Angel in the Dark
Angel in the Dark is a 2001 album from American singer-songwriter Laura Nyro, released after her death and made up of recordings from 1994 and 1995.
Recording and release
Nyro recorded the album while participating in chemotherapy for the ovarian cancer that ultimately killed her in 1997; the recordings were not completed. The songs are her final recording sessions and were initially planned for release on a small independent label before being handed over to Rounder Records for a broader release and promotion of Nyro's career.Critical reception
The editors of AllMusic Guide scored this album four out of five stars, with reviewer Ronnie D. Lankford Jr. calling the album "a lovely recording featuring the graceful vocals and finely crafted songs that everyone expects from Laura Nyro" and "a fine coda, perfect for late-night listening, and a perfect companion to Nyro's other recordings". In The Austin Chronicle, Margaret Moser situates the release as part of Nyro's reflection on her impending death, noting that the cover versions include her influences and the original tracks discuss the most important themes in her life and music. Writing for Billboard, Michael Padletta called the album "aptly titled" for Nyro's "achingly beautiful" vocals, with her career as a songwriter being as accomplished as her influences present on this collection. His colleague Jim Bessman named it the top album of 2001.Track listing
- "Angel in the Dark" – 4:04
- "Triple Goddess Twilight" – 3:59
- "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" – 5:59
- "He Was Too Good to Me" – 2:36
- "Sweet Dream Fade" – 4:26
- "Serious Playground" – 4:17
- "Be Aware" – 3:01
- "Let It Be Me" – 2:13
- "Gardenia Talk" – 2:44
- "Ooh Baby, Baby" – 3:24
- "Embraceable You" – 2:08
- "La La Means I Love You" – 4:18
- "Walk On By" – 2:17
- "Animal Grace" – 1:27
- "Don't Hurt Child" – 3:22
- "Coda" – 1:05
- :silence – 3:00
- :"Come and Get These Memories" – 1:25
Personnel
"Angel in the Dark": recorded by Wayne Yurgelin, assisted by Robert Smith, at The Power Station, August 5, 1995, with additional recording by Steve Rosenthal, assisted by Albert Leusink at The Magic Shop- Laura Nyro – lead and harmony vocals and electric piano
- Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
- Randy Brecker – trumpet
- Bashiri Johnson – percussion
- Tommy Mitchell – horn arrangement
- Bernard Purdie – drums
- John Tropea – electric guitar and horn arrangement
- Freddie Washington – bass guitar
- Laura Nyro – lead and vocal harmonies and acoustic piano
- Laura Nyro – vocals and acoustic piano
- Will Lee – bass guitar
- Chris Parker – drums
- Jeff Pevar – guitar
- Carol Steele – percussion
- Laura Nyro – vocals and acoustic piano
- Laura Nyro – vocals and electric piano
- Michael Brecker – tenor saxophone
- Randy Brecker – trumpet
- Bashiri Johnson – percussion
- Tommy Mitchell – horn arrangement
- Bernard Purdie – drums
- John Tropea – electric guitar and horn arrangement
- Freddie Washington – bass guitar
- Laura Nyro – lead and vocal harmonies and acoustic piano
- Laura Nyro – vocals and acoustic piano
- Will Lee – bass guitar
- Chris Parker – drums
- Jeff Pevar – guitar
- Carol Steele – percussion
- Laura Nyro – vocals and acoustic piano
- Laura Nyro – vocals and electric piano
- Bashiri Johnson – percussion
- Bernard Purdie – drums
- John Tropea – electric guitar and horn arrangement
- Freddie Washington – bass guitar
- Laura Nyro – vocals and acoustic piano
- Will Lee – bass guitar
- Chris Parker – drums
- Jeff Pevar – guitar
- Carol Steele – percussion
- Laura Nyro – vocals and acoustic piano
- Laura Nyro – vocals and electric piano
- Will Lee – bass guitar
- Chris Parker – drums
- Jeff Pevar – guitar
- Carol Steele – percussion
- Laura Nyro – vocals and electric piano
- Laura Nyro – lead and vocal harmonies and acoustic piano
- Laura Nyro – lead and harmony vocals and electric piano
- Bashiri Johnson – percussion
- Bernard Purdie – drums
- John Tropea – electric guitar
- Freddie Washington – bass guitar
- Laura Nyro – lead and harmony vocals and electric piano
- Bashiri Johnson – percussion
- Bernard Purdie – drums
- Scott Billington – production
- Tom Coyne – mastering at Sterling Sound, New York
- David Gahr – photography
- Dick Kondas – assistant [Audio Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing (recorded music)|mixing] at Sorcerer Sound, New York, August 2000
- Laura Nyro – production
- Steve Rosenthal – mixing at Sorcerer Sound, New York, August 2000
- Eileen Silver-Lilywhite – production
- Jean Wilcox – design and illustration