the Nilsson thread
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Here?s a clip of Mickey and Davey from the Monkees talking about the musical of Harry?s ?the Point?, I guess this went on in 1977? I still cannot figure out why everyone used to pronounce his name Nealson.. very strange to me.. at about the 4:20 mark (appropriate) they perform Harry?s Gotta Get Up too!
I think this is the sleeve for the Me and My Arrow single in Japan. Crazy looking seriously, I?m just skimming the surface of Nilsson material to post.. so much more to come -
here's a clip of Van Dyke Parks talking about his lyrics, and about how he had to defend them within the Beach Boys group.. I'm posting it here because I noticed he's wearing a homemade tank top with the word Sandman written on it. Doing some promoting for Harry
over and over the crow cries uncover the corn fields - from the Beach Boys song Cabin Essence columnated ruins domino - from the BB song Surf's Up Here's a cool page from Van Dyke's site, remembering Harry: http://www.vandykeparks.com/miscfiles/harrynilsson.html a couple captions from: During "duit on mon dei" and "sandman" recording sessions at RCA Studios in Hollywood, Harry would often walk in to a room filled with full rhythm and horn sections reminiscent of the Big Band era, bringing only a winsome melody in his head, and a handful of bar napkins, scawled with lyrical outlines from the night before. .......... Harry died in 1994. That's when we had the last great L.A. earthquake. His headstone is there in the West Hills Cemetary. George Harrison crossed the pond for this. Harry was known as "The Fifth Beatle" after all. A Nilsson toddler caressed the casket under the incantation of the 23rd Psalm. Una had asked me to notate the first three notes of "Remember" (from "The Point"). It's there on his stone now, etched from my own hand. ..the only weird thing there is "Remember" wasn't on the Point, it was on Son Of Schmilsson. I swear, everyone from that period have just terrible memories! is that just being old?? -
kapoo:
Way to go Jimmy! did you see that, he got Ringo talking about Nilsson! at about the 1:00 min mark http://www.hulu.com/watch/120234/late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-ringo-starr-interview-part-2 I'm going to have to check out Harry's version of River Deep-Mountain High now
I just picked up Nilsson's Aerial Pandemonium Ballet, which is a pretty cool thing cause it's basically the very first remix album. he re-did, remixed, new vocals, a couple arrangement variations, on songs he had done on Aerial Ballet and Pandemonium Shadow Show. I finally have his River Deep on vinyl! I found it on Rhapsody so I could post it. you'll like. it's a Phil Spector track actually, and he produced it for Harry when it was originally done on PSS.. but Ringo was right, Harry goes off on it. http://www.rhapsody.com/harry-nilsson/aerial-pandemonium-ballet--1971-rca-records-label ![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0d/Harry_Nilsson_Pandemonium_Shadow_Show.jpg/200px-Harry_Nilsson_Pandemonium_Shadow_Show.jpg[/img] <strong>+</strong> [img]<a href=)http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f2/Harry_Nilsson_Aerial_Ballet.jpg/200px-Harry_Nilsson_Aerial_Ballet.jpg[/img] = [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/aa/Harry_Nilsson_Aerial_Pandemonium_Ballet.jpg/200px-Harry_Nilsson_Aerial_Pandemonium_Ballet.jpg"/>
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Cool vid.. John and Harry at the March of Dimes rally in Central Park, April 1974.
