Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Not my kind of music
I have never heard of this album or this singer, but I really enjoyed this. Laura gives me the same vibes as Carole King and many of these songs sound out of time. I liked the jazz songs much less than the folk/pop ones, but overall this is a very good record.
Great album! Soulful, powerful vocals and catchy tunes.
Didn't mind this, but I'd rather listen to Ricky Lee Jones or Carole King. Good voice.
A great voice, a genre I can't quite place but thoroughly enjoyed, but a set of songs that I completely lost track of in the middle. She's clearly got the skills, but once the songs sound this samey ask the way through i start to lose interest. I definitely enjoyed it, just don't ask me to tell you how the songs went!
Maybe it's just not pop enough for me, but I felt pretty neutral. The lyrics don't hit, but I guess I get what people like about them. 3 stars - jazzy. Interested - Rhythmically challenging, jarring to listen to so far. Also if you're gonna be a lyricist you have to enunciate... (enunciation got better) - Enjoying this, I think I'm going to give it a 2nd listen and focus on lyrics
Not my preferred genre (60’s jazz soul?) but more pleasing to listen to than some of the stuff I’ve tried here.
Didn't realize this was released in the late 60s, which explains the 70s sitcom theme song vibe I got from it.
The redeeming factor of this album is the jazz influences spicing up the backing of the tracks. Joni Mitchell writes 10 times better songs so I don’t really see the point in an artist like this. 3/10
It took me 3 attempts to listen to this album in it's entirety. Now that I have, knowing I never have to again makes me happy. At times I feel like she's just yelling at me, other times it's like I'm listening to this on an old walkman that has batteries that are going flat and the tempo just randomly changes. The song 'poverty train' saves me mid album listen, but otherwise I just can't get my head around this one. It gets zero jazz hands from me
Not for me.
After an onslaught of albums that I feel very strongly about, it's almost nice to get something that I find vaguely pleasant. There is a theatricality to these songs that I don't totally gel with, and the sound feels fairly consistent from front to back. So, consequentially, this album is kind of "in one ear, out the other" but while its on, I think it's fairly enjoyable. Laura Nyro is obviously a fantastic singer, and the performances and arrangements are clearly detailed, regardless of how I feel about them. My favorite tracks here are ones that play with a different sound palette, like December's Boudoir, they just kind of stand out. Overall, this is an enjoyable album!
I've heard of Laura Nyro, but never played one of her records before this. It's really not to may taste - I don't see this as a 'great album'. It's just too busy and annoying.
Saw 1950s and groaned, but wasn't too bad, but felt a bit samey
Now here's a record that you just won't ever hear one like... before or after... as a little kid, i knew of Laura Nyro's work from hearing her songs performed by Barbra Streisand or The Fifth Dimension... whenever Barbra appeared on a show, i usually changed the channel... lol... unless she sang "Stoney End"... which was a stone HIT, it's not on this album but anyway... Laura, her real name Nigro, was a really unique songwriter... the chords, hooks, parts, were so uniquely put together... and her songs always had an element of GOSPEL in them... like a half Italian half jewish girl from NYC learned her chops in a southern baptist African American church... her songs are POP... but not pop... they are GOSPEL... but not sanctified... they are HOOKY but not stock... This album is not all home runs... but they all at least reach the warning track... and it's always ART... "Sweet Blindness"... is great... "Eli's Coming", a big HIT for Three Dog Night, is a classic... "Stoned Soul Picnic", a huge hit for The Fifth Dimension, is another banger... the other cuts are all top notch... her singing is a bit quirky, but i really like it... it may not have been radio friendly, but it was totally expressive... and had trememdous character and soul.. a big FIVE STARS... a masterpiece.
mostly annoying
Like proto kate bush 4/5
meh the tags had all the things going for them to make me like it but i listened to it, and its nothing special its like listening a combo of LIza Minelli, Carole King and Joni Mitchell vaguely present, but forgettable
Pretty Annoying
Too Jazzy and show tune like for me. The vocal has some quality, but just a very niche style that grates on me.
Her three-octave vocal range and musical abilities are impressive, and the tempo shifts (albeit overused) helped make this a somewhat better listen. And no doubt you probably don’t get further strong female artists like Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Rickie Lee Jones, etc. without going through Laura Nyro first. Still, this was a pretty annoying listen. Rating slightly up due to ability and influence.
Woof. So much of this sounded like shrieking. Perhaps I’m being harsh but there were way too many moments that hurt my ear holes. Timer sealed the deal and it never recovered. That song sounds like David Lee Roth or Axl Rose singing live in 2025. Same with parts of Woman’s Blues. Heart aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaache.
Major Joni Mitchell vibes here…and that’s not a good thing. I was going to round up as a way to stick it to Joni, but truth is I really disliked this album. 1.5/5
Definitely one of the more interesting and dynamic pop albums from the 60s, and I do really like the prominent jazz influence. It's pretty much always the same and has very little else to offer, but at least it's good at what it does.
A very capable singer songwriter but a style I find hard to get behind. I can totally picture hearing this live at a bar in Manhattan in the late 60's and thinking it's amazing, but listening to it now I didn't feel drawn in at all.
I had never heard of Laura Nyro before, but this was some fairly enjoyable 60s pop. Favourite track: Poverty Train, Stoned Soul Picnic, Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe)
I really liked this. Especially the jazz and soul sounds. Her voice is great though it can be a little irritating at times when she's hitting the high notes. The sound and vibe of the songs change almost all the time, which keeps things interesting, but overall a very chill album to listen to. Fav tracks: Lonely Women, Emmie, and Stoned Soul Picnic. Least fav: Timer.
1968. Folk Jazz / Blue eyed soul / pop. 10 Luckie / Lu / Sweet Blindness / Poverty Train / Lonely Woman / Eli’s Comin' / Timer / Stoned Soul Picnic / “Emmie / Woman’s Blues / Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe) / December’s Boudoir / The Confession
fine
Great voice and songs.
rating kept going up the longer I listened to this. Giving it a 4, would listen to this again on purpose.
Good listen.
I'm not particularly fond of some songs on this album. However, Nyro is a good singer and songwriter. "Poverty Train" is a great track, in my opinion. I can also say that about the slower tracks. I forgot to listen to this album yesterday, so I'm listening to it now. 3 stars for "Eli and the Thirteenth Confession".
good voice, but mediocre album
I really dig this. Sort of an edgier Carol King. Theatrical and strange. A good listen.
I will never return to this. Once again, saved from a 1 by general competence, I really just don't like this stuff. It struck me overnight: if Janis Joplin were the one kind of theater kid instead of the other.
