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Post by rick on Sept 5, 2014 14:00:40 GMT -5
Just came across this project Billy Childs' website Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro Composer/Arranger/Pianist Billy Childs leads an All-Star interpretation of Songwriter Laura Nyro's beloved works Featuring Guest Artists Renee Fleming, Esperanza Spalding, Yo-Yo Ma, Alison Krauss, Ledisi, Wayne Shorter and more When Grammy Award®-winning musician Billy Childs was 11 years old, his older sisters introduced him to the work of Songwriter and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter Laura Nyro. Her blend of Broadway-inspired melodies, jazz improvisation and socially conscious lyrics have stayed with him. Now Billy has returned to his early source of inspiration, conceiving and orchestrating his new album, "Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro." Childs is not alone in his enthusiasm for Nyro's music, an incredible range of musicians join him in interpreting her narratives. Classical soprano Renée Fleming and cellist Yo-Yo Ma add new meaning to her hometown ode, "New York Tendaberry." Jazz stars Esperanza Spalding and Wayne Shorter collaborate on Nyro's pictorial "Upstairs by a Chinese Lamp," and R&B chanteuse Ledisi updates one of Nyro's biggest hits, "Stoned Soul Picnic." Other prominent voices include Alison Krauss, Rickie Lee Jones, Shawn Colvin, Dianne Reeves, Susan Tedeschi, Lisa Fischer and Becca Stevens, with featured instrumental soloists Chris Botti, Jerry Douglas, Chris Potter and Steve Wilson. Childs' own experiences leading jazz chamber groups proved invaluable to creating the widescreen scope of "Map to the Treasure" his focus was on arranging the ensemble and guests to best present Nyro's imagery. Even after Childs' decades of considering Nyro's music, at the heart of it all is his unyielding devotion to her art. That love is the heart of the re-imagination of "Map to the Treasure." |
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Post by MokyWI on Sept 5, 2014 17:49:56 GMT -5
Another project that Linda can't take part in. I wonder if she would have been considered? Ronstadt did say Nyro is one artist she was hoping to get to at some point but she lost her ability to sing before getting to her songs/song. I think Linda had a particular song specifically picked out. I know we have covered it on here not to long ago.
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Post by rick on Sept 6, 2014 12:24:28 GMT -5
Another project that Linda can't take part in. I wonder if she would have been considered? Ronstadt did say Nyro is one artist she was hoping to get to at some point but she lost her ability to sing before getting to her songs/song. I think Linda had a particular song specifically picked out. I know we have covered it on here not to long ago. Mike, I vaguely remember this topic on the board some time back. I wonder if Linda remembered that she had recorded Laura Nyro's "Stoney End," so she had at least "tackled" Nyro once before. I did a "Search" for "Nyro" on the Board and no results were found. Considering that there is this thread about Nyro, I was a little surprised. I will try again later. |
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Post by rick on Oct 17, 2014 13:29:13 GMT -5
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Post by markislam on Oct 18, 2014 14:00:54 GMT -5
I just purchased this Billy Childs CD and have been listening to it this week. I predict Grammy nomination if not a win.
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Post by rick on Oct 19, 2014 2:50:06 GMT -5
Mark, I agree. I am hoping the Grammys will at least give this album some attention. I attended the performance at the Segerstrom Concert Hall on Friday night. Billy Childs is a brilliant pianist and arranger. Becca Stevens and Lisa ("20 Feet From Stardom") Fischer were performing with Childs on Friday night as was a singer named Moira Smiley. Becca sang "Confession" as she does on the album and Lisa Fischer sang "Map to the Treasure" as she does on the CD. They also sang other tracks from the album and Moira Smiley performed "Save the Country" and "New York Tendaberry" subbing for Shawn Colvin and Renee Fleming, respectively. Billy Childs was at USC (studying music composition) from 1975 to 1979, the same years that I was an undergrad there. Here are some other videos... Billy Childs was interviewed on the Tavis Smiley show in September about the Laura Nyro project and at the end of the video there is a performance by Billy Childs and Becca Stevens of Laura Nyro's "The Confession" -- Billy Childs' interview and performance on 'Tavis Smiley' New York Daily News Review -- NY Daily News: 'Laura Nyro Tribute She Deserves' Audio review from KQED Public Radio station in San Francisco -- KQED jazz critic's audio review of the album Interview w/ Billy Childs before concert at the Segerstrom Hall -- Orange County Daily Pilot: Tapping the 'Treasure' of singer-songwriter Laura Nyro THE MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL 2014, Billy Childs Performing songs from "Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro" -- "Stoned Soul Picnic" with Billy Childs and Lisa Fischer -- "The Confession" with Billy Childs and Becca Stevens -- "New York Tendaberry" with Billy Childs, solo piano |
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Post by markislam on Oct 19, 2014 10:18:55 GMT -5
Those clips are outstanding, Rick. Just shared the solo piano one of NY Tendaberry with Twitter & Facebook. Thanks for posting them.
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