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So check this little similarity I picked up on, and you tell me if there was any homage being paid to Nilsson?s song Driving Along.. thought to have been written around June 1971, released on Nilsson Schmilsson in November 1971. great song by the way, and a little too Macca-esque if you ask me . check it out at the 55 sec mark! Total McCartney vibe at its coolest
And here is Paul?s Eat At Home. Thought to be recorded March 1971, released in May 1971. released a month before Nilsson started recording his.. listen to Paul?s vocals at the 58 sec mark obvious homage, right? Makes you wonder, you think Harry deliberately pinched it? I'm sure Paul heard it.. even the entire bridges sound alike, don?t they? Start Driving Along at .42, and start Eat At Home at .46, at the beginning of both bridges.. the bridge of Eat at Home is about 19 secs long.. Driving Along runs about 21 sec. I swear, its like Paul and Harry wrote the same damn bridge! My real issue is that I waste time with stuff like this Okay.. back 2 work -
Have you ever watched a moonbeam as it slid across your windowpane? I tell you what.. please listen to this song called Moonbeam by Harry. From Nilsson Schmilsson. First listen and read along with the lyrics, because they are so clever; double entendre, use of the word crap, all kinds of crazy stuff going on.. I wish it was easier to write like that, he was great at it? and then check out the images that this guys put up on YouTube to go along with the song. When I watch it it?s actually semi moving for me.. so relaxing, and the song just totally takes me away.. and the images even assist that more. Dig it
Have you ever watched a moonbeam as it slid across your windowpane? Or struggled with a bit of rain. Or danced about the weathervane. Or sat along a moving train. And wondered where the train has been. Or on a fence with bits of crap around its bottom. Blown there by a wind beam. Who searches for the moonbeam who was last seen looking at the tracks of the careless wind beam. And moving to the tracks of the tireless freight train. And lighting up the sides of the weathervane and the bits of rain and the windowpane and the eyes of those who think they saw it happen -
Whats up Nilsson shrine! ! Got more to post on you... I so love this little shrine I?ve created anyone getting the feeling yet that what you're looking at here is one man's deep-dive crash-course education and subsequent fascination with the Nilsson catalogue? I share with friends, that's just how it goes so I came across this song called A Love Like Yours (Don?t Come Knocking Everyday). It was a new one for me, I hope you enjoy it. Its an oldie written by somebody.. but Harry and Cher do a version at the link below. That site (which is amazing in itself) claims Nilsson and Spector had worked on it originally as a backing track for John?s Rock n Roll album, but when it wasn?t used he enlisted Cher and made it a single on his ill-fated Warner Bros vanity label. A NilsSony & Cher duet produced by Phil Spector Old School Dig It http://fortheloveofharry.blogspot.com/2008/02/nilsson-cher-love-like-yours-1975.html
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Btw, I don't know if you knew this but all the greats wrote for Mary Hopkin. you know, just in case you're ever on Jeopardy and that guy says, "for $600, who did all the greats write for?" and you can say "who is.. Mary Hopkin!" Mary doing Harry?s Puppy Song (which btw Harry wrote at the request of Mr. Macca, to help fill out Mary?s Apple debut album, Postcard )
Mary doing Paul?s Goodbye (credited to Lennon/McCartney actually .. but we know ) why not write for Mary Hopkin, right? cool gig. and you never know folks. can never be too prepared too much coffee today. -
Ella Fitzgerald doing Harry?s Open Your Window in 1970. Open Your Window is such a pure tune.
