There's more than a little under-stated irony in the title of LAURA NYRO'S debut album, (originally issued in mono by the fledgling Folkways division of Verve records).  Imagine the difficulty for a copy writer trying to encapsulate the free-spirit style and exhuberance of such an unconventional, precocious teenage talent.  The album did not sell well and it was not until David Geffen took over as her agent and transferred recording to Columbia that Laura was provided with the resources and freedom to make music the way SHE wanted to.  I wore out my LP long ago and was delighted when Rev-O-La released it's credibly-remastered version of the work.

Laura's two subsequent albums with Columbia, (as re-mastered and re-issued on CD, below), along with her debut album are considered seminal works by the entire recording industry, (as evidenced by the number of other artists who have either covered her tunes directly or acknowledged her influence). I  appreciate Laura's music regardless of the covering performer, but there's no substitute for the lady herself. You can read the liner notes for more about this exceptional woman, but her music and poetry speak quite eloquently on their own.