We continue our look back at the music of 50 years ago……
Call him the anti-pop star. Harry Nilsson seemed to do all the wrong things for success in the music business. He didn’t tour. He didn’t even like doing other live performances. He wrote songs that seemed to be out of the mainstream even though other artists disagreed and recorded may of his tunes. (Three Dog Night had a big hit with “One”) He recorded an album of Randy Newman songs when few really knew who Newman was. He wrote and recorded a children’s story called “The Point” which became an ABC TV movie in February of 1971.
But it was later in the year , he recorded an album that came close to pop perfection. “Nilsson Schmilsson” was filled with great moments. Staring with the opening cut “Gotta Get Up”. It’s an ironic slice of pure pop from the curmudgeonly Nilsson who sounds positively giddy. But that’s just the start.
The album (produced by Richard Perry) features three hits that showed the versatility of Nillson’s talent. “Without You’ (written by the guys in Badfinger) features his ability to span octaves when called for and send out a highly emotional performance (which Perry said was done in one take). “Jump Into the Fire” was a chugging rocker jump started by Herbie Flowers incredible bass line and the soon to be killer Jim Gordon on drums.
And then there was ‘Coconut”. For awhile you couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing the calypso goofiness of this song which burrowed into your brain and became an instant ear-worm. I still remember vividly trying to escape the song one night. WIFC was playing it so I spun the dial to WSPT…and they were playing it…so, on to WRIG…and they were playing it. All at the same time. Don’t listen to it now unless you’re willing to be singing it all day.
The album has some other tasty tunes including covers of Louis Jordan’s “Early In The Morning” and the classic “Let The Good Times Roll”.
His friendship with John Lennon was both good and bad for Harry. It opened doors for him and also led to his alcoholic downfall in a few short years. But for one shining moment….the stars aligned and out came a gem. Enjoy.
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