This was fine. I'd say overall pretty enjoyable. Nothing really "blew me away" here, but she is a really good singer. I don't think her voice every annoyed me like some people say, but this album was definitely repetitive. "Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe)" is soooo good tho Liked Songs: "Luckie" , "Lu" , "Eli's Comin' " , "Emmie" , "Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe)" , "The Confession"
liked songs: all Very cool jazz/pop album. Especially interesting with the many tempo changes mid-song. 3.75
Worth a listen but not my speed. I think its the over-singing. Lot of Carol King in here. Did not know she wrote Stoned Soul Picnic.
Sort of like a more show-tunesy Joni Mitchell, with a little Carole King sass, though not as distinctive as either (though this could just be because I'm listening to this 60 years later with the benefit of already knowing it hasn't passed the test of time). I enjoyed stoned soul picnic and a few others, but didn't have a strong reaction either way. Felt like she strained to hit maximum volume on her vocals a bit too often and in doing so lost texture in her tone. But definitely a dynamic and interesting songwriter.
Not a bad album, but its lacking in something... Its got that 60s joyous feel - like Dusty Springfield, but without the raspy edge. Or like Carole King, but not as heart punchy. Or Joni without the vocal range... Her style is very familiar, but not quite its own thing? I appreciated how strong the cult following is for this record (directly inspired Elton John and Todd Rundgren). I guess its an early form of a very unique kind of pop. And for that, I'll probably need to give it a 2nd or 3rd spin before calling my view on it complete. For now, it sits at 2.5 stars and Im rounding up due to its uniqueness. Eli's Comin' is worth an add to a playlist... but im not sure what fits with it...
On paper thought I would like this album - but I’m going Joni or Dusty all day for my fix. This was just a little too chaotic and rambling for my taste. Still some nice moments - maybe a 2.5.
Liked her voice. The songs are okay, but there is a real lack of something truly special. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Ok
Liked it at first, but felt very long. 2.5
Oddly enough, I had never heard of Laura Nyro until I heard the opening track of Elton John and Brandi Carlisle’s album Who Believes in Angels? that came out a few weeks ago. This is a really great sounding record that appears to have been a few years ahead of its time. It reminds me of Tapestry by Carole King, which came out three years later. The album cover also looks ahead of its time: I assumed it was an obscure 90’s album.
this shit is actually lame. like carol king without the talent and soul.
Artiste inconnue. Je n'aime pas sa façon de chanter (désagréable et semble forcée) et l'orchestration me rebute. Et ce dès le premier morceau. Je ne suis pas allé au bout. =>1/5
Not heard of this artist and was a completely new listen for me, incredible vocals and beats. To think that this is the 1960’s is insane, miles ahead of the competition at the time. For me, it’s a pretty much a complete album. 9/10.
I did not like her voice. The first two songs were decent. The rest I got dying cat from. No thanks!
Una voz muy agradable y fuerte, bastante antidepresivo hasta cierto punto.
Almost totally new to me, though I'd heard the name and one track before. Cover had me expecting naughties-era alt-folk or something, rather than the 60s jazz-pop-hippie-swing oddities that the album actually contains. Did I like it? Nope, I thought it was dreadful. But who cares, that's part of what this project is all about: interesting diversions.
Very much not for me
Very unique and talented voice. Not a very catchy album but it was enjoyable to listen to.
Some fun music, but the singing bothered me more often than not
Liked the first couple songs and the hit stoned soul picnic.
3/5
Soulful record, and a very present voice that powers through the lyrics. All songs sounded great, and it is a good recommendation for future listens.
I have such a soft spot for this album, ever since I first heard it about 20 years ago. I love the goth vibes of the album cover (way ahead of actual goth culture), and the stark contrast between the dark, sad-looking album cover and the first notes of "Luckie", which feels so upbeat and maybe even sunny. When I first heard this album, the thing that struck me was not just the musical or verbal complexity, which both felt totally unique compared to anything before (and most everything since), but the variety packed into each individual song. I think of Laura Nyro a bit like Van Gogh or Coltrane...no one understood the available box of musical and lyrical tools exactly like she did, and no one saw the world quite like she did. Particularly the patchwork way that she integrated tempo, key and meter changes within a song, and her unique vocabulary and phraseology make this record absolutely essential for me, and I'm a passionate advocate for it. Even though several of the songs on this record are better known as covers by other people, the versions here are often superior for Nyro's delivery. Since her writing style was so unique, it stands to reason that her delivery was more aligned with her original vision. Not to say that there aren't other good versions of Stoned Soul Picnic, for example...I just prefer hers. To be fair, there are some moments on this record that slow it down - maybe more than I prefer - and signal toward the more mournful music she subsequently released. But as a collection I believe this one holds together as a singular artistic statement.
De hecho, no estuvo nada de mal. Una de las cosas que más me sorprendió fue lo moderno de las portadas y de algunas de sus canciones.
That's not my taste in music, but pleasant music
starts off pretty well but I got real tired of it real quick
++: Luckie, Lu, Sweet Blindness, Poverty Train, Eli's Comin', Timer, Stoned Soul Picnic, Woman's Blues, Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe), The Confession +: Lonely Women +-: Emmie, December's Boudoir 8,5/10
I can definitely see how Laura Nyro was a major influence on Joni Mitchell. This is a solid soulful singer/songwriter album with a strong jazz element and some subtle touches of the ‘60s baroque pop movement. It’s a cool album to check out, but I don’t really see myself returning to it for more listens in the future.
Just beautiful.
Wild how future proofed this sounds. 1968 and it sounds like it could’ve come out in the last 20 years.
Soulful and fun, but lacks a truly dynamite track. 7.9/10
It’s incredible this was made in 1968. Lightyears ahead of its time.
For an artist I had not heard of before, she really has a great voice. Obviously when a music group/artist goes by the lead singer’s name, they are trying to bring as much attention to the singer as possible. That’s clearly the smart choice hear cause her voice is incredible. It’s very loud and charismatic while also being subtle when it needs to be. The album also showcase a light range of music for her voice to shine on as well. Sadly they can’t all be “Eli’s Comin’”, which is a stone cold classic, but there are other songs on this album that will grow on you and leave an impression. That being said I don’t think the album was perfect. For example they could’ve expanded that range of music further and added more dynamic tone changes. Honestly even though I only saved a few songs off the album, I really enjoyed it and the album just flew by. Definitely listen to this one.
Decent.
I know the cover versions of a lot of these songs and I love Kate Bush too much to not vibe with this.
Great voice. I couldn't really tell what era this album was from. I don't know if I'd listen to this again, but wasn't upset at all about going through it for the first time. 3/5.
The Eli song was about it for me
Really interesting lyricism. Feels like it's from another dimension. Way advanced for the time conceptually. I can see why she was t commercially successful. Still, a shame. She definitely deserves that recognition.
