Search - Laura Nyro :: Laura Nyro Live From Mountain Stage

Laura Nyro--Live at Mountain Stage

Diane B. Wilkes | Oreland, PA USA | 10/26/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Those of us who are Laura Nyro fans from jump street are thrilled to have another CD to play ad infinitum (and some of us--the hardcore fans--already have these songs from taping the performance on Mountain Stage when it originally aired). Having it on CD, with sound so clear I feel like Laura is singing to me from my living room, is a whole new ballgame, however. Whoever mastered this CD clearly considered it a labor of love, and the results of that labor are stunning--the sound is superior to "Live at the Bottom Line," a long out-of-print CD that goes for big bucks on auction sites.Which brings me to my minor cavil with this recording: while I am grateful for any "new" Laura, there isn't a whole lot that's new and different on this CD for anyone with a complete collection of Laura Nyro recordings. All of the songs can be found elsewhere--though it's nice to have a live version of "Oh Yeah, Maybe Baby," Nyro's cover of the Crystals' classic single. And it's very fun to hear Laura preface "To a Child" with, "I wrote this next song for my kid." I love that long note at the end of "Japanese Restaurant"--it seems like she's holding it--and the listener-- captive forever. And Nyro's cadre of loyal fans will enjoy the slight lyric changes in songs like "Japanese Restaurant" and "Roll of the Ocean." The "Let it Be Me/Christmas Song" is somewhat rare (though available on Acoustic Christmas, a terrific Columbia compilation of Yule tunes from artists like Shawn Colvin and Rosanne Cash). But there's nothing revelatory or rare here--no "Gardenia Talk" or "Ooh Child" or some other previously unreleased R&B cover that Laura always managed to infuse with her essence of street and soul.I suspect Blue Plate Music didn't have a lot of Laura Nyro concerts to choose from, though. And for those who quail at the thought of spending $70 for live versions of "Broken Rainbow," "Japanese Restaurant" and "Roll of the Ocean" (which can be found on "Live at the Bottom Line"), this CD is a terrific bargain. Just hearing Nyro's sweet voice sinuously winding around and within the piano notes of "Emmie" makes me close my eyes and conjure poignant memories of seeing Laura at her keyboard onstage, connecting with the music, and by doing so, all of us in the audience. As I listened to this CD for the first few times, one thing that really struck me was her piano playing...it's as soulful as Aretha's, and that's saying something. The simple, single piano accompaniment, as opposed to the full-band versions of "Live at the Bottom Line," brings a different flavor to known songs. It's neither better nor worse, just different, like different flowers in a beautiful bouquet.I wouldn't recommend this to anyone as an introduction to Ms. Nyro's work, but for any real Laura fan, this is an essential recording. It's like a note from an old friend that makes us smile, even as it powerfully reminds us of all we've lost by Laura's tragically early death. Laura Nyro: Live from Mountain Stage was released October 17th-- which is interestingly very near Nyro's birthday...There'll be one CD born in this world to carry on, to carry on."

Ok..So it isn't the best

charles sibirsky | nyc, ny United States | 03/29/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this cd to just have allll of Laura. By the way..I do have a copy of the Bottom Line Performance..was there when it was recorded..what an evening. This cd reminds me of some early performances I caught in the 70's..small venues like college auditoriums with just Laura...no band...and in those days a perfectly tuned Steinway that would inspire her really wail. I am listening to the music as I write and it has that wonderful intimate quality that Laura could create. How likely is it that someone would purchase this cd as their first Laura cd? Doubt it. But well worth a listen if you are a fan......"

Not the best, but still very good.

Anthony M. Steen | Tarzana, CA United States | 11/14/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

""Live on Mountain Stage" captures Laura Nyro past her peak as a songwriter, but with her passing 3 years ago, it's still wonderful to have any new performance on cd.Aside from the awful synthetic piano sound (it makes Laura's music sound like, gasp, new age!) several of the songs really stand out. I especially like the reading of "And When I Die", "Let It Be Me/The X'mas Song" and "Japanese Restaurant" which is a delightful and humorous narrative.The arrangements are somewhat sparse and uninspired. They do take some use getting use to if you're a long-time Laura fan, but all in all, this album is worth having. However, steer clear of this one if you're a first time Nyro listener. Start with "Eli and the 13'th Confession" or "New York Tendaberry"."