Laura Nyro- Sweet Blindess

[mattjackleroy]

The consummate artist. Personally, I think her voice was very under appreciated, probably because of the cover versions of many of her tunes. But more and more, I like listening to Nyro's versions.

[vicmaine05]

Laura Nyro RIP - Thank you for sharing your gifts with all of us, your voice, passion, music, and love. Bless you.

[Lovemylovething]

@charliedontsurf70 1, perhaps her Dad likes wine, but not gin. ;))

[lvkenny420man]

laura was a great song writer and so much more!! yes an influence she was!!

[shellybellysf]

Damn she was so authentic! A quality so rare indeed! Happy Birthday Laura, I may be a few hours late..but I have been listening to every version of the song Laura that I own all night. And you see Laura..

[charliedontsurf70]

the only thing i could never understand about this song is first she says lets go down by the grapevine drink my daddys wine right? then later she says dont let daddy hear it he dont believe in the gin mill spirit?

[Lovemylovething]

Another winner from E&TTC, GREAT record!

Laura sure is a good lookin' riverboat, and one heck of a Song Smith. LOVE LOVE LOVE that Lady! =)

[marcelosilvav1]

LAURA NYRO FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!

[solodragon52]

Laura was one of the most underrated artist of her time and her voice and style was the true definition of 'SOUL' when soul was about attitude and heart!! An era when music truly reflected the feelings of all who listened to it.

[mommyaud1]

lets go down by the grapevine and drink my daddy's wine...

[decimated550]

And a total fox on top of everything else!

[bklynelvin]

Listening to her makes me saddened that I did not get to know her music sooner - it is such an exrradinary voice and talent that she exudes with an honesty and soul so absent in the majority of today's music - Laura I love you may you still be writing and singing in heaven!

[loocee95]

What a talent!!! I got to see Laura before she passed and it was wonderful.

She's as good as Carol King, another one of my favorites.

The others are right about Madonna and others who have no talent.....

Laura had more talent in her little finger etc....

[atisaseret]

@mjs3888 - I haven't heard anything either about the Nominees for the 2011 Rock N Roll Hall of Fame - I'll be really surprised if they include Laura again (she was one of the Nominees for RNRHOF 2010). She was considered by the Music Exec as an 'Outlaw' and too difficult to control - which is what they. Laura was definitely out & about amongst her Fams - as a matter of fact - she would often stop by the lines to say Hello & often struck up Friendships with her Loyal Fans - AN AMAZING PERSON!

[mjs3888]

@atisaseret She was nominated for 2011 also. Just wasn't inducted sadly. She got the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and is celebrated by her real fans so that's all that matters.Then again, NEIL FRIGGIN' DIAMOND just got inducted after all these years so never say never.

[mjs3888]

@atisaseret I'd LOVE it if she gets a Kennedy Center Honor award.

[atisaseret]

@mjs3888 - Now that would be NICE! But not only the Kennedy Center Honor but the Gershwin Award!

What can I tell you - there MUST be some really pissed-off Music Execs that want to make sure Laura Nyro doesn't get into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. You also have to remember that Laura made HITS for other people not for herself - so, these Moron Execs @ RNRHOF are NOT going by the Scope of her Genius Talent but by Records sold - that's so SAD that Talent doesn't cut it anymore!

[mjs3888]

@atisaseret The Gershwin Award would be awesome! I talked to Denknee a while back about whether he thinks Geffen used his influence to get her blocked from the HOF and he doesn't think so b/c he spoke highly of her early stuff. People can be two faced though and Geffen has a lot of power.

If you haven't heard, Laura will be included in a RNRHOF museum exhibit on women in Rock and Roll. From Laura's website.

[atisaseret]

@mjs3888 -I have NO DOUBT in my mind that GEFFEN had Laura 'bumped' from the RNRHOF. Let me tell you something about Geffen - he's a manipulative, opportunistic snake...BUT...he has a eye for Talent. When he approached Laura at the Monterey Pop Festical to manage her - he wanted 50% of her take on her songs. Laura's parents didn't like him, and when he broke from Columbia Records to start his own, he wrote Laura a note to leave Columbia and follow him. Of course, Laura didn't...