-I had never heard of Laura Nyro before this. she seems like an interesting character and this was an interesting album -I can see the influence her style had on artists like Kate Bush especially her earlier work. Piano-based pop / soul adjacent music from women around this time has a really powerful feel to it -Favorites are Luckie and Eli’s Comin’
I really like this album cover, it looks very contemporary. Unfortunately, the music does not sound contemporary. It doesn't even sound like it came out in the late 60's. If I saw the cover I would have guessed this album came out in the 2010's, but if I heard the music I would have guessed it came out in the late 50's. The album doesn't sound bad, but it just isn't that interesting and something about her voice puts me off. High 2.
The sound on this album and her vocal range are amazing.
I will confess, nice voice
Pleasant and utterly fantastic voice. Lots of innovative drum fills and layered vocals. Delightfully bewildering lyrics too, like in the opener, LUCKIE, "Well, there's an avenue of Devil who believe in stone/You can meet the captain at the dead-end zone/What Devil doesn't know is that Devil can't stay/Doesn't know he's seen his day"
Very catchy, surprised I've never heard of her. Didn't realize the three dog night version of elis coming was a cover
Very pretty singer but don’t think her writing is my style
Admittedly half paying attention but this dragged for me and I was ready for it to end
Funner album than I anticipated. Album art was pretty moody. Very Carly coded music from an artist I had never heard of before
Never heard of the artist or any of the songs but found it really catchy. Album artwork was giving much more modern than the 60s so that was a shock to hear
God damn what a clean voice. This is so easy to listen to and appreciate. I was surprised how old it was but am a fan and this makes total sense to be on the list. I do wonder who Eli is.
I've 100 percent never heard of this person. By the name and album cover I assumed this was a 90s act. The production is pretty crisp. The compositions and mixing carry this for me. Her voice is good but not great. The list of artists she has influenced is impressive. With the song writing on display here it makes sense. A really solid album, but it's just missing that something. Just doesn't pop for me.
Als je die hoes ziet verwacht je een soort Eefje de Visser, een beschadigd en diepzinnig hijgmeisje populair tussen pak 'm beet 2019 en 2025, maar dit komt dus uit 1968. Ik mocht willen dat het een beschadigd hijgmeisje was, want dit is Joni Mitchell met een bigband erachter. Al zorgt ze voor iets minder irritatie dan Joni zelf, alsnog is dit echt heel erg niet aan mij besteed. Ik heb in principe liever stilte om me heen dan dit. Ondanks dat het dus zeker niet slecht is. Ik heb hier gewoon echt helemaal niks mee. Ik vind dat ik een 2 moet geven omdat het niet die echte éénsterrenervaring is.
Don't like this 'big voice' swinging 60s production stuff.
nice one, unexpected
Just so-so for me. Repetitive.
There are songs and moments I don’t mind, but overall, the musical theater vibes and proto-Joanna Newsom inability-to-stop-singing-for-three-seconds are hard for me to overcome. 2.5/5
if you told me this is from 1968 and i didn't see this, i'd heavy doubt you, as the production is so peak. nice vocals and beautiful instrumentation but it's nothing too better then good background music.
Timeless in nature, I'm impressed with how modern-sounding it is for the late 60s. Loved the jazz elements; however, it contained many mediocre songs that didn't go anywhere, sprinkled with brilliance. Not my type of music, but I can appreciate it.
Someone needs to play Eli's Coming for Drew & Katie immediately lol Enjoyable, easy listen. Solid 3.
This has been mostly in the background, but this stands out for its uniqueness. Quite jazzy and loose in structures across a number of songs -- Timer is the one I'm listening to as I'm writing this thought. This has a unique quality where it very much sounds like the 60s with its twinkling bells and vocal recording style; and yet it feels almost contemporary in its levity. Poverty Train was another that stood out as I was listening to it. Love the way that the song strips everything away in the final minute and leans into her vocals -- so smooth. Really enjoyed the whole mini-opera that was Eli's Comin'. Woman's Blues is also a jam. Liked a lot of this, but don't think I'll be back quickly. This falls into high 3 territory for me.
Nothing wrong with this one. Feels like it could be a 4 with another listen. Second half was either better than the first half, or that's when I just was paying more attention. Good voice, good groove.
Another one of those good easy listening singer-songwriter albums that are nice to have come up every so often.
Pretty run of the mill singer-songwriter stuff until Lonely Woman came on. That song had some serious emotion behind it and I love the jazziness of it. Oh lawd Eli's Comin'! Stoned Soul Picnic has got a groove. Red Yellow Honey! Sassafras and Moonshine! Woman's Blues has some power to it as well. As much as I kinda dislike singer-songwriter I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was a little quirky and reminded me of that Joni Mitchell album we had recently. Respect, Laura N.
Leuk, hou wel van dit soort albums
60es, singer/songwriter und dann noch diese stimme - ok, ich höre was anderes.
Nicht so meines, zuviele Bläser und zu jazzig
Not my vibe, her voice isn't that great. Songs are basic
Dusty in Memphis was after or before this? Sounds so similar to me, not the best selection of songs, quality singer
I had never heard of Laura Nyro prior to the 1001 bot generating it for me this me, it's a delightful album, she has a wonderful voice.
Good lord that's a lot of lyrics Laura in Luckie. You know you can leave bits of the song where you can hear the instruments, right? Yeah second and third track is the same. This is pretty ridiculous really. Let the music breathe, otherwise it feels like an assault. Is every song about the devil? This is such a strange record. I've never heard this name before either. I was just starting to warm to this after the very good Eli's Comin and Stoned Soul Picnic, (recognise the latter from a Julie London cover, bizarrely, not the 5th Dimension one, and what is surry anyway) but Women's Blues and Farmer Joe just annoyed me again with the excessive singing. She's got a great voice though, that's indisputable. I totally appreciate it's weirdness, just doesn't quite work as an enjoyable listen for me.
so it started kinda cool but at Lonely Woman is just falls off. Like sad jazz lounge singer but not good. I think she puts a lot of the success on her vocal talent and unfortunately she just cant carry the whole band.
Yep that’s the 60’s! She has a lovely voice but this felt mostly like a Monkees album. And Poverty Train was terrible!
I don't get why this album is on the list at all. It's not good, nor was it a major hit. There are some moments that are quite pleasant, but it keeps drifting into amateur show tune territory, to the point where it becomes pretty annoying.
Sounds like show tunes for a musical that thankfully was never made.
A new confession for an old soul.
