Not sure why, but, I have always felt that Laura felt she was never 'truly' happy, so strived to obtain what she felt was 'happiness,' etc. She was beyond her years, as well as an extremely brilliant lyricist. ♥️
She was a visionary and wrote and played like she was channeling some power, force, consciousness, whatever that's bigger than all of us. If she was sometimes a major pain in the ass to deal with, so be it. By the way, listen to what she did on the piano. It's got Ravel, Debussy, and Bill Evans all over it. She had chops to die for.
Laura was an enigmatic blend of raw talent, genius, unadulterated vision and fallibility. For these characteristics to be present yet somehow allow her visionary music and style to come to life is something so rare and improbable only someone like Laura Nyro, unconstrained by the limitations of the music business, could pull off. In many ways Laura was delightfully broken - and we're a bit better because of it.
laura and todd are both geniuses and complete originals. masters of song, voice soul and feeling. interesting to hear todd's experience and view. laura is gone too soon. i saw her in atlanta in 1977 and met her backstage. a beautiful person and artist.
Laura created a much more significant body of work than Todd. His contribution is SMALL compared to hers. I feel like he's sitting around dissing her like some men would bad talk a former lover. Like all you fools think she was so great, but I know the inside story and the girl didn't know what she was doing AND her nails were a clanking mess. Fuck you Todd RUNTgren. You didn't even deserve to meet her you well manicured little douche bag!
Louise Joles Clam down. It sounds like you're unfamiliar with Todd's work. Laura admired Todd as well, and wouldn't have asked him to be her bandleader (which he turned down) or asked him to produce her album. They just had a clash of working styles, that's all. There's a tragic tendency of human beings to work themselves into a position and never allow themselves out of it. Todd has written brilliant songs - songs that, if you heard them covered by another artist and didn't know where by Todd you might love. But you're worked yourself into a snit and couldn't give him a fair chance. Which is a shame.
35 takes is not unusual. I read somewhere that one time Jimi Hendrix did 50. Todd is renowned for getting things done on time and on budget as a producer. Thats one reason he got so much work back in his early days.
Not enough to work with her. What he doesn't say here, is he walked out on the recording. It was in her house that she made a studio, and he was in some kind of big rush, for no reason.
DrawYourHead It is pretty much, a matter of record, that he left early on. He didn't even support the new style she took on that record. Todd Rundgren, the style he has, was influenced by her. Not the other way around. So if you heard him in there, it is because he got that from her.
I saw her at the cellar door which was really small and she was not looking like a "big gypsy" but this is still cool to hear TR whose music I adore talk about LN whose music I also adore. Thanks for sharing.
What a fascinating artist Laura was. I wish she had lived longer to see how many more accomplishments she would have achieved, and the many more hearts she would have touched!. May her soul be in heaven
There's no law that says a genius can't be a space cadet too: and she was undoubtedly a genius - not just talented, but in a whole other league - literally scary talented: but trying to learn how to work within the structure of studio discipline when you're almost literally plugged into a different dimension, couldn't have been easy for her - and few others where similarly plugged in, and with the experience to give her much in the way of guidance. Thankfully Geffen & Calello where able to offer some support, but when you're that talented - sometimes you're stuck having to figure it all out for yourself anyway - and even then, there's no guarantee you'll be able to take it in - since it might be as foreign to your sensibilities as yours are to the producer stuck watching the clock . It's a shame - but sometimes that's how it is.
I learned a few things about Laura Nyro from Todd I adored Laura and her flawless song writing and her amazing soulful voice Eli and the thirteenth Confession was one of the best albums ever made
Very interesting insights. Laura Nyro is a true genius and musical icon. Tragic that the proper recognition was never given to her. So happy to see the Rock Hall of Fame honor Laura.
I'm a Nyro fanatic, but after her first three albums, it gets very spotty for great material. Rundgren's 'glory years' run of releases is unequaled by anyone ever. He is THE musical genius of the last century, at least. And it's great to get his take on working with the brilliant Laura Nyro, even though, by that time, well past her halcyon years of the sixties.
Before people bash Todd for this: he LOVED Laura more than any of us - and we love her a LOT. He knew her personally and was her friend. He has ALWAYS placed her on high. This is a small snapshot of a great relationship. Lay off the weed, haters.
That's fine. I just don't like the part where he calls her a big gypsy and the curling nails. Also, the rap about Mother Spiritual I find disrespectful. Oh, she knew what she was doing alright. Just because you love something doesn't mean you should have your way with disrespecting it. Oh, and BTW, how in the hell do you know Todd loved her more than any of us? All you've done is prove your ignorance here.
Louise Joles Laura wanted to hire Todd as her band leader, and he turned her down to concentrate on producing records. Her writing style intensely influenced Todd, who is, in may way, a magpie - picking up influences everywhere. The admiration between them was mutual, but their working styles clashed. It's like those people who are intensely sexually attracted to each other, but just can't live together. It's the fault of neither, it's just the way it is.
He didn't kiss her butt but he didn't disrespect her. You're being oversensitive. Much more of the clip focuses on his respect for her talents and his unhappiness Laura Nyro did not get the accolades she deserved. Does BLOWN AWAY mean anything to you?
She was one of our heroes! She got great critical acclaim. The radio was another story. But we all know about top fourties crap don't we. It sort of preserved her mystique. Joni Mitchell too hated her first record and hijacked her second studio recording when the producer had to leave for a week. Her and an engineer.did it all in a week, and that was that. I think she produced all of the rest of her records. The Nyro album that we all freaked over was New York Tenderberry. What a masterpiece! She never equaled it.
No, Joni said in a 1979 interview that she liked her first album, which was produced by David Crosby. She didn’t care for her second album, “Clouds.” She must have hijacked her third, “Ladies of the Canyon,” as she’s listed as the producer.
My respect for Paul Simon plummeted a little bit when I read in Laura's bio that he was rude to her and bad mouthed her to people. Todd knew better. So did Bob Dylan.
Some men don't like it when a woman is doing as well, or maybe they think better, than they are at their profession. Then, too, maybe he had romantic feelings or a crush on her, but she was a foot taller than him and uninterested in him as a suitor. Jealously is the root of a lot of gossip.
Saw her at the Chestnut Cabaret (RIP too). Solo show.Yes, she did newer material some of us weren't familiar with, but I couldn't believe it was barely half full. Wish Todd and Laura did live duets of each other's work.
There was madness to her music. Some songs tip-toed gently as fairy’s feet on flower petals; others stomped like a ghetto gang charging down an alley-and any one of her song’s could do both. Her lyrics could be glints of sparkling sunlight bouncing off flowing melodies or heavy hail pounding a tin roof or mournful tears washing away dreams. Upbeat as a picnic in Central Park. Dark as Satan’s heart. Jazzy. Folksy. Broadway. Soul. Funk. Rock. Gospel. Soaring. Crashing. A poetic muse. A alluring siren. A gutter cussing waif. Her creations were the ultimate synthesis of mind-soul-hand. They should have named a new genre of music just for her: Stream of Consciousness music.
No arguments here Mr. Mayhew; 'New York Tendaberry' is, and always will be, one of the best (if not THE best) records to come out of the 1960's. I've always found it (as I find most of her music) to be a profoundly personal experience. Laura was an artist who never balked at baring the deepest, most private parts of herself in her music and lyrics. I'm most grateful to her for that. She had such great courage. And such surpassing soul. May she rest in peace. She died much too young........
THE Producer IS there to Tell the GENIUS, When there is enough otherwise there is no end to it all ! She was like a Firehorse that needed to be reined in no doubt . Good call Todd !
This is a great interview and so illuminating in capturing those qualities of Nyro's personality; her strengths and weaknesses! It's clearly true to life. Rundgren's describing someone who is stereotypical histrionic (with some likely schizotypal personality fringe) which is often associated with an artistic personality. Someone who is very in the moment and completely engaged in their own world, which often makes them wholly impractical, often impulsive, involved in inventing themselves over and over, with aspects of instability of character and process, thwarting structure, and ideopathic. Thankfully, her immense talent and sufficient support helped to organize her towards creating and performing really highly valued art. Isn't it wonderful that humans can be such a diverse lot of folks capable of contributing in their own individualized ways! I was so glad I got to hear her perform in an auditorium in Berkeley, CA. Great concert!