It?s hilarious to me that you can?t find Harry?s version on YouTube. His version of River Deep-Mountain High, I?ll go as far as to say one of the single greatest vocal performances of all-time.. is nowhere to be found as well Am I the only one shocked by that? Ella also did a live trio version of Open Your Window in 1969, that was later released on her album ?In Budapest?. You can hear it hear http://fortheloveofharry.blogspot.com/2009/06/ella-fitzgerald-open-your-window.html -
This would be a prized possession if I can track one down. Perhaps at Beatlefest in Aug! This is a promotional EP called Perfect Day, and it contains 2 tracks from Harry?s last and still unreleased album, unofficially titled Papa?s Got A Brown New Robe. The tracks are outstanding, Animal Farm and U.C.L.A. (aka There?s No More Ringo Starr). You can hear them both and read about them at this link http://fortheloveofharry.blogspot.com/search/label/Promos I transcribed the lyrics to both for ya, check out the Beatles references in UCLA. The vocals to this were most likely recorded just days before Harry passed in 1994. He still could summon up some great stuff and I personally love Animal Farm too. Great last verse comedy. I wonder if it?s Harry playing all the instruments etc? I do believe it was all recorded in his home studio while working with long-time friend and producer, Mark Hudson. U.C.L.A. (aka There?s No More Ringo Starr) There?s no New Hampshire?s left I?ll bet the boardwalks messed There?s no New York There?s no more cork to set the bottle west yeah There?s no more rodeo There?s no place else to go There?s no one left to lie to but my car There is no place like Penny Lane There?s no more Yesterday But something in the way you move me keeps me moving on from day to day There?s No More Oyster Bar There?s no more Ringo Starr There?s no one left to love but you and me There?s no more Mr. wrong There?s no more mystery And nothing left that?s less than you for me There?s nothing left to fight Theres only Black and White When your west of me and when your west of me you see L.A (UCLA) Animal Farm Yeah the Sun shakes up the rooster the rooster calls his pals its time to wake up its time to shake up all you cows are foul, just remember I?m your rooster doin what I?m supposed to do Its wakin up the animal farm A natural alarm I?m the rooster Doin what I?m used to on the animal farm Mmm the farmer calls his daughter Goes looking for his wife They?ve gone to the city to buy something pretty enjoy the city lights, but just remember while the farmers workin they say he?s out behind the plow the fence needs fixin the dishes need doin someone needs to do it or the farmer goes to ruin say I?m your rooster doin what I?m supposed to do just wakin up the animal farm a natural alarm I?m a rooster A natural born booster of the animal farm Oooo The farmer calls his rooster The roosters missing too he ain?t with the chickens He ain?t with the cows What?s a man to do? And while the farmers thinking it flashes across his mind Well if its not with the chickens Its not with the cows His girls are missing to.. mmm The farmer shakes his head nah This just could not be But a rooster?s a rooster And a woman?s a woman He?s just a rooster doin what the farmer used to on the animal farm woah woah woah the animal farm life goes on and on and on the animal farm okay lets try it from the top then...
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Nice! Finally, the release date of October 26th has been set for Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin About Him?), the star studded documentary of Harry Nilsson. All I have to say is get it while its hot folks. I cannot wait for this! Pre-Order here http://www.amazon.com/Harry-Nilsson-Everybody-Talkin-About/dp/B003VZNAUS?&camp=212361&creative=383837&linkCode=wss&tag=fothloofha-20
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Something I never knew.. can?t wait to get my hands on that documentary You Are Here source http://fortheloveofharry.blogspot.com/ According to John Scheinfeld, director of the documentary, Who Is Harry Nilsson... (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him), when John Lennon and Harry Nilsson first met in 1968, the two had challenged each other to compose a song entitled "You Are Here" (the title also happened to be the name of Lennon's debut art exhibition at London's Robert Fraser Gallery, in July, 196. According to Scheinfeld, Harry took the dare seriously and set about writing the tune as soon as he returned from his pilgrimage with The Beatles. Scheinfeld actually has a 1968 piano/bass/drum demo of Harry's first attempt at the song, and was planning to use it in his Nilsson documentary. But... it has yet to surface. As for Lennon, he would eventually get around to penning his "You Are Here" as a love song for Yoko, which appeared on 1973's Mind Games. But, in his final years, Harry created yet another demo using the title, "You Are Here," which was (again, according to Scheinfeld) a completely different song altogether. This new demo was recorded at Andy Cahan's home studio sometime between 1990 and 1993. Like much of Harry's work with Cahan, the production is keyboard heavy and set to a drum machine. The melody, however, is an exercise in spacey, multi-voiced wordplay, without any definable verses or choruses. Only a synth string section acts as a lone bridge. Hear one of Harry's more mythical recordings for the first time, here http://fortheloveofharry.blogspot.com
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Poli High polly polly polly so high
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so you diggin that Poli High : yeah, thought so A crazy outtake from the Two Sides of the Moon sessions.. called Together Rap, featuring Keith and Ringo talking nonsense over a funked out backing track of Nilsson?s song Together. Classic stuff.
