Laura Nyro – Christmas And The Beads Of Sweat VG+/VG

Christmas and the Beads of Sweat is the fourth studio album by the American singer-songwriter and pianist Laura Nyro, released on November 25, 1970 by Columbia Records. The album was produced by Felix Cavaliere and Arif Mardin, and features a blend of pop, soul, folk and jazz influences. The album is the final part of a trilogy that also includes Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968) and New York Tendaberry (1969).

The album consists of nine tracks, mostly written by Nyro herself, except for a cover of “Up on the Roof” by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. The album showcases Nyro’s expressive vocals and piano playing, as well as her diverse musical arrangements. The album features guest appearances by Duane Allman, Alice Coltrane, Maria Muldaur, Ry Cooder and Curtis Mayfield. The album reflects Nyro’s personal and social concerns, such as love, loss, spirituality and social justice. The album contains some of Nyro’s most memorable songs, such as “When I Was a Freeport and You Were the Main Drag”, “Blackpatch”, “Beads of Sweat” and “Christmas in My Soul”.