Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro Book

Make no mistake this comment is both a rave and a query.
Michele Kort's book is more than a loving tribute, it is an excellent biography. But, I am unsure about Ms Kort's claim that Laura came to her bi-sexuality in her mid 30's?
There is overwhelming evidence, albeit circumstantial, that from 1967 on, Laura was involved with at least one woman, her eventual life partner, Maria Desiderio.
Kort in SOUL PICNIC corroborates that "back in the day" Laura was doing drugs (pot & LSD), was sexually active, and was an awesome talent in jazz, folk, R&B, soul & doo-wop. Michele Kort's research confirmed that Laura "...may..." have been leading the intense 60s lifestyle of drugs, sex and rock 'n roll.
As to Laura's bisexuality, Pete Johnson in his June 1968 review of ELI AND THE THIRTEENTH CONFESSION in COAST FM & FINE ARTS (page 50) commented about the song "Emily." "There is a momentary shock at hearing a woman romancing another woman..." On April 25, 1997, seventeen days after Laura's death, Alanna Nash in her comment on E.W.COM, Passion Player celebrated "Emmie" as "pop's first lesbian love song." Also in ELI is the song "Timer." Any doubt as to the lover being a woman was dispelled by Laura's redacted version of "Timer" performed on May 30, 1971 in live concert at the Fillmore East. It becomes apparent when viewed in the context of the song "American Dove" which was Laura's love song to her fiancé, a decorated Vietnam war veteran. Both songs were released on SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY. As originally released on ELI, "Timer" is a same-sex musing, with this denouement; "If you love me true - I'll spend my life with you - you and Timer." And, again in ELI, what about the silhouetted picture of Laura and the much younger woman on the album's back dust jacket? It is worth 1,000 confessions. Renderings of the image are an easy find on-line. In 1971, Laura released the album GONNA TAKE A MIRACLE. Her adapted version of the song "Desiree" remains one of the most undisguised expressions of love by one woman singing to another woman. A remarkable coincidence is that both the names Desiree and Desiderio mean desire.
Both, Michele Kort confirmed through Lee Housekeeper (page 106) and Bob Sarlin, in his book TURN IT UP (page 131) witnessed that Laura's "hard core fans" were "dominated by thirteen- to sixteen-year-old girls..." This age range coincides exactly with Maria's age between June 1967 and June 1971. "So...let the wind blow Timer, I like her song and if the song goes minor - I won't mind. Laura 'n Maria '67 "carved in a heart on berry tree."
If the Kort work has any flaw, it comes in the author being too readily willing to accept the 1980's as Laura's coming out.
Ultimately, what lead me to the 5 stars was Michele's sensitivity in preserving some mystery about Laura's life. It was her thoroughness, tempered by her sensitivity that left things to be discovered. I am still gleaning facts and incites from the book.
Among Michele's last words on the subject was a phrase that has become my mantra; "If you want to know her...go to the music." Get this book; buy or download and listen to "Désiree." Listen to "American Dove" and then compare both versions of "Timer."
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