As the folk revolution was fizzling in the late 1960s, many gifted singer/songwriters were surviving amidst the backlash. While Laura Nyro wasn’t the most consistent of these artists, she remains one of the most intriguing. Sure, Joni Mitchell’s voice is sweeter and Carole King’s songs are catchier. But there’s something about Nyro’s slightly twisted mix of folk, pop and jazz that captures the imagination in a different way.
Before NYC’s legendary Fillmore East closed its doors for good in 1971, many artists said farewell to the venue in the way of intimate performances. Spread Your Wings And Fly presents Nyro’s captivating tribute for the first time. Sitting at a grand piano with nothing more than a vase and some flowers as accompaniment, Nyro tore through a balanced setlist of originals and classic covers. The show’s bookends are two previously unreleased compositions, both of which are big highlights – the gentle “American Dove” and the gorgeous, flower-power ballad “Mother Earth.” Nyro’s affinity for King is laid bare with crowd-pleasing renditions of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “Up On The Roof.” “Emmie” and “Lu,” from her seminal album Eli And The Thirteenth Confession, translate well to a solo piano format, but more up-tempo tunes like “Save The Country” sound empty and forced outside of the studio.
Even at these moments when the performance starts to lag, Nyro sounds relaxed, playing off-the-cuff and letting the chips fall where they may. It’s no wonder so many jazz artists (Miles Davis included) were big Nyro fans, as mistakes and blunders are embraced as a crucial part of improvisation. This concert is far from perfect, with Nyro missing a couple high notes and playing a few sloppy choruses, but it remains a fulfilling, entirely worthwhile experience. Spread Your Wings And Fly might not match the musical vibrancy of her best albums, but it’s a telling glimpse into the basic elements of her art, and a testament to her oft-overlooked greatness.
Appeared in the July 22, 2004, issue of Artvoice.