What do the hit songs “Eli’s Comin” by Three Dog Night and “Wedding Bell Blues” by The Fifth Dimension have in common? They were written by the late Laura Nyro, who had many of her wonderful songs turned into chart topping hits by artists like Blood, Sweat & Tears and Barbra Streisand during the 1960s and 70s. Nyro released her first record, More Than A New Discovery, in 1967, and went on to record several now classic albums, including Eli & The Thirteenth Confession (1968) and New York Tendaberry (1969). She was a gifted performer who stayed out of the limelight when she wasn’t recording or touring.
Laura remained elusive offstage, and kept her personal life very private. Despite not being a household name to the casual listener, Nyro has gained a loyal following among music fans, critics and fellow musicians. The 2003 biography Soul Picnic: The Music & Passion of Laura Nyro by Michelle Kort does a good job giving us some deeper insight into the life and career of this talented artist, who passed away in 1997. Kort wisely focuses on Nyro’s music, and uses it as a window to tell her story. There are compelling reminisces by Nyro’s family and friends, and stories about her upbringing and musical journey.
The real pleasures found in the book concern the creation of Nyro's music: the stories behind classic tunes like “And When I Die” and “Stoned Soul Picnic,” showcase her gift for unique lyrics and melodies. Despite her innate talent, Nyro often clashed with producers as well as record company executives who didn’t understand her vision for her music, and how she felt her records should sound. Kort does a great job covering Nyro’s passionate, unflinching commitment to her music and how it should feel to the listener. There’s a lot of detail about the making of her albums and her concert tours, including input from studio musicians, producers and band members. There are also recollections from well known artists who either worked with Nyro or were influenced by her, including Todd Rundgren, Patti Labelle and bass player Will Lee. Kort does a great job analyzing Nyro’s music and its origins in her personal life, and shares some facts that the average fan may not know, including Nyro’s relationship with a young Jackson Browne.
This is a well-written biography that will appeal to music buffs who want to know more about Nyro’s background and history as an artist, as well as fans wanting an in-depth look into her creative process. The book also includes a discography, which was current at the time of the book's release, circa 2003. It was also published before Nyro’s induction into the R&R hall of fame in 2012, so there are no details about that well-deserved honor, but this is still a beautiful portrait of an acclaimed, powerful singer. Highly recommended, Soul Picnic: The Music & Passion of Laura Nyro is available in paperback and hardcover from online retailers like Amazon. For more on Laura, you can check out two pieces I wrote for CultureSonar about her music. Here are links to my articles on her terrific collaboration with Labelle, Gonna Take A Miracle: https://www.culturesonar.com/laura-nyro/, and a look at some of her very best songs: https://www.culturesonar.com/8-genius-songs-by-laura-nyro/.
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