Let's go with a singer-songwriter you may not think you know, but trust me, you do. If you're a fan of a wide range of 60's/70's artists then you are aware of Laura Nyro. Laura was a prolific songwriter and on this, her debut album, she hit the ground running. First released in 1967 as 'More Than a New Discovery' I didn't get hold of it until 1970 when it was re-issued and made available in Australia under a new title (The First Songs) with a different track order and in STEREO !! Oooh.
By the time I got this album I was well aware of Lauras music. Many of the tracks had already been covered and made popular by other artists, but regardless of how well you know them, Lauras songs deserve to be listened to when sung by Laura herself.
The album opens strongly - 'Wedding Bell Blues'. Laura was only 18 when she wrote this song, but that doesn't stop her from plaintively calling for Bill to marry her. Before the 5th Dimension had their hit with it, Laura sings her song with passion. 'Blowin' Away', included here, was also covered by the 5th Dimension, but from this album two more tracks became standards for other acts.
Peter, Paul & Mary recorded her song 'And When I Die' in 1966, a year before Laura herself included it here, and Blood, Sweat & Tears went on to make it their signature. Then after hearing 'Stoney End' on this LP, Linda Ronstadt & The Stone Poneys covered it on a 1968 album and Barbra Streisand picked it up for a 1970 version. Once again, the 5th Dimension included it in their repertoire too. Lauras debut album had provided 4 hits for 4 major artists - not a bad introduction at all.
In the words of many a DJ - "and the hits just keep on coming".
In 1968 Laura put out her second album 'Eli and the Thirteenth Confession' and once again her songs went on to become staples in the playlists of others. The 5th Dimension were first out of the gate with two more of Lauras songs, 'Sweet Blindness' and 'Stoned Soul Picnic' (Can you surry? Can you picnic? whoa-whoa). Before you sing-along and try to figure it out, let me put you out of your misery. "Surry" was a word made up by Laura (a neologism) and when asked about it's meaning and why she used it she said "Oh, it's just a nice word."
Three Dog Night were beginning to make a name for themselves by 1968 and they claimed one of Lauras tracks from this album and took it to #10 on the US charts. 'Eli's Coming' was their fifth charting single and was included on their second album 'Suitable For Framing'.
By the time she released her third album, 'New York Tenderberry' Laura was becoming one of the hottest songwriters around and on the strength of that reputation, this became her most commercially succesful album. Once more her album tracks were covered by others, notably 'Save the Country' by old faithfuls the 5th Dimension and Barbra Streisand came back for another bite of the apple, this time taking 'Time and Love'.
It really is a strange twist that after writing such great songs made famous by others, Lauras best selling single release was not one of her own compositions, it was a version of the Carole King / Gerry Goffin song 'Up On the Roof'.
Although she achieved so much more in her short life, I have to include this connection. On July 4, 1991, she opened for Bob Dylan at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Massachusetts.
Sadly Laura passed away in 1997 of ovarian cancer at the same age and from the same disease as her mother. Many artists have credited her with being an influence on their work, Elton John being quoted as saying he "idolized" her. Tribute albums and musical revues have been produced in her name and in 2010 she was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, then in 2012 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
If you thought you'd never heard of Laura Nyro, hear of her now.
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