Original Album Classics - 5CD Slipcase - Eli And The 13th Confession / New York Tendaberry / Christmas And The Beads Of Sweat / Gonna Take a Miracle / Smile [Box set]

In principle, the package as a whole is worth about four stars:
You get four classic albums and a decent one at a reasonable price (though not as cheaply as some of the other titles in the series).
I'm sure I'm not the only one who would have preferred Nyro's first five albums rather than albums 2 - 6, but as "More than a New Discovery" was originally on a different label, I guess the present selection makes sort of sense too.
The covers are reproduced nicely (and the first four are among my favorite covers ever, simple and beautiful). But absolutely no extras: no booklet or any other inserts, and if you go to the website indicated on the box, you won't find any info there either!
As customary with this series, there is at least one typing error on the box (of course, this may have been corrected on later versions).

So why only two stars?
Because nobody at Sony made any effort whatsoever to find a decent sounding version of what I consider Laura's absolute masterpiece, Christmas and the Beads of Sweat. I find the old version they used practically unlistenable, with muffled vocals and generally muddy sound. This is unforgivable, because the Japanese remaster from a couple of years ago sounds fine (I finally had to get that version AFTER shelling out for this box set, which I bought under the impression that ALL five albums would be remastered). If you know the Japanese remaster (or the original vinyl, or the songs featured on the Stoned Soul Picnic compilation), you know that Laura's incredible vocal presence is essential to Christmas and the Beads of Sweat, and without it, the album loses a lot of its intensity and power.

Five essential albums by one of the most gifted and overlooked artists of the 20th century pop music genre. Diehard fans will of course have all of these, but for someone trying to catch up or who is new to Laura Nyro's music this is a treasure trove at a great price. This is some of the most soulful, creative and joyful/sorrowful music that has ever been produced and you know you are in the presence of a true artist and musical genius. No one like her then or now. A must buy. Sadly Laura is no longer with us, but thankfully her visionary, timeless music remains on these five discs.

As Kurt wrote above, "Christmas and The Beads of Sweat" is the only of these not remastered, and it sounds very poor I just got the Japanese 2008 remaster and it is stunning, way better than even my cherished vinyl copy and worth every one of the thirty bucks I paid for it.

Fans will likely have all these already, and the remasterings of the other 4 discs are excellent (the vinyl's pre-echo is totally gone from the "Tendaberry" album), so since this boxed edition has no printed texts, it is of little use for the already initiated but still excellent value if you need to fill in more than a few of these.

As gifts for friends, however, this an ideal way to introduce Laura Nyro to those who may only know her as the composer of songs for The Fifth Dimension, Blood Sweat & Tears, et al. Be an even better friend, if you have the finances, and buy the US Sony discs individually somplete with texts are artwork.

Steve Koenig
Editor, AcousticLevitation.org