LP when I was a teenager in Iowa in 1969. I knew this album was something
different. The images, passions and sounds all flowing together, working in
concert. So many surprises. I loved the songs, but I was most astonished by
Laura’s courage, her boldness to make the songs she wanted, just the way she
wanted them – her audacity to make something so new.
The discovery that such courage was even possible was an inspiration that
helped change my life. I didn’t stay in my small town. I’ve lived in New
York City for the past 30 years, working as an actor, a writer and a singer.
I sang “Upstairs By A Chinese Lamp” in a musical revue. I used Laura’s song
book to teach myself to play piano. I’ve written and performed songs of my
own. I’m not famous, but I’ve managed to do some things I wanted, just the
way I wanted them.
When I moved to New York, I found out from a friend that Laura’s father
tuned pianos, so I hired him to tune mine. I didn’t tell him I was a big fan
of Laura, but when he finished with the tuning he said, “I have a daughter
who’s a singer. Maybe you’ve heard of her. Laura Nyro.” And in perhaps my
greatest acting performance, I calmly said, “You’re Laura Nyro’s father?
Well, yes, I know her music and like it very much.” And then I sat and
listened to him talk about her for awhile. He was obviously proud but seemed
bewildered by her fame. He and his son had both trained extensively and
seriously on their instruments, with modest success, but Laura would “just
sit down at the piano and play around.”
Of course, the vital word there was “play”. There is playfulness in Laura’s
songs -- a creative willingness to follow mysterious impulses, to make up
vivid characters, to ride the dreamy waves, to explore the shadows.
I saw Laura perform a couple times in New York and then one rainy day she
was sitting at the end of a Manhattan subway car, twenty feet away from me,
looking private and content. I felt I’d been riding a train with her half my
life and suddenly there we were, riding a train together. I left her alone,
and though I’ve rethought my choice many times – what I might have said – it
seemed right at the time. “Thank you, Laura Nyro. I’m here because of you.”
That’s what I would have said.
Steven
Phoebe Snow was right, Laura's
music is timeless. For the last 10 years since I discover this remarkable
artist, I just keep listening to it and always find something new in her
music. I believe that Laura is best female artist of all the time.
Ivan
Hi everyone, being a
long time fan of Laura's and a constant visitor to this web site I have to
share a recent wonderful expirence. I purchased the 'cd' 'Season Of Lights'
it is an awesome 'cd' of Laura, in concert. If you don't have it yet, please
do yourself a favor and order it today. I have been listening to the 'cd'
while driving in my truck, and at my home. I have everything Laura's put on
disc, this one is without a doubt the best 'live' 'cd' Peace everyone
FRANK
I am a musician and have
been all my life. i'm over fifty years old. i've played with and listened to
lots of musicians and in my opinion Laura was the most gifted i've ever
heard. she was perfection in every way. there are many great songwriters but
Laura threads melody, harmony, rhythm, and lyric together and then presents
it like a gift to your soul. no one can get inside you the way she did. the
diversity of her writing is stunning! i much favor her performances of her
own work. not that she's unknown but i cannot believe more people
(especially musicians) don't pay attention to her music.
oh yea, btw my name is Bill and Laura, i love you so, i always will.
My name is Rob and I am a
musician living in Vancouver and I'm only now just becoming the musician I
can be after a challenging life. I remember the first time I heard her
around 17 or 18 years old and she was an Angel on earth is what she really
was, she was an Angel from Beyond who came to share her song. And what art
that is.
Why do the beautiful of soul die so young? Why are some taken from this
world so soon before we even really got to know them and how how wonderful
they and their art was? She was so good and true of heart like a John
Lennon, Dylan or Donna Sommer (her ballads were beyond).
What I really want to know is where can I buy a complete set of all her
work, including all the re-mastered stuff. Thanks and yes she should be in
the hall of fame, SHE BROKE MY HEART. And you know she is breaking them now
in the next world for sure.
We never die, we just go on, so wait up for us Laura... I don't want to miss
another show. We miss you so much, at least I do. I so wish I had seen you
live just once.
you can hear me at www.myspace.com/robdriscoll if you want or not.
Rob
I was 20 years old when Laura
Nyro's Eli's Confessions started playing backstage as we struck the set of a
rehearsal. I immediately stopped what I was doing. I had never heard anyone
like that before -- or since. Ms. Nyro remains with me until I no longer
have an earthly existence. She is unique in her prodigious talent and
beauty. Thank you Laura for gracing us with your life.
