Customer Reviews

Personal Best: The Harry Nilsson Anthology

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This generous 49-track collection opens with the autobiographical "1941" (the year Nilsson was born) and from there takes us on a musical journey that spanned two decades. While a gifted songwriter (the Monkees covered "Cuddly Toy" and Three Dog Night had a hit with "One"), it's surprising that his two biggest hits were written by others: the Top Ten "Everybody's Talkin'" (from "Midnight Cowboy") and the Grammy-winning "Without You" (by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of Badfinger).

Here are some of my personal favorites:

"You Can't Do That" - A loving tribute to the Beatles, and in Nilsson's arrangement he manages to work in snippets of no fewer than a dozen other Beatles songs. [The Beatles would return the favor when they each endorsed him as their favorite performer--Lennon would produce Pussy Cats in 1974.)

"One" - I know this wasn't the hit version, but Nilsson's vocal performance on this song is perfect.

"I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City" - A minor hit in late 1969. His vocals--especially when he reaches for those high notes--still gives me chills.

"Me and My Arrow" - Another minor hit taken from an animated film "The Point," which Nilsson wrote, narrated and sang. Simply charming.

"Without You" - As much as I love Badfinger's work, this is the definitive version of this song. Won a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance in 1972.

"Jump Into the Fire" - I know I'm emphasizing his singles, but this song has a great groove and is Nilsson's greatest rock song.

"Joy" - A marvelous country-western sendup from arguably his best album "Nilsson Schmilsson."

"You're Breakin' My Heart" - A terrific anti-love song. Best line: "You're breaking my heart / You're tearin' it apart / So #@$% you."

"Remember (Christmas)" - A melancholy song, whose lyrics could serve as his epitaph: "Remember, life is just a memory/ Remember, close your eyes and you can see / Remember, think of all that life can be, remember."

"Don't Forget Me" - Written in 1974, the lyrics would be prophetic: "And when we're older and full of cancer / It doesn't matter now, come on get happy / Cuz nothing lasts forever / But I will always love you." It wasn't cancer, but a heart attack that took one of popular music's most distinctive voices at the age of 52. We won't forget you, Harry. Not while your music still lives. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

If you appreciate finely crafted pop/rock music and a one-of-a-kind knockout singer with a 4 plus octave range, it's pretty tough to go wrong with this collection. Harry Nilsson was one of the best ever, and 50 songs aren't enough, but what is here, particularly the period from 1967-1973, is incredible.

I really wanted to correct the plethora of misinformation that appears in "Marty from S.F.'s" review. First, Nilsson first recorded in 1962, not 1964, and that material (originally demos) is currently available. Also, I don't know how many singles Harry actually released (I'm thinking somewhere around 20-24), but it is nowhere near 60. Finally, from 1967 to 1981 (he didn't release anything after 1981), he released 14 albums. This does not include the soundtrack "Skidoo", for which he wrote some material, but certainly can't be considered a Nilsson album. It also does not include Son of Dracula or Aerial Pandamonium Ballet. Dracula (soundtrack to the terrible film) only included one new song (Daybreak) and A.P.B. was a remixed composite of Harry's first two LPs, released to capitalize on his new found popularity and respect after winning a Grammy for Everybody's Talking.

I love that Amazon provides this great forum for sharing POV, but I don't care for those who want to rewrite history. The facts are the facts...don't mess with 'em.

Harry Nilsson was never one to be pegged. His choice of material was as diverse as his vocal range, and then some. Never one to stick to one genre, this Anthology is a wonderful collection.

Beginning in 1964, the unknown singer/songwriter recorded his first song, "Stand Up And Holler" as performed by the Foto-Fi. It was not well recieved. However in 1967 the world took notice with the romantic "Everybody's Talkin'" from the Oscar winning film "Midnight Cowboy". His success continued with "I Guess The Lord Must Live In New York City", and the clever "Me And My Arrow". The world caught fire with the release of "Nilsson Schilsson" and the huge hits, Grammy-winning "Without You", the maddening funny "Coconut" and the hard rocker "Jump Into The Fire". Everyone now realized that Harry Nilsson was a voice to be reckoned with.

As if to laugh at his serious critics, Harry released a new album titled, "Son Of Schmilsson", with tongue-in-cheeks songs like, "Joy", "You're Breakin' My Heart", "Spaceman" and "The Most Beautiful World In The World". His vocal renditions of each were nothing short of remarkable.

Again, to turn the music world on it's collective ear, Harry released a 'serious' collection of standards titled, "A Little Touch Of Schilsson In The Night" with songs like, "Many Rivers To Cross", "Over The Rainbow", "As Time Goes By" and many others. People went crazy and the critics were pleasantly confused.

The rest of this 2-Dics set contains nearly 50 songs. During this period, Harry became a music Industry favorite, befriending and sometimes working with the likes of 'The Monkees', 'Keith Moon', 'Albert Brooks', 'Anne Murray', 'Alice Cooper', 'John Lennon', 'Ringo Starr' and many, many others. Most of his music was meticulously produced by famed Richard Perry.

Harry Nilsson released nearly 60 singles and over 30 albums and the best are represented here. If purchased only for the songs, "Everybody's Talkin'", "Without You", and "Over The Rainbow", this is a collection to cherish.

