Eli and the Thirteenth Confession [Bonus Tracks]

by Laura Nyro

Overview

Nyro peaked early, and Eli and the Thirteenth Confession, just her second album, remains her best. It's not only because it contains the original versions of no less than three songs that were big hits for other artists: "Sweet Blindness" (covered by the 5th Dimension), "Stoned Soul Picnic" (also covered by the 5th Dimension), and "Eli's Comin'" (done by Three Dog Night). It's not even just because those three songs are so outstanding. It's because the album as a whole is so outstanding, with its invigorating blend of blue-eyed soul, New York pop, and early confessional singer/songwriting. Nyro sang of love, inscrutably enigmatic romantic daredevils, getting drunk, lonely women, and sensual desire with an infectious joie de vivre. The arrangements superbly complemented the material with lively brass, wailing counterpoint backup vocals, and Nyro's own ebullient piano. [The 2002 CD reissue adds three previously unreleased demos, with no instrumental accompaniment save piano, of "Lu," "Stoned Soul Picnic," and "Emmie."] ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	06/25/2002
Label:	Bmg / Sony Music Distribution
UPC:	0886977076626
Rank:	578

Tracks

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. The Confession
14. Lu
15. Stoned Soul Picnic
16. Emmie

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Laura Nyro   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals

Technical Credits

Steve Hoffman   Mastering
Laura Nyro   Composer,Producer
Stanley Tonkel   Engineer
Stephen Marsh   Mastering
Charles Calello   Arranger,Producer
Roberta Ballard   Production Coordination
Bob Cato   Photography
Bob Wynne   Graphic Design
Roy Segal   Engineer