@@rora2297The interface between the arts and fringe, semi-stable personalities is well established. Perhaps it might be more substantive were you to actually share your well-conceived thoughts rather than something that might be confused for affective dysregulation.
maybe that's why, eventually she didn't have an album come out until walk the dog and light the light. before that album it was years that she hadn't put any albums/music out. i truly miss her.
I see this is an old interview and I'm really late to the party, but I just want to share something about my early teens. In those days lower middle class families with 3 kids didn't have a lot of money for records. My two older sisters (6 & 4 years older) had Laura Nyro's Eli and the Thirteenth Confession as one of their handful of LPs that they played over and over and over and over for hours. I had my separate room, and no choice but to listen to whatever came through the wall. There wasn't a single song on that album that I can't still sing all the lyrics to, and I'm 68 now. Thank God my sister's had (usually) good taste in music, 'cause they also played the Beatles (in that time frame the White album) the same way. [They also had albums my parents somehow acquired over the years, though the only stereo player in the house lived in my sisters' room; so other musical influences early in life included Andy Williams singing Broadway tunes, Sarah Vaughn (The Divine) and even Tennessee Williams. But I digress.] Eli's Coming, the title track, is a masterwork. Do yourself a favor and listen to her singing all the parts (I think) and probably playing most of the instruments (I like to imagine). I went on to become a serious amateur classical chorister, pursued that most of my life avocationally, but my early interest in musical complexity was seeded by experiences like that album; and that song. You never know who you're influencing, eh? So sad to learn from a documentary that she never felt she was the success we all knew she was; and what a genius musician and composer and performer. I guess self-doubt can drag greatness down; there's a lesson there.
Todd Rungren was right about Laura. "Eli..." was Laura's masterpiece and Charlie Calello helped her more than any other producer. I was there for every session when she was recording "New York Tendaberry," her next album-- I was shooting the sessions for LIFE Magazine--and Laura was so self indulgent--and this did not serve her well. Laura said to Todd that she felt "rushed" when making Eli, well Charlie Calello got fired by Columbia for taking so much time and spending so much money on the "Eli" sessions but on "Tendaberry," Laura spent twice the time and the result was about half as good (and sold about half as many units as "Eli.") Laura never should have left David Geffen or Charlie Calello. They knew what made her special and how best to use her mighty talent. They made her a star and then she abandoned them. Don't get me wrong, I loved Laura. She was my friend, but I am being totally honest. Btw, I gave her the notion to do the "Gonna Take a Miracle" album of old songs, but Laura should have produced it with Charlie Calello, and she should have done all of her own background vocals, like she did on Eli, and the Miracle album might have been the commercial success we all hoped it would and could be and Laura would have become the starshe deserved to be--wanted so much to be.
fantastic to read your recollections here Stephen. Strong A&R guidance is something so many artists resist, even when it's a good thing. But I've got to say I love Gonna Take A Miracle just the way it is :) One album among her amazing canon that sounds like it was recorded in about 10 minutes (in a good way). What an amazing joy to watch an artist like Laura at close quarters...
The Miracle album could have been so much more. I suggested to Laura that she do an album of cover songs to expand her audience, which the album did not really accomplish. I love the way Laura could make any song sound like she wrote it, and that's what I hoping she would do. The album was good, but not the great album it could have been.
Stephen Paley the thought of Gonna Take A Miracle being any better than it already is…quite a thought! When I first got that record I sat in my front room and played it 3 days solid. Never a fan of cover version albums but that one really does it for me…Unbelievable version of The Bells...
I suggested that Laura record "The Bells," but she should have done her own background vocals and the same New York rhythm section she used on Eli. It was Laura on piano that made her cover versions special, like the way she slightly changed the chords, that was her secret.
yes - another nice example is her version of Up On The Roof…a cinematic beauty. One late-period favourite of mine is her I'm So Proud/Dedicated To The One I Love from Walk The Dog - Even the slightly brittle, sterile 80's production can't dim the sincere heart and soul of the singer who can never hide her devotion to the music of the street angel. Amazing that more people don't know so much about such a unique artist. Stephen - keep the recollections coming. For Laura (and Todd) fans like me it's gold :)
good video...love 'em both...always had the tendaberry album....its no surprise to hear that he was influenced by her stuff.....wish laura nyro was still on the scene.
Todd, If you give a lead guitarist control of the sliders and digital return, He'll ( as in me) will keep trying to get it better. If you have the gift to not work vs. the clock, then you'll be constantly in search of perfection.
I discovered Laura Nyro through a Woolworth's record bin of reduced-in-price 45 r.p.m.s. I paid about 60 cents for what turned out to be a two-sided incredible experience. When I got home I put the record on my turntable to see just what I had bought. The two songs I heard were "Billy''s Blue "and "Goodbye Joe". The songs and her voice were so incredible I had to learn all about this lady, and it was so interesting to discover some of my favorite songs by other artists were ones she had written. Undeniably among the best of the best song writers, and a fine vocalist as well. Her death from ovarian cancer saddened me a great deal. Most definitely gone too soon.
Take the time to listen to two of her songs. Her version of Walk on By, a simple song, will bring you to tears... Her voice is simply amazing. Then listen to a song she recorded with Duane Allman, Beads Of Sweat, a classic combination of rock and blues that shows what magic two great musicians can put out...
Seriously people criticizing Todd, you've never had a close friend that was hard to work with? A loved one that you wanted to "strangle" out of frustration? Personally, I appreciate the honesty, and caught the humor and obvious affection he had for Laura.
@@louisejoles4339wow....you're very passionate in your idolizing ... Have you experience in the field? Doesn't sound like it....I'm not sure you fully understand what happens between artists in regards to working together.... Most people opine our of ignorance ....
Peter D., so sad that you can't let Todd share his experience...I appreciate your love of Ms.Nyro, and your care for her memory, but Todd simply shares his experience with us and his perspective....as a producer....with honesty, if not diplomacy...and I appreciate getting his take on the woman who was one of the very, very best....no need to dis Todd at all, friend....
Apparently he walked out of the sessions with Laura Nyro. From what I gathered, at that point in the early eighties, Laura had, had a studio built in her house or property, so she could create and record her art at her own comfort pace. he mentions that earlier, when they met, how she felt she was being rushed on her sixties recordings. So he gets a chance to work with her, and he is inclined to do the same? She didn't need to keep pumping albums out to fulfill a contract, apparently. What was his rush? it was all on her dime. I think he blew a chance to come to some kind of collaborative relationship with her. He just got too impatient and walked off.
HarlanLovestone Why would he care how many takes she did or how long it took? He was not an executive producer that had some stake or time limit to release her album. he was just asked to come in and help out in the artistic process. It was his fickle limitation that he did the very thing that she had confided in him early on that made her uncomfortable on her first recordings. If I could have worked with someone that artistic, I wouldn't give a shit if it took her 3 years to do the album. I would have found some way to help her make the decisions, rather than just leave and bitch about it later.
All individuals are flawed, all relationships are flawed, opinions will always differ, wrong decisions will always be made, and speculating about 'what could have been' may be interesting but is not helpful. What is important is love, trust and respect. Cleary Laura didn't measure artistic success by record sales and fame. To me, her measure of success was to realize her artistic integrity and vision, which she did stupendously, despite frustrating some colleagues, who still loved her just as much anyway. To me her music is a diary of her experiential life and emotional development (how many people let you read their diary). To judge her later work as inferior misses the point: her music was not calculated to be necessarily better than before, nor to be commercially successful, it simply reflected who she was at a point in time.
