Harry Nilsson - Son of Schmilsson
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Free Music Notes for Son of Schmilsson
Free Music Review: Harry Nilsson, sadly under-appreciated
Hit: 5 Stars
This is one of my all time favourite albums. It's probably 30 years old but that doesn't mean it can't be great. Harry Nilsson is one of the world most under-appreciated singers and songwriters, and this is one of his best albums. The album sort of has a theme - life, growing old, death, the world and everything in it. His songs are funny and moving and his singing is unique and beautiful. He wrote lots of songs for other people as well. Under-rated, under-appreciated, but I will always hold a torch for him.Free Music Review: THE NEW AUDIO BENCHMARK
Hit: 5 Stars
In 2006, after painstakingly purchasing and comparing all the Nilsson domestic, European and Japanese CD versions, I posted a review on the best-audio edition of each title. That was split between four UK, one domestic and six Japan CD's.
However, time and technology have marched on. In Q307, the entire Nilsson pre-1978 catalog (except "The Son Of Dracula", announced but subsequently canceled), were remastered anew and released in mini-sleeve format by BMG Japan.
So, what was slightly confusing before, with all the different international and domestic versions, has now been simply resolved: In terms of the best audio available, the fifteen new BMG remasters are head-and-shoulders superior to any pre-existing Nilsson CD. While the older versions were no slouches, these new BMG's are absolutely GLORIOUS. And, finally, there's complete, matched-mastered sound through the entire catalog, in contrast to the dynamic range variations in the older releases from varying remastering schemes.
In A/B comparisons between the new and older versions, it is also obvious different masters were availed of, because there are snippets of additional audio on the BMG's that never appeared elsewhere.
In addition, there are now approximately seventy bonus tracks spread out through the new BMG set; demos, alternate takes, singles and non-album tracks. Only one previously-available track is not in residence on the BMG set: "Waiting", which is found only on the "Harry/Nilsson Sings Newman" UK 2-fer.
If you are a true Nilsson fan, then don't delay in getting these, as all mini-sleeve releases are limited edition. It is possible, of course, that BMG will release these as less expensive jewel-case releases down the road. However, as the original Nilsson LP jackets were often wonderfully imaginative affairs, having these exact replicas only heightens the joy of ownership.
Amazon only allows 10 product links per review, so below are the first ten titles. The remainder, you'll have to find on your own (TIP: look for the 2007 release date when searching):
Pandemonium Shadow Show
Aerial Ballet
Skidoo
Harry
Nilsson Sings Newman
The Point!
Nilsson Schmilsson
Aerial Pandemonium Ballet
Son Of Schmilsson
A Little Touch of Schmilsson In The Night
P*ssy Cats
Duit It On Mon Dei
Sandman
That's The Way It Is
Knnillssonn
WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?
Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.
Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 13.5MM X 13.5MM cardboard-sleeve, precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, everything else packaged with the original LP is precisely replicated and included, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and die cuts. An English-language lyric sheet is also included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.
Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have Japan-dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2 or K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.
Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "OBI" ("oh-bee"), a Japan-language promotional strip. The OBI often also lists the original album's release date, the Japan street date of that particular disc, the catalog number, and mastering info. Bonus tracks are always only listed on the OBI, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork.
The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake copies of Japan `sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs.
Also, there are older Japan mini-sleeve releases that have been supplanted with newer ones, usually with updated audio (such as JVC-Japan replacing older K2-mastered titles with new K2HD mastered releases).
All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common with some of the Japanese companies (but, again, not always). Mini-sleeve collecting can get expensive quickly, so, if you're a novice, it is highly advisable to seek the advice of an experienced `sleeve collector!
Free Music Review: Makes you glad you lived in the early 70's
Hit: 5 Stars
Although this sequel to "Nilsson Schmilsson" was not at all
geared by the late Harry
to be commercial like that album,
this is one of my favorites from the early 70's.
If you were young then, or just young at heart now, do yourself
a favor & listen to this wonderful piece of merriment.
Harry Nilsson made the world a more wonderful place in which to live.
I miss him a lot, but "Son of Schmilsson" still makes me laugh 'til it hurts!
---John Paul
Free Music Review: Pure Harry
Hit: 5 Stars
Although this album never did as well as Nilsson Schmilsson, I think it is a much better Nilsson album. There are fewer covers (only one) and the original songs are unbelievably good. This album is essential for even the most casual listeners, although I can see why certain people were turned off by it. As Harry's producer says in the liner notes, Harry would take the most pop sounding, radio friendly songs and then throw in lyrics that would guarantee no radio station would play them. It was as if Harry was trying to avoid stardom! But the songs are still incredible. Harry's voice is incredible and having George Harrison and Ringo playing on it is just the icing on a very sweet cake!Free Music Review: Excellent sounding remaster of Harry's terrific follow up to "NS"
Hit: 5 Stars
Although it didn't sell as well as "Nilsson Schmilsson" "Son of Schmilsson" was every bit the equal of its predecessor albeit wackier. As everyone else has reported the remaster sounds great--it's even better than the Japanese import I paid top dollar for a couple of years ago--with bonus tracks. Curtis Armstrong ("Moonlighting") a committted Harryhead co-produced and wrote the booklet with plenty of comments from surviving participants (and Harry via older interviews). From Ray Cooper to Chris Spedding we get an idea as to how the sessions went. Although Harry and producer Richard Perry didn't get on quite as well here as the previous album (Harry was in the middle of a messy divorce which had an impact on this album. It took a while for him to recover)Perry and Harry still managed to create a great album.
The four bonus tracks (one is unlisted and starts a few seconds after the single version of "Daybreak" ends)includes an alternate take of "Take 54", a Perry produced version of "What's Your Sign?" (which would show up on another Harry album), "Camp De Encino" written by Jimmy Webb (it is presented with just Harry singing and playing piano), the single version of "Daybreak" and the off-the-cuff bonus track where Harry riffs backed by his band.
This is a terrific reissue and well worth paying the extra $$ for as the sound has been improved and the bonus tracks are a marked improvement over the import version.
More Free Music Notes:
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