[atisaseret]

@mjs3888 - . She soon after 'dropped out' of The Music Industry's grasp for a few years, married, moved to Massachussets, then later to Connecticutt - and re-surfaced, playing in NYC Clubs, going on Tour, and the rest is history. I think that Geffen held a grudge against Laura when she refused to come over to GEFFEN Records, and that he thought that she 'owed' him. Overall, he made plenty of MILLIONS much more so than Laura. So, it's a moot point whether Geffen 'held' Laura back., BUT I know

[mjs3888]

@atisaseret It was Asylum Records but yeah. He changed it to Geffen much later. She felt like he was making his fortune on her back so that's one of the reasons why she left him. And she felt more secure with Columbia. And, of course, she was sick of the music business and took a break. The songs "Money" and "American Dreamer" tell the tale pretty well.

[mjs3888]

@atisaseret I mean, Geffen did talk highly of her early stuff but then was pretty dismissive of her later stuff. This was in a BBC Radio Documentary. He also said that her leaving him was a "mistake" or something like that. Pretty cryptic. The guy's a creep. I hope he didn't get her bumped but I'm afraid he did. I hope he didn't because I hope she gets in one day.

[atisaseret]

@mjs3888- OK, I have to admit, because of my love for Laura, I know I'm taking sides, but GEFFEN is a Parasite of the worst kind. But when the Justices in this World, don't come through - there are 'other' Justices that balance the scales - in other words, 'what goes around, comes around'. Geffen probably sabotaged Laura's chances to make it really big, but somehow, I think Laura was content with the Freedom she had in doing Gigs whenever she wanted & not what the Record Company commanded.

[BarerMender]

@atisaseret I think the reason Laura didn't "make it really big" as a performer is that she was just too demanding for the average listener. I love Laura above all others, but there's only so much I can listen to before I'm exhausted. If you don't have a musical education, I think she's just too much.

[atisaseret]

@BarerMender - As much as I would like to DISAGREE with you on that point, I, unfortunately, have to AGREE! Her Music is too perplex for most people to be able to follow it - even some Musicians find it difficult....BUT, remember this - she wrote MEGA HITS for some of the biggest acts back then - such as BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS, BARBARA STREISAND, THE 5TH DIMENSION, PETER, PAUL & MARY...and the List goes on and on! They all made MILLIONS with songs she wrote! So, the songs weren't ALL so complex

[BarerMender]

@atisaseret Laura made her living as a songwriter. But if you compare a Fifth Dimension rendering to the way Laura did it, you'll see how they ironed it out and simplified and mainstreamed it. It wasn't Laura's songs that were too demanding. It was her performances. The arrangements are intricate and the singing just tears your guts out.

[atisaseret]

@BarerMender - they did indeed 'iron' it out. And I couldn't agree with you more - Laura's arrangements are intricate and being a Musician myself, every time I listen to them/play them - they cleave me in pieces.

[MegaObserver1]

Both David Letterman and Jay Leno were big Laura Nyro fans. They both pleaded with her to come on their shows in the 90's but, by then, she was a recluse. She died in 1997.

[atisaseret]

@MegaObserver1 Yes, Laura did die on April 8 of 1997. I have a close Friend who was one of Laura Nyro's closest Friends - she was NOT a Recluse and often came back to NYC to either do Show or go to other Musicians' Shows. Due to failing health, Laura chose to stay close to Home during that time, but she was still quite actively involved in Music - Recording, Producing, etc. right up until her untimely death...

[mjs3888]

@atisaseret Is it true that she didn't care for television? Could that, along with her health, had contributed? I read in an interview that she gave that she didn't like certain aspects of her "Kraft Music Hall" appearance. She thought they didn't care about sound or something to that effect. Interestingly, in that same interview, she expressed her desire about making her own TV special. This interview was from 1970 or so.

Also, have you heard anything about the documentary?

[atisaseret]

@mjs3888 - Well - No, I don't think she cared that much for the way Television represented Artists and other things. I know that Leno & Letterman wanted her desperately to appear, but Laura kept turning them down. Ironically, Jimmy Vivino on Late Night (Conan) had been her Lead Guitarist on several of her album and had also played in concert with her. I think that iif Laura had been given FREE REIN about doing her own TV Special - she would have jumped at the chance.

[atisaseret]

@mjs3888 -The Documentary - is STILL in the works - I know there are lots of people who want to participate and I'm not really sure as to what the hold-up is, but I know it's going to be forthcoming. About appearing on Televison - I think she was naturally somewhat shy, and was a bit upset that she had gained some weight after quitting smoking and she was also afraid that she was going to be misrepresented. You have to remember, that Laura was a very committed person -

[mjs3888]

@atisaseret I hope that documentary is able to come out. It potentially could have some great interviews from people she worked with and influenced as well as those who knew and loved her.