I loved Laura. She was a wonderful, talented person and one of "us", if that makes sense. She was a pleasure to hang out with, be friends with. She was always very warm and honest. How many people in our lives, other than close friends and family, do we have like that? I'm thinking for many of us, only a handful. And Laura was in that handful for me. You could trust her. Though I have to agree with Todd, (except I don't remember at all, Laura's nails being inordinately long clicking on the keyboard; I sat next to her for many months and didn't hear any clicking!). But anyway, it did take forever to finish this album. The reason? ...Perhaps, She was looking for a "softness" many busy, working musicians don't operate at. The album was to celebrate, in Laura's unique way, the birth of her one and only child. She was caught up in the beauty/softness/awe of her new baby, while at the same time experiencing the crazy chaos a new baby can add to your once quiet life. I think finding where this album "sat" for her, was even more difficult than her previous works. But again, I agree with Todd about "getting it done". I call it; Better, can be the enemy of Good Enough". But whether doing this particular Laura project faster would have made a difference...we'll never know. However, that said, I do hear a guitar take or two, I wouldn't mind re-doing!!! :-) JB www.cdbaby.com/cd/johnkbristow
I introduced every friend to her music. Singing a Laura Nyro song was an unimaginably intimate experience; inhabiting a character in a musical.; sometimes film noir. I thought much of her work lent itself to musical theater: Lucky; Louie; Emmie; Timer ; Billy's Blues (Miles Davis); Tendaberry , "First Songs",etal. I think she and Broadway would have been an interesting union. I proudly tell people I got tickets to Woodstock because Laura was going to perform! Most didn't even know who she was! Of course, she dropped out...but my future husband; my siblings, all went nonetheless. We would drive up to see her play in New Hampshire (Iron Horse ), and her shows at "The Bottom Line" were almost Never Enough. What a gift to be treasured. "Christmas and the Beads of Sweat" is as relevant NOW, as ever. She autographed my "Celestial Seasonings" tea box where the flap contained her lyric: "Nothing cures like time and love". She knew I came up from the Bronx. She and Todd: 2 Wizards, True Stars. "Last Call For The Poverty Train"... Legendary Laura Loved Loved Loved You SO ...
Absolutely he was saying she was very good. And, her songs take me places I never realized existed....Todd's also,. They exist together as , "listen to this, it's beautiful and takes you places most bullshiat songs never come close to."
I was lucky to see Laura play 3 or 4 times, I loved her album "Nestled " ... both of these artists need to be acknowledged for their emotional sensitivity . Todds' ballads Marlene, Believe in Me, Sweeter Memories, have it. And I just don't care who knows it., I am thinking of another time.
I recognized her big time and play eli and the 13th confession over and over. I used on of the songs as my wedding song (title always slips my mind, but the end lyrics are "over and over and over..." My girlfriend and I would get together and dance in her TV room and sing along with her songs and neither of us could hear each other which was a blessing. And by the way, great choice of shirt, sock, and sneaker combo. Really cool.
Had only just discovered her but found out that I knew all the songs, there are song writers & singer songwriters (carol king who knew her range and wrote to her strengths). Laura was over ambitious with her melodies which is why other performers made them memorable. She was a talented song writer her first album was like a really expensive demo. As for 30 takes that’s just a rehearsal not a recording session.
This interview was the year after Nyro was inducted into the Hall of Fame. She may may have been under appreciated but what further recognition would Todd like given her output?
Todd had a few hits, extremely talented, good performer, good writer. Wish he could of strung together more hits. Laura, the same, except her hits (maybe a little more than a few) were from covers of.her compositions. I would agree with Todd that she needed some better producing to put a shine on her recordings that would have made them more commercial.
Easily my favorite record. My mom turned me onto it back in 1997 when I was 22. It was also her favorite record. Why is Todd Rungren wearing whatarethose?
Both Nyro & Rundgren are one of a kind, and to fault Todd for taking an unblinking look at the reality of Laura's eccentric methods is unfair. He's calling them like he sees them, as usual.
No kidding. And he was THERE. A friend, a contemporary and a titan on his own. Maybe it makes people feel the real distance between them and Laura, to hear him talk that way- as though she's a 'normal person', the way anyone else would talk about their friend. Automotive nuts who visited the Porsche factory in the 70s would gasp when they watched mechanics wrenching on the cars- the lack of reverence was shocking to them. (Using feet to align and press in the sunroofs, in one alleged example.) This may be the same, and of course it would be- Todd and Laura were friends and colleagues, not just fans. I think it makes us feel more 'out of the circle' than we wish, or would want to be.
No...they are FAR from being alike....she has a style of her own...she did what she wanted too..instead of trying to be a pop star...top 40 wanna be...she...is like no other...she and Joni Mitchell....take it or leave it...it's their style...not wanting to be bubble gum music...ssssshyyyttt
@@ronaldevers2862 Sorry, do you know /anything/ about Rundgren…? He didn’t have to be successful as a recording artist because he made plenty of money as a producer … that’s why no two albums by him sound the same … do your homework before commenting next time 🤦🏻♂️
I've never seen an interviewer look so bored and disinterested. You can hear Laura's genius in a lot of Todd's songs and neither of them get the attention and respect they deserve.
He's making a good point. Laura didn't enjoy making the album, and it blew everyone's mind. So therefore not enjoying making an album does not prohibit someone making one that will blow people's mind. He's gone further with an hypothesis that the pressure of having to come up with something produces a more immediate performance. He's not the first person to say this. Would Louie Louie sound different if the Kingsmen had 2 months to make it. I'm sure it would, would it sound better? I suspect it would sound worse.
The "Genius" picked his nose and wiped it on the sofa. He was always considered a dirty slob. This interview proves it again. Guess it's OK though, because he is a genius! Laura Nyro? Songs written from her heart. Unfortunate life. Whenever I hear a song sung by her or written by her, I stop what I am doing and listen. God bless her soul.
I always felt it was a shame Laura and Todd didn't collaborate more in the 1970s as songwriters and performers. Now I see why they couldn't. Todd was a driven process guy who crafted his songs carefully while Laura let her music just happen.
She offered him a job as her music director and he turned her down due to a contractual agreement that he had in place. He was quoted later as saying that prior to meeting Laura, he wanted to sound like the Who. After meeting Laura, he wanted to sound like Laura.
one of my prized possessions is a media copy of 'Christmas and the beads of sweat' with the media promo album sticker on it...pulled out of the trash can in 1971 at my college radio station...proving even then there was not much respect for Laura's writing skills and/or voice. I still have it to this day, and would open my Wednesday night show that ran from 7 p.m. to Midnight with one of either her songs or Joni Mitchell.
Was a Joni Mitchell fan for years before I started to listen to Laura. I was stunned to realize how much Joni sounded like Laura in terms of phrasing, moving up and down the vocal register, and even intonation! I had no idea that Laura was a Joni influence, but it IS definitely there. In my opinion, Joni is Laura's equal,,,not the other way around as someone had previously mentioned (Joni considered Laura an equal.) As far as Todd goes...loved his music, but that interview was self serving.
winterlandboy Re: Rundgren. Nobody ever built a career by not promoting themselves. It's been said that Frank Zappa was the same. Longtime art collaborator Cal Schenkel said that when you were around Frank the *only* subjects were Zappa and his art. OTOH, Zappa made a fairly comfy living creating *and selling* things that most people could not imagine how to.
The interviewer is hilarious. It's like he's trying to scrape something out of his teeth, trying not to fart, and figuring out what he's going to do after the interview all at the same time.
Craig Blast What exactly does a black woman sound like Craig? When it came to singing, I don't think Laura had to 'try'. She was a natural mate. It flowed out of her.
i watched this video because i love LN and i certainly like what i know about TR. i love his music, and watched him work with students at notre dame univ(i think). anyway, i know nothing of this other guy in the video. my comment is that he looks truly annoyed that rundgren is up there talking...what's up with that?
bill s Come on Bill, I pretty much have all Todd’s stuff until streaming started in the 10s, so don’t take this wrong. Todd has the driest humor on the planet, mixed with bits of sarcasm, it can piss most people off. Love Todd’s music, not totally in love with his personality. I’m still a fanatic of his music. Others with less than pleasant personalities, Zappa, Petty, Frey, Corgan, Lennon, etc. List goes on an on. Not totally Aholes but can see it from there sometimes. I can see from here sometimes also. Perfectionists... Music is medicine. Stay safe my friend.