This was sensational. Chilled out buttery jazz tones throughout and what fantastic vocals. At times a bit Dion Warwickesque. For its age , timeless. Superb
This lady sang to a different rhythm than the band the entire album. 3/10
Welcome to the wonderful world of Laura Nyro, weaving jazz, show tunes, soul music and deep personal lyrics together, with great melodies and a spectacular voice
I can definitely see how Laura Nyro was a major influence on Joni Mitchell. This is a solid soulful singer/songwriter album with a strong jazz element and some subtle touches of the ‘60s baroque pop movement. It’s a cool album to check out, but I don’t really see myself returning to it for more listens in the future.
Not bad at all, but nothing about this record scream or even whispers essential. I don't understand why this is on the list. Favorite song: sweet blindness
Late 60s singer-songwriter. Jazzy. Uplifting, great energy, very jaunty. Insanely long.
it's got those jazz hits to it
Overall production of this album seems a bit trebly which accents the flinty grating nature of the vocals. Musicianship and arrangements are very good , but overall the tracks are not very memorable. I did highly enjoy “Eli’s Coming”.
Just didn’t do much for me.
can see myself dancing to some of the songs don't know if i will be listening to this again
Solid 7 ties singer - songwriter work. nothing really special to me
Gear: ZMF Bokeh Artwork: 🔳💄👩 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🎤🎷🎹🌟😳🥺 Rating: 🕯️🕯️️🕯️(️🕯️)/5
Some really good songs, especially in terms of songwriting. 3 stars or C+.
Not for me. 1/5
Sounded like Minnie Riperton or something similar, it was really nice at times but there was something off about it
Feel good sunny afternoon
Much better than expected, jazzy retro cool
This has a theatrical bent that I didn’t exactly love, but there were moments for sure. The songs are definitely vibrant and really tell a story.
I tried so hard to love this and I can hear her influence in what came after but it just didn't connect with me. This album is a good example of how sometimes I wish we could give each album a week instead of a day. Then again, we might not make it to the end of this list before we die, so there's that...
Yet another artist I've never heard of heard of, and while the album isn't really to my taste, I do appreciate the exposure. At times it felt like a Bette Midler revue performance (or what I imagine one of those would sound like, since I haven't really actively listened to Midler aside from secondhand musical smoke from a rabid fan many years ago), other times like a musical soundtrack. Either way, not too much that drew me in ("Poverty" was a bit more interesting than other tracks), but I really appreciate it that she wrote the entire album. And I can see why some later critics felt she was a late-60s pop queen, although given that she was booed off stage at the Monterey Pop Festival and the lackluster sales figures, and that later bands had much more success with covering her songs, it seems like she was more of a singer's singer than a massively popular--or even appreciated--artist in her time.
I hadn't listened to Nyro before; she's got a gorgeous voice. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of her bouncy piano-driven tunes. I wish she'd partnered with someone like Steely Dan--I would've loved to hear her do a few of their tracks.
I enjoyed the pop, rock, jazz, gosepl, and soul instrumental arrangements that Nyro made throughout the album, but her belting showtime approach to vocals often made her lyrics unintelligible and began to wear on me the longer the album went on. Includes the requisite 60s - 70s cocaine reference. I can hear her influence on a number of piano pop stars like Elton John, Tori Amos, and Todd Rundgren. Favorites: "Eli's Comin'" and "Stone Soul Picnic"
Never heard of her or this album before. Beautiful voice coupled with jazz/blues/rock instrumentation. Really good chemistry throughout the whole album!
Seems like a gal having a good time behind a piano. Fave: Luckie, I guess.
Huh - I thought I new who Laura Nyro was, but I was expecting some British turn-of-the-millenium coffeeshop singer-songwritery biz, so evidently not. It's a bit showtunesy for my taste, though it did hold my interest, I guess. Fave track - "Eli's Comin" felt more like soul, so I enjoyed that. The intro to "Woman's Blues" was great - wish she did full tracks in that vein!
Nice, incredible vocals but stylistically in the shadow of joni mitchell and carole king, not unique enough to land a place among those big players.
This "old New York" style is really strange. It almost actively avoids any hooks that would make the music catchier or more memorable. Nyro's vocal seems to meander between various notes that usually don't follow the chord (instead changing the chord into a 6, maj7, and so on) – and the chords themselves don't exactly conform to an easy-to-follow progression. Jazzy, for sure – but good? Not in most cases. Sweet Blindness is one of the stronger tracks because the rhythm section commits to a specific, confident, driving sound that's both catchy and (importantly) predictable. Nyro's unpredictable melody acts as a fun contrast, rather than a further agent of chaos, in this song. Luckie, Eli's Comin', and the three-track run of Woman's Blues / Once It Was / December's Boudoir are highlights for the same reason. Something else I noticed is that this was released in 1968. I would've guessed, based on the sound alone, that it was released much earlier. Almost like 40s/50s croon-heavy jazz with slightly better production. Additionally, compared to most other albums on the list, it has a relatively small number of listens. All these factors lead me to question why it appears amongst the 1001 most important albums. Man, it's not even that good! 2/5 Key tracks: Luckie, Sweet Blindness, Woman's Blues
This sadly didn't really connect with me. There isn't anything wrong with it. I enjoy how dynamic and ever changing these songs are. They flow nice. Laura has a beautiful voice that reminds me alot of Laura marling who i like quite a bit. I can't explain it but it just didn't hit. It is very far from bad though.
I was not familiar with Laura Nyro, but I'm glad I am now. Way above average vocals, really nice layering. The band is on fire too. Everything from top to bottom on this album is professional. This is exactly what I'm looking for from this project. Top notch.
2.0 - Weak
3.5, I’m surprised I’ve never heard of Laura Nyro. She’s has the same sound as Carol King and Carly Simon, maybe just not as iconic.
Good voice. Would have been a star in the 70’s. Voice comparable to all the 70’s female voices.
4.5
Beautiful voice. Can't stand the musical style.
Quite creative. Similar to feist but she strains her voice too much 3.7
The range and power she has in her vocals is impressive, and the song compositions are very interesting, worth another listen probably
Jazz is boring. This is boring.
Eli And The Thirteenth Confession- Laura Nyro || 4/5⭐️ ༘˚⋆𐙚｡⋆𖦹.✧˚ another great album, and thank god because for the last 4 days we had a bunch of flops. i really love her sound it’s perfectly right up my alley. it’s very pretty, a little whimsical with the way it’s composed, and i guess jazzy?? (buca bucillo) if i could compare her to anything i’d say very fiona apple. ______________________ stand out songs: luckie, sweet blindness, poverty train🥇, lonely woman, timer, stoned soul picnic
⭐⭐⭐⭐ — 4[.2] stars of 5. Really enjoyed the sounds on this album. It's really oldie, but in absolutely the best way possible. Love her voice, it's so soulful. This was a morning listen for me, so I was a little bit too tired to pick out the individual tracks, but it was better than anything I expected. Love the jazz influences. Perfect album to get my day started to. But overall, it's amazing, it just feels ... good, like overall positive vibes from this, and they slow it down when they need to ("December's Boudoir"). Great album. Favourites: Luckie, December's Boudoir, Timer, The Confession⭐. Dislikes: none again!
