Christmas and the Beads of Sweat

Overview

Christmas and the Beads of Sweat is undoubtedly the least-known of the "classic trilogy" of Laura Nyro records, perhaps because it does not contain songs that became significant hits for other artists. In fact, it is notable that it is the first Nyro album to feature a cover version, that being the Goffin/King standard "Up on the Roof," which gave Nyro her only singles chart entry.

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The atmosphere of Christmas is more mystical and exotic than any other Laura Nyro record. It is notably more laidback than its predecessor, 1969's cult favourite New York Tendaberry, but isn't as immediately accessible as the well-crafted Eli and the Thirteenth Confession. Instead, some songs bridge the gap between those two albums.

Related Topics:
New York Tendaberry - Eli and the Thirteenth Confession

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The presence of the Swampers band from Muscle Shoals lends the album a more easygoing, rock-inspired sound, but this is countered by Nyro's evocative lyrics and moody piano delivery. The second vinyl side features long Nyro originals, primarily solo but sometimes accompanied on exotic harp by legendary progressive musician Alice Coltrane. Thus, Christmas often has an atmosphere of being two separate divisions.

Related Topics:
Muscle Shoals - Alice Coltrane

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Songs such as "Christmas In My Soul" ease Nyro into the world of politics, a topic she became engrossed with during her songs and performances in the 1980s, while she sings about drug use ("Been on a Train"), and picturesque city lifestyles ("Blackpatch") elsewhere. The album was another commercial success on the back of Tendaberry, but is one of Nyro's oddly less celebrated works, despite containing some of her finest work.

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