I think Todd gave the old "double standard" to Laura when he described her asking for all the "takes" of the song. if it is a guy....then they're "hard working" "determined" etc. but if a woman does it....it turns into the negative. Although many men have "come out" and admitted she is an inspiration to them....now. I don't know if Dylan would have done it back then....or Todd. And when Paul Simon dissed her and made negative comments.....I'm sure it was because SHE didn't kiss his ass like every other woman at the party that night (so to speak). Laura may have been mistakened as "innocent" and "forlorn" or whatever the hell.....but she was tough and she did not suffer fools gladly. she could see the bullshit piling up a mile away. and I think that is why she just quit at an early age. She didn't think it was worth it. Even Joni Mitchell applauded her and said, "she was very brave to quit the business". Joni said many artists want to do that because it the business part becomes insufferable. But if you're a woman and you're a musical genius who doesn't kiss ass....pretty soon you just throw up your hands and say, "it's time to GO".
+John Brinkman Regarding Paul Simon: The story goes that Laura Nyro really admired Paul Simon's writing and when they finally met (I believe at The Monterey Pop Festival) and she introduced herself and complimented him, Simon brushed her off. As he was walking away, Laura reportedly marched back to him, spun him around (she was from The Bronx!) and said to him that when people complimented HER "I say 'thank you very much', not walk away". I guess nobody talked to him like that, so between that alleged episode and the amount of studio time and attention that she was getting at Columbia (his label, too), he always had a sore spot when it came to Laura.
+Lampshade51 thank you for replying. that was so nice. I think Paul can be a huge diva....people don't see that because he's quiet, not tall, softspoken. but Laura wasn't a wallflower and you're right....she had seen some things, a lot of things at a very early age (why she's such a great artist).....and I think she can only take people's egos for so long and then just lets them have it. have a great rest of the year. I cannot believe tomorrow starts November. sweet Jesus.
+Lampshade51 Paul Simon is loved by fans, but not necessarily by other musicians. Search, and you'll find an interview with Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. They were invited into the studio by Simon, and he gave them no input at all. Apparently, he expected them to jam, and they are a song band, not a jam band. They sat there for an entire day, with Simon sitting like a lump in the control room. They called their record company rep saying "Just get us out of here!" and he played the "We consider you family. You've got to do it for the family" card. So, out of boredom, they started playing one of their songs that they were working on for their next album. Simon immediately said "That's it!" They explained that it was for their next album, but he insisted on recording it. They just wanted out of that toxic environment, so they agreed. When the album came out, the credits on the album are ONLY for "Paul Simon". They didn't even get paid scale for the session! Berlin said he called Simon, and his response was "Sue me."
+John Brinkman No, that's his approach to making records. He comped and tweaked and he got in and out. Five takes and you're record's in there somewhere. What the hell are you going to do with 35 takes, man or woman? How long does it take you to listen to that many takes and find The Right One? Try this at home, and then make this a gender issue.
Nobody in James Taylor’s family likes to work with him either, specifically bacause of his work ethic. This is common. Laura had that same uncompromising quality that geniuses have.
AHHHHHHHHHHH YES, THE " CREATIVE PROCESS " ! TO RECORD " WOULDN'T IT BE NICE ", BW MADE THE BOYS, DO IT 44 TIMES ! FINALLY, MIKE LOVE THREATENED TO KILL HIM IF HE ASKED FOR ONE MORE DAMN " TAKE " ! PHIL SPECTOR WAS JUST AS BAD. WORKING WITH THE RAMONES, ALL 4 WERE READY TO KILL HIM OVER 25--35 TAKES OF A SONG. I GET IT. I WOULD HAVE REBELLED, TOO. OH, & I LOVE LAURA NYRO , & AT ONE TIME, HAD HER 1ST 3 ALBUMS ON VINYL. SADLY, I SOLD THEM, & 88% OF MY RECORD COLLECTION, BACK IN 1995. I STILL FEEL LIKE JUDAS ! --------MJL, 77 Y/O
b side of Todd we gotta get you a woman BABY LETS SWING/THE LAST THING YOU SAID/DON'T TIE MY HANDS about his love for her. Almost all my musical heroes disown, at some point, their best music.
The answer obviously is that just like so many before him and the multitudes who will come afterwards... there is no real reason or explanation for his existence whatsoever. Don't try to analyze it. Don't even give it a second thought. Just do what Laura would've done and just let it be and then let the whole damn thing GO!
Louise Joles Actually, Nyro fans might think he's bashing her, and maybe he is a bit. But, what he says about pushing her is true. You have to have discipline even in art or anything else in life.
+SuperDrJeckyl yeah, I saw that as well. he wasn't laughing, wasn't engaged by Todd's story and looked angry. he didn't expect things to go wrong like that.
Maybe he didn’t like the disrespectful, chauvinistic way that Asshole was speaking about Laura. It’s so ugly to speak like that about a woman who is a genius & perfectionist who is dead. Maybe Todd should look in the mirror. He’s no movie star. I think he was quite jealous of Laura’s incredible talent. Why else would he denigrate her appearance? She didn’t want to sleep with him. Boys can’t handle strong women.
Always great to listen to a genius paying tribute to another one. As a matter of fact, Eli is indeed an absolute masterpiece.
Todd learned Laura’s complex chord voicings and you hear those on Runt and Ballad. I love both
Large Gypsy woman? Todd, have you watched you from the 70s?!
Not sure why, but, I have always felt that Laura felt she was never 'truly' happy, so strived to obtain what she felt was 'happiness,' etc.
She was beyond her years, as well as an extremely brilliant lyricist. ♥️
She was a visionary and wrote and played like she was channeling some power, force, consciousness, whatever that's bigger than all of us. If she was sometimes a major pain in the ass to deal with, so be it. By the way, listen to what she did on the piano. It's got Ravel, Debussy, and Bill Evans all over it. She had chops to die for.
What a wonderful posting. I love both Nyro and Rundgren and this is very insightful.
ME TOO! I saw Laura in 1988 at Birchmere Club in northern VA and Todd three times since 2016. I adore both artists and own many recordings.
@@susanjoycesabo8450 Laura Nyro could blow you away at how great she could perform in a concert 😍
Laura was an enigmatic blend of raw talent, genius, unadulterated vision and fallibility. For these characteristics to be present yet somehow allow her visionary music and style to come to life is something so rare and improbable only someone like Laura Nyro, unconstrained by the limitations of the music business, could pull off. In many ways Laura was delightfully broken - and we're a bit better because of it.
Because of Todd, I just listened to Laura Nyro's concert on TH-cam and appreciate her influence.
laura and todd are both geniuses and complete originals. masters of song, voice soul and feeling. interesting to hear todd's experience and view. laura is gone too soon. i saw her in atlanta in 1977 and met her backstage. a beautiful person and artist.
Laura created a much more significant body of work than Todd. His contribution is SMALL compared to hers. I feel like he's sitting around dissing her like some men would bad talk a former lover. Like all you fools think she was so great, but I know the inside story and the girl didn't know what she was doing AND her nails were a clanking mess. Fuck you Todd RUNTgren. You didn't even deserve to meet her you well manicured little douche bag!
Louise Joles Clam down. It sounds like you're unfamiliar with Todd's work. Laura admired Todd as well, and wouldn't have asked him to be her bandleader (which he turned down) or asked him to produce her album. They just had a clash of working styles, that's all.
There's a tragic tendency of human beings to work themselves into a position and never allow themselves out of it. Todd has written brilliant songs - songs that, if you heard them covered by another artist and didn't know where by Todd you might love. But you're worked yourself into a snit and couldn't give him a fair chance.
Which is a shame.
***** Great response, could not agree more.
Seth Harris
Thank you.
Yes-Todd was just being honest-that's all.
35 takes is not unusual. I read somewhere that one time Jimi Hendrix did 50. Todd is renowned for getting things done on time and on budget as a producer. Thats one reason he got so much work back in his early days.
Wow, why so many haters? I see this as a biographical story, not an insult to Laura Nyro. Todd adored her.
Not enough to work with her. What he doesn't say here, is he walked out on the recording.
It was in her house that she made a studio, and he was in some kind of big rush, for no reason.
If Todd walked out, it was only after Mother Spiritual was very far along in production. Todd's influence is heard throughout the album.
DrawYourHead It is pretty much, a matter of record, that he left early on. He didn't even support the new style she took on that record. Todd Rundgren, the style he has, was influenced by her. Not the other way around. So if you heard him in there, it is because he got that from her.