Laura Nyro - eli and the thirteenth confession . Rating - 3.999/5. > i love her voice. The weirdness of Luckie was unique to me. I just rly liked the overall sound of the album. Sweet Blindness is cute but the lyrics r funky LOL. The intro on Poverty Train was rly interesting. I didn’t rly like Lonely Women. ZAWG WHO IS ELI 😭😭👏. Timer was nice. Id say it kept a consistent sound. Emmie is nice :3 i like the lyrics. The lyrics on Decembers Boudoir r nice i think(?). Aww the ending song is cute. >thumbs up: sweet blindness, timer, emmie
Not fully my thing although I can appreciate the song writing and that time
Just fine.
A typical, melodic and varied album of the 60s. Interesting life story of Laura Nyro.
3/5
Weird 60's probably drug induced plinky plonk music. Not awful but not something I can really listen to much, her voice can get irritating
idk how i’ve never heard of laura nyro before. starts a lot stronger than it finishes, but it’s a beautiful blend of genres throughout.
I enjoyed this for the most part. It is thankfully under an hour.
There's potential for something really good here, especially in those songs with a motown vibe but the Heather Small-esqe perma-OTT singing that makes her sound like Jeff Stelling when he's heard something has happened at Fratton Park just ruins it. May check out her 1st album to see if she's less extra there
Phenomenal album. The talent and the creative expression clearly shows and throughout the album I feel like there's almost no room of errors. She also seemed to really love to play around with key shifts and tempo shifts, and it clearly works. I absolutely would add this to one of the greatest album I've ever listened to.
Every track had me second guessing where will the next turnaround will happen? It's a amazing record of great songs, maybe if Laura was willing to play the game it would've been more recognizable, but as it is it's a great surprise to find if you search for your favourite songwriter's favourite songwriter. https://youtu.be/APZN_uL-z0A Todd Rundgren talks about Laura and how she hated making this album and on the flip side how afterwards her process wasn't as concise to make more music.
wow. the chance to discover albums like this really makes the whole 1001 list worthwhile.
Eli and the Thirteenth Confession is a fascinating exploration of soulful, eclectic songwriting that showcases Laura Nyro’s unique artistic vision. There’s a raw, honest quality to her lyrics and vocal delivery that draws you in immediately, and the beautifully textured arrangements create a rich sonic tapestry that is hard to forget. The songwriting on this album is fucking brilliant. Every track is a masterclass in blending heartfelt lyrics with unexpected musical twists. Laura’s voice is expressive, soulful, and unmistakably distinctive. which carries each song with an emotional intensity that feels both vulnerable and powerful. The arrangements are meticulously layered, combining elements of soul, pop, jazz, and rock into a sound that’s as innovative as it is personal. The interplay between the intricate piano lines, dynamic guitar work, and subtle percussion creates a beautifully textured landscape that continually reveals new details with every listen. That said, there are moments when the album feels a bit overindulgent. At times, the eclectic production can feel scattered, making the flow of the album seem less cohesive than it could be. Some tracks meander or lose focus, and while the experimental touches are part of its charm, they sometimes distract from the overall impact. Additionally, a few vocal passages and production quirks, though unique, occasionally come off as overly idiosyncratic,. elements that might not resonate with every listener, including me, even as I admire the boldness of her choices. Overall, Eli and the Thirteenth Confession remains an intriguing and emotionally rich album that, despite its minor flaws, continues to captivate me with its intricate textures and powerful songwriting. It’s a record that challenges the conventional and rewards careful, repeated listening. For me, it earns a solid 3.7/5 stars—a testament to its artistic ambition and the depth of its creative expression.
Wow.
Absolutely flabbergasted. Haven't had a new musical experience like that in such a long time. THE single best discovery on this list.
10/10 Beyond exceptional, my favorite hidden gem from this list so far, a masterful vintage Pop album that left me stunned from track 1 to 13. It’s actually insane how pristinely written and intricate this album is, not only are you getting these breathtaking Pop songs blending Soul and Jazz with engaging and brilliant songwriting, you’re constantly being surprised by the compositions and arrangements of these songs as well, there’s never a stale moment, it’s the mark of a genius songwriter who just had everything laid out in its right place. Listening to it now I instantly understand it as being a Godmother of masterful Pop music, seeing its sound echoed in some of my favorite artists (Fiona Apple, Kate Bush, Tori Amos), we are permanently indebted to this album in ways we have not realized considering Laura’s character. Even if her reserved presentation may have stunted her commercial success and image, her work speaks volumes, and it’s absolutely necessary for anyone to listen to this record, if not for the historical importance then at least for the perfection hidden under that elusive album cover. Shoutout bisexual white women!
Ebbs and flows with an aquatic like quality. Poverty Train to Stoned Sould Picnic is a great stretch
I liked the Jazz songs much more than the rest.
Bra sångröst, men lite långsamt
Dull
The soundtrack to picturing myself in a smoky bar, contemplating the bottom of my whisky glass because I slept with my secretary but my wife found out and now she's taken the kids and moved back in with her mother who hated me all along.
en muista juuri mitään jahas... noh kuuluuku 1001 listalle... I am the riddler and here is the riddle....
I'm pleasantly surprised by this album, beautifully soulful and joyful at times.
Oh so very inconsistent. Some parts were very, very good, but when she tried hitting the high notes it's was BAD. If she toned it down a notch this would have been miles better
Gets a 3 because the production value is good. Sounds like the late 60s. I really don't like her singing style, though - at times it's good, but when it's bad, it's really bad. 3/5
Vibe
Nelos album koji spaja soul, blues i nekakav folk. Medutim, niti jedna pjesma mi nije bila posebno upecatljiva. Njen glas i nacin pjevanja mi nisu u potpunosti prenijeli emociju teksta. Bez orkestralnog dijela bio bi definitivno manje zanimljiv. 5/10 = 3
Skipped through most songs because I thought my ears may start to bleed. 1/5
Doesn’t do all that much, nice voice but goes down the theatre vocals route too much
2.5 stars. Hard to tell what genre. Has a distinctive style, but not for me. Would've preferred if she stuck with blue-eyed soul, or pop, or folk or jazz but she didn't pull off the amalgamation in my opinion. Voice can be really irritating at times. Standout is "Stone Soul Picnic".