I guess ive listened to just
about every great artiste from the last 50 or so years , but every time i
listen to Laura's work i somehow feel like im hearing the most emotional
music ive ever heard. Laura really was the best female songwriter and singer
of all time and nobody will ever come close to touching her ability wise.
Steve, Oldham, England
I have been a fan of Laura's
for many years & am happy to say that I saw her perform in Santa Monica
sometime in the '90"s. She was so beautiful, spiritual, deep, thoughtful,
melodic, poetic, enjoyable and inspiring. We shared an interest in animal
advocacy. I was wondering if the Foundation would be interested in letting
me use her song, Lite the Flame ( An Animal Rights Song), to educate people
about the plight of elephants. I am on the board of ElephantVoices which is
run by Joyce Poole. She has been studying African elephants for many years &
travels globally to speak against elephants in zoos & circuses, lack of
habitat & the ivory trade. Laura Nyro's song would be an excellent tool that
we could use with video for our website, Facebook, etc. It is also a way for
Laura to continue to help animals which I know was very important to her.
Thank you for your time & attention.
Patty
Please do use "Light of Flame" for such a humane effort. May it help
the cause.
13 years later and I still
can't avoid thinking that the whole of post Tin Pan Alley songwriting can be
divided between Laura Nyro and everyone else. Heavenly, haunting, and
absolute genius.
Darn, I miss her.
Steve
just to say that when I
purchased First Songs in the early seventies I loved every single song on
the album. Now in 2010 nothing has changed since I am still playing the CD
version and it is still one of my all time favourites. Lazy Susan, what a
haunting melody.
Mark
England
She was so papular with young
generation and popilar with those who love humanity. We never forget her or
never keep her away from our heart. gpd bless her soul,
Waheed Islamabad Pakistan
Welcome Pakistan
I met Laura at a club in NYC,
where I was performing with a friend of mine. I looked to the audience,and
saw Laura sitting at the table right by the stage. Being only 18 years of
age I immediately experienced an acute case of stage fright.I walked off the
stage and Laura,being the compassionate,supportive woman she was,ran to me
and encouraged me to overcome my fear,even comforting me. I felt a sense of
calm and tranquility.I asked Laura to join us on stage and she replied,"No
thank-you,this is your night to shine". I love you Laura and miss you.
I hope things are going well
with the DVD. I anticipate it with the desire of December's Boudoir. I was
introduced to Laura and her First Songs LP at boarding school. Most of the
students were European and I was homesick, so what a great friendship I
struck up with an American boy who kept me laughing constantly, and one
afternoon I will never forget was when he played that first album. Laura's
voice and words immediately carried me away to a warm place of love and
tenderness, of the New York characters and harshness mixed with joy, the
sorrow of drugs and street walkers, to the feeling of a rose in Spanish
Harlem (I know the song was not yet recorded by her, but she took me there)
on that street of buy and sell. I was Billy's Blues....and my restless soul
knew I was a Runner.
Then after Christmas break when I returned to that gloomy boarding school,
John came tearing down the lane with Eli in his hands, and thus began a new
voyage.
I got to see Laura perform 3 times, once in an Opera House concert where she
moved across the stage to the piano like a boat swaying slowly through a
thick river, sensuously, shawl draped around her shoulders, a red rose
tucked in her thick black hair. She was a miracle that night, taking us all
into her bosom of poetry, sharing her life, carrying us on the sea waves of
her voice to a special sacred sanctuary, a red light of passion mellowing
into the softness of blues Later I saw her with her mostly all women's band,
and it was like a party. Finally I saw her in a little grove in Central
Park. She was pregnant, and it was sweet and intimate and refreshing, a new
birth coming.
