[.ca] Laura Nyro: Lyrics & Reminiscences with CD (Audio) (ISBN 1575606488)

finally:
I ordered this in January & I understand there were some problems with the publisher. OK I'm patient. It's a book of her song lyrics arranged by album, with The Morning News and a poem that was printed on the Nested jacket. The last title Coda, I don't think was actually written by Laura, but was a cover song as a hidden track on Angel In The Dark. (If that's true I hope no one sues) There's not much extra except a few hand written scribbles, mostly set sequences. Speaking of a few extras: it would have been better, since this is supposed to be Laura's "poetry", to include writings that she did not record as songs. Obviously someone has all of her notebooks to cull through and reveal the unknown writings of Laura Nyro--like the early version of Man In The Moon that was more of a children's song. The comments by those who knew her and worked with her give insight but why a full page for a few sentences? Rickie Lee Jones' essay turns out to be a great commentary. The CD is a disappointment. Snatches of Laura talking about her craft with lots of white noise so she's hard to understand and it's very chopped up. It's not an interview at all. If this was a project Laura really wanted to leave as a legacy (as the book states), more care should have been taken with it. The early demo of And When I Die shows the Nina Simone influence and Lazy Susan has Laura singing in a deeper voice. For those who love Laura Nyro's music, buy it. It's worth having.

Better, but no legacy:
Lovely, simple, classy, touching...like Laura, but not nearly enough to catch her essence. Beats the kort bio by miles. The little vignettes are perfect, though skimpy. Thanx to Vivino and Sebastian...two moving, insightful tidbits. The back cover says she died at 40...wrong!...it was 49...and this is important. Laura was into the details and this should not have been missed. New cd out this Tuesday..."Spread your wings and fly..." I can't wait!