She was difficult to work with. He still was in awe of her.
barkybarkbarkbark Yeppers… totally agree. I have with other comments you've made.. Great minds😉
I saw her at the cellar door which was really small and she was not looking like a "big gypsy" but this is still cool to hear TR whose music I adore talk about LN whose music I also adore. Thanks for sharing.
What a fascinating artist Laura was. I wish she had lived longer to see how many more accomplishments she would have achieved, and the many more hearts she would have touched!. May her soul be in heaven
Totally agree
There's no law that says a genius can't be a space cadet too: and she was undoubtedly a genius - not just talented, but in a whole other league - literally scary talented: but trying to learn how to work within the structure of studio discipline when you're almost literally plugged into a different dimension, couldn't have been easy for her - and few others where similarly plugged in, and with the experience to give her much in the way of guidance. Thankfully Geffen & Calello where able to offer some support, but when you're that talented - sometimes you're stuck having to figure it all out for yourself anyway - and even then, there's no guarantee you'll be able to take it in - since it might be as foreign to your sensibilities as yours are to the producer stuck watching the clock . It's a shame - but sometimes that's how it is.
His Nazz days still reverberate through the songbook of my life as does Laura’s beautiful wordplay and her haunting voice.
What an incredible talent Laura Nyro was. A totally unique, one-of-a-kind performer. There will never be anyone like her around again.
Maybe. But someone like Regina Specter is also a unique, on-of-a-kind performer. There are great talents in every generation.
Cool story. I like seeing Todd relaxed and unguarded.
I learned a few things about Laura Nyro from Todd I adored Laura and her flawless song writing and her amazing soulful voice Eli and the thirteenth Confession was one of the best albums ever made
Very interesting insights. Laura Nyro is a true genius and musical icon. Tragic that the proper recognition was never given to her. So happy to see the Rock Hall of Fame honor Laura.
I'm a Nyro fanatic, but after her first three albums, it gets very spotty for great material. Rundgren's 'glory years' run of releases is unequaled by anyone ever. He is THE musical genius of the last century, at least. And it's great to get his take on working with the brilliant Laura Nyro, even though, by that time, well past her halcyon years of the sixties.
Before people bash Todd for this: he LOVED Laura more than any of us - and we love her a LOT. He knew her personally and was her friend. He has ALWAYS placed her on high. This is a small snapshot of a great relationship. Lay off the weed, haters.
That's fine. I just don't like the part where he calls her a big gypsy and the curling nails. Also, the rap about Mother Spiritual I find disrespectful. Oh, she knew what she was doing alright. Just because you love something doesn't mean you should have your way with disrespecting it. Oh, and BTW, how in the hell do you know Todd loved her more than any of us? All you've done is prove your ignorance here.
Lay off the weed.
Louise Joles Laura wanted to hire Todd as her band leader, and he turned her down to concentrate on producing records. Her writing style intensely influenced Todd, who is, in may way, a magpie - picking up influences everywhere.
The admiration between them was mutual, but their working styles clashed. It's like those people who are intensely sexually attracted to each other, but just can't live together. It's the fault of neither, it's just the way it is.
+Louise Joles have you never called your best friend an idiot..or whatever term you wish to use...would you prefer is he gave sugary compliments?
He didn't kiss her butt but he didn't disrespect her. You're being oversensitive. Much more of the clip focuses on his respect for her talents and his unhappiness Laura Nyro did not get the accolades she deserved. Does BLOWN AWAY mean anything to you?
right before this clip they were talking about difficult people to record with, which is why Todd brings up this story...
RIP Laura.....know how much you are L♡VED STILL!!!
She was one of our heroes! She got great critical acclaim. The radio was another story. But we all know about top fourties crap don't we. It sort of preserved her mystique. Joni Mitchell too hated her first record and hijacked her second studio recording when the producer had to leave for a week. Her and an engineer.did it all in a week, and that was that. I think she produced all of the rest of her records. The Nyro album that we all freaked over was New York Tenderberry. What a masterpiece! She never equaled it.
New York Tendaberry was beyond amazing!!! Couldn't agree more! A complete Masterpiece!!
No, Joni said in a 1979 interview that she liked her first album, which was produced by David Crosby. She didn’t care for her second album, “Clouds.” She must have hijacked her third, “Ladies of the Canyon,” as she’s listed as the producer.
My respect for Paul Simon plummeted a little bit when I read in Laura's bio that he was rude to her and bad mouthed her to people. Todd knew better. So did Bob Dylan.
I hated him when I heard that. They are both from Queens, he was just jealous.
That was my take on it, Louise. And he had no reason to be. We've profited from his gifts as well as from Laura's.
Some men don't like it when a woman is doing as well, or maybe they think better, than they are at their profession. Then, too, maybe he had romantic feelings or a crush on her, but she was a foot taller than him and uninterested in him as a suitor. Jealously is the root of a lot of gossip.
+Louise Joles 2 queens from Queens can't work
Simon is regarded, along with Lou Reed, as the personally meanest, nastiest of the "legend' musicians
Saw her at the Chestnut Cabaret (RIP too). Solo show.Yes, she did newer material some of us weren't familiar with, but I couldn't believe it was barely half full. Wish Todd and Laura did live duets of each other's work.
Great place for a show in Philly. Saw BOC there and it was great! Good times...
Great interview! I love Laura to the moon! ♥
There was madness to her music. Some songs tip-toed gently as fairy’s feet on flower petals; others stomped like a ghetto gang charging down an alley-and any one of her song’s could do both. Her lyrics could be glints of sparkling sunlight bouncing off flowing melodies or heavy hail pounding a tin roof or mournful tears washing away dreams. Upbeat as a picnic in Central Park. Dark as Satan’s heart. Jazzy. Folksy. Broadway. Soul. Funk. Rock. Gospel. Soaring. Crashing. A poetic muse. A alluring siren. A gutter cussing waif. Her creations were the ultimate synthesis of mind-soul-hand. They should have named a new genre of music just for her: Stream of Consciousness music.
So very well stated - this encapsulates her perfectly.
Agreed!!!
Listening to Laura's cover of "Up on the Roof" B4 reading this post, ..I Must Agree!..
"Sometimes someone has to drive you to the edge..." Life lesson.
Timer, emily,billy's blues, so many great songs nobody even mentions her
fifth dimension owes her big time
Actually my favorite Laura Nyro album is New York Tendaberry. She liked making that one.
No arguments here Mr. Mayhew; 'New York Tendaberry' is, and always will be, one of the best (if not THE best) records to come out of the 1960's. I've always found it (as I find most of her music) to be a profoundly personal experience. Laura was an artist who never balked at baring the deepest, most private parts of herself in her music and lyrics. I'm most grateful to her for that. She had such great courage. And such surpassing soul. May she rest in peace. She died much too young........
Eli, Pet Sounds, Sgt. Pepper's, Dark Side of the Moon, All Things Must Pass, Tapestry- Damn, did we have incredible music or what!
THE Producer IS there to Tell the GENIUS, When there is enough otherwise there is no end to it all ! She was like a Firehorse that needed to be reined in no doubt . Good call Todd !
I heard her music back about 1970. It is wonderful.
Mother's Spiritual did turn out to be an excellent album. Definitely under-recognized.
Saved me from being a nervous wreck.
It was. I have all her albums and it is my favorite. She autographed it for me. "Hello from Laura!"
I love them both madly
This is a great interview and so illuminating in capturing those qualities of Nyro's personality; her strengths and weaknesses! It's clearly true to life. Rundgren's describing someone who is stereotypical histrionic (with some likely schizotypal personality fringe) which is often associated with an artistic personality. Someone who is very in the moment and completely engaged in their own world, which often makes them wholly impractical, often impulsive, involved in inventing themselves over and over, with aspects of instability of character and process, thwarting structure, and ideopathic. Thankfully, her immense talent and sufficient support helped to organize her towards creating and performing really highly valued art. Isn't it wonderful that humans can be such a diverse lot of folks capable of contributing in their own individualized ways! I was so glad I got to hear her perform in an auditorium in Berkeley, CA. Great concert!
What pompous BS
@@rora2297The interface between the arts and fringe, semi-stable personalities is well established. Perhaps it might be more substantive were you to actually share your well-conceived thoughts rather than something that might be confused for affective dysregulation.
