Customer Reviews

Nested

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4 star:		(1)
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"Nested" was released 2 years after the volcanic
"Smile" and yet, though I am very familiar with "Smile," I was not very familiar with "Nested" except for having heard my mother play the vinyl recording over and over a number of years ago.
I am one of those who, because my Moms was such a fan, heard Laura beginning at a very early age.
But "Nested" is a revelation: equal to "Smile" and sometimes even surpassing it. "Nested" begins quietly with "Mr. Blue": "I've been studying the radar in the Sky...listen like the animals do...yes I am ready for you...I've been a Gypsy fire, warm desire...this is the song of communications..."
And then "My Innocence": "...my innocence comes from my warm earth mother..." This song features terrific guitar work from John Troppea a carry over band member from "Smile."
The best song on the CD follows, "Crazy Love." Listen to it and marvel at the emotional commitment with which Laura imbues this song: "...my name is in your blood and what your true love's done to me...walk soft, talk soft like an animal on silent feet on a block of snow...I was looking for a true love to right the way...pregnant with the knowledge and the flame of your true love..." Who writes much less sings like this anymore?
Say what you will about Nyro's voice and mannerisms but the one thing that can never be taken away from her is her total, unparalleled emotionality. There is/never was any doubt that she means and feels every single word she sings. She is her music and her music is her.

I have to admit that I hadn't played this Nyro title for years. It still sounds as fresh as it did when I first had it on vinyl. Apart from the faithful repackaging, the one thing to note is that the sound quality is absolutely incredible. Vic Anesini did an amazing job in bringing out the full fidelity of this classic. This title is #5084 on Amazon's best selling list at the moment, and I'm sure it would be even higher if they actually stocked it themselves.

This is another great album from one of my favorite artists. I've always admired her since her Wedding Bell Blues debut single in 1966, and Christmas and the Beads of Sweat is my favorite album - period. There is something about the combination of her voice and music that is so engaging, and unlike any other artist.

Nested continues that tradition with a fine mix of songs. I guess if I had to name a favorite song from this album it would be American Dreamer, but they all excellent, up to her usual standards.

I had previously transferred the vinyl LP to a CD and am very happy that a real CD has been issued. The sound quality is excellent; I ordered this from Newbury Comics and it was shipped promptly.

Now if only Mothers Spiritual and Season of Lights (both of which I also transferred from vinyl) would be affordably released on CD.. then the collection would be complete.

This album is unmistakably Laura Nyro - enough said.

In 1978, the expressive, dramatic, feminine stylings of Laura Nyro were completely out of fashion in favour of the macho, worldly simplicity of the "punk revolution" and the overblown pomposity of a stiflingly restrictive commercial radio network. The utter commercial failure of "Nested" is thus no surprise, but what is surprising is how well Laura Nyro manages to sound on this recording.

Even though "Nested" cannot be said to have the sense of wonder of Eli, Tendaberry or Christmas, it more than makes up for this with its beautifully melodic soundscapes that are for the most part an improvement on her previous studio album "Smile". The opening track "Mr. Blue" is very sad and takes time to get used to, but its beauty is undeniable, whilst the following two pieces "Rhythm and Blues" and "My Innocence" are highlights of the record. with a bouncy rhythm and thoroughly emotional vocals, these longs express Laura's joy at having at least personally survived despite the loss of her mother. "My Innocence" is particularly impressive with its barbed-wire guitar outro that almost reminds one of Funkadelic. The next three tracks are much darker, especially "American Dreamer" with its attack on business corruption making it the most political song Laura ever wrote.

"The Sweet Sky", however, is the standout track here, a beautiful celebration of the power of music driven by the unique drumming style of Andy Newmark, later to play on Roxy's landmark Avalon. The finale to this song is as powerful as anything in the Nyro canon and Michele Kort was undoubtedly right presenting it during her audio documentary of Soul Picnic. "Light" and closer "The Nest" are just so touchingly beautiful, whilst "Child in a Universe", a celebration of Laura's new son, is a cosmically powerful piece that grows on a listener extremely well.