This collection of Harry's music is excellent -- for those of us who aren't consumate Nilsson junkies. Every single cut on this album is available elsewhere. And on CD to boot. I would pay good money for "... That's the Way It Is" on CD. *I* have it on vinyl. But people who don't will never have the opportunity to hear the lyrical and haunting "Moonshine Bandit" -- which is made richer by the aging and damage done to Harry's voice. The current trend in compliation albums seems to be to rerelease what SOLD in the past -- ignoring other (sometimes more important) material. I mean, where's a representation from the soundtrack to "Popeye?" or "Skidoo" (which isn't all that groovy, trust me on this) or the elusive "Flash, Harry" which was never released in the US? If you love Nilsson, buy this collection. But go on a quest for the rest. You'll be amazed -- and saddened even more by the silencing of his voice.

Really this should have been a 3 CD set but as it is Personal Best really gathers the best of Harry. Rarities are sprinkled throughout the CD although the bulk of it focuses on the previously released material. There's a derth of early material (i.e., 1962-1964) but that material probably wouldn't have quite fit in here anyway.

The packaging is terrific (although the slimmed down jewel case uses an early picture of Harry. I personally perfer his bearded incarnation). This is a great one-stop shop for folks who might only be familar with Harry from the hits (although I'd have to deduct half a star for the abridged version of Jump into the Fire).

The sound is very good--many of the source tapes were in less than stellar condition. Kudos to the folks who remixed and remastered many of these tracks. We have the best of both worlds; Harry's finest material and terrific sound. I would love to see a second Anthology focusing on more obscure material and unreleased stuff (such as Harry's last unreleased album). Maybe we'll get that next time.

First off, let me say for the record that I have always loved Harry Nilsson's music. He was a genius songwriter, outstanding singer, and just seemed to be an all around great human being. He could be vulgar and whimsical, raw and sweet, all in the same song. I never get tired of his albums, and play them often. However, that being said, I was not completely overjoyed with this particular collection, which I feel ignores a lot of the work from the later RCA records like Sandman and ...That's The Way It Is. I would have liked to had more of this and less of the early years ( I mean really...was Mr. Richland's Favorite Song really that much better than Something True or even his cover of Zombie Jamboree?). I know it's all a matter of individual taste, but I have always loved the post-Schmilsson albums as much as any of his efforts, and I was disappointed that there was not more here. I think Sandman in particular was unjustly ignored. Also, I think the sequencing could have been a bit better, most notably splitting up the Nilsson Schmilsson trilogy of Gotta Get Up,Driving Along and Early In The Morning. Driving is omitted completely, and Get Up and Morning are on seperate discs! Those tracks flowed together smoothly and really lose their character when split up like that. All things considered, though, this is a fine collection,especially if you don't own any other Nilsson music. There's a very nice booklet with lots of info included, as well. This is a fine place to begin. But take it from me...search for Duit On Mon Dei, Sandman, and ...That's The Way It Is in the used record bins. These are wild, weird, and wonderful albums and you'll be glad you did.

I have all of Harry's albums in vinyl and then re-purchased them in the CD format, but this is the best, most eclectic and definitive sampling of his musical catalog. Nilsson was fabulous and is so under-appreciated today, though I can't figure out why. His voice is timeless and his songs are treasures. I loved him as a child in the 70's and grew up on his dulcet-toned voice filtering through the house. I figured anyone that hung out with Ringo and John Lennon had to be the apex of cool, and he certainly was that.

This double album encompases his greatest hits as well as some of his lesser known ballads. Not only could Harry write beautiful songs, he sang some awesome cover versions, such as "Over the Rainbow," which would give even Judy Garland a run for her money. A stellar, poignant performance.

I think the most lovely track here is "Remember," which had a brief revival when it was included in the trivial Tom Hanks movie, "You've Got Mail." This introduced Nilsson to a generation who was robbed of his talent through his premature and untimely death. This is a good collection of his work. I can't imagine anyone with good taste not appreciating this man's body of work. Beautiful stuff.

Ok. I'll be honest. I bought this album because it's the only Harry Nilsson album that has "Salmon Falls" on it. And I simply adore that song.
I'm a huge Harry-fan, and I consider this compilation a good one. It's the most complete you can buy. It contains a lot of his best work, but not ALL of his best work. There's too much of the sixty's stuff and too little from his later albums. Where are songs like "I'd Rather Be Dead", "She Sits Down On Me", "That Is All", "Who Done It?" or "Kojak Columbo"?
Harry was a perfect performer of "little songs". His voice always with emotion, his lyrics always with a laugh. He never got the fame he deserved. A pity? No, it kept his music for a few real music lovers, such as you and I. It's a shame he died in 1993, because a great talent has left the musicbizz with his departure. Do yourself a favour and buy this album. I'm sure you'll love it.

To me listening to Harry Nilsson, is like listening to an old friend and a warm fuzzy blanket that makes you feel warm inside, except for the kiss off song: You're Breakin My Heart which is a prickly pair song, which makes the Ballad Of John And Yoko seem tame in comparison with free use of F-word in it. This collection of songs is excellent a must have in any rock collection. I was pleasantly surprised by how wonderful the sound of recording was, I have no idea what that guy was talking about it being ok, it was incredible. There no real words to put into except I would say this compilation of Harry Nilsson songs hooks you and takes you a journey that after it's over you want to take it again. Wonderfully crafted songs that tell a story in each one. I can say this about Harry Nilsson he isn't boring. A lot of the songs I listen to, I went huh I know that one and that one and didn't know he wrote that one I didn't know I was listening or singing Nilsson like songs like One or Coconut, Girlfriend Amazing it blew my mind. What an Underrated Wonderfully Gifted Singer- Songwriter with a great sense of humor and voice. Eat your heart out Mariah.

Rip Harry.

This CD set is