How is this guy not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
this year
@@kevinoconnor9331 Really? He definitely needs to be!!
Hi is now. 2021. Finally.
maybe that's why, eventually she didn't have an album come out until walk the dog and light the light. before that album it was years that she hadn't put any albums/music out.
i truly miss her.
Loved Laura and Todd, yes!
I see this is an old interview and I'm really late to the party, but I just want to share something about my early teens. In those days lower middle class families with 3 kids didn't have a lot of money for records. My two older sisters (6 & 4 years older) had Laura Nyro's Eli and the Thirteenth Confession as one of their handful of LPs that they played over and over and over and over for hours. I had my separate room, and no choice but to listen to whatever came through the wall. There wasn't a single song on that album that I can't still sing all the lyrics to, and I'm 68 now. Thank God my sister's had (usually) good taste in music, 'cause they also played the Beatles (in that time frame the White album) the same way. [They also had albums my parents somehow acquired over the years, though the only stereo player in the house lived in my sisters' room; so other musical influences early in life included Andy Williams singing Broadway tunes, Sarah Vaughn (The Divine) and even Tennessee Williams. But I digress.] Eli's Coming, the title track, is a masterwork. Do yourself a favor and listen to her singing all the parts (I think) and probably playing most of the instruments (I like to imagine). I went on to become a serious amateur classical chorister, pursued that most of my life avocationally, but my early interest in musical complexity was seeded by experiences like that album; and that song. You never know who you're influencing, eh? So sad to learn from a documentary that she never felt she was the success we all knew she was; and what a genius musician and composer and performer. I guess self-doubt can drag greatness down; there's a lesson there.
Love listening to her music still.
Interesting little interview. I love this kind of "how it was in the studio" story - that's where craft meets art and where much magic is made.
Todd Rungren was right about Laura. "Eli..." was Laura's masterpiece and Charlie Calello helped her more than any other producer. I was there for every session when she was recording "New York Tendaberry," her next album-- I was shooting the sessions for LIFE Magazine--and Laura was so self indulgent--and this did not serve her well. Laura said to Todd that she felt "rushed" when making Eli, well Charlie Calello got fired by Columbia for taking so much time and spending so much money on the "Eli" sessions but on "Tendaberry," Laura spent twice the time and the result was about half as good (and sold about half as many units as "Eli.") Laura never should have left David Geffen or Charlie Calello. They knew what made her special and how best to use her mighty talent. They made her a star and then she abandoned them. Don't get me wrong, I loved Laura. She was my friend, but I am being totally honest. Btw, I gave her the notion to do the "Gonna Take a Miracle" album of old songs, but Laura should have produced it with Charlie Calello, and she should have done all of her own background vocals, like she did on Eli, and the Miracle album might have been the commercial success we all hoped it would and could be and Laura would have become the starshe deserved to be--wanted so much to be.
fantastic to read your recollections here Stephen. Strong A&R guidance is something so many artists resist, even when it's a good thing. But I've got to say I love Gonna Take A Miracle just the way it is :) One album among her amazing canon that sounds like it was recorded in about 10 minutes (in a good way). What an amazing joy to watch an artist like Laura at close quarters...
The Miracle album could have been so much more. I suggested to Laura that she do an album of cover songs to expand her audience, which the album did not really accomplish. I love the way Laura could make any song sound like she wrote it, and that's what I hoping she would do. The album was good, but not the great album it could have been.
Stephen Paley the thought of Gonna Take A Miracle being any better than it already is…quite a thought! When I first got that record I sat in my front room and played it 3 days solid. Never a fan of cover version albums but that one really does it for me…Unbelievable version of The Bells...
I suggested that Laura record "The Bells," but she should have done her own background vocals and the same New York rhythm section she used on Eli. It was Laura on piano that made her cover versions special, like the way she slightly changed the chords, that was her secret.
yes - another nice example is her version of Up On The Roof…a cinematic beauty. One late-period favourite of mine is her I'm So Proud/Dedicated To The One I Love from Walk The Dog - Even the slightly brittle, sterile 80's production can't dim the sincere heart and soul of the singer who can never hide her devotion to the music of the street angel. Amazing that more people don't know so much about such a unique artist. Stephen - keep the recollections coming. For Laura (and Todd) fans like me it's gold :)
good video...love 'em both...always had the tendaberry album....its no surprise to hear that he was influenced by her stuff.....wish laura nyro was still on the scene.
Todd, If you give a lead guitarist control of the sliders and digital return, He'll ( as in me) will keep trying to get it better. If you have the gift to not work vs. the clock, then you'll be constantly in search of perfection.
I discovered Laura Nyro through a Woolworth's record bin of reduced-in-price 45 r.p.m.s. I paid about 60 cents for what turned out to be a two-sided incredible experience. When I got home I put the record on my turntable to see just what I had bought. The two songs I heard were "Billy''s Blue "and "Goodbye Joe". The songs and her voice were so incredible I had to learn all about this lady, and it was so interesting to discover some of my favorite songs by other artists were ones she had written. Undeniably among the best of the best song writers, and a fine vocalist as well. Her death from ovarian cancer saddened me a great deal. Most definitely gone too soon.
Great REVEAL - GENIUS knows no bounds.
It would be interesting to hear some of these legendary outtakes from this doomed project... I'd still like to hear them.
Right on Todd! good description I met her also...
Take the time to listen to two of her songs. Her version of Walk on By, a simple song, will bring you to tears... Her voice is simply amazing. Then listen to a song she recorded with Duane Allman, Beads Of Sweat, a classic combination of rock and blues that shows what magic two great musicians can put out...
Fire and ice. She and Duane were both visionaries, maybe even Avatars.
She channeled the voice of an earth goddess raised on American music
Seriously people criticizing Todd, you've never had a close friend that was hard to work with? A loved one that you wanted to "strangle" out of frustration?
Personally, I appreciate the honesty, and caught the humor and obvious affection he had for Laura.
You need to see a shrink. He was clearly propping himself up at her expense.
She wasn't hard to work with. She had her own creative process. Just because it was different from his doesn't mean it was inferior.
@@louisejoles4339wow....you're very passionate in your idolizing ...
Have you experience in the field?
Doesn't sound like it....I'm not sure you fully understand what happens between artists in regards to working together....
Most people opine our of ignorance ....
Peter D., so sad that you can't let Todd share his experience...I appreciate your love of Ms.Nyro, and your care for her memory, but Todd simply shares his experience with us and his perspective....as a producer....with honesty, if not diplomacy...and I appreciate getting his take on the woman who was one of the very, very best....no need to dis Todd at all, friend....
Apparently he walked out of the sessions with Laura Nyro. From what I gathered, at that point in the early eighties, Laura had, had a studio built in her house or property, so she could create and record her art at her own comfort pace. he mentions that earlier, when they met, how she felt she was being rushed on her sixties recordings. So he gets a chance to work with her, and he is inclined to do the same? She didn't need to keep pumping albums out to fulfill a contract, apparently.
What was his rush? it was all on her dime. I think he blew a chance to come to some kind of collaborative relationship with her.
He just got too impatient and walked off.
If someone is doing 20+ takes per song, I can't really blame him for leaving.
HarlanLovestone Why would he care how many takes she did or how long it took?
He was not an executive producer that had some stake or time limit to release her album. he was just asked to come in and help out in the artistic process. It was his fickle limitation that he did the very thing that she had confided in him early on that made her uncomfortable on her first recordings.
If I could have worked with someone that artistic, I wouldn't give a shit if it took her 3 years to do the album. I would have found some way to help her make the decisions, rather than just leave and bitch about it later.
@@neaituppi7306 Thank you for saying what needed to be said.
When I think about the fact that Laura took about a year to record Eli's follow up, New York Tendaberry, I cannot help but laugh along with him.
Bless him, Todd's a great musician, but Laura was a GENIUS.
Philadelphia Todd rundgren- the ben Franklin of rock - nyro new York tendaberry was her masterpiece for me.
