Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro

I went with a friend to see Billy Childs et al perform this in Detroit. I had no idea who he was or much about really Laura Nyro. I was stunned at how gorgeous and moving every song was. I bought the CD and play it very often. It evokes such feeling. Simply beautiful in every way.

I am a big Laura Nyro fan and saw her live at the Troubadour in LA many years ago - probably the best live performance I've ever witnessed. This CD is brilliant - the arrangements are great and the talent brought together here shines and makes Laura's soulful music soar. Love this so much.

In a short review, there is no way to capture the brilliance of the songs and the arrangements! You should buy the entire album rather than just a song or two because there are just too many great songs here. Although I was familiar with and a fan of Billy Childs work, I was only familiar with couple of Ms. Nyro's songs. The album brings attention to Laura which clearly she deeply deserves in listening to some of her recordings. I am now a fan of hers also. I had the recent pleasure of hearing Mr. Childs, Ms, Stevens, Ms, Fischer and other brilliant musicians perform the songs in concert. If you have a chance to hear live definitely take it…one of the best performances that I have ever attended!!

The music is incredible. The one with Becca Stevens just blows my mind. But... Why so much reverb audio engineer!? You're muddying tunes that are very angular and intricate. That's not the place to be throwing in heavy reverb. And such different reverb on each instrument, sometimes removing it, sometimes laying it on heavy. Don't do that!!!

It does not get any better than this! Laura, you have touched my life!

Some of us still feel the loss of one of our greatest songwriters. Thankfully, she left us with a rich songbook. In this collection, Billy Childs shows a love and respect for Laura Nyro's music and does so with an amazingly perfect set of vocalists bringing a new feel while staying true to the essence of Laura's music and especially her poetic lyrics. Bravo! Only sad I did't see this a few months ago when it came out. There are not enough stars for rating this album. GRAMMY!

How can you go wrong with Shawn Colvin, Ricki Lee Jones etc. doing Laura Nyro songs. I'm a fan of all and now Billy Childs.

I was a teen when Blood, Sweat & Tears recorded 'When I Die' and the Fifth Dimension 'Save The People'… I downloaded both songs, but will never listen to them. Tempo never gets up to what BST & Dimension5 sang. It you never heard the originals of these songs, you might go for them. Downloaded some others, which I thought match the originals, including 'Stone Soul Picnic'. I love Renee Fleming, classical diva crossover, one of the few opera stars who can deliver, without sounding like she's singing opera! Picked a good song for her vocal abilities and expression.

I wish we could all elevate ourselves to listening to great music like this! You will surely NOT be disappointed!!!!!

Some of these takes on Nyro songs are excellent. But this reminds me a bit of the Shelby Lynne tribute to Dusty Springfield a few years ago, where the “reworking” of every song was to slooooowwwww it down to a crawl. Part of the joy of Nyro’s music for me was the exuberance in songs like “Luckie,” “Lu,” and “When You Were A Freeport” and all of that is missing here. But the Lisa Fischer and Shawn Colvin tracks? Amazing.