Laru Nyro doing "Be Aware"

Steve Schenck · Post by **Steve Schenck** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 11:20 am

I found this on YouTube. Had never heard this particular recording before; in fact, while I've heard lots of Laura Nyro's songs sung by others, I don't think I ever heard HER singing before. This is interesting; raw, for sure. It's just her and the piano, and it's described as a demo. Would love to hear what she might have done with a full-blown arrangement of the song. I've only heard Barbra's and Dionne's versions of this song, and I think it's one of Burt and Hal's greatest. Only wish the song had managed to have gotten released!

Blair N. Cummings · Post by **Blair N. Cummings** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:06 pm

I recall this coming up a few years back (probably before your time here, Steve). I loved Laura`s work (apart from the glut of posthumous live recordings, many of which ill-served her legacy) but I think her version of this partly illustrates Bachto bacharach`s point about allowing personal quirks to subsume a song. Not that Laura is nearly the offender that later vocalists were but with Burt`s songs in particular the melody has to be respected and just sung as written from start to finish. Laura was an unmatched performer of her own songs - not every writer can claim to be - but I think she should have left Be Aware alone.
On the other hand, here is an example of her voice beautifully matched to another`s material:

Steve Schenck · Post by **Steve Schenck** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:45 pm

Thanks, Blair. Great recording of the song!

grooverider · Post by **grooverider** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:55 pm

Laura Nyro (truly an American treasure!) did indeed flesh out "Be Aware" on her album, "Angel In the Dark" released in 2001(Ms. Nyro passed away from cancer in 1997). If I can find it on Youtube, I'll post it. Some great NY musicians play on this song: Will Lee (on bass), Chris Parker (on drums), Carole Steele (on percussion) and Jeff Pevar (on guitar). Also on the same cd is "Walk on By" but that is only Ms. Nyro accompanying herself on piano The cd liner notes say this about, "Be Aware": "... [it] was important to Laura, a song that reflected her feelings about the world, about people."

I really miss her voice, her music.

grooverider · Post by **grooverider** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:08 pm

Re: "Be Aware":
Here's a medley from Barbra Streisand that includes part of the cd version, the full band version from Laura Nyro:

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Laru Nyro doing "Be Aware"

Laru Nyro doing "Be Aware"

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