Good album
All individuals are flawed, all relationships are flawed, opinions will always differ, wrong decisions will always be made, and speculating about 'what could have been' may be interesting but is not helpful. What is important is love, trust and respect. Cleary Laura didn't measure artistic success by record sales and fame. To me, her measure of success was to realize her artistic integrity and vision, which she did stupendously, despite frustrating some colleagues, who still loved her just as much anyway. To me her music is a diary of her experiential life and emotional development (how many people let you read their diary). To judge her later work as inferior misses the point: her music was not calculated to be necessarily better than before, nor to be commercially successful, it simply reflected who she was at a point in time.
I loved Laura. She was a wonderful, talented person and one of "us", if that makes sense. She was a pleasure to hang out with, be friends with. She was always very warm and honest. How many people in our lives, other than close friends and family, do we have like that? I'm thinking for many of us, only a handful. And Laura was in that handful for me. You could trust her. Though I have to agree with Todd, (except I don't remember at all, Laura's nails being inordinately long clicking on the keyboard; I sat next to her for many months and didn't hear any clicking!). But anyway, it did take forever to finish this album. The reason? ...Perhaps, She was looking for a "softness" many busy, working musicians don't operate at. The album was to celebrate, in Laura's unique way, the birth of her one and only child. She was caught up in the beauty/softness/awe of her new baby, while at the same time experiencing the crazy chaos a new baby can add to your once quiet life. I think finding where this album "sat" for her, was even more difficult than her previous works. But again, I agree with Todd about "getting it done". I call it; Better, can be the enemy of Good Enough". But whether doing this particular Laura project faster would have made a difference...we'll never know. However, that said, I do hear a guitar take or two, I wouldn't mind re-doing!!! :-) JB www.cdbaby.com/cd/johnkbristow
I introduced every friend to her music. Singing a Laura Nyro song was an unimaginably intimate experience; inhabiting a character in a musical.; sometimes film noir. I thought much of her work lent itself to musical theater: Lucky; Louie; Emmie; Timer ; Billy's Blues (Miles Davis); Tendaberry , "First Songs",etal. I think she and Broadway would have been an interesting union. I proudly tell people I got tickets to Woodstock because Laura was going to perform! Most didn't even know who she was! Of course, she dropped out...but my future husband; my siblings, all went nonetheless. We would drive up to see her play in New Hampshire (Iron Horse ), and her shows at "The Bottom Line" were almost Never Enough. What a gift to be treasured. "Christmas and the Beads of Sweat" is as relevant NOW, as ever. She autographed my "Celestial Seasonings" tea box where the flap contained her lyric: "Nothing cures like time and love". She knew I came up from the Bronx. She and Todd: 2 Wizards, True Stars. "Last Call For The Poverty Train"... Legendary Laura Loved Loved Loved You SO ...
Absolutely he was saying she was very good. And, her songs take me places I never realized existed....Todd's also,. They exist together as , "listen to this, it's beautiful and takes you places most bullshiat songs never come close to."
Both are legend
I was lucky to see Laura play 3 or 4 times, I loved her album "Nestled " ... both of these artists need to be acknowledged for their emotional sensitivity . Todds' ballads Marlene, Believe in Me, Sweeter Memories, have it. And I just don't care who knows it., I am thinking of another time.
NESTED
Mustn't forget Cold Morning Light.
I think Nyro's "Lazy Susan" was one of her best.
Thanks Todd...Laura would have been 72 this year...lovb
Oh Laura, you were so far ahead of your time!
Hello Phyllis
I recognized her big time and play eli and the 13th confession over and over. I used on of the songs as my wedding song (title always slips my mind, but the end lyrics are "over and over and over..." My girlfriend and I would get together and dance in her TV room and sing along with her songs and neither of us could hear each other which was a blessing. And by the way, great choice of shirt, sock, and sneaker combo. Really cool.
Hello tiny
Had only just discovered her but found out that I knew all the songs, there are song writers & singer songwriters (carol king who knew her range and wrote to her strengths). Laura was over ambitious with her melodies which is why other performers made them memorable. She was a talented song writer her first album was like a really expensive demo. As for 30 takes that’s just a rehearsal not a recording session.
This interview was the year after Nyro was inducted into the Hall of Fame. She may may have been under appreciated but what further recognition would Todd like given her output?
Todd had a few hits, extremely talented, good performer, good writer. Wish he could of strung together more hits. Laura, the same, except her hits (maybe a little more than a few) were from covers of.her compositions. I would agree with Todd that she needed some better producing to put a shine on her recordings that would have made them more commercial.
Easily my favorite record. My mom turned me onto it back in 1997 when I was 22. It was also her favorite record. Why is Todd Rungren wearing whatarethose?
todd got some stories to tell.
Named my daughter after her song "Emmie".
Just like my parents :/
Both Nyro & Rundgren are one of a kind, and to fault Todd for taking an unblinking look at the reality of Laura's eccentric methods is unfair. He's calling them like he sees them, as usual.
No kidding. And he was THERE. A friend, a contemporary and a titan on his own. Maybe it makes people feel the real distance between them and Laura, to hear him talk that way- as though she's a 'normal person', the way anyone else would talk about their friend.
Automotive nuts who visited the Porsche factory in the 70s would gasp when they watched mechanics wrenching on the cars- the lack of reverence was shocking to them. (Using feet to align and press in the sunroofs, in one alleged example.)
This may be the same, and of course it would be- Todd and Laura were friends and colleagues, not just fans. I think it makes us feel more 'out of the circle' than we wish, or would want to be.
No...they are FAR from being alike....she has a style of her own...she did what she wanted too..instead of trying to be a pop star...top 40 wanna be...she...is like no other...she and Joni Mitchell....take it or leave it...it's their style...not wanting to be bubble gum music...ssssshyyyttt
@@ronaldevers2862 Sorry, do you know /anything/ about Rundgren…? He didn’t have to be successful as a recording artist because he made plenty of money as a producer … that’s why no two albums by him sound the same … do your homework before commenting next time 🤦🏻♂️
Why I can’t find Laura Nyro old?
Because she died at the age of 49
Ovarian cancer took her from us 🥺
I've never seen an interviewer look so bored and disinterested. You can hear Laura's genius in a lot of Todd's songs and neither of them get the attention and respect they deserve.
so true
I think he was uncomfortable with Todd’s matter-of-factness…
He's making a good point. Laura didn't enjoy making the album, and it blew everyone's mind. So therefore not enjoying making an album does not prohibit someone making one that will blow people's mind. He's gone further with an hypothesis that the pressure of having to come up with something produces a more immediate performance. He's not the first person to say this. Would Louie Louie sound different if the Kingsmen had 2 months to make it. I'm sure it would, would it sound better? I suspect it would sound worse.
Todd is the best.
The "Genius" picked his nose and wiped it on the sofa. He was always considered a dirty slob. This interview proves it again. Guess it's OK though, because he is a genius! Laura Nyro? Songs written from her heart. Unfortunate life. Whenever I hear a song sung by her or written by her, I stop what I am doing and listen. God bless her soul.
My new drinking game:
You have to do a shot every time Todd touches his nose in this video.
....or snort a line every time.
@@billfaulkner548 the Sinaloa cartel doesn’t have that much blow
I always felt it was a shame Laura and Todd didn't collaborate more in the 1970s as songwriters and performers. Now I see why they couldn't. Todd was a driven process guy who crafted his songs carefully while Laura let her music just happen.
and i feel like they were vice versa, with laura winning
She offered him a job as her music director and he turned her down due to a contractual agreement that he had in place. He was quoted later as saying that prior to meeting Laura, he wanted to sound like the Who. After meeting Laura, he wanted to sound like Laura.
Fred Johnson
He ended up sounding like both which is fine.
one of my prized possessions is a media copy of 'Christmas and the beads of sweat' with the media promo album sticker on it...pulled out of the trash can in 1971 at my college radio station...proving even then there was not much respect for Laura's writing skills and/or voice. I still have it to this day, and would open my Wednesday night show that ran from 7 p.m. to Midnight with one of either her songs or Joni Mitchell.
Was a Joni Mitchell fan for years before I started to listen to Laura. I was stunned to realize how much Joni sounded like Laura in terms of phrasing, moving up and down the vocal register, and even intonation! I had no idea that Laura was a Joni influence, but it IS definitely there. In my opinion, Joni is Laura's equal,,,not the other way around as someone had previously mentioned (Joni considered Laura an equal.) As far as Todd goes...loved his music, but that interview was self serving.
winterlandboy Re: Rundgren.