Komeaa laulumusiikkia! 4/5
Interesting music for the time. Good voice, if a little shouty at times.
Very interesting album and great voice by Laura Nyro. I have never heard of this person before, but after listening to this album I can tell that plenty of artists have been influenced by her. It reminds me the most of Barbra Streisand and her music, if she was a better vocalist and songwriter. Very pleasant album, she should be much more recognisable than she is at the moment.
Not quite
Couple of fun tracks but largely a drag
Nice
good album, surprising, sounds like Adele before her.
I liked it better when it’s called The Carpenters, Carol King, or Joni Mitchell. This is like a shrill version of those so I’ll pass.
Some Carole King in tone and phrasing. A little Rickie Lee Jones in terms of loose tunefulness and a sweetness of melody. A touch of Kate Bush in the soaring to the vocal highs with a certain warbliness. One can see how she was influential but also too cultish to be a commercial success. This just doesn’t do a ton else besides just being generally decent and likable, with lots of moments of quality, but a distinct lack of songs that hold together. The issues are an excess showiness and the relentlessly upbeat tone, which gets exhausting as things proceed. One really wants to like this more than one does, but the plus-cuts are too few ("SS Picnic" is pretty good, but less woulda been more, keeping it simpler and more elegant mighta help and the strings are just too much) and the problems too glaring. There's real vocal power here that doesn’t seem fully in her control, or she throws it around too loosely. Plus the tempo shifts and reversals are too much and too frequent. The material too all over the place, too – too thickly arranged or too cabaret-sounding, too obviously aiming for soul or jazz only to deliver tepidly. When Phoebe Snow and Janis Ian are your major influencees, maybe you're not actually all that huge a thing and maybe don't belong in this list.
Think it was pretty good, all well made n stuff Will I listen to again: 5%
Ik voel hem niet. Het is niet slecht, maar ook niet bijzonder goed ofzo
What a lovely surprise! A wonderful piece of soul from an artist I'd never heard of. The album weaves jazz, soul and motown arrangements with psychedelic lyrics and Nyro's impressive vocal range. While the album is full of high energy songs Nyro's vocals and piano excel in the quiet bits. The songs all take full advantage of this, with regular tempo changes and unaccompanied solos. This is used to excellent effect in Poverty Train, where they accentuate the psychedelic peaks created by Jope Farrell's flute. The album is dense with ideas and the songs don't really conform to traditional pop structures, but the seams don't really show and you are left with the impression of cohesive songs and themes across the album. The back half of the album is the highlight with the strong rythym section in Woman's Blues accentuating its sophisticated songwriting.
not my vibe
Eli’s Comin and The Confession were both very good! Her voice had such a familiar sound I couldn’t place it but I enjoyed
Best Song: Poverty Train. Soulful and powerfully sung. Really great. Worst Song: December's Boudoir. Too theatrical and campy for the end of what had felt like an otherwise rooted album. Overall: This unequivocally rocks. She has a brilliant voice and she's not afraid to stretch it in interesting directions. Her voice is, to me, the perfect combination of powerful and emotive. Strangely, I feel like I can hear many of the artists she's clearly influenced, and yet I'd never even heard of her before.
Pretty voice. Listened to while i was at the beach at night. Nice soundtrack
I kept expecting her to break into "Wedding Bell Blues" at any moment. Beautiful voice, and the melodies are haunting at times.
Her voice is an instrument (Somewhere between Karen Carpenter and Amy Winehouse). The music itself is meh.
not sure if i’m connecting with this one it’s just kind of washing over me.
All the songs sound the same, with that terrible, warbly voice and far-too-quiet instrumentation. Wanted to turn it off.
Not terrible, but I found her voice quite annoying at times
This one was really boring. Could be worse, but I did not enjoy it. I was also sure she was singing 'celery' repeatedly at the end of Stoned Soul Picnic
this really bored me, I'll be honest i have already forgotten this album
Just really digged this, it's a vibe I'm here for. Laura Nyro seems like the kind of girl who would completely fuck my life up and I'd be into it.
Favorite Track: Eli’s Comin’
Loved it.
Powerful voice and great retro energy.
Laura's vocals are confusing. She clearly has a great voice, but she goes back and forth with her tone and does this brassy broadway thing a lot. Maybe it was the fashion at the time, like an onion on your belt? Anyway, decent album. Annoying in parts, but she clearly has some chops. 3/5
I think this album broke me. I had no idea who Laura Nyro was prior to this. She gave the 5th Dimension a hit, but it wasn’t Aquarius, so that didn’t help. Going through it, I went through a roller coaster of feelings. Here was this wonderful voice singing some nice 60’s pop. The slow songs were wonderfully smooth and elicit the best of the decade. But then, some of the songs got annoying, especially the first two with her practically repeating the song titles over and over. For the entire duration, it kept going back and forth between these two moods. In hindsight, this was a bit frustrating. I think if the album was more focused and a lot of the big-Broadway elements were axed, it would be perfect. As is, I mentally bounced between a 4 and a 3 for this. In the end, I leaned generously toward a 4. I think ultimately Laura’s singing saves the album, even when the songs get annoying. It was more pleasant than aggravating, but this has to be the most frustrating 4 I ever gave. It could have been more, but I don’t hate what it was. Favorite track: Lonely Woman Other hits: Timer, December’s Boudoir, Emmie, Sweet Blindness (I’m not putting Stoned Soul Picnic here. That was one of the annoying ones)
Her voice was so annoying
Laura Nyro walked so the feminist movement could run
2.8
Overall: 8/10 After reading about how influential and important this album was, I was surprised to see that not many people have actually listened to it (or Nyro in general). It's a very soulful album and Nyro has the perfect voice for this type of music. It also mixes fast and slow paced songs in a way that keeps the album interesting and fresh throughout. I'm very thankful for this discovery. Fav Song: Poverty Train Least Fav Song:
Not bad, fairly chill.
Wanted to like this. She's quite shout-y.
Feels outdated
I’m convinced that if I had never heard this album, the three “hits” from the album (Sweet Blindness, Eli’s Coming, and Stoned Soul Picnic) would have clearly stood out as the only decent songs. Still, a solid 3. Check out Thrre Dog Night’s version of Eli’s Coming for contrast.
This is an album that’s on my playlist of my favorite albums, and I have seven songs from it “liked” on Spotify. Those are signs of a five star. But today it didn’t hit me that hard, which speaks to how subjective these things are. I’m calling it four stars today, but anyone who reads this should know at one point it was a 5 and it may be a 5 again in the right circumstances.
Sounded more modern than it was. Still rather forgettable. Writing this the next morning, I can't remember any specific tracks at all.