I regret so much passing up the chances to see her at The Bottom Line. I was
right there, too preoccupied to think that this was not a mainstay but a
fleeting life...a sweet song that would soon be just an echo. Thankfully she
has left us with SO many songs from so much of her life. Sometimes I tune my
MP3 player to only her music, and it shuffles for hours. I go to sleep with
her voice in my ears, a lullabye. TO my delight, I actually found a new
song....just one of those that slip by at the time amongst the others, maybe
waiting for the time to be heard. It is "Serious Playgroung" from Angel in
the Dark. You see, whenever I'm in a record store, I out of habit go to the
Laura Nyro section, hoping beyond hope to find anything new, not wanting to
believe that there will be no more. So, hooking onto a song I never really
heard before is a wondrous gift from her. It makes me realize that she is
still present, still a vital part of my life. I introduce her to everyone I
come across if the world of music comes up. I am so pleased that Audra
McDonald has sung her songs at Lincoln Center and on her albums, that the
world has still to recognize the genius and unparalleled artistry of this
angel who came down to touch us with her music and her soft sweet soul. I
loved the title I heard for her in the early days, "The Queen of Polished
Soul". May you be known and heard by all.
As a teenager I loved the 5th
Dimension, and among my favorite songs were Stoned Soul Picnic, Save the
Country, Blowing Away, He's a Runner... and looking through album credits
one day I realized most of my favorites of the group's songs were written by
a lady named Laura Nyro. I had to find out more about her. I'm glad I did. I
got to see her once, just once, in Oakland on the Smile tour. I'll never
forget it, a couple thousand people in the audience and you'd swear you were
a guest in someone's living room.
Sometime in 1991 I saw the reunited Original 5th Dimension in concert and of
course there was the euphoric joy of hearing them do "Wedding Bell Blues."
"Save the Country" brought the audience to their feet, of course, and Billy
Davis Jr. told the audience, "You know, that's as true a song today as it
was when Miss Laura Nyro wrote it," and there was thunderous applause. And
you know, he was absolutely right.
I'm 47 and only discovered
Laura a week ago. Her music has been with me all my life, one of the first
songs I can remember hearing on the radio in 69 was 3 Dog Night's cover of
Eli's Comin'. Even as a teenage more apt to listen to Kiss or Led Zeppelin I
absolutely loved the 5th Dimension's cover of Wedding Bell Blues. More
recently after hearing Swing Out Sister's cover of Stoned Soul Picnic I
decided to research the song. The name Laura Nyro came up. So I clicked on
the You Tube video of her version. I was immediately intrigued and listened
to her version of Wedding Bell Blues. Then I listened to song after song,
some familiar, some a totally new experience. I was hooked. Laura became a
drug. I listened to her You Tube stuff over and over while doing my work. I
immediately tracked down some CD's on eBay and bought them. The week in
between waiting for them was agony, having to get my Laura fix while at the
computer. I'd sit there long after my day's work was done listening to,
reading about and looking at Laura. Finally, yesterday, those precious CDs.
It's great for me but kind of sad that this divine woman's music was to be
had new in shrink wrap for $4. I spent yesterday and most of today listening
to The Best Of Laura Nyro and The Essential Masters. But I was nowhere near
ready for New York Tendaberry. It's been on my Ipod since last night. I
pulled it up and sat down to work. Right. Work. I was immediately
transfixed. I had heard a couple of the tracks already, but the work as a
whole blew me away. As much as I adore her popier work, this album is
absolutely unparalleled. The intensity of her voice was unbelievable. The
minimalist arrangements showcased both her incredible voice and her
brilliant piano. I've only heard that level of vocal intensity out of
Brazil's Elis Regina, but with Laura there is no language barrier. All I
could do was listen and stare at Google images of Laura. Observation; there
are hundreds of images of Laura looking very intense and a couple of non
professional pics that make her look like you or I, but my favorite image of
her, the picture of her smiling on the inside of The Essential Masters is
nowhere to be found. Even if you already own all the music on the disc the
picture itself is worth the price of admission. I've been obsessed with
music before, but never personally by the artist. I feel personally
connected to her in a way that someone who never met her shouldn't and has
no right to. It's quite eerie how those images affect me. I look at images
of other artists with indifference, oh so that's what the look like. It's
the music I care about. Or I might look at how their public image changed
over time, but somehow those images of Laura make me care about the person
that was Laura Nyro. I'm still sorting it all out but I think I'm in love...
Glad you are here. And your are in love.....
I just watched "Broken
Rainbow" for the first time in my life on this day, Sunday- May 30th, 2010 (
Memorial Day Weekend ). Being part Native American on my Dad's side...it was
a devastating thing- this documentary... Being a retired music
producer/engineer/ musician... I was immediately 'entrance' by the
song/music heard throughout this film ( Laura ) and am now here...
'Laura....you aren't gone...you are just away... I can hear you in the
whispering wind...'
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