I don't know why, but for the past few Christmas Eves, I've been playing a lot of Laura Nyro late at night. Eli and the Thirteenth Confession and New York Tendaberry. Such a wonderful mix of stark, confessional songs interspersed with exuberant Motown soul - often in the same song. A very special kind of artist whose songs grow in stature with every passing year.
Thanks for that Paul and since Christmas is now over, may I take this opportunity to wish you a
Happy New Year.....and the rest of you too :-) BTW I had those two Laura Nyro albums which I picked up for all of two pounds in the local second hand shop which, is now sadly closed down. However after listening to the marvellous clips you've posted I now realise I should have held on to them :-(
First time I've ever seen her live and I believe there's very little footage of her out there. Enjoy.
Fantastic clips there, Dermot. I believe she was a very self-conscious performer and she always resisted attempts to film her. I also have a 2-CD set of her Christmas Eve shows at New York's Bottom Line from the early Nineties (released as The Loom's Desire). She was on great form during these shows and winning great reviews from the critics and somebody wanted to film one of these shows for an official release but, sadly, she refused.
Great soul singing that Aretha herself would be proud of (and I can think of no higher praise).
By the way, what was the name of the local second-hand shop in Dundalk where you bought Laura's records? (I have many fond memories of buying records and tapes in Music Tapes in Clanbrassil Street and Slipped Discs in the old shopping centre, but I can't recall any second-hand shops.)
Hope you had a great Christmas and all the best for 2011.
Gryphon Diablo 300, dCS Rossini (with matching clock), Kharma Exquisite Mini, Ansuz C2, Finite Elemente Master Reference.
Its a little better than the curates egg.....I'll give it 6.5/10. Its very illinoise/michigan sounding, but also a bit more freeform as well. The thing runs over 4 LP sides and honestly I think they could have cut the half of it and it would have a bigger impact. Not that it isn't all very listenable, but its a bit erm, filled out sounding.
I haven't heard the other album he has out (age of adze?) but I believe its quite a new direction, and that this one was the remnants of the illinoise/michigan/swans phase. That makes complete sense. Its still worth a listen, but not worth buying the deluxe heavyweight double vinyl gatefold edition..... if you get my meaning!?
Fran wrote:Its a little better than the curates egg.....I'll give it 6.5/10. Its very illinoise/michigan sounding, but also a bit more freeform as well. The thing runs over 4 LP sides and honestly I think they could have cut the half of it and it would have a bigger impact. Not that it isn't all very listenable, but its a bit erm, filled out sounding.
I haven't heard the other album he has out (age of adze?) but I believe its quite a new direction, and that this one was the remnants of the illinoise/michigan/swans phase. That makes complete sense. Its still worth a listen, but not worth buying the deluxe heavyweight double vinyl gatefold edition..... if you get my meaning!?
Fran
Nicely summed up Fran. Thanks :-) BTW I only have the Illinoise album and I always felt that he peaked too soon....
