Songs of Laura Nyro Trivia Quiz

Answer: Monterey Pop

The legend that Laura was booed at Monterey Pop is just that, a legend. She was admittedly a little different from the other acts, appearing in a strapless black velvet cocktail dress and a tiara, no smashing guitars, no psychedelia. The 'booing' legend was possibly reinforced when the movie was first released in 1968, as her performance was cut and only replaced in a remaster done in the 1990s.

Her set included some of the songs that would make her famous, including 'Wedding Bell Blues' and 'When I Die'.

Answer: Blood, Sweat & Tears

'And when I die, and when I'm gone
There'll be one child born
In this world to carry on, to carry on...'

A song a cousin had complained was 'morbid' proved to be Laura's big break. On the basis of Peter, Paul and Mary's recording the song, Verve Folkways signed her and produced her first album 'More Than a New Discovery' in 1967. In 1968, Blood, Sweat & Tears covered it, and Laura would show up to the sessions armed with pizza and advice. Her musical blend of jazz, gospel, rock and blues was perfect for their sound and the song hit the number two spot in 1969.

Answer: Barbra Streisand

The album 'Stoney End' was a departure for Barbra Streisand. Her producer wanted her to move away from the Broadway mode into something more contemporary. The idea paid off and the title track, from Laura Nyro's song from her first album, reached #3 on the charts in 1971.

It was one of three Nyro songs on the album, the other two being 'The Flim Flam Man' and 'Wedding Bell Blues'. Although Streisand admired Nyro's work, she balked at 'Stoney End' (apparently she didn't like the reference to 'Jesus' in the lyric). Richard Perry, the producer, spent almost a day in the studio with her getting the song down.

He writes "As we were listening to the playback, Barbra leaned over and whispered in my ear, "You were right, and I was wrong. But it's nice to be wrong." It was a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.

Answer: Three Dog Night

Paul Shaffer's 'desert island' album, 'Eli and the Thirteenth Confession' has been listed by Rolling Stone as one of the most influential albums of all time. It was one of the first to include a lyric sheet (which was perfumed) and was full of wonderful songs. One of the most successful songs from the album, 'Eli's Coming', was recorded by Three Dog Night for their 1969 album 'Suitable for Framing'.

The single reached #10 on the Billboard chart. While writing it, a friend told Nyro that she couldn't speed up the tempo and then slow it down then speed it up again. 'Nobody does that' he argued. 'I know what I'm doing', she answered.

She was right. Elton John would later cite her tempo changes as incredibly innovative and a great inspiration to him.

Answer: Stoned Soul Picnic

"Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
There'll be lots of time and wine
Red yellow honey
Sassafras and moonshine..."

When asked, Laura said it was a 'nice word', and most now believe it's a short form of 'let's hurry'. She also insisted that 'stoned' here meant drunk, not high. The song became the title track on The 5th Dimension's 1969 album of the same name. The single made number two on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles charts and the album went platinum.

Answer: Sweet Blindness

A song from 'Eli and the Thirteenth Confession' was another Nyro song covered by The 5th Dimension on their album 'Stone Soul Picnic'. As a single it did well, reaching number 13 on Billboard Hot 100. Laura wrote more than one song about enjoying alcohol, but only one about drugs. 'Povery Train' pretty much covers her thoughts on the subject.

'Now I swear there's something better than Gettin' off on sweet cocaine
It feels so good, it feels so good Gettin' off the poverty train'

'There's a Tear in My Beer' (Hank Williams Jr.), 'One Whiskey, One Scotch, One Beer (George Thorogood), 'Alabama Song' (Kurt Weill, covered by The Doors)

Answer: Patti Labelle

'Gonna Take a Miracle' is listed among 'the top 60 Best Underrated Albums of All Time' by "The Word", and was largely inspired by Nyro's friendship with Patti Labelle. It included a duet with Labelle on the title track, as well as songs like Smokey Robinson's 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me', 'Dancing in the Streets' (Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Ivy Jo Hunter, William "Mickey" Stevenson) and 'Spanish Harlem' (Jerry Leiber, Phil Spector).

Answer: I Never Meant to Hurt You

Unlike 'Stoney End', 'I Never Meant to Hurt You' did not single, but "Barbra Joan Streisand' was a tremendous commercial and critical success and Nyro's song, an older one from her first album, was perfectly suited to Streisand's voice and she didn't have a problem recording it at all.

'Mother' (John Lennon), 'You've Got a Friend' (Carole King), 'One Less Bell to Answer/A House Is Not a Home' (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) All three of these songs also appear on the album.

Answer: Gerry Goffin and Carole King

'Up on the Roof' is acknowledged (by 'Rolling Stone', among others) to be one of the groundbreaking songs in rock & roll. Gerry Goffin's lyrics were inspired by the rooftop scenes in 'West Side Story' and Carole King wrote the tune while out for a drive.

The song was first recorded in 1962 by the Drifters and became a megahit. Laura's 1970 version was slower and more more contemplative. It didn't get far (number 93 out of 100), but it was the only time she hit the charts with a single.

Answer: New York Tendaberry

Sadly, Laura Nyro died in 1997 at the age of 49. That year a tribute album, 'Time and Love: The Music of Laura Nyro' with tracks by women in music, including Phoebe Snow and Roseanne Cash. 'Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro', issued 17 years later, is Child's own particular take on Nyro's music and a labor of love. He says, "I don't really chastise people for not knowing Laura Nyro. But I really make it incumbent upon them to find out about her." 'New York Tendaberry'. stands out, as Nyro's tribute to her city.

'...Sidewalk and pigeon
You look like a city
But you feel like a religion
To me'