[atisaseret]

@mjs3888 - I truly believe that this Documentary will be made - Laura was a very private person, and very little is known about her Private Life - her Projects, her Friendships, Relationships, etc. She was a very unusual Musician - supremely Gifted and she is still being snubbed by the ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME< while 'lesser' Artists have been inducted - such as Iggy Pop (sorry, fans of Iggy Pop). I will ALWAYS ADORE her and her Music.

[mjs3888]

@atisaseret I haven't heard anything about the final nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2011. If she has been snubbed, it's a crying shame. It really is.

To veer off the subject slightly, I find it annoying how people call her a "recluse" just because she didn't play the big venues all the time. She was always out, amongst her fans, playing her music like a real artist. Just because she didn't play Madison Square Garden doesn't make her a recluse.

[atisaseret]

@mjs3888 - There was a time that Laura turned down a very Lucrative offer to write some songs for several hundred thousand dollar because she did not approve of all the violence in that particular film. Laura was very loyal to her beliefs and was uncompromising when she took a stand even if it meant turning something away that would have made her quite wealthy!

[mjs3888]

@atisaseret What film was that? Yeah, I knew about Jimmy Vivino. She also worked with Will Lee who is the bassist in David Letterman's band. Cheers :-)

[tampachicken]

The only reason Laura Nyro is not a household name... She never had the production or support of the record companies... But look at how many of her songs were hits that were recorded by other artist... and went gold and platnium.. The 5th Demension and Blood Sweat and Tears are two off the top of my head, who covered Laura Nyro Songs.... Carole King, will go down in history as one of the greatest song writers of her era, but it took Tapestry to put her out in front.. Laura didn't! have that!

[xTjPx]

I think the only reason those two made the R&R hall of fame is the money they made

I also think that if there was such a thing as justice the R&R hall of fame would have dissed them both.

[FastDashEight]

I heard this at the Pageant of the Masters before the show started.

[11xzxzxz]

Yeah the rock and roll hall of fame is almost as bad as the Grammys. Do you know how bad the Grammys are. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is greatly flawed for overlooking Laura and so many others .. but the Grammys suck - never one given to the Beatles so Laura is in heavenly good company.

[poosanias]

@11xzxzxz

Sgt. Peppers won a Grammy for Album of the Year. You are perhaps confused?

[11xzxzxz]

@poosanias I was mistaken or wrong but not confused. You might be confused to guess I was confused when there were other options available. So defensive I am.. ha. I never pay any attention to the Grammys but I thought I heard that said about the Beatles years ago...so I was CONfused..ha. I think Sargent Peppers is vastly overrated and the Grammys were wrong again. A Day in the Life is a great song though. John was the true genius of the band .. I only like a few Paul songs.

[rare1oh]

One of my absolute favorites!

[SandozSaxonWilliams]

oh my...I loving my new discovery!

and Todd wrote his own versions of these songs too!

Wow...

[xTjPx]

Artisaseret, we may be a small group who love Laura Nyro and recognize her genius but her fellow musicians did as well.

She touched our souls.

And incidentally influenced her peers such as Bob Dylan, Todd Rundgren, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Steely Dan and on and on.

[atisaseret]

xTjPx - but you know what, as a Musician myself - I am MARVELED at her Level of

INCREDIBLE GENIUS - I suspect that SOME of her Fellow Musicians were totally blown away and quite a bit jealous -such a pity. And you are SO right (as ever) she did influence quite a few top-notch Musicians that you mentioned above as well as Elton John, Elvis Costello,etc. I ADORE Laura. And by the way, some of the Musicians you've mentioned, are also among my favorites.

[xTjPx]

atisaseret, thanks for the comment.

love your channel, btw.

Laura forever.

[atisaseret]

Hey xTjPx - THANK YOU SO MUCH!

It's people like you that make YouTube a Joy!

DEFINITELY LAURA FOREVER!!!!

[dellecav]

@atisaseret

Hey I was one of fhe lucky ones who saw Laura at least 12 times, including Carnegie Hall twice, from 1969 to 89 in Ft. Lauderdale....Thank God for this collection, but I wonder if there are more live clips. Did you here about a movie about her career? Let me know if you can find any info about our special friend and intense balladeer, the unique pop artist and spiritual guide the great Laura. God bless her.

