New York Tendaberry
Encyclopedia
New York Tendaberry is an album
by New York
-born singer, songwriter, and pianist Laura Nyro
.
It was released in the autumn of 1969 on the Columbia Records
label, some 18 months after its predecessor, Eli and the Thirteenth Confession
. It is generally considered by rock critics and Laura Nyro aficionados to be her greatest musical achievement. The album was helmed by Nyro, with the assistance of producer and engineer Roy Halee
.
New York Tendaberry is also considered to be the second in a trilogy of classic original Nyro records, with Eli and Christmas and the Beads of Sweat
on either side. They are all considered musically and thematically similar, although New York Tendaberry is by far the most intense and stark.
In 1969, Nyro was one of the most popular pop songwriters, and various groups including The 5th Dimension, Three Dog Night
, and Blood Sweat and Tears had enjoyed hits with her compositions. Thanks to the strong word of mouth trailing her work, New York Tendaberry became her most commercially successful record, peaking at #32 on the Billboard 200
, formerly known as the Pop Albums chart.
The 5th Dimension reached US #27 in the Pop Singles chart (the Hot 100) with their version of "Save the Country," while artists including Barbra Streisand
recorded "Time and Love."
In 2003, the album was included in Mojo
's Collection book of the best albums of all time, and the reissued version was voted among the Best Albums of 2002 in Uncut magazine.
. All of the songs either take place in New York City or are influenced by the city.
The song "New York Tendaberry" particularly stands out as an ode to the city, while other songs, such as "Gibsom Street" and "Mercy on Broadway," take place in the urban metropolis. Elsewhere, Nyro sings of lovers and romances in a notably darker and more knowing tone than on 1968's Eli and the Thirteenth Confession
, adding further weight to the theory that this album is a thematic continuation from its predecessor.
Musically, New York Tendaberry is far more intimate than any other Nyro album, and the lack of multi-layered instrumentation and memorable pop hooks was a surprise coming after the cult favourite Eli. The album is built around Nyro's voice and piano; her voice is at its wildest and most free, swooping and diving between notes and regularly locked in its upper register, while her piano playing is alternately velvety and impassioned.
Nyro painstakingly guided co-producer and engineer Roy Halee
using colour metaphors. Nyro could not understand musical notation, and used other analogies to communicate what she wanted. This process slowed recording down somewhat, as did Nyro's perfectionism. The use of strings and classical instrumentation is also notable.
The album also utilises sound effects, such as the gunshot on "Mercy on Broadway" and the twinkling sky in "New York Tendaberry." Alongside Nyro's piano, there is a jazz band
, an orchestra
, and a rock band
, although this is used sparingly. The mood is downbeat and smoky, which makes Nyro's theatrical dramatics and dynamic abilities all the more effective.
The album was finally released after a year of painstaking night-time recording sessions, and is considered by most to be Nyro's artistic highpoint. Famous Nyro fan Rickie Lee Jones
has described the album as one of the best records of all time.
reissued the album in re-mastered and expanded format during the summer of 2002 alongside similar reissues of Eli and the Thirteenth Confession
and Gonna Take a Miracle
.
The reissue featured the previously unreleased song "In the Country Way," recorded by Nyro during 1971 oddly enough, as well as the mono
single version of "Save the Country," which was recorded in the summer of 1968 in an attempt to give Nyro her first chart hit. This attempt backfired, and Nyro stuck to her solo piano renditions for the New York Tendaberry album.
The accompanying booklet features photographs, lyrics, and recording details, as well as new liner notes by David Fricke and a back-cover reminiscence from Suzanne Vega
. The reissued version was voted among Uncut magazine's Best Albums of 2002.
using the original analog tapes, and brings the original artwork in a gatefold cover, and an audiophile pure record vinyl in 180 grams.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
-born singer, songwriter, and pianist Laura Nyro
Laura Nyro
Laura Nyro was an American songwriter, singer, and pianist. She achieved considerable critical acclaim with her own recordings, particularly the albums Eli and the Thirteenth Confession and New York Tendaberry, and had commercial success with artists such as Barbra Streisand and The 5th...
.
It was released in the autumn of 1969 on the Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
label, some 18 months after its predecessor, Eli and the Thirteenth Confession
Eli and the Thirteenth Confession
-References:*Michele Kort's biography Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro -External links:*[ Allmusic Laura Nyro biography entry.]**...
. It is generally considered by rock critics and Laura Nyro aficionados to be her greatest musical achievement. The album was helmed by Nyro, with the assistance of producer and engineer Roy Halee
Roy Halee
Roy Halee is an American record producer and engineer, best known for working with Simon and Garfunkel.Halee grew up on Long Island, New York. His father, also named Roy Halee, provided the singing voice for Mighty Mouse in late 1940s Terrytoons cartoons, as well as the voices of Heckle and Jeckle...
.
New York Tendaberry is also considered to be the second in a trilogy of classic original Nyro records, with Eli and Christmas and the Beads of Sweat
Christmas and the Beads of Sweat
- Personnel :-References:Michele Kort's biography Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro -External Links:...
on either side. They are all considered musically and thematically similar, although New York Tendaberry is by far the most intense and stark.
In 1969, Nyro was one of the most popular pop songwriters, and various groups including The 5th Dimension, Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night
Three Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. During that time the band charted 21 Billboard top 40 hits in America, three of which reached Number One...
, and Blood Sweat and Tears had enjoyed hits with her compositions. Thanks to the strong word of mouth trailing her work, New York Tendaberry became her most commercially successful record, peaking at #32 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, formerly known as the Pop Albums chart.
