Taking a break from the onslaught to touch base with a beautiful recording, Laura Nyro’s original version of “Stoned Soul Picnic” (famously covered by the 5th Dimension, and there are plenty of other versions). I remember how then Minneapolis-based engineer and studio owner Jay Leigh introduced me to the idea of what he referred to …
I’d love to go to a Stoned Soul Picnic right about now…… by the way – the four night run of shows by Miles Davis (with Chick Corea-Keith Jarrett-Jack DeJohnette-Steve Grossman and Airto) in June 1970 that become Miles Live at the Fillmore [East] was in fact, Miles opening for Laura Nyro each night – …
For me, this 1970 LP is the best “holiday” album. Why? Laura Nyro wrote all the songs, except one, which Carole King did. Felix Cavaliere and Arif Mardin produced it. The backing band are the Swampers from Muscle Shoals – plus Duane Allman AND Alice Coltrane play on it. What more could you want? – …