1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #116. Laura Nyro - Eli And The 13th Confession (1968)

Laura Nyro - Eli And The 13th Confession (1968)

Label – Columbia
Producer – Charlie Calello and Laura Nyro
Art Direction – Bob Cato
Nationality – USA
Running Time – 46:15

Track Listing (standout tracks listed in bold)
1. Luckie
2. Lu
3. Sweet Blindness
4. Poverty Train
5. Lonely Women
6. Eli's Comin'
7. Timer
8. Stoned Soul Picnic
9. Emmie
10. Woman's Blues
11. Once It Was Alright Now (Farmer Joe)
12. December's Boudoir
13. Confession

I had never even heard of Laura Nyro until I picked up this book and saw she had an album listed, so definitely had never heard any of her music. A quick read about her career and it is obvious that she peaked early, and “Eli and the Thirteenth Confession” - her second album, is considered by most to be her best. I also learned that this record contains the original versions of three songs that were big hits for other artists: "Sweet Blindness" and "Stoned Soul Picnic" (covered by the 5th Dimension), and "Eli's Comin'" (done by of course Three Dog Night). Who knew!
The album is a concept record following the journey of a girl from childhood into womanhood. The first songs feature the innocence of youth, the middle songs about experimentation with drugs and sex, and the last section about being a strong adult woman. The album was her first chart entry, reaching #189 on the Billboard 200, when it was known as "Pop Albums."
That said the record is a pleasant listen, but does get tiring. I found myself hoping for the last 3 or 4 songs that each of them was the last one!! The arrangements are nice with some good brass, and her piano playing is nice, but it just got old fast. She does mix up the styles a bit. From jazz to rock to pop. Think Tori Amos and Kate Bush. There can be no doubt that those ladies were influenced by Nyro. If you are fans of them – or any of the other female singer-songwriters, you will love this record. I however did not and do not recommend it.


You can purchase the CD here


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November 17
New Releases
PAUL McCARTNEY...Good Evening New York City (2 CD/1 DVD)
CINDERELLA...Cinderella: Live In Concert
RUSH...Working Men
THE ROLLING STONES...In the 1960's (DVD)
THEM CROOKED VULTURES...Them Crooked Vultures
THE WHO...The Who, The Mods And The Quadrophenia Connection (DVD)

Reissues, Greatest Hits
DR. JOHN...Anytime Anyplace (180 gram vinyl w/bonus CD)
DAVID BOWIE...Space Oddity (180 gram vinyl, Remastered, 40th Anniversary) or CD
MOTLEY CRUE...Greatest Hit$ or vinyl
THE WHO...Live At The Isle Of Wright Festival 1970 (vinyl)
YES...Relayer (180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl)
STARSHIP...No Protection/Love Among the Cannibals (Remastered)

November 23
BOB DYLAN...Christmas In The Heart (180g Vinyl with Bonus CD)
Various Artist...La Blues Authority 5: Cream Of The Crop (vinyl)
THEM CROOKED VULTURES...Them Crooked Vultures (180 Gram Vinyl, 2 LP, MP3 Included)
BON JOVI...The Circle

Box Sets, Remasters
TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS...The Live Anthology (4 CD Box Set) or the 7 LP Box Set
GENESIS...Movie Box (5 DVD Box Set)
NEIL YOUNG...Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (vinyl, Remastered)
NEIL YOUNG...Neil Young (vinyl, remastered)
NEIL YOUNG...Harvest (vinyl, remastered)
NEIL YOUNG...After The Gold Rush (vinyl, remastered)
BUDDY HOLLY...Not Fade Away: The Complete Studio Recordings and More (6 CD Box Set)

ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR NOVEMBER 16
Mani formerly with the Stone Roses is 47; Dave Kushner of Velvet Revolver is 43;

IN CONCERT
Tuesday, November 17 JACKSON BROWNE Bob Carr Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, November 17 HALESTORM Backbooth Orlando
Tuesday, November 17 JET House Of Blues Lake Buena Vista