and here?s the actual version from the album and for posterity, here?s Harry?s from the Ariel Ballet album. Why not right? Harry never sounded better after listening to Moon on lead vocals Peace? -
Guess what I?m listening to right now? Harry?s version
Harry and the BadFinger boys Bad Finger?s original And who knew.. Air Supply did one too (3, 4) ..I?ll spare you the AirSupply pic just a good rendition Harry does. I know I wouldn't like the song as much if he didn't do such a fab job on it. like BF's version just blows if you ask me -
hm. a bit of insight into the creation of the Pussy Cats album cover. cool pic.
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I?m really into Harry?s 3rd album entitled ?Harry? right now. I bought this vinyl recently for $8. And as I?m at work I?ve just been hitting up the YouTube, found a bunch of links to deep cuts from the album. Notables I couldn?t find online however are City Life, and Maybe, and both are great.. and I could only find Harry?s son Keifo?s version of Open Your Window. But this is really a fantastic record. Even though its not directly up my alley style-wise, its pretty interesting and very good. A mix of styles with a couple rag-timey show tunes thrown in, and Americana stuff, but all with real technical proficiency behind them. Tight tight tight. The guy was a wizard at recording. Rocking the studio like a video game Nobody Cares About The Railroads Anymore
I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City The Puppy Song Marchin? Down Broadway Fairfax Rag Mournin? Glory Story Rainmaker Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear Mother Nature?s Son Open Your Window (Kiefo Nilsson) Another tought I just had about this record... because I'm constantly hearing nods or direct references to the Beatles in Nilsson songs.. but I noticed, this was the next album Harry released in early 1969, following the Beatles White Album in 68. I wonder if he consciously chose a white cover for his record as well? Guessing I'll never get a definite answer on that -
kapoo:
sorry but how sweet is this little number:
What's Your Sign?, off Duit On Monday. funky and killer vocals by Harry and Gloria Jones. I love that ![](http://aceterrier.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/gloriajones.JPG[/img] [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/12/Harry_Nilsson_Duit_on_Mon_Dei.jpg/200px-Harry_Nilsson_Duit_on_Mon_Dei.jpg)Anyone who hasn't listened to this song, seriously, do yourself a favor right now!!! I love it. It's so cool how you can hardly tell where Gloria's voice ends and Harry's voice begins at times during their duet as a little sobering sidebar here, Gloria Jones was behind the wheel during the car crash that killed Marc Bolan. such a shame. the bi-product of excess. anyway, I still love you Gloria, and I know you loved T-Rex Marc with all your heart. My heart really goes out to all involved.. Anywho.. this is a decent interview/article I saw from Melody Maker, October 1971. Something I was amazed to find floating around cyberspace Nilsson sh*t?s abound! I suppose you have to be a fan to appreciate this sort of thing, but here you go anyway! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3D4uW44cDSw/TJKI4yYdpeI/AAAAAAAAHWU/JXgi41s4j30/s1600/Melody+Maker+October+2+1971-1.png ..regarding the Beatles split: ?rock has lost that sting to it?s tail. We?ve all been spoiled you see, spoiled by Lennon and McCartney.? ? Harry Nilsson
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God, there are so many smart music lovers on this forum who I'd so enjoy getting their feedback on Nilsson's music.. I don't want to get into listing off usernames for fear of alienating anyone I don't mention, (and for fear of opening a can of worms Lazy ).. but why no responses to this thread? Nilsson's amazing What are your impressions? Do you guys really not like him at all, or just not familiar with his stuff? If you are, please please chime in with a thought for me to mull over sometime, just hit me up once, and I'll never have to ask again I'm finding that posting random goodies eventually kind of does get boring who would have thunk/. Here's a good jam
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oooookay. I'm a very bored Nilsson fan. Nice two meat U pussycat commercial
laicremmoc tacyssup.