Enjoyable, more upbeat music from someone I never heard of
Lite, refreshing, interesting, but moving on…
какой то соул/поп/джаз/рок оч вайбовый
Her voice is too high for my liking. Her vocal style is like Carole King.
Didn't actually hate this 4/5
not something i ever would have discovered on my own, intelligent and provocative vocals in each song back by a fun swing beat. always random aswell when you discover a song that is the sample of one you love
It was really good tbh, very dense need another listen. Love stone souled picnic
wow what a gem. love that the album with my name in the title delivered. sweet blindness blew my mind in the most amazing way.
Nope
I didn't get into this one and found most of it pretty irritating. Some of the song were ok
When her voice is on, it’s great. But when it’s off, it’s hard to enjoy. You can clearly see where she fits in the pantheon of popular music. Her influence is everywhere from Joni Mitchell to Patti Smith, Excene Cervenka and Donna Summer to Tori Amos and Fiona Apple. The music is well composed and the whole project is very well produced. It feels very much like a Broadway soundtrack. It’s not always easy to enjoy or listen to. But I can appreciate what’s happening. Stoned Soul Picnic is rad af. Get into it.
I need to stop rating things as 3 but this is a 3 and some of the prior 3s are 2s.
I really wanted to like this album, and thought that I would seeing that it was a late sixties forgotten female singer-song writer, but this was genuinely tough to get through. I can absolutely hear the influence this had on artists like Joni Mitchell or Carole King, but I think the biggest downside to Laura Nyro is her voice. It really grates on you after a while and it just gets a little too “jazz-handsy” on certain songs. There’s a lot happening musically on this album, with unexpected tempo shifts and big jazz swings when you expect some simpler softer folk, but it really did not work for us. I love Three Dog Night’s cover of “Eli’s Coming” though, so thank you for that Laura Nyro. I wonder if I’d like this album better if it was just sung by someone else.
Surprisingly good! I had no idea this existed.
Een gebrek aan lijn, in de nummers zelf en in het album als geheel. Dat is wat me het eerste te binnen schiet na de luisterbeurt. Ze stopt er een hoop energie in, maar het uit zich in chaos. Ik weet niet goed wat ik met deze muziek moet. 'Eli's comin'' en 'Stoned Soul Picnic' channelen die energie wel aardig, maar over het algemeen was ik vooral aan het smachten naar het einde. Pluspunt is dat het wel aardig modern voelt voor 1968, en dat ik wel invloed hoor op hedendaags art pop werk van Fiona Apple en consorten. Maar dat is een verademing vergeleken met deze circusact. 5/10 Highlights: Stoned Soul Picnic
Wel geinig en lijkt de tijd een eind vooruit. Had dit niet uit 1968 verwacht. De plaat mist wel het één en ander om echt interessant te worden. En niet in alle nummers vind ik de stem van Nyro mooi, tot irritant aan toe zelfs. In een bijzondere tijd voor muziek vind ik verder online eigenlijk geen connecties met anderen uit die tijd. Bijzonder. Een einzelgänger. 5/10 Highlights Stoned Soul Picnic Emmie
Reminds me a lot of Joni Mitchell, whose music has never really grabbed me.
Very unexpected! I checked the cover and the Wikipedia page expecting some forgettable album, but now I'm astonished by her voice and music. Awesome hidden gem on the 1001 list
She has a beautiful voice and musically this was very pleasing to listen to. It's a bit crooning so not something I'd want to listen to frequently, but I liked it a good deal.
My life was ok without this one
Never heard of her before. Sounds pretty good, but I would have liked it more in a different style of music. As is it sounds a little overdone.
I think its one of those albums you have to listen to more than once in order to truly capture the beauty of it. Only gave it one listen and it was interesting
Wow!
Great voice, but some songs missed the mark for me. Still quite good. 3.5/5
Crisp, well produced and the sound production certainly doesn't sound like it's from 1968. That said, I felt a few of the tracks wavered a little, which has marked it down from a 4* to a 3.5* (meaning on here I need to mark it as a 3!) Can we have scores out of 10, please! :-)
Nice voice. Typical 60s female singer. Not my deal. Now that I’m through this it’s horrible. The lyrics mean nothing.
Soul, jazz and experimentation all banging together. It's an album I won't be sure about until I've given it more listens.
I like her voice and the arrangement of the first few songs, but later in the album the songs seemed haphazard and disorganized.
Absolute masterpiece. God am I fucking obsessed with these tempo changes. Never ever know which way the song is gonna go and it switches with no warning at all. Every single song on here is absolute gold. Some of the best soul work ever on an album that sounds like it was tailor made for me, guy who is currently high as fuck
honestly this is sooo good also did i just find the cover art of the century lmk sarah is staring at me weird and sticking her tongue out will somebody make her a rabies Vaccine about it can we get undiseasedplease its that time of peee
Ok
美，有力
Entertaining but just not my thing. Songs get boring over time because they're just pop. Nothing unique caught my ear or aroused my interest. 2.5/5.
Style intéressant mais pas emballé. Rythmé, mode majeur, 60s
Starts strong and ends boring, but I did like it!
01) Luckie - 6,5 02) Lu - 6,0 03) Sweet Blindness - 6,5 04) Poverty Train - 6,5 05) Lonely Women - 6,0 06) Eli's Comin' - 6,0 07) Timer - 5,5 08) Stoned Soul Picnic - 6,0 09) Emmie - 5,5 10) Woman's Blues - 5,0 11) Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe) - 5,5 12) December's Boudoir - 5,0 13) The Confession - 5,5 TOTAL: 5,81 (58/100) Current ranking: 304/365
Eli And The Thirteenth Confession is a 'what could've been' album because she has a great voice, but it's not used to its strengths, and you end up with an album that isn't sure whether it's meant to be a cabaret-style performance or a little bit more soulful and reflective. It doesn't really hit the spot at any point as a result, it's an easy listen but not an especially engaging one, probably hard to rise above a 2.
This is a weird mix. It's beautiful in places, it's fun in places, but it's ropey in lots of others. There are bits that sound like they're from a musical, bits where her voice really doesn't quite make it, and bits that are soulful and really quite gripping. 2/5, the bad outweighs the good to make something that's not particularly remarkable.
incredibly creative and fun soul & RnB album with a lot of variation within individual songs, often for just a couple measures before reverting back. A very groundbreaking and unique album that feels like it has a ton of soul that's amplified by Nyro's passion and ad-libs.
Never heard her, never heard of her. Wish I had.
It was okay
Great voice not great off broadway tunes
78% Best: Luckie; Eli's Comin'; Stoned Soul Picnic; Woman's Blues Must-Hear? Not quite
I don't know if there is some sort of cultural significance to this album. Was it cutting edge? Why? 1/5
It was okay, I usually like this kind of music but this one was just okay
Wasn't sure what to think of this one. Pop showtunes thing not for me. I would give the most not-for-me Joni Mitchell 3 stars and this is about there.
