Nilsson Schmilsson

by Harry Nilsson

Overview

Harry Nilsson had a hit, a Grammy, and critical success, yet he still didn't have a genuine blockbuster to his name when it came time to finally deliver a full-fledged follow-up to Nilsson Sings Newman, so he decided it was time to make that unabashed, mainstream pop/rock album. Hiring Barbra Streisand producer Richard Perry as a collaborator, Nilsson made a streamlined, slightly domesticated, unashamed set of mature pop/rock, with a slight twist. This is an album, after all, that begins by pining for the reckless days of youth, then segues into a snapshot of suburban disconnectedness before winding through a salute to and covers of old R&B tunes ("Early in the Morning" and "Let the Good Times Roll," respectively), druggie humor ("Coconut"), and surging hard rock ("Jump Into the Fire"). There are certainly hints of the Nilsson of old, particularly in his fondness for Tin Pan Alley and McCartney melodicism -- as well as his impish wit -- yet he hadn't made a record as cohesive as this since his first time out, nor had he ever made something as shiny and appealing as this. It may be more accessible than before, yet it's anchored by his mischievous humor and wonderful idiosyncrasies. Chances are that those lured in by the grandly melodramatic "Without You" will not be prepared for either the subtle charms of "The Moonbeam Song" or the off-kilter sensibility that makes even his breeziest pop slightly strange. In short, it's a near-perfect summary of everything Nilsson could do; he could be craftier and stranger, but never did he achieve the perfect balance as he did here. [RCA/BMG Heritage reissued Nilsson Schmilsson in 2004 with six bonus tracks. Three of these -- demos of "The Moonbeam Song," "Gotta Get Up," and "Old Forgotten Soldier" -- were included on Britain's RCA Camden 2000 reissue, but the other three are not. There's the Spanish version of "Without You," plus two songs not on the album: "How Can I Be Sure of You" and "Lamaze." None of these are essential (though "Lamaze" is pretty funny), but they're all nice to hear. What is frustrating is that the Camden reissue has five bonus tracks not on this disc, meaning that Nilsson nuts need to own both reissues, which is a bit of a pain.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	01/13/2004
Label:	Rca
UPC:	0828765726528

Tracks

1. Gotta Get Up
2. Driving Along
3. Early in the Morning
4. The Moonbeam Song
5. Down
6. Without You
7. Coconut
8. Let the Good Times Roll
9. Jump into the Fire
10. I'll Never Leave You
11. Si No Estas Tu (Without You)
12. How Can I Be Sure of You
13. The Moonbeam Song
14. Lamaze
15. Old Forgotten Soldier
16. Gotta Get Up

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Harry Nilsson   Primary Artist,Organ,Piano,Vocals,Harmonica,Mellotron,Piano (Electric)
Gary Wright   Guest Artist,Organ,Piano
Jimmy Webb   Guest Artist,Piano
Jim Price   Trumpet,Trombone
Paul Buckmaster   Conductor
Henry Krein   Accordion
Roger Coolen   Organ
Bobby Keys   Saxophone,Sax (Alto)
Klaus Voormann   Bass,Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Acoustic)
Ian Duck   Guitar (Acoustic)
Chris Spedding   Bass,Guitar,Guitar (Rhythm)
Roger Pope   Drums
George Tipton   Conductor
Herbie Flowers   Bass
John Uribe   Lead,Guitar,Lead Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Jim Gordon   Drums,Percussion
Jim Keltner   Drums
Caleb Quaye   Guitar
Roger Coulam   Organ
Jim Webb   Piano
Jim Reltner   Drums
Roger Coolan   Organ
Moonbeam Harry   Vocals,Mellotron
Richard Perry   Mellotron,Percussion

Technical Credits

Jim Price   Arranger,Horn Arrangements
Tony Arnold   Mixing,Editing,Engineer,Producer
T. Evans   Composer
Tony Martin   Composer
Paul Buckmaster   Arranger,Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Traditional   Composer
Sonny Boy Williamson II   Composer
Booker T. Laury   Composer
Sam Theard   Composer
Leonard Lee   Composer
Leo Hickman   Composer
Dennis Smith   Engineer,Recording
Robin Geoffrey Cable   Engineer
Ritchie Schmitt   Engineer
Louis Jordan   Composer
Phill Brown   Engineer
Richie Schmitt   Engineer
Reese Wilson   Composer
George Tipton   Arranger,Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Harry Nilsson   Composer
Tom Evans   Composer
Dallas Bartley   Composer
Pete Ham   Composer
William Harris   Project Coordinator
E. Johnson   Composer
Keith Munro   Project Coordinator
Shirley Goodman   Composer
Acy Lehman   Graphic Design
Curtis Armstrong   Liner Notes
Ritchie Smith   Engineer
Richard Perry   Producer
Earl King   Composer
Fleecie Moore   Composer
Dean Torrence   Photography