Laura Nyro would have been 62 today, had she not passed at the way-too-young age of 49.
Can we even begin to imagine the music she would have made in the intervening years?
I imagine she would have tackled even more of the torch classics. I fantasize that she would have hooked up with some majorly creative producers (Daniel Lanois would be my dream pairing), although i also know how stubborn Laura was to do it her own way. I’m sure she would still be singing beautifully, writing gorgeous melodies, sharing her crone wisdom!!
What do you think?
Advertisements
I think it was Daniel Patrick Moynihan who said about the death of JFK something to the effect that “there is no sense in being Irish if you don’t understand that the world will eventually break your heart.” When I listen to Laura’s angelic voice pour out the passions of her many lives, I am thankful that we do have such a wonderful record of her stay with us — and heartbroken that she left us so early.
Happy birthday Laura … we will always have your music – it will always be for the world, and will always be for all time .And when you take your rightful place in the HOF, there will be so many more new listeners, young and old, men and women, gay and straight, who will fall in love with your beautiful gift anew.
I could imagine, at some point, Laura going for the Great American Songbook in some way, perhaps. Having Daniel Lanois as a producer would’ve been interesting, although with him, or any other contemporary music-maker, it most likely would’ve been as co-producer. Through the tone of her records, Laura struck me as a writer who was immensely influened by her immediate surroundings. If she had, for example, lived in China for the rest of her life, her music would’ve reflected that. I also wonder if Laura had recovered from her illness, if a surge in energy would somehow have been reflected in her music also. One thing is for sure, Laura would certainly have had some things to say about the mood of the country today.
Just discovered this great Laura Nyro blog – love the Soul Picnic book, a joy to read.
It is very interesting and sad all at once to think what Laura could have created between 1997 and now. I don’t think she would have released all that much in the way of new albums because after the 1970s her work rate studio-wise slowed down, but I’d like to think we’d have another two or three great albums.
The idea of a Lanois collaboration is interesting too.
ONE CHILD BORN:
The Music of Laura Nyro
a new theater piece
HomeAbout One Child BornBiosUpcoming ShowsPressPhotosLinksContactAbout Laura NyroGuestbook
NEWS
Announcing: One Child Born at Joe’s Pub!
About One Child Born
Nine characters. The songs of Laura Nyro. Written by Louis Greenstein and Kate Ferber, and directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt, this new cabaret celebrates the music and creative force of the late singer-songwriter whose pop masterpieces – including Eli’s Comin’, And When I Die, Save the Country and Stoney End – topped the charts in the ’60s and ’70s. Kate Ferber, an exciting new talent on New York’s music and theater scenes, plays nine characters, each of whose lives were touched by Laura Nyro’s music. In One Child Born, Ferber takes the audience on a journey of passion, whimsy, humor, and classic songs that will inspire long-time fans as well as a generation of music lovers who are new to Laura Nyro’s catalogue.
ONE CHILD BORN was developed through a residency at New York City’s CAP21, had its New York Premiere to a sold out crowd at the Laurie Beechman Theater in July 2009, and now is thrilled to be performing at Joe’s Pub!
Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater will be hosting a one-night-only performance of One Child Born: The Music of Laura Nyro on Tuesday, January 19th 2010 at 7:30pm!! Tickets are $12 and can be purchased here: One Child Born at Joe’s Pub. Joe’s Pub is located at 425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003. We are so excited to be performing is such an amazing space. See you there!
Oh, I am soooo sorry right now that I don’t live in NYC but in Southern California! What I wouldn’t give to see this show, “One Child Born.”
Hope it will sometime come to my area!
Cathy – Hi! I’m the co-author of One Child Born. We would love to bring the show to Southern California. If you want to send me your email address or else just check in on the guestbook at http://www.thelauranyroproject.com and we’ll keep you posted.
All the best,
Louis
Her music meant so much to me… no one since has touched me so deeply. I passed my love for her music on to my two daughters. When she left this world, I wept for days. My younger daughter, somewhat annoyed by my grief, protested: “Mom, you did not even know her!”
“No,” I replied, “I didn’t. But she knew me.” There are those who know exactly what I mean.
As a young teen in the Bronx, my best friend’s older brother had Laura to his family’s apartment and Laura would sit at their upright. The music that she banged out while the household went about daily routines stuck with me… It was incredible and some years later it was on radio rotation you couldn’t avoid. .. She was a musical force to be reckoned with. RIP, Laura.