Laura Nyro: An Unknown Pioneer

Pablo Gonzalez  

Music Journalist   

 Art has a terrible tendency to be revered posthumously. Beautiful paintings and songs that leave their contemporaries drowning in the dust. History has many names; however, one name shines with a light that leaves you blind: Laura Nyro.  

A singer-songwriter who was more known for her songwriting than her performances. She has written songs for groups and artists like the 5th Dimension and Barbra Streisand. Yet, Nyro possesses a voice that sends shivers down your spine. Nyro infuses a genre blend of jazz, R&B, and soul into her songs resulting in this theatrical sound. A sound that still sounds fresh to this day, a unique sound that Nyro fostered since her childhood listening to records from Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and Leontyne Price. 

Her sophomore album, Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968) shows these influences beautifully. One of her most well-known albums brought more light to Nyro’s musical talent. However, I want to focus on the album she released after Eli: New York Tendaberry (1969), which left me hypnotized with Nyro and her music.  

I found the record through an article about Geordie Greep’s favorite albums. A list of 14 amazing albums that I am still tackling one by one. Nyro’s album was the second on the list, and it has been in my head since. The opening track, “You Don’t Love Me When I Cry,” is a great atmosphere-setter for the record. Soft lyrics abrupter by Nyro’s passionate belting, it is hard not to be hooked by the end of the track. The third track, “Tom Cat Goodby,” like many tracks on the record begins with just a piano and Nyro’s vocals. Yet, it quickly explodes with this dynamic rush of strings before switching to an upbeat piano. 

The song is an absolute ride, each section with its unique sound. It is my favorite track from the album; I was obsessed with it. I remember making everyone who got into my car listen to the song, it only got better after each listen. Nyro’s singing will leave you with goosebumps. Another track I want to highlight is “Time and Love,” it is a song that sounds like a 70s show intro; however, it is an absolute blast and impossible not to sing along with. It shows Nyro’s talent to turn any song into a masterful pop classic.  

The last song I want to focus on is “Captain Saint Lucifer,” the second to last song and the song that has the lyrics I enjoy the most. I have not been highlighting Nyro’s songwriting as much as I should be. The entire album is a triumph of Nyro’s songwriting ability, the lyrics feel as if they were written for Nyro herself, they are filled with slang, and it takes time to fully digest Nyro’s lyrics, but once they seep in it stays with you. The song can explain the allure and potential loss of innocence of a love affair without ever explicitly mentioning a relationship. An amazing album by an immensely talented artist.  

An artist whose life was cut short. Laura Nyro passed away at the age of 49. She died the same age and from the cause as her mother, ovarian cancer. In the short span of time she was with us, she was able to make unique, beautiful music and influence an overflow of artists like Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, Patti Smith, and Kate Bush. I am going to leave you with a clip of Nyro’s first and only TV performance, an artist like no other.