Click on the link here for Audio Player – Laura Nyro – Live at Fillmore East – December 24, 1970 – soundboard recording
I don’t know where the rumor got started, or who started it, but there was a universal myth floating around for many years that Laura Nyro was terrible in concert – that she had stage fright, that she was awkward, that her real strength was a songwriter and her studio recordings were the only way she could be appreciated.
I have never heard any evidence to prove that rumor true. What I’ve heard has been abundant evidence of a committed and vibrant performer, cutting to the heart of each of her songs and transforming the audience in the process. In short, Laura Nyro was magical in concert.
Evidence of that is abundant in this concert, recorded on Christmas Eve 1970 before what sounds like a full-house at The Fillmore East.
Just Laura Nyro and a piano – no distractions, no backup band, no gimmicks. Just straight, pure singing and an evening of songs from the iconic catalog of music she wrote and made into anthems for brave and interesting times.
Often imitated but never duplicated – the spirit certainly lives on. Enjoy this one.
I corrected the spelling on my FB page. I know this is moderated so if you could post this one for the record.
on February 3, 2016 at 4:18 am said:
I was at that concert and Jackson Brown opened for her. It was a memorable night in that myself and two girls were mugged that night by two nervous Junkies. They put a knife to the two girls and relieved me of my cash. The girls were frantic about how we would get through the tunnel and I had 20 dollars stuck in my sock. Lessons from growing up on the streets of Union City. That was quite a contrast of everyone in the village wishing everyone a Merry Christmas before the concert. That being said, the Fillmore was packed. It was the first time I heard Jackson Brown and became that night a lifelong fan. I remember his words “Well I guess you came here to see Laura Nyro and the crown burst with cheers. I was a little disappointed because I wanted to hear more. The Fillmore was packed with many well dressed people many men in suits. Us in our hippy clothes me with my long hair grown from my discharge in Nov of 68 after multiple tours in Vietnam. That night I remember Laura coming out on stage with her soft spoken quiet voice sitting at a Grand piano. That night she got seven standing ovations each time she returned with another song. So that speaks for itself on the power and intensity of her songs and voice. I miss her and her music and I thankful her friends and lover saw it fit to release her final album. Even that mugging will never detract from that magical night. That evening when we returned home I was gifted by one of the girls I was with to Christmas and the Beads of Sweat.
Rest in peace dear Laura and thank you for the memories.
Thanks so much for your post. Sometimes magical things happen under some of the most adverse conditions.