Gonna Take A Miracle - LAURA NYRO & LABELLE***

I Met Him On A Sunday/The Bells/Monkey Time-Dancing In The Streets/Desiree/You've Really Got A Hold On Me/Spanish Harlem/Jimmy Mack/The Wind/Nowhere To Run/Gonna Take A Miracle

Laura Nyro is best remembered as an somewhat intense songwriter, so the release of Gonna Take A Miracle, a collection of soul covers in collaboration with Labelle, comes as rather a surprise. (US:46)

“Gonna Take A Miracle is one of the greatest cover albums ever. This is not surprising to me given Nyro's astonishing run of masterpieces, but it is one of those simple/complex paradox albums that take time and repeated listening to fully reveal itself. Simple covers of Motown and R & B standards with the Labelle sisters become rave ups with hidden social commentary. Slow ballads are stripped down to their very essence featuring layers of soulful vocals with her voice front and centre.”

“Gonna Take A Miracle takes the adolescent superficiality of the mid-60s girl groups and presents them in the format of an operetta that's as serious as life itself. It's an overlooked gem, more easily overlooked, in fact, than Nyro's music in general. This matters little to those who are indifferent or antagonistic towards her unique musical vision but, to the converted, this album sits up there with her best work.”

“Musically, it's classic Philadelphia soul but is infused with Nyro's distinctive vocals, which are halfway between soul queen and opera diva. LaBelle never overpower Nyro, who remains the focus throughout, but their vocals meld particularly well.”

“My favourite Nyro release since I prefer her as a singer rather than a songwriter. She had a great voice, and she didn't over elaborate with American Idol style histrionics.”

“Why does such a great songwriter come up with a covers album? When it comes to an album like this that question is inevitable. Fortunately Laura Nyro has made this album something very special. At one time she's taking the unknown soul ballads The Bells and Desiree and making them sound entirely like Nyro originals, but the next moment she's showing us that she can do Motown, or a capella gospel as well. And if you can make Spanish Harlem sound like something completely new you have to be very special.”

“This was Laura Nyro's way of paying homage to the songs that gave her musical inspiration, and she crafted a fine tribute which has withstood the test of time.”