Laura Nyro: New York Tendaberry [Original recording remastered and expanded]

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Genre: Folk, Soul, Pop, Vocal, Jazz | Columbia Legacy

Laura Nyro%27s New York Tendaberry is undeniably the greatest album production of the pop musical era, and it ought to be recognized as a classic achievement in all of American music. It was released in the autumn of 1969 on the Columbia Records label, some 18 months after its predecessor, Eli and the Thirteenth Confession. It is generally considered by rock critics to be her greatest musical achievement. The album was produced by Nyro, with the assistance of producer and engineer Roy Halee.

Though Laura Nyro was one of the most successful American songwriters of the late %2760s, penning hits like Streisand%27s "Stoney End," Blood, Sweat & Tears%27 "And When I Die," Three Dog Night%27s "Eli%27s Coming," and the Fifth Dimension%27s "Wedding Bell Blues," her buoyant, genre-blending major-label debut clicked with only a small, if influential, cult audience. But even Nyro%27s faithful must have been taken by surprise by its 1969 follow-up. A mature, deeply impressionistic ode to her hometown, New York City, Nyro%27s creation captures the city%27s multicultural soul and emotionally jagged edges so well it%27s hard to believe this 22-year-old daughter of a jazz musician who couldn%27t read a note of music concocted it. Stripping her music down to the bare essentials of her expressive, occasionally explosive soprano and fervent piano work somehow expanded its dramatic potential exponentially. Indeed, there are few pop albums whose protominimalist use of studio flourishes and production sheen have been as brief or effective; Nyro called them "colors," and that%27s exactly the function they serve here, adding crucial glimmer to the stark, jazzy drama of the singer%27s evocative songs. The bonus, "Save the Country," cut as a full studio production prior to Nyro rethinking the approach, fairly blares by comparison. Rooted in the singer%27s beloved %2750s R&B and pop, yet infused with her brave, singular vision and the chutzpah to stick to it, this album remains Nyro%27s masterpiece. No other vocalist was ever so sensually alive with such stunning shades of emotion. ”

Tracks (all songs composed by Laura Nyro):

01. You Don%27t Love Me When I Cry
02. Captain For Dark Mornings
03. Tom Cat Goodby
04. Mercy On Broadway
05. Save The Country
06. Gibsom Street
07. Time And Love
08. The Man Who Sends Me Home
09. Sweet Lovin%27 Baby
10. Captain Saint Lucifer
11. New York Tendaberry
12. Save The Country (Single Version - mono) [bonus track]
13. In The Country Way [bonus track]

Laura Nyro, vocals & piano
Producers: Laura Nyro, Roy Halee
originally recorded 1969
Columbia Legacy Original Recording Remastered release, 2002