Jazz pianist and arranger Billy Childs is perhaps better known as a sideman than a leader, working with the likes of Freddie Hubbard and Branford Marsalis, and more recently, a long association with Chris Botti. His latest recording is an ambitious project, reimagining the songs of Laura Nyro, a singer/songwriter he had long admired, and worked with briefly prior to her untimely death in 1997. As a singer, Nyro had an impressive range, but also a distinctive, idiosyncratic style. Her songs were deeply personal, the arrangements often complex, featuring unusual chord changes. 

Childs calls on an impressive array of singers and musicians for the project. Opera singer Renée Fleming might not seem the obvious choice to tackle New York Tendaberry but is quite breathtaking, lingering carefully on the lyrics, and far more soulful than one might have anticipated. The arrangement is also gorgeous, and features Yo-Yo Ma on cello. Jazz and folk singer Becca Stevens tackles The Confession, and successfully captures the spirit of the original, whilst R&B singer Lisa Fischer, who has sung back-up for Luther Vandross and the Rolling Stones, does a fine job on the title track.

Rickie Lee Jones has always been a fan of Laura Nyro, describing New York Tendaberry as one of the best albums of all time, and singing Been On A Train at a tribute concert a few years back. She performs the same song here, the dramatic, haunting arrangement in stark contrast to the simple piano of the original. Jones revels in this new setting, and the pairing with jazz saxophonist Chris Potter is quite inspired.

Another inspired pairing sees Esperanza Spalding joined by Wayne Shorter on Upstairs By A Chinese Lamp, which reminds me of the saxophonist’s work with Joni Mitchell over the years. R&B singer Ledisi appears on Nyro’s best-known song, Stoned Soul Picnic, and whilst her singing is impressive, the arrangement doesn’t veer too far from the original.

Laura Nyro’s own work was never easy to categorize, and it’s good to see two country-oriented singers appear here, Shawn Colvin, who is joined by trumpet player Chris Botti, and Alison Krauss, who sings And When I Die from Nyro’s debut album.

Childs’ arrangements throughout are subtle and interesting, and it is fitting that he was awarded with a Grammy for his version of New York Tendaberry. This album has brought him great recognition, and his next project will be hotly anticipated. 

For listeners who are not familiar with Nyro’s own recordings, this is a great introduction. Those wishing to explore further might consider starting with Stoned Soul Picnic, a fine two CD compilation of her work.