Laura Nyro's induction to RRHOF

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I noticed that about 11 people viewed this post/thread of the link to the video of Laura Nyro's induction to the RRHOF.
I do believe that Bette Midler's speech about Laura Nyro was heartfelt. It's been reported before that Midler has been wanting to do an album of songs by Nyro.

Here is an excerpt of Midler's speech:

" Everything seemed exotic and heightened in her songs.
She could make a trip to the grocery store feel like a night at the casbah.
Honestly, I get fahklempt just thinking about it.
In those days, you really felt stuff."
(video cuts to Laura Nyro singing "Eli's Coming")

When I hear those words "in those days, you really felt stuff," it resonates for me. Without sounds like an old fart, I believe that there was an innocence back then that doesn't exist anymore. And when an artist like Laura Nyro came along, she did make you feel things. A song as simple-sounding as "I Never Meant To Hurt You" had such intensity at the same time. And that last lyric..... "and when I saw you crying... I cried, too," just melts my heart each time.
And then I talk with people who tell me how Kei$ha is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and I'm like, "Really?" I realize this is all subjective, but they don't make people like Laura Nyro anymore. Or maybe they do and the world is so jaded they can't break through or there is such a glut of information with not just radio and TV, but cable, and iPads, and iPhones, and Smartphones and Facebook, and Twitter and Pinterest and most people don't have the time or the attention span to just sit and listen.
Again those words about "in those days, you really felt stuff," made me reflect again on the back-and-forth between Erik and dianna regarding Carrie Underwood. I don't mean disrespect to her. I think of the "American Idol" contestants to have actually won she has been able to carve out a career, as has Kelly Clarkson. But, honestly, when I hear her voice or a song by her, there is nothing that makes me want to listen to it or hear it again.
Whereas someone like Linda could imbue a song with so much passion and emotion that I did want to go back for more. To feel that feeling. After almost 40 years now, whenever Linda gets to that part in "You're No Good" -- a song that I've probably heard thousands of times -- "I'm telling you now, baby..." it still reaches inside me and "makes me feel" something. It is not just background or white noise.
I didn't make a lot of comments in my own thread about Rita Wilson's new CD on which she sings "Faithless Love" and "Prisoner in Disguise," but it baffles me that a reviewer would seem to prefer the "grown-up serenity" of Rita Wilson's version of "Love Has No Pride" to Linda's.
Stephen Holden wrote:
" The best point of comparison between then and now is the classic Eric Kaz and Libby Titus torch song “Love Has No Pride,” which was memorably recorded by Ms. Ronstadt, who wailed it; Bonnie Raitt, who toughened it up; and Rita Coolidge, who crooned it. Ms. Wilson’s version is quieter and less fraught than its forerunners and distills the album’s retrospective attitude of looking back from a point of grown-up serenity. The view is lovely."

I hear Rita Wilson's version and think, "Okay, she has a decent, pleasant voice." But there is nothing that makes me feel compelled to ever hear it again.
So, IMHO, that is what is missing from so much of music today.

[the Scribe]

Bette needs to be careful she doesn't become seen as an "ambulance chaser."

I have been a huge fan of Laura's music since the 60's. I am glad she is getting recognition although I have mixed feelings about the HALL.