Cabaret Review by Ron Fassler . . . .
I’m of an age when radio was the means by which people became familiar with popular songs. In my teenage years, a portable transistor was responsible for how I fell in love with Laura Nyro’s music, not only when sung by the singer-songwriter herself, but in covers by dozens of other artists (Barbra Streisand recorded a number of her songs). Those who claim she inspired their styles of songwriting are Elton John, Carole King, and Joni Mitchell, among many others. Singers, too, like Bette Midler, Elvis Costello, and Sara Bareilles look to Nyro as a major influence. Broadway’s Judy Kuhn, the same age as me, has a long association with her music, and this past weekend she brought a show to the 92NY: Soul Picnic: The Songs and Legacy of Laura Nyro. Along with a terrific band and backup singers, many in the audience who had no prior knowledge of the singer-songwriter left the concert with a newfound appreciation.
Part of Kuhn’s mission in shining a light on Nyro is that despite her prodigious output over a very short time, Nyro’s early death—before she turned fifty in 1997—is largely responsible for why few young people today have heard of her. For more than twenty years, Kuhn has devoted herself to singing Nyro’s songs in various concerts that she’s co-conceived. This one had particular resonance as she sang Nyro’s transcendent “Mother’s Spiritual” with her daughter Anna, who goes by the stage name “sadie” (lowercase “s”). We were treated to more than a dozen songs that are probably familiar by their titles alone: “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “Sweet Blindness” (the 5th Dimension); “And When I Die” (Peter, Paul and Mary; Blood, Sweat and Tears); and “Stoney End” (the title song of Barbra Streisand’s 12th album). Kuhn changed up her usual style to great effect, one associated with the Broadway shows in which she created leading roles: Les Misérables, Chess, and Fun Home—‚all of which garnered her Tony nominations.
Eschewing the trappings of fame, Nyro never felt comfortable with the business and what it took to produce her music. The traps, pitfalls, and ugly egos were not for her. She made few television appearances and didn’t tour much, leaving her legacy to be solely interpreted by the songs she left behind. Happily, she recorded all of them herself. Her voice has a heartbreaking quality and it feels as if she is truly giving of herself when she is singing. The same could be said of Kuhn, whose narration and the personal stories she shared made the performance a highly personal one.
Nyro was famous by age nineteen. She had five albums out in the first five years of her career, accomplished by the time she turned twenty-four. Due to poor business dealings, she never became rich off her music, which by all accounts was fine with her. She had a son to whom she was devoted and she left the spotlight, which she was never comfortable with anyway, with no regrets.
Kuhn’s two singers who joined her at 92NY: Amanda Rose Gabriel and Nicole Morris, provided beautiful harmonies. The band, consisting of Aaron Heick (reeds), Barry Danielian (trumpet), Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf (cello), George Farmer (bass), Meg Toohey (guitar), and Emma Ford (drums) were excellent. Dan Lipton, the show’s musical director and arranger, provided a glimpse into Nyro’s songwriting process and accomplishments with a five-minute demonstration that was informative and entertaining. Collaborating with Kuhn on its co-conception, writing, and direction, Trip Cullman and Kevin Carillo kept tight reins on a cohesive script and visuals that were subtle and aided in a transportive time machine manner. The 60s vibe began early on during the opening song when Kuhn kicked off her shoes to a place under the piano where they stayed for the remainder of the performance.
If you’ve never heard Laura Nyro sing her own songs, remedy that immediately. If this write-up makes you feel like you would have enjoyed this live performance, you can hear Judy Kuhn’s interpretations on a 2007 CD she produced, Serious Playground: The Songs of Laura Nyro. Either way, I suggest you curl up on the sofa, make a cup of tea, and relax in the sounds of pure pleasure from the works of a songwriter who has stood the test of time.
Soul Picnic: The Songs and Legacy of Laura Nyro was at 92NY (1395 Lexington Avenue at East 92nd Street) for four performances, March 2-4. www.92ny.org.
Photos: Richard Termine
