Gonna Take a Miracle (Exp)
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Description
More Than a New Discovery, Eli and the Thirteenth Confession, and New York Tendaberry established Laura Nyro as one of the early 1970s' brightest and most uncompromising singer-songwriters. But just as the budding success of 1969's Tendaberry seemed to establish her persona in the public's mind, Nyro reached back to the beloved Brill Building pop, doo-wop, and '50s R&B for inspiration, extended a hand in partnership to then-down-on-their-luck soul vets LaBelle, and tossed off this loving blast from the past. Producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff (who would later formulate the vaunted Philly soul sound) were ostensibly in charge, though the voices of Nyro and LaBelle carry the day. Whether the bare-bones production harked back to the mindset of Nyro's moody Tendaberry or (as Amy Linden's new liner notes suggest) they simply ran out of time and had to finish the project, there's a sense of immediacy to the recordings that outstrips even some of the originals. Tracks like "Jimmy Mack" and "I Met Him on a Sunday" feel like they spontaneously came together around an upright piano, their rhythm section a chorus of joyous hand claps. Others, like "Desiree" and "The Wind," have a haunting, ethereal sense that's pure Nyro. This is one of the oddest collections of Nyro's career, but also one of the most joyously heartfelt. This reissue features four live bonus tracks, soulful solo covers of "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing," "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "O-o-h Child," and "Up on the Roof," that fit the theme of the studio album to a T. --Jerry McCulley
Album Description
1971 album is Nyro's only album of non-original music including 'Spanish Harlem', 'Monkey Time/Dancing In The Street' and 'Jimmy Mack'. Remastered & featuring the previously unreleased live bonus tracks 'Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing', '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman', 'O-o-h Child' & 'Up On The Roof'. 2002.
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0 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Great music but....Sunday, April 17, 2005
This cd is good but it is pretty obvious that if it hadn't been for "Labelle" singing back-up it would not be worth buying. Laura nyro isn't the best vocalist on the planet and in some of the songs she sounded as if she was struggling to get the notes out. Labelle, particularly Patti is the reason I bought this cd. One song caught my ear as I was listnening to the samples and that cut is called "The wind" the harmony is so beautiful and it's obvious that Patti's clear bell-like voice dominated the bakground it's beautiful. Overall it's about five good songs on here. If you like labelle this is worth buying.
2 out of 2 people found the following review helpful:
I am very picky....Friday, January 07, 2005
And even if I really liked an album I would normally only give it 4 stars cause usually there are a coupla lousy songs. My tastes in music are broad, from Bach to Pink, so if you like music that you will cherish for years, get this album. Although there is genius in other Laura Nyro albums I sorta wish she had Patti Labelle in the studio when she made them. Some (including me) might find it hard to get past the rambling tempos and jarring dynamic changes of her other work (sorta like some of Beethovens' pieces). Gonna take a miracle will satisfy the soul of both novice and die-hard Nyro fanatic alike. We are talking perfection and grace.
1 out of 1 people found the following review helpful:
MiraculousSaturday, November 13, 2004
This was the first Laura Nyro CD I had ever heard. Recommended to me by a friend...I was not disappointed...and I became a fan for life. This collaboration with LaBelle showcases the first love of Laura Nyro and the raw beauty of these classic compositions. From beginning to end this is a tour de force of the classic songs of the 50s and 60s..."The Bells" is breathtaking with the crystalline harmonies of LaBelle (and Patti's complimentary ad-libs)...and the title cut in all it's gospel glory is the perfect ending for such a mood-setting album...
5 out of 6 people found the following review helpful:
classic music from lauraTuesday, June 15, 2004
its amazing to realize that this album was recorded ..probably as first takes.24 yrs ago..here is laura in her prime...celebrating the music that she grew up listening to....the music stands on its own...the vocals soar into the heavens....you can hear a beautiful production of spanish harlem with its latin influence...the music is alive and vital and when it is up beat it is driving...and when softer...dream like...for ex the track desiree...laura was an original force in the music world whose revolutionary style influenced countless major songwriters...she took all of us along with her...and transported us with her music...
5 out of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Did I say This Isn't A Tribute Album?Wednesday, May 05, 2004
You know the sensitive teenage girl from the Bronx who sang her heart out in subways and schoolyards so many years ago. Before fame, wealth, critical success and all the accolades came her way, Laura sang passionately for no one other than her beautiful inner self. Perhaps that's the beauty of this album. No, it's not just a tribute album to Smokey, Patti, Marvin, Martha & The Vandellas and others. This is Laura's roots album, her chance to say here's where I come from, here's to all the great singers and song writers of my youth. This is why I write the songs I write. This is why I sing. This is who I am.
Sadly Laura left us all too soon. She left behind a wonderful legacy of timeless upbeat songs, plantive ballards and desperate love-lost poems. She also left behind this marvelous tribute album to the hereos of her youth. Did I say this isn't a tribute album? Whatever you care to call it. It's Laura at one of her deepest most passionate moments.