[dellecav]

@atisaseret

Hey I was one of fhe lucky ones who saw Laura at least 12 times, including Carnegie Hall twice, from 1969 to 89 in Ft. Lauderdale....Thank God for this collection, but I wonder if there are more live clips. Did you here about a movie about her career? Let me know if you can find any info about our special friend and intense balladeer, the unique pop artist and spiritual guide- the great Laura. God bless her.

[dellecav]

@atisaseret my id is dellecav@hotmail.com

[atisaseret]

What made LAURA NYRO SO GREAT is that she's UNCATEGORIZABLE. She used POP, JAZZ, R&B, SOUL, BLUES, GOSPEL, ROCK even BROADWAY & CLASSICAL in her Music - that upset the Music Execs. She was and continues to be INCOMPARABLE!!! What a Musical Super-Genius!!!

[uVueD2b]

@atisaseret well said!

[atisaseret]

UVueD2b - I LOVE you Guys - You're GREAT - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

[farmyardflavours]

4 leaves on a clover, im just a bit of shade hungover!!

[DavidHowe2009]

A hymn to the joyous excess of youth, Laura Nyro belts this one out with gusto. Suffused with Humor, Lust, Love, Joyous Abandon and something the others (5th dimension for example) seem to lack: SOUL. Not that the 5th dimension version is bad, but this version seems so much more full of life to my ear!

[laurapolkflint]

A little magic ...

[RamonaFromPomona]

Word has it, Laura Nyro will be represented by another station, not CBS, and it will be in Los Angeles sometime next year. It is everyones hope that Patti LaBelle and the 5th and Pete Negro and Barbara Streisand will represent her once again.........

[uVueD2b]

After first being aware of her for the 1st time about a month ago,I instantly got the "Essence" CD.After hearing this song for about 100x,I just caught on to the complexity of this tune-especially the Bah-Bah"s chours how she uses 3 different harmonies all in same...I don't know anything about sonwriting but I can tell that this is something very few can pull off-especially for a 17-18 year old in1966. In just about every video about Laura here on this site,one word always comes up-GENIUS!!!

[tokjct]

Laura Nyro...INCOMPARABLE!

[Lpfizenmaier]

with respect sexybabe it was the sixties forty years ago(41 really) no digital sound and no real comercial success so no big name producer or back-up raw and cacaphonous, sure it all was in those days, but the magic shines through the stone axes,which was all we had in the stone age of rock.you are just too young to remember

[yiommi]

She was so ahead of her time i still cant believe its from 68

[gaspo218]

If you like Laura get "Eli" CD. Fantastic. This woman can write like no one else. Her songs were done by others for major hit records.

[Flashbackdejavu]

Laura Nyro, Talent, genius, wonderful woman, original song writer, god bless you, where you are playing you music!!!!!

[catsrule1966]

Laura Nyro is timeless. Never get tired of her songs. I grew up on Staten Island. she is from the Bronx. Even though she lived in a different time, I still consider her a fellow New Yorker. She is more than a classic. You can't copy an original no matter how hard you try. Thank you for posting this music!!!

[heyoka56]

Ditto on the genius comments. Fantastic song writer and who knows what we never got to hear cause of her early death. Our loss for sure. Much love to Laura.

[sexybutterflybabe]

I mean no disrespect truly, but what is all the hub bub about? Her fans and many well respected muscians considered her a musical genius. Can anyone tell me, in respectful way please, what makes her a genuius? It sounds raw and cacophaneous to me.

[Kirke182]

If you want respect, sexybutterflybabe, show some.  Until then, shut up.

[sexybutterflybabe]

It is so ridiculous to attack someone because they don' t share your musical taste, especially since in this instance I asked a genuine question.

[Toyboy789]

Hi there sexybutterfly . . . Just keep listening. Specially listen to her New York Tendaberry set . . . with the lights out, Laura's voice cranked, and nothing else on yr mind . . . I'm 54 and my teenage gals have gotten me listening to their fave material, and I'm sure you'll find something here . . .