Nobody ever built a career by not promoting themselves.
It's been said that Frank Zappa was the same. Longtime art collaborator Cal Schenkel said that when you were around Frank the *only* subjects were Zappa and his art.
OTOH, Zappa made a fairly comfy living creating *and selling* things that most people could not imagine how to.
yes, according to Michelle grey, an asshole as well as a husband ; )
I remember Todd Rundgren from the 1970s.
The interviewer is hilarious.
It's like he's trying to scrape something out of his teeth, trying not to fart, and figuring out what he's going to do after the interview all at the same time.
+xs10tl1 it turns my stomach watching him picking his nose,,,please,,I wish someone would give him a tissue or remove the bump?
yet the fact is people stole from her style relentlessly ,,, she was just too nice to call them out on it...
Craig Blast What exactly does a black woman sound like Craig? When it came to singing, I don't think Laura had to 'try'. She was a natural mate. It flowed out of her.
Was Laura taller than Todd?
why are women always obsessed with a man's height?
LNyro was unusually tall, so yes...probably taller than TR.
wastrel09 -- I thought it was length and girth. Maybe if a guy's on his back it's considered height.
The comment was referring to
Paul Simon - 5'3". Napoleonic complex - you think!
@@aryehfinklestein9041
No above height comment was referring to Little Paul Simon who is 5'3". Laura was 5'6" and Todd stands at 5'11.
Her nails on the keys drove Tod crazy perfect pitch does that to an artist....
Everyone wants to feel in control!
i watched this video because i love LN and i certainly like what i know about TR. i love his music, and watched him work with students at notre dame univ(i think). anyway, i know nothing of this other guy in the video. my comment is that he looks truly annoyed that rundgren is up there talking...what's up with that?
bill s
Come on Bill, I pretty much have all Todd’s stuff until streaming started in the 10s, so don’t take this wrong. Todd has the driest humor on the planet, mixed with bits of sarcasm, it can piss most people off. Love Todd’s music, not totally in love with his personality. I’m still a fanatic of his music. Others with less than pleasant personalities, Zappa, Petty, Frey, Corgan, Lennon, etc. List goes on an on. Not totally Aholes but can see it from there sometimes. I can see from here sometimes also. Perfectionists...
Music is medicine. Stay safe my friend.
intelligent as usual
I think Todd gave the old "double standard" to Laura when he described her asking for all the "takes" of the song. if it is a guy....then they're "hard working" "determined" etc. but if a woman does it....it turns into the negative. Although many men have "come out" and admitted she is an inspiration to them....now. I don't know if Dylan would have done it back then....or Todd. And when Paul Simon dissed her and made negative comments.....I'm sure it was because SHE didn't kiss his ass like every other woman at the party that night (so to speak). Laura may have been mistakened as "innocent" and "forlorn" or whatever the hell.....but she was tough and she did not suffer fools gladly. she could see the bullshit piling up a mile away. and I think that is why she just quit at an early age. She didn't think it was worth it. Even Joni Mitchell applauded her and said, "she was very brave to quit the business". Joni said many artists want to do that because it the business part becomes insufferable. But if you're a woman and you're a musical genius who doesn't kiss ass....pretty soon you just throw up your hands and say, "it's time to GO".
+John Brinkman Regarding Paul Simon: The story goes that Laura Nyro really admired Paul Simon's writing and when they finally met (I believe at The Monterey Pop Festival) and she introduced herself and complimented him, Simon brushed her off. As he was walking away, Laura reportedly marched back to him, spun him around (she was from The Bronx!) and said to him that when people complimented HER "I say 'thank you very much', not walk away". I guess nobody talked to him like that, so between that alleged episode and the amount of studio time and attention that she was getting at Columbia (his label, too), he always had a sore spot when it came to Laura.
+Lampshade51 thank you for replying. that was so nice. I think Paul can be a huge diva....people don't see that because he's quiet, not tall, softspoken. but Laura wasn't a wallflower and you're right....she had seen some things, a lot of things at a very early age (why she's such a great artist).....and I think she can only take people's egos for so long and then just lets them have it. have a great rest of the year. I cannot believe tomorrow starts November. sweet Jesus.
+Lampshade51 Paul Simon is loved by fans, but not necessarily by other musicians. Search, and you'll find an interview with Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. They were invited into the studio by Simon, and he gave them no input at all. Apparently, he expected them to jam, and they are a song band, not a jam band.
They sat there for an entire day, with Simon sitting like a lump in the control room. They called their record company rep saying "Just get us out of here!" and he played the "We consider you family. You've got to do it for the family" card. So, out of boredom, they started playing one of their songs that they were working on for their next album. Simon immediately said "That's it!" They explained that it was for their next album, but he insisted on recording it. They just wanted out of that toxic environment, so they agreed.
When the album came out, the credits on the album are ONLY for "Paul Simon". They didn't even get paid scale for the session! Berlin said he called Simon, and his response was "Sue me."
+John Brinkman No, that's his approach to making records. He comped and tweaked and he got in and out. Five takes and you're record's in there somewhere. What the hell are you going to do with 35 takes, man or woman? How long does it take you to listen to that many takes and find The Right One? Try this at home, and then make this a gender issue.
Never say that to an English major, you could kill somebody.
GET TODD TO TALK ABOUT BADFINGER
Nobody in James Taylor’s family likes to work with him either, specifically bacause of his work ethic. This is common. Laura had that same uncompromising quality that geniuses have.
It seems like Laura Nyro became more famous in death rather than life.
AHHHHHHHHHHH YES, THE " CREATIVE PROCESS " ! TO RECORD " WOULDN'T IT BE NICE ", BW MADE THE BOYS, DO IT 44 TIMES ! FINALLY, MIKE LOVE THREATENED TO KILL HIM IF HE ASKED FOR ONE MORE DAMN " TAKE " ! PHIL SPECTOR WAS JUST AS BAD. WORKING WITH THE RAMONES, ALL 4 WERE READY TO KILL HIM OVER 25--35 TAKES OF A SONG. I GET IT. I WOULD HAVE REBELLED, TOO. OH, & I LOVE LAURA NYRO , & AT ONE TIME, HAD HER 1ST 3 ALBUMS ON VINYL. SADLY, I SOLD THEM, & 88% OF MY RECORD COLLECTION, BACK IN 1995. I STILL FEEL LIKE JUDAS ! --------MJL, 77 Y/O
b side of Todd we gotta get you a woman BABY LETS SWING/THE LAST THING YOU SAID/DON'T TIE MY HANDS about his love for her. Almost all my musical heroes disown, at some point, their best music.
💣💣💥💥💙
Hey everybody, it's Toad Rundrgren!
the bald man has no emotion or opinion.. why does he exist
Just because you don't whoop and yell like a 14 year old American teen doesn't mean you don't feel things
Sorry, Suffer... that you feel empathy for bald men. That is your prerogative.
The answer obviously is that just like so many before him and the multitudes who will come afterwards... there is no real reason or explanation for his existence whatsoever. Don't try to analyze it. Don't even give it a second thought. Just do what Laura would've done and just let it be and then let the whole damn thing GO!
Yeah, you went to help her on "Mother Spiritual" for 25K and I wrote the check.
is that true?
That interviewer looks majorly ticked hearing him talk about Nyro.
Louise Joles Actually, Nyro fans might think he's bashing her, and maybe he is a bit. But, what he says about pushing her is true. You have to have discipline even in art or anything else in life.
Yea that interviewer was not having it lol
+SuperDrJeckyl yeah, I saw that as well. he wasn't laughing, wasn't engaged by Todd's story and looked angry. he didn't expect things to go wrong like that.
Maybe he didn’t like the disrespectful, chauvinistic way that Asshole was speaking about Laura. It’s so ugly to speak like that about a woman who is a genius & perfectionist who is dead. Maybe Todd should look in the mirror. He’s no movie star. I think he was quite jealous of Laura’s incredible talent. Why else would he denigrate her appearance? She didn’t want to sleep with him. Boys can’t handle strong women.