Harry Nilsson — Nilsson Schmilsson
The third record in a row given to me by my aforementioned buddy. Nilsson Schmilsson is Harry Nilsson’s most successful album.
Born in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn in 1941, Nilsson became interested in music when he turned 17. In true weird Nilsson style he first learned music on a plastic ukulele before graduating to full guitar and piano. He released 6 albums with varying degrees of success before the 1971 release of Nilsson Schmilsson. The album peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard charts and produced 3 singles. “Without You” was the most successful, reaching no. 1 and winning the Grammy the following year for best male pop performance. The album is certified gold.
Right out the gate, Nilsson ropes us in with the endearing “Gotta Get Up.” This song tells the tale of youth reminiscence as a now adult man wakes up from a night of partying remembering he has to go to his 9 to 5. The track makes great use of Nilsson’s piano aptitude along with a bombastic horn arrangement the song evokes the feeling of good times, while also languishing with more drawn out notes to represent the hangover after. “Early In The Morning” shows off Nilsson’s ability to switch sounds within the same album. However, this song is a poor take on a soul ballad, not the best. The final song on Side A “Down” is a more successful exhibition of his soul filled tendencies. Side B begins with his most popular song “Without You.” I’ll give this song credit, it is an impassioned ballad with raw emotional weight, I don’t care for love ballads though. This leads into “Coconut,” a song I never would have suspected was sang by a white person. “Jump Into The Fire” is one of the most rollicking rock songs on the album before the album fades out with another lame ballad.
Must Listen To: Gotta Get Up
A fun & relatable song which I never grow tired of.