All in all, even if there was no place to market it, "Nested" still stands up very well amongst an impressive canon. Strongly recommended to all fans of female singer/songwriters with its beautiful feminine tone, some impressive lyrics and Andy Newmark's singular drumming.

Although I don't believe Nested is Laura's greatest work, it does not miss it by much, and I agree with the previous reviewer - Laura's "Nested" certainly has a home right with "Eli and the 13th Confession", "New York Tendaberry" and "Christmas and the Beads of Sweat" - it is a fantastic record. From my perspective, the songs on Nested are a logical continuum of her great trilogy listed above, and far eclipses her work on "Smile". The soulful singing, unexpected melody changes, and moody atmosphere - from completely joyful (The Sweet Sky, Rhythm and Blues) to quietly/sadly introspective (Mr Blue) all hallmark Laura's best work, and it is on Nested in abundance. A single cut from Nested did make the dual CD set "Stoned Soul Picnic: The Best Of Laura Nyro (Sony 1997), (that being "Mr Blue"), and, at long last, a remastered version of this great release is now available through Iconoclassic Records (and listed on Amazon in the used sellers category - be diligent and dig for it, it is out there!) but, still, there is truly room for a lovingly remastered Laura Nyro boxed set. This release will please anyone who felt that Laura's other work, especially her first four albums, were great stuff.

'Nested' is my favorite Laura Nyro recording, and one of my favorite albums of all time. I like other works by Nyro, and her composing is obviously first-rate throughout her catalog, but only 'Nested' truly floats my boat.

Nearly everyone, whether they knew it or not, had been touched by the work of Laura Nyro long before 1978 and 'Nested' came to be. With compositions like the Fifth Dimensions hit 'Wedding Bell Blues' or Blood, Sweat and Tears rendition of 'And When I Die' to her credit, Nyro was already an accomplished figure in the culture of popular music. Yet I was never aware of Laura's work until I read a highly complementary review in Rolling Stone magazine of 'Nested'. The author of the review made note of Laura's past accomplishments, and framed 'Nested' as a comeback of sorts, eclipsing a lesser comeback heralded by a live album ('Season of Lights') the year previous, and 1974's 'Smile'. I had a few extra bucks, was dispirited by the dearth of quality work by many of my favorite artists from the late 1960's and early 1970's, and decided to see what Nyro had to offer.

Though I immediately liked 'Nested', I must confess that it has taken many listens over the years to appreciate this work for the treasure it is. A number of tracks, including 'Mr. Blue', 'My Innocence', 'Crazy Love', 'Springblown', 'American Dreamer', 'The Sweet Sky', and 'Child In a Universe', form the core of this masterpiece. 'Mr. Blue' contains an intriguing dialog, over the phone but also through the "radar in the sky", with her "co-pilot", perhaps the father of Laura's child. 'Rhythm and Blues' follows, a bouncy, somewhat superficial track by Nyro standards, but highly entertaining. 'My Innocence' became a Nyro staple in concert appearances from 1978 on, but the version here is guitar-based and contains a full set of lyrics not included on the live versions that dot the CD landscape. The remaining core songs, 'Crazy Love', 'American Dreamer', 'Springblown' and 'The Sweet Sky', are all piano based, but still feature full instrumental backing. All are highly melodious with penetrating, intimate lyrics. While 'Springblown' and 'Crazy Love' are centered around love relationships, 'American Dreamer' and 'The Sweet Sky' are more political, cultural, and philosophical in their content.

While the three songs that finish the album are probably lesser compositions in a relative sense, they offer meaningful insights and messages from and about Laura. 'Light - Pop's Principle' and 'Child In a Universe' are quite revealing of Laura's New Age philosophies. 'Light...' includes ruminations such as "You are light, the same energy that makes the sun shine bright... In your flight, send your love out to the planet's soul, 'cause all are one". In 'Child...' we have, "I'm just a grain in the Universe, I come from the Earth, and the Earth is a grain, in the galaxy... could you send some peace on Earth, to a child of the Universe..." Laura's prayer is to a star. The finale, 'The Nest' is a beautiful analogy between a "brown shiny nest, up in a tree" with "the nest in me". A fitting conclusion to an album that began with a phone call to the artist's lover.

