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![Billy Childs - Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro [New CD] - Picture 1 of 1](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/3ooAAOSwMChl6cHi/s-l500.jpg)
The concept of this record is a good one - new takes on Laura Nyro songs, sung and played by A-list musicians. Unfortunately, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Billy Childs' string arrangements tend to overpower the songs and singers. These are SONGS, not jazz changes over which to blow solos, or layer strings. In some cases, it sounds like the soloists were given only a single take, and their performances aren't up to snuff. Ledisi hasn't decided how to pronounce "surrey" on "Stone Soul Picnic." On "Upstairs By a Chinese Lamp," Wayne Shorter plays consistently sharp. These are not small details - they indicate that the producers were more interested in their own parts than in those of the other musicians. Additionally, the technical details of the recording are lacking. The strings sound like they are in two rooms at once, a small one and a big one. Chris Botti plays his trumpet beautifully and has a gorgeous tone, but his track is squashed with compression, leading to a lack of dynamics and outright distortion. In fact, the entire CD is smashed as flat as a pancake by mastering engineer Bernie Grundman. That takes the life out of it, and makes it tiring to listen to. There are some standout performances, e.g. Rickie Lee Jones' vocal on "Been on a Train" and Shawn Colvin's on "Save the Country," but they can't support the rather ponderous weight of the rest of the project.Read full review
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I have followed Laura Nyro since I was a freshman in high school. I know every song and word by heart. I have always felt her genius was under appreciated. This album gave me reservations because it wasn't her voice, but once I got over my momentary hesitation, I was in love. The renditions are beautiful and full of love. It is an amazing tribute to an amazing artist and does not disappoint.
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