Backstory to Nyro’s career is neat, she seems like a cool and respectable musician. Good record, too.
This is why they created auto tune.
4(?)
Not bad exactly, but the tempo just didn’t seem to match to my ear
Actually not bad. 3
Classy, tuneful, emotional
Хороший альбом
Why was I not already listening to Laura Nyro?! That aching, vulnerable voice, those obscure and poetic lyrics…
It was very interesting hearing such a classic 60's sound with more complex feelings and lyrics. A very interesting artist.
This album was...fine I guess? I'd never heard of Laura Nyro before and I doubt I will again. Much like other albums on this list I wonder why a forgettable album like this is even on the list to begin with.
I'm probably missing something important about this album, but I don't hear anything special. Cuff me
Was a bit grumpy when I listened but I actually hated it so much
Couldn’t get through this. Sounded like that woman on YouTube who improvs songs and has a catchy laugh. Probably influential but quite irritating I’m afraid 2/5
Felt like I should’ve liked it, just felt really disjointed. Imagine it’s influenced a lot but felt it lacked its own identity and was too chaotic
Primer acercamiento a Laura Nyro. Eli And The Thirteenth Confession (1968) corresponde a su segundo álbum de estudio, y tomando el título de su primer LP, debo decir que esto sin duda fue "Más que un nuevo descubrimiento". Si bien este disco se categoriza principalmente como Pop Soul, esta calidad no debe verse como una limitación de todo lo que Nyro puede ofrecernos en este trabajo. Así, mezclando elementos del Soul, el Jazz, el Gospel e incluso el Rock, la artista nos envuelve en una frenética aventura que nunca deja apagado al oyente. En mi opinión, este es el punto más distintivo y también el más débil del disco. Por un lado, destacar que la habilidad de crear estos escenarios nos permite conocer todas las talentosas facetas de la artista. Sin embargo, también nos ofrecen una experiencia sin descansos y con puntos más débiles, donde a veces más resulta en menos (ejemplo de ello son canciones como Timer o December's Boundoir, donde pienso que la artista tomo demasiadas progresiones para un mensaje que era más sencillo siguiendo una estructura un poco más tradicional de canción). Sin embargo, esto no debe considerarse como un impedimento para escuchar esta tremenda joya de artista, la cual definitivamente recomiendo y que sin duda espero me siga siendo recomendada. FAVTRAXS: Luckie, Sweet Blindness, Poverty Train, Lonely Woman, Eli's Comin', Woman's Blues, Stone Soul Picnic LEASTFAV: December's Boundoir 3.5/5 (Con próximas escuchas podría llegar a 4)
Some pretty interesting genres on this one. The admittedly listenable first half of the album becomes increasingly indistinguishable as it goes on. It's possible that there are some interesting lyrics on here, though as someone ambivalent to the grassroots flair of singer-songwriters, I didn't care too much about listening keenly
has an interesting atmosphere but doesn't keep it quite enough for a higher rating
Feels much more recent than 1968
Good album. Great voice.
fun throwback
Shorty sung her heart out at most points, I gotta rate it high. She was spectacular enough to warrant it!
Soul geprägtes fast einstündiges Album. Mit Soul-, Blues und Jazzelementen im Hintergrund. Die Stimme ist ordentlich aber nicht herausragend. “Eli’s Coming’” ist auf Grund des breiten Spektrum brauchbar. Die Interpretationen eignen sich für die Pianobar des Luxushotels aber auch nicht zu mehr.
Pleasant vocal jazz but all songs sounded a little samey
I'm not really familiar with Laura Nyro so it was fun to dive into this album. I really liked "Lu" and "Sweet Blindness." I kinda lost steam as the album went along.
I'd never heard of this artist before, but really loved this album. Super good and had no idea what I was expecting. Looks like Kanye and J Dilla have sampled her songs before, gotta check those out.
This was a cool album. I really liked the lyrics, and the music overall felt very intricate and polished. I can tell a lot of work went into this, and I appreciate that; it didn’t feel like anything was just thrown together. Overall, it reminded me of a jazzier Joni Mitchell. However, I wasn't the biggest fan of certain parts that sounded more show-tunish, and some of the tonal and time signature changes felt a bit jarring to me. As a result, it’s not something I could see myself casually listening to often. Favorite songs were: 2. Lu 11. Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe) 13. The Confession 7/10
This was disappointing. Laura's version of "Met Him on a Sunday" is on my list of true 10/10 songs. I'd listened to some of her other songs, but never really found anything that hooked me. After a full album, it was all pretty underwhelming. There weren't any songs that grabbed me, and her voice didn't hit in the same way that it does on the one song I love. Overall an underwhelming let down. Album cover: (C)
I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this. The album cover looked really modern for how old it is. Really liked her sound.
This was a really fun album. I listened to it a little distractedly so don't have a ton to say. "Sweet Blindness", "Women's Blues" and "Timer" were my favorite songs. This was a lot more lively than I was expecting. 7/10
I have to admit that I listened to this on a foggy morning after a sleepless night, so I wasn’t in the best place for this to hit right, but all I could keep thinking about was a version of that hypothetical on how many first graders you could realistically take in a brawl except it was angry Care Bears instead and however many it was, I was losing.
Pleasant enough
this sounds so refreshing! although it's not my favourite music, i have to admit that it aged very well!
There were decent moments where she sounded like a decent jazz singer. Then, there was a whole bunch of show choir singing that ruined it. It was mostly the latter.
instead of simply building one of the most vivid smoky candlelight atmospheres thats ever been on a singer songwriter record, nyro somehow Starts there and just keeps adding on top. in that way it reminds me weirdly of pet sounds? and is a similarly impressive and ofc even more adventurous splitting of the difference between classic proven musical modes and intricate hyper-expressive songwriting experiments. some choices in vocal delivery here will always take my breath away. the longer my good streak goes on the more anxious i get FHJSHFDJFS
This another one that I had never heard of before, and wow what a surprise. I loved this. It's soulful, jazzy, experimental, theatrical and sounds timeless.
I hadn’t heard of Laura Nyro before. I went into this hopeful as it seems that she appears on similar lists as Joni Mitchell and Carole King. I can’t really put my finger on why this didn’t click for me as much as I wanted it to. Perhaps it’s a little too jazzy for my taste. I had it on in the car, and my partner said that she found it to be fantastic, but it just didn’t hit that note for me. The vocals are great and the music isn’t afraid to get a bit weird, but the stars didn’t quite align for me. Still a good album, but didn’t blow me away.