[atisaseret]

Hmmm..."the hub bub?" The 'hub bub' is that LAURA NYRO was/is a Musical Super-Genius - while still in her teens, she BLEW away all those well-seasoned Musicians - mostly male, I might add (no offense). Laura uses complex rhythms, different styles of Music, tempos and unusual chords/changes in her Music -

[atisaseret]

sexybutterfly-I can definitely see why this Music would not appeal to you - it is full of complexities - so if you're into the passionless, simple-minded crap that passes for Music today, there is NO way that I could explain to you why her Music is SO EXTRAORDINARY - and being a Musician myself - it's a Great Insult that you called her Music 'Cacophanous'. As far as 'Raw' - it's very 'EDGY'. But something tells me that you would like/understand HENDRIX, LED ZEP, THE DOORS and...

[atisaseret]

sexybutterfly - and others who were NOT considered 'Mainstream'.  In order to appreciate Music - you have to not ONLY open your Ears but open your Mind and get over your pre-conceived notions of what Music should be. Great Music has a tendency to not only BEND the Rules, but BREAK them altogether. If you don't like Laura Nyro's Music, then I would advise you not to listen to it...just move on. I get the feeling that you wouldn't like the 'Avant Garde' (out of Mainstream) Musicians, either.

[blatspanner]

god (or whatever) bless you for posting these mofos,they couldn't have re-entered my life at a better time.

[xTjPx]

no, Laura's not in the R&R hall of fame.

But Madonna and the Sex pistols are,

it must have more to do with money than talent.

[atisaseret]

xTJPx - You're SO right....Rock & Roll Hall of Fame seems to have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING with Talent - just Money earned by Record Sales. The Music Industry (the Execs behind it) are KILLING Creativity & Talent.

[roscoegino]

@xTjPx Like or not Madonna and the Sex Pistols are talented. I understand bias but it's possible to appreciate all three acts.

[mattbastardsen]

@xTjPx to be be fair, the Sex Pistols dissed their RRHF invitation

[aarfeld]

@xTjPx: It's about historic impact on the genre. Folks can debate about their subjective preferences in music, but Madonna the Sex Pistols had an impact on this art form that changed it beyond the scope of even their own careers.

I do personally love Laura's style myself, though. If you offered me tickets to go hear one of the three named artists--I'd pick Laura.

[booboonuts]

Sex pistols are one of the greatest and most influential punk bands of all time your obviously american.

[jeffreybiderpdee]

@xTjPx Sex Pistols called the R and R HOF a piss stain for the record.

And don't them to Madonna.

[herasfolly]

@xTjPx Scandalous that Laura Nyro isn't in there!

[supernuke]

@xTjPx I think that Laura should be in the hall of fame, but I don't think we need to degrade the other artists for no reason.

[TheP00pBandit]

@xTjPx madonna's inclusion discredits the entire building. the only thing rock and roll about Madonna is that she looked like a groupie when she first came out. even the most naturally talented person she will ever influence won't be able to even be mentioned as being "no Laura Nyro".

but you know, Madonna made out with a black guy in a music video, so she's totally a legend...:sigh:

[funkdigger91]

I hear this track once a week.^^

Also, "Save The Country", "And When I Die" and "Stoned Soul Picnic"!

[centralparocker]

Yeah, baby......love this song....uplifting and catchy.........no two ways about it!!!!!

[filthyphillyboy]

"Come on baby do a slow float. You're a goodlookin' riverboat..." Nice METAPHOR!

[pakarpis]

How lucky you were to meet her. What a talent!

She left a fabulous legacy her beautiful music.

[LindaGail]

I met her and I kissed her hand.

[fadguru]

If there was one musical artist I'd do that to, it would be her, and I include all the great ones Elvis, The Beatles and any other big-timers. She was reached the highest level of pop music. And what's amazing, she's not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yet!

[Wacokid48]

holy shit..if that's right... then we gotta fix it! Lauro Nyro was a genius and her melodies helped form our cumulative consciousness. what's up with that?

OK, getting on it right now !!!come on people !!

[goback3spaces]

@fadguru 

[goback3spaces]

@fadguru I keep forgetting there even is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as if we needed such a thing. I just listen to the music. Laura's "Season of Lights" may be the best live album I've ever heard.

[CraigG1960]

@goback3spaces Agreed. The whole idea of a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is just meaningless nonsense.

[uhmfar]

@CraigG1960

The truest words posted on Youtube. "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" sounds like a failed SNL skit.

[waterkeeper511]

You're so lucky. ;_;

[Bazhir44]

i agree, she should def be in the hall of fame, she was a musical genius

[TobyCelery]

a little magic

a little kindness