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behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 17, 1971 - “Gonna Take A Miracle”, the fifth album by Laura Nyro is released. Produced by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, it is recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, PA from May - June 1971. Following the holiday themed “Christmas And The Beads Of Sweat”, singer and songwriter Lauro Nyro again follows her muse and changes musical direction yet again. For the first time in her career, Nyro decides to record an album of all cover material, rather than another featuring original material penned by her. Having recorded a cover of The Drifters classic “Up On The Roof” on her previous release, which becomes her only single to crack the Hot 100 in the US, Laura records a full album of favorite R&B songs during her years growing up in The Bronx. Prior to recording the album, Nyro meets singer Patti LaBelle, when she is being interviewed by LaBelle’s manager Vicki Wickham. Laura and Patti become close friends and tour together. When it comes time to work on the project, Nyro is paired with Philadelphia International Records co-founders and producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Backed by the core rhythm section of PIR’s house band MFSB, Nyro invites LaBelle (Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash) to perform backing vocals throughout. Recording a well selected group of songs that include Motown classics (“You Really Got A Hold On Me”, “The Bells”, “Nowhere To Run”, “Jimmy Mack”), girl group standards (“I Met Him On A Sunday”, “It’s Gonna Take A Miracle”), Brill Building pop (“Spanish Harlem”) and doo wop (“The Wind”), the recordings are spirited and inspired. The title track is released as a single not long after the album, and though it does not chart, the album itself receives favorable reviews and performs well. In time, “Miracle” is regarded as a favorite among Laura Nyro’s loyal fan base and today is revered as a classic “blue eyed soul” album. It is also the last album Nyro records for nearly five years. By the end of 1971, the already media shy musician turns away from the spotlight to get married and live in rural Massachusetts. Out of print in the US for many years, the album is reissued on CD in 1991, then is remastered and reissued again in 2002 with four bonus tracks, recorded live at The Fillmore East in May of 1971. “Gonna Take A Miracle” peaks at number forty six on the Billboard Hot 100, and number forty one on the R&B album chart.

behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 4, 1987 - “The Lion And The Cobra”, the debut album by Sinead O'Connor is released. Produced by Sinead O'Connor and Kevin Moloney, it is recorded at Oasis Studio in London from Late 1986 - Mid 1987. The first album by the then twenty year-old Irish singer and songwriter features musical support from Adam & The Ants guitarist Marco Pirroni and singer Enya. It spins off three singles including “Mandinka”, whose video receives heavy airplay on MTV, and “I Want Your (Hands On Me)” (duet with MC Lyte on the remixed version). The latter appears in the film “Nightmare On Elm Street 4: The Dream Master”. O'Connor receives a Grammy nomination for “Mandinka” in 1989, performing the song on the live Grammy telecast. The albums cover photo (taken by Kate Garner of the band Haysi Fantayzee) features different photos of the singer. The original European release uses a shot of O'Connor with her arms crossed in mid-scream. The US cover uses similar shot with her in a more subdued and pensive pose. Out of print on vinyl since the early 90’s, the album is remastered and reissued as a 180 gram LP by Music On Vinyl in 2015, featuring the original European cover photo. “The Lion And The Cobra” peaks at number thirty six on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.