"Smile" is the sixth album by New York singer, songwriter, and pianist Laura Nyro. Released in early 1976, it marked her return to music after a four-year hiatus. During this period, Nyro married and divorced, and chose to live away from the public eye. She dedicated the album to her mother, Gilda, who had recently passed away from ovarian cancer. Smile is often regarded as a smooth jazz-pop album, reflecting Nyro's exploration of new sounds and personal experiences during her time away from the music industry.
The album features a reunion with producer and arranger Charlie Calello, who had worked with Nyro on her acclaimed 1968 album Eli and the Thirteenth Confession. Calello’s production on Smile complements Nyro’s mature, introspective songwriting, which draws from a wide range of influences, including jazz and traditional Asian music.
Smile showcases a smooth jazz-pop style, distinct from the more complex arrangements of Nyro’s earlier work. The album features elements of mysticism and exotic instrumentation, particularly on tracks like "Children of the Junks," which integrates Asian cultural references. The song was somewhat controversial due to its lyrical allusions and the use of Chinese-style instrumentation, though it remains a unique piece in Nyro’s discography.
Other songs on Smile reflect Nyro’s disillusionment with the music industry ("Money") and her embrace of a more relaxed, country-inspired lifestyle after her time away from the spotlight. In "Money," Nyro rails against the commercial side of the industry, expressing frustration with how fame and money overshadow artistry.
Smile also marks a shift in Nyro’s musical direction, with the album embracing a "mellow period" that would define her later works. The mellow, introspective tone and smoother production would remain consistent throughout her subsequent albums, a departure from the complex, layered arrangements of her earlier years.
The years leading up to Smile were tumultuous for Nyro. After her burst of creativity between 1966 and 1971, during which she released five influential albums, Nyro withdrew from the limelight. Part of this retreat was due to the lack of major commercial success for her own solo work, despite her recognition as a prolific and talented songwriter for others.
In 1972, Nyro married David Bianchini, a Vietnam War veteran, and spent several years living with him in a small town in Massachusetts. This period marked a departure from the hustle and bustle of New York City, and Nyro grew accustomed to a quieter, country lifestyle. The marriage ended in divorce after three years, and Nyro’s personal life was further shaken by the death of her mother from cancer in 1975. This loss deeply affected Nyro, as she would later succumb to the same disease two decades later.
The emotional trauma of these events, combined with her return to songwriting, fueled the creation of Smile. Several of the album’s tracks, such as "Children of the Junks" and "I Am The Blues," had been part of Nyro’s live repertoire as early as 1971 and 1972, as evidenced by bootleg recordings from that period.
Despite her long absence from the industry, Smile managed to achieve a modest level of success, peaking at #60 on the Billboard 200 (formerly the Pop Albums chart) in 1976. The album also marked Nyro's first full-band tour, which took place later that year and was documented on the live album Season of Lights in 1977. While Smile was not a major commercial breakthrough, it served as a signal of Nyro’s return to the industry and a precursor to the creative direction she would follow in the latter part of her career.
The album’s introspective themes and mellow jazz-pop sound helped define the rest of Nyro’s musical output in the 1970s and beyond. Though it did not achieve the commercial success of her earlier albums, Smile remains a significant work in Nyro's catalog, showcasing her ability to evolve as an artist while remaining true to her unique voice.
