Petrelis Files

Laura Nyro and Billy Childs fans, rejoice and applaud. The combination of her songs and his musicianship delivered a truly magnificent concert presented by SF Performances on March 4 at the Herbst Theater.

Titled "Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro," the concert featured singers Becca Stevens and Alicia Olatuja, the Quartet SF and Childs's band.

They had me at their opening number, "New York Tendaberry." Among the other Nyro songs on the program were "Gibson Street," "I Confess," "Map to the Treasure," "Been on a Train," "Save the Country," "And When I Die" and the show concluded with "Stone Soul Picnic."

Childs told us Nyro was a major influence on his life, growing up in Los Angeles. His love of her and the music she left us was abundantly clear in his reinterpretations of her work. Sure wish there were a second concert with him performing more of her music.

He and the other musicians on stage turned each song into short story, complete in its own vibrant and colorful world.

Mike and I felt the exhilaration of being alive in the company of fabulous folks on both sides of the limelight and hearing "Save the Country" bringing us to our feet in cheering adulation for the hope and love the song shares with listeners.

All in all, a wonderful cultural evening we'll long remember and play over in our heads.

We lack video from Saturday's concert but we want to share some of Laura Nyro with you, since we're embedding the clip of Bette Midler inducting her into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Nyro's son accepts the induction for his late mother and snippets of her performing her work are included.