The 5th Dimension reached US #27 in the Pop Singles chart (the Hot 100) with their version of "Save the Country," while artists including Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
recorded "Time and Love."
In 2003, the album was included in Mojo
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
's Collection book of the best albums of all time, and the reissued version was voted among the Best Albums of 2002 in Uncut magazine.
Overview
New York Tendaberry is loosely Laura Nyro's love ode to her hometown, New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. All of the songs either take place in New York City or are influenced by the city.
The song "New York Tendaberry" particularly stands out as an ode to the city, while other songs, such as "Gibsom Street" and "Mercy on Broadway," take place in the urban metropolis. Elsewhere, Nyro sings of lovers and romances in a notably darker and more knowing tone than on 1968's Eli and the Thirteenth Confession
Eli and the Thirteenth Confession
-References:*Michele Kort's biography Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro -External links:*[ Allmusic Laura Nyro biography entry.]**...
, adding further weight to the theory that this album is a thematic continuation from its predecessor.
Musically, New York Tendaberry is far more intimate than any other Nyro album, and the lack of multi-layered instrumentation and memorable pop hooks was a surprise coming after the cult favourite Eli. The album is built around Nyro's voice and piano; her voice is at its wildest and most free, swooping and diving between notes and regularly locked in its upper register, while her piano playing is alternately velvety and impassioned.
Nyro painstakingly guided co-producer and engineer Roy Halee
Roy Halee
Roy Halee is an American record producer and engineer, best known for working with Simon and Garfunkel.Halee grew up on Long Island, New York. His father, also named Roy Halee, provided the singing voice for Mighty Mouse in late 1940s Terrytoons cartoons, as well as the voices of Heckle and Jeckle...
using colour metaphors. Nyro could not understand musical notation, and used other analogies to communicate what she wanted. This process slowed recording down somewhat, as did Nyro's perfectionism. The use of strings and classical instrumentation is also notable.
The album also utilises sound effects, such as the gunshot on "Mercy on Broadway" and the twinkling sky in "New York Tendaberry." Alongside Nyro's piano, there is a jazz band
Jazz band
A jazz band is a musical ensemble that plays jazz music. Jazz bands usually consist of a rhythm section and a horn section, in the early days often trumpet, trombone, and clarinet with rhythm section of piano, banjo, bass or tuba, and drums.-Eras:SwingDuring the swing era in the mid-twentieth...
, an orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, and a rock band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
, although this is used sparingly. The mood is downbeat and smoky, which makes Nyro's theatrical dramatics and dynamic abilities all the more effective.
The album was finally released after a year of painstaking night-time recording sessions, and is considered by most to be Nyro's artistic highpoint. Famous Nyro fan Rickie Lee Jones
Rickie Lee Jones
Rickie Lee Jones is an American vocalist, musician, songwriter, and producer. Over the course of a three-decade career, Jones has recorded in various musical styles including rock, R&B, blues, pop, soul, and jazz standards.-Childhood:...
has described the album as one of the best records of all time.
Track listing
All songs written by Laura Nyro.- "You Don't Love Me When I Cry" (4:24) [rec : 3/21/69]
- "Captain for Dark Mornings" (4:38) [rec : 2/11/69]
- "Tom Cat Goodbye" (5:32) [rec : 3/5/69]
- "Mercy on Broadway" (2:18) [rec : 3/5/69]
- "Save the Country" (4:36) [rec : 3/4/69]
- "Gibsom Street" (4:47) [rec : 10/4/68]
- "Time and Love" (4:24) [rec : 9/20/68]
- "The Man Who Sends Me Home" (2:52) [rec : 3/5/69]
- "Sweet Lovin' Baby" (3:55) [rec : 3/5/69]
- "Captain Saint Lucifer" (3:17) [rec : 1/21/69]
- "New York Tendaberry" (5:33) [rec : 2/11/69]
The 2002 remaster
The Legacy imprint of Columbia RecordsColumbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
reissued the album in re-mastered and expanded format during the summer of 2002 alongside similar reissues of Eli and the Thirteenth Confession
Eli and the Thirteenth Confession
-References:*Michele Kort's biography Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro -External links:*[ Allmusic Laura Nyro biography entry.]**...
and Gonna Take a Miracle
Gonna Take a Miracle
Gonna Take a Miracle is the fifth music album by New York-born singer, songwriter, and pianist Laura Nyro. Nyro was backed up on the album by the vocal trio Labelle....
.
The reissue featured the previously unreleased song "In the Country Way," recorded by Nyro during 1971 oddly enough, as well as the mono
Monaural
Monaural or monophonic sound reproduction is single-channel. Typically there is only one microphone, one loudspeaker, or channels are fed from a common signal path...
single version of "Save the Country," which was recorded in the summer of 1968 in an attempt to give Nyro her first chart hit. This attempt backfired, and Nyro stuck to her solo piano renditions for the New York Tendaberry album.
The accompanying booklet features photographs, lyrics, and recording details, as well as new liner notes by David Fricke and a back-cover reminiscence from Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Nadine Vega is an American songwriter and singer known for her eclectic folk-inspired music.Two of Vega's songs reached the top 10 of various international chart listings: "Luka" and "Tom's Diner"...
. The reissued version was voted among Uncut magazine's Best Albums of 2002.
Ray Staff remaster
The label Pure Pleasure Records added the album into their catalog, on 2008. The re-mastering was made by Ray StaffRay Staff
Ray Staff is a mastering engineer best known for his work with a diverse mix of artists including Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Clash and Black Sabbath...
using the original analog tapes, and brings the original artwork in a gatefold cover, and an audiophile pure record vinyl in 180 grams.