One of the more compelling aspects of this recording is that Laura's stunning vocals are backed up by multi-layered overdubs by Laura herself. Unfortunately this album, though transferred to CD for Japanese markets, has never been made available to consumers in the United States. Scant copies often sell for well over $100 on eBay. It's one of the great injustices of legal wrangling over copyrights for recorded music. It's a travesty that this album is not available in a high quality digital format for Laura's longtime fans, and a tragedy that so many new listeners cannot appreciate these truly incredible compositions and performances. My suggestion is to do whatever you can to find a way to obtain and enjoy a copy of this remarkable creative piece.

Thank goodness "Nested" is available on CD. I owned the vinyl version, and am so happy to put this in my car CD player. The title, "Nested", refers to the fact that Laura was pregnant with her son, Gil, when this was recorded. Gone are the wails and volume from Laura's previous efforts, such as "Eli and the Thirteenth Confession. However, the listener is treated to a softer, optimistic, and mellifluous Ms. Nyro.

Every cut on this album is outstanding, and despite the "softer" content, there is no absence of Laura's passion. Some highlights:

"Mr. Blue"- it truly is a song of communication. Laura actually sneaks in the "F" word, so inconspicuously, that you don't even notice.

"Rhythm and Blues"- upbeat, rhythmic. You'll be humming it for days. Fantastic harmonica by the great John Sebastian.

"Sweet Sky"- Laura may have been "mixed up like a teenager", but the positive message will have you singing it, especially on the 4th of July!

"Child of the Universe", "Nested", reveal Laura's love for her soon-to-be-born child.

To reiterate, every song is wonderful. I believe one day, Ms. Nyro's greatness will become known to many others. She is already beloved by her "tribe", which includes the numerous singer/songwriters she influenced. During these stressful economic moments, there is no better time to listen to the greatest singer/songwriter.

Unfortunately, Laura Nyro lost the battle with cancer a few years ago and left us way too soon. Her compositions were one of the hallmarks of the 60's and on. Quite a few of the top artists covered her. The list of acts she influenced is wide and impressive, including Rickie Lee Jones and Steely Dan.

"Nested" was originally recorded in 1976 when Nyro was carrying her only child. I know "Eli and the 13th Confession" earned most of this artist's accolades, but this is my favorite of her music.

I first bought "Nested" on vinyl and upgraded to a tape. I recorded the tape to a CD and have almost given up hope of this lovely recording making it to CD. I'm grateful to see this has happened--and yes, it's worth the wait.

Favorites:

Nested
Mr. Blue (Note: product description saying "Mr. Hue" is incorrect)
Child of the Universe

Rebecca Kyle, September 2008

Great to see this title finally released US domestically on CD. Iconoclassic did a phenomenal job remastering and packaging this item. I agree with reviewer who found it odd that Amazon and national chains are not stocking this CD.

I just got my newly re-issued CD of Laura Nyro's "Nested" album. It is one of those special albums from my childhood. I was lucky enough as a young music listener to recieve a promo copy of this album (from an unknown source), and even though I was more interested in Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith at the time, I gave it a few spins and it wasn't long before I was hooked.

Laura Nyro was one of the most talented singer-songwriters of our generation, she just was not as "popular" or mainstream as say James Taylor or Carole King. But her music was just as good and she was a great performer. What a beautiful voice she had. If you like the 70's soft rock of JT, Carole King, Paul Davis, Bread, etc. you should do yourself a favor and check this album out. It is my favorite, besides her live material, which is equally excellant. I can't say enough about this one. I am so glad that it has been re-mastered and re-issued. Thank-you Icon Classic Records! This gem had been out of print too long. And now that Ms Nyro is gone, her beautiful music is all we have left to enjoy.

****Highly Recommended****

...and deserving of every 5 star rating this album Will recieve.