Harry Nilsson - Nilsson Schmilsson
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Free Music Notes for Nilsson Schmilsson
Free Music Review: Harry's Pop Inclinations Balanced By Rock and Blues
Hit: 5 Stars
What an astounding vocal performance. Every cut is packed with far-reaching emotion. And with the assistance from his studio crack band, he serves up a deft synthesis of pop, rock and blues. Even better than the million-selling single "Without You" is the eccentric humour (his specialty) of "Coconut". The great mystery of this track is that you don't know if it's geared to kids or adults. Novelty songs like this should always be so good. "Driving Along" is pure pop in the day-to-day routine. He does a passionate cover of "Let The Good Times Roll" that rivals Shirley and Lee's. He plays a mean piano here too! "Jump Into The Fire" takes a tantalizing stab at hard rock. Finally, there's the dramatic brilliance of the wariness of waking up in "Gotta Get Up" and in the stark blues of "Early In The Morning" which is surrounded by just his spooky vocal and his very spare(spooky) organ textures. Only on the closer of the original LP does Richard Perry's production sheen prove overlush. The bonus tracks work even if they don't add context.Free Music Review: There's something in the CD for everyone
Hit: 5 Stars
RCA touted that "Harry's done a rock album". With songs like the seven minute rock classic "Jump into the Fire," I wouldn't disagree.
But I think Richard Perry, the record's producer, is more accurate when he states that "there's something in the album for everybody." How else can you describe an album that has the romantic "Without You" between the bluesy "Down", and the calypso classic "Coconut." Whether you like pop, blues, rock, country, or anything in between, there's something in this CD for you--ok, maybe nothing for you rappers or punkers.
The extras on this CD are very good as well. Included is a demo version of "The Moonbeam Song" with piano accompaniment. There is a more upbeat version of "Gotta Get Up" with different lyrics, which I actually prefer to the original.
Make sure you read the liner notes which contain interviews with many of the people involved with this album. It offers some very interesting facts--like what was on the album cover that no one caught.
Free Music Review: Never heard of Harry Nilsson before...but surprised that I was very familiar with his work.
Hit: 5 Stars
If you've never heard of Harry Nilsson but find yourself singing along with a lot of these tracks, you're not the only one. Nilsson displays his incredible singing range and songwriting abilities on Nilsson Schmilsson. He can effortlessly go from a bellowing bass to angelic alto vocals within the same song. In addition to the great singles on this album (Without You, Coconut, Jump Into the Fire), and they are great, the other album cuts are just as great in their own right. "Gotta Get Up" is absolutely infectious and I adore the whimsical quality of the song. "Early in the Morning" is somber and Nilsson's vocal control and range is highlighted. "The Moonbeam Song" is beautifully written and sung and could work as a lullaby because I find myself at complete peace when I hear that song. This is my first Nilsson music purchase but I certainly want to explore his catalogue. I love this album.
PS - Bonus tracks are interesting but I think you realize why they are alternate versions.
Free Music Review: Can't believe I'm 38 years old and never heard this album
Hit: 5 Stars
Although I have heard "Coconut" and "Everybody's Talkin" and "Without You" since I was young, I only came to Nilsson by recently picking up Neko Case's Middle Cyclone and wanting to know more about the writer of "Don't Forget Me." I've put down Ms. Case's CD and have been listening to Schmilsson straight (I'm sure she will understand).
This whole album blows me away. The extra tracks are just that -- extras, I tend to skip past them -- but everyday I'm finding something new on a different song to love and appreciate. When I first heard "Jump into the Fire" I thought it was a punk song, way ahead of its time; "Down" and "Early in the Morning" are great blues tunes. This album is such a wonderful mixtures of songs. I cannot imagine a time I will tire of listening to it.
Free Music Review: Blast from the past worth hearing again.
Hit: 5 Stars
I forgot all about this album and the artist for that matter. And then a friend played me a track on his iPod and I flew back to my past. When I got home, I hit Amazon in my bookmark bar and ordered this Cd immediatly and anxiously waited for it to arrive. It seems like the days are gone that an eclectic and quirky artist like Nilsson can get a record deal and have any success. Thanks be to the people that reissue albums like this with superb sound quality and extra tracks for a better look at a pop gem.
There is great deal of good music coming out these days, but sometimes it seems as if it is only scratching the surface of whats already come out in the past. This is a great example of 70's pop that should be heard now.
Enjoy