The Album Club: "Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro" by Billy Childs
 

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On we go to MicShazam's selection. Vote, review, discuss, debate and comment on here.

Billy Childs- Map To the Treasure; Reimagining Laura Nyro (2014)


Best Tracks: New York Tendaberry, Stoned Soul Picnic, Gibsom Street

Weakest Tracks: Upstairs By a Chinese Lamp , Been on a Train


This is a nice tribute to Laura Nyro by a jazz artist I wasn’t very familiar with up until now. I have heard some Laura Nyro, of course, and note that perhaps she was a better songwriter than recording artist. If one doesn’t believe me, one can only look at the many hits she penned while scoring none of her own.

As for the album, it was, overall, a wise selection of songs. It starts off like gangbusters with New York Tendaberry. It tails off a bit by Been On a Train but picks up right after on Stoned Soul Picnic.

I would have like to have heard other covers such as Eli’s Coming (The Three Dog Night version is my favorite Nyro song) and Sweet Blindness but, all in all, this is a nice selection. I will have to give this a solid like. Nice pick, Mic.








7/10 (the Word has spoken :D)

Maybe the worst album yet reviewed. The vocals, whoever the guest, makes me want to vomit acid in the singe’rs face.

See, I knew our recent agreement wouldn't last long.

I can’t even be arsed to fix my typo. This record doesn’t deserve it.

I think it's great, but I'll write about why later in the week.

Billy Childish > Billy Childs

Tribute album, every track has a different singer. I didn't really recognized any of them except two: one I like, and the other I don't.

Rickie Lee Jones sings Been On A Train I never cared for her, far too much a hipster for my liking.

It seems that Joni Mitchell makes an appearance, though incognito, as Becca Stevens (perhaps a stage name?) and sings The Confession. ... or perhaps Becca Stevens is paying homage to both Laura Nyro and Carole King at the same time, kinda like a two for the price of one homage payment. I have a confession to make: I'm not sure which scenario is the correct one.

Save the Country didn't care for this rendition. Why? It pales in comparison to The Fifth Dimension's version. Same thing with Stoned Soul Picnic, I prefer The Fifth Dimension's version.


Save The Country the much better version by The Fifth Dimension


Stoned Soul Picnic the more awesome version by The Fifth Dimension



And When I Die I always had respected for Alison Krauss. I couldn't (or wouldn't ever think of) finding fault with her, not even with her performance on this. She appears on the album with an old colleague of hers, Jerry Douglas. He's a member her back-up band, Union Station and plays dobro. Alison alone probably stopped me right in my tracks for hating this album and giving it 1/5. Blood, Sweat & Tears also did this Nyro number, not better, not worse, just a different take.

Blood, Sweat & Tears - And When I Die

Well played and well produced but too slick sounding and ultimately boring to me. I was feeling drowsy by the fourth song in. This would've benefited by being stripped-down and roughed-up musically and vocally.
I agree with Nea about the versions of "Stoned Soul Picnic" and "Save the Country" they just sounded bland compared to the versions by The 5th Dimension.
The only brief, interesting moment on the album came during "And When I Die" in the form of a bit of slide guitar. Other than that, this one was a snooze for me.

5/10

Man, I can't relate to any of you.

To me, this is a beautiful album, full or rich, colorful, detailed music. Well performed in every way. Downright inspired vocalist choices by Mr. Childs and I've grown to love every song on the album.

I originally got this recommendation from Ted Gioia's best of 2014 list and I won't hesitate to call it one of my top favorite albums of that whole year.

This is spirited and heartfelt music, played with both gusto and fine feeling. Not to mention the sound quality of this recording is immensely satisfying.

Needs stripping down? Getting "roughed up"? **** that.

I might as well just get used to the idea that I hardly feel connected to anyone in here in terms of musical tastes. That's not me being butthurt (allthough my butt does hurt a wee bit) - it's just me seeing what I should have seen sooner.

I'm not saying that I'm quitting the album club, but I really have no idea what to pick next. I feel like I'm from another planet, musically speaking.