Well, I'll be damned....I've never heard of her. What? I thought I knew everybody....just listened to all the songs and I don't know any of them either...
OK, I know Stoned Soul Picnic....but not her version. I only know the 5th Dimension version. Let me get this right...this album is from 1968...and I've never heard of her or it??
Nyro's influence on popular musicians has also been acknowledged by such artists as Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Bette Midler, Rickie Lee Jones, Elton John, Cyndi Lauper, Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan and Melissa Manchester. Todd Rundgren stated that once he heard her, he "stopped writing songs like The Who and started writing songs like Laura." Cyndi Lauper acknowledged that her rendition of the song "Walk On By", on her Grammy Award-nominated 2003 cover album At Last, was inspired by Nyro. Elton John and Elvis Costello discussed Nyro's influence on both of them during the premiere episode of Costello's interview show Spectacle on the Sundance channel. When asked by the host if he could name three great performer/songwriters who have largely been ignored, he cited Nyro as one of his choices. John also addressed Nyro's influence on his 1970 song "Burn Down the Mission", from Tumbleweed Connection, in particular. “I idolized her," he concluded. "The soul, the passion, just the out and out audacity of the way her rhythmic and melody changes came was like nothing I’ve heard before.”
Steve Hoffman tweeted that he is mastering the original 1968 stereo mix and that the SACD includes the original quad mix! :wave
An original previously unissued quad mix if I have my facts correct.
Actually, there were TWO unissued Quad mixes of Eli & the Thirteenth Confession. One is missing the last couple tracks of the album. Both good Quad mixes.
As to Laura herself, I've been a mega fan since the 60's. Saw/listened to her live in '88 & '89 at the Vic in Chicago. IMHO, perhaps the most underrated person in rock.
Although not in Quad, check out her later Smile and Mother's Spiritual albums.
Steve Hoffman tweeted that he is mastering the original 1968 stereo mix and that the SACD includes the original quad mix! :wave
A few songs in on el YouTubo. I think this album may be a bit too happy for me...
Happy could be the last word I think of when I think of this LP. Wait until you hear Poverty Train, or Lonely Woman. Laura could go to some pretty dark places.A few songs in on el YouTubo. I think this album may be a bit too happy for me...
EB, she was a bona fide superstar back in the day but her fear of touring severely limited her exposure to the public at large. If ELI doesn't get your toes to tapping...nothing will. Every major artist covered her songs and as Elton John pointed out in his "Spectacle" interview with Elvis Costello....she was also one of the MOST surprising talents around with her electic chord changes and brilliant sense of melody and passionate soul.
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