Angel in the Dark is a 2001 album from American singer-songwriter Laura Nyro, released after her death and made up of recordings from 1994 and 1995.
Recording and release.
Nyro recorded the album while participating in chemotherapy for the ovarian cancer that ultimately killed her in 1997; the recordings were not completed. The songs are her final recording sessions and were initially planned for release on a small independent label before being handed over to Rounder Records for a broader release and promotion of Nyro's career.
Critical reception.
The editors of AllMusic Guide scored this album four out of five stars, with reviewer Ronnie D. Lankford Jr. calling the album "a lovely recording featuring the graceful vocals and finely crafted songs that everyone expects from Laura Nyro" and "a fine coda, perfect for late-night listening, and a perfect companion to Nyro's other recordings". In "The Austin Chronicle", Margaret Moser situates the release as part of Nyro's reflection on her impending death, noting that the cover versions include her influences and the original tracks discuss the most important themes in her life and music. Writing for "Billboard", Michael Padletta called the album "aptly titled" for Nyro's "achingly beautiful" vocals, with her career as a songwriter being as accomplished as her influences present on this collection. His colleague Jim Bessman named it the top album of 2001.
Track listing.
An Super Audio CD release from 2002 includes alternate recordings of "Angel in the Dark" (2:41), "Ooh Baby, Baby" (3:29), and "Don't Hurt the Child" (3:30) before "Coda".
Personnel.
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"Angel in the Dark": recorded by Wayne Yurgelin, assisted by Robert Smith, at The Power Station, August 5, 1995, with additional recording by Steve Rosenthal, assisted by Albert Leusink at The Magic Shop
"Triple Goddess Twilight": recorded by Dan Gellert, assisted by Robert Smith at The Power Station, April 28, 1995
"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow": recorded by Daryl Gustamaccio, assisted by Robert Smith at The Power Station, August 29, 1994, with production assistance by Peter Gallway
"He Was Too Good to Me": recorded by Wayne Yurgelin, assisted by T. Gonz at River Sound, October 22, 1994
"Sweet Dream Fade": recorded by Wayne Yurgelin, assisted by Robert Smith at The Power Station, August 5, 1995, with additional recording by Steve Rosenthal, assisted by Albert Leusink at The Magic Shop
"Serious Playground": recorded by Dan Gellert, assisted by Robert Smith at The Power Station, April 28, 1995
"Be Aware": recorded by Daryl Gustamaccio, assisted by Robert Smith at The Power Station, August 30, 1994, with production assistance by Peter Gallway
"Let It Be Me": recorded by Wayne Yurgelin, assisted by T. Gonz at River Sound, October 22, 1994
"Gardenia Talk": recorded by Wayne Yurgelin, assisted by Robert Smith at The Power Station, August 5, 1995, with additional recording by Steve Rosenthal, assisted by Albert Leusink at The Magic Shop
"Ooh Baby, Baby": recorded by Daryl Gustamaccio, assisted by Robert Smith at The Power Station, August 30, 1994, with production assistance by Peter Gallway
"Embraceable You": recorded by Daryl Gustamaccio, assisted by Robert Smith at The Power Station, August 28, 1994, with production assistance by Peter Gallway
"La La Means I Love You": recorded by Daryl Gustamaccio, assisted by Robert Smith at The Power Station, August 29, 1994, with production assistance by Peter Gallway
"Walk On By": recorded by Peter Gallway at Gallway Bay Music, March 1994
"Animal Grace": recorded by Dan Gellert, assisted by Robert Smith at The Power Station, April 28, 1995
"Don't Hurt Child": recorded by Wayne Yurgelin, assisted by Robert Smith, at The Power Station, August 5, 1995, with additional recording by Steve Rosenthal, assisted by Albert Leusink at The Magic Shop
"Coda": recorded by Wayne Yurgelin, assisted by Robert Smith, at The Power Station, August 5, 1995, with additional recording by Steve Rosenthal, assisted by Albert Leusink at The Magic Shop
Technical personnel
Chart performance.
"Angel in the Dark" entered the Top Internet Albums chart on July 28, 2001 at 17 and rose to eighth place on August 4.
References.
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