Angel in the Dark

by Laura Nyro

Overview

Angel in the Dark is a lovely recording featuring the graceful vocals and finely crafted songs that everyone expects from Laura Nyro. These sessions were completed in the summer of 1995 and represent the last music Nyro recorded. The title cut and "Sweet Dream Fade" mine the same soul terrain as her late '60s recordings, featuring horns and underlined by heavy guitar riffs. These upbeat pieces perfectly integrate voice, arrangements, and lyrics to create an organic whole, and are two of the best cuts on the album. Slower, piano-based songs like "Triple Goddess Twilight," "He Was Too Good to Me," and "Serious Playground" are mixed in-between these songs. These pieces are quieter and introspective, with Nyro's voice more intimate. It is almost as though she was sitting at the piano, late at night, and singing to herself. There are also several covers including "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" and "Let It Be Me." The first of these is over five minutes and has been slowed down so much that it drags. In fact, she slows down all of the covers as if to convert them into heartfelt ballads. This works best on "Ooh Baby, Baby," partly because the arrangement is fuller and more dynamic. One other standout is the upbeat "Gardenia Talk," filled with lively percussion and a sensual vocal. Angel in the Dark is a fine coda, perfect for late-night listening, and a perfect companion to Nyro's other recordings. ~ Ronnie Lankford Jr.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/27/2001
Label:	Rounder Select / Rounder
UPC:	0011661317628
Rank:	6742

Tracks

1. Angel in the Dark
2. Triple Goddess Twilight
3. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
4. He Was Too Good to Me
5. Sweet Dream Fade
6. Serious Playground
7. Be Aware
8. Let It Be Me
9. Gardenia Talk
10. Ooh Baby Baby
11. Embraceable You
12. La la Means I Love You
13. Walk on By
14. Animal Grace
15. Don't Hurt Child
16. Coda

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Laura Nyro   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals,Vocal Harmony,Piano (Electric)
Will Lee   Guest Artist,Bass
Randy Brecker   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Michael Brecker   Guest Artist,Sax (Tenor)
John Tropea   Guest Artist,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie   Guest Artist,Drums
Chris Parker   Drums
Bashiri Johnson   Percussion
"Ready" Freddie Washington   Bass
Jeff Pevar   Guitar
Carol Steele   Percussion

Technical Credits

Laura Nyro   Producer,Composer
Albert Leusink   Assistant Engineer
Carole King   Composer
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
Lorenz Hart   Composer
John Tropea   Horn Arrangements
Peter Gallway   Production Assistant
Warren "Pete" Moore   Composer
Manny Curtis   Composer
Hal David   Composer
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Smokey Robinson   Composer
Robert Smith   Assistant Engineer
Pierre Delanoe   Composer
Wayne Yurgelun   Engineer
Tommy Mitchell   Horn Arrangements
Steve Rosenthal   Engineer
William "Poogie" Hart   Composer
Dan Gellert   Engineer
Gilbert Becaud   Composer
Gerry Goffin   Composer
Eileen Silver Lillywhite   Liner Notes
Thom Bell   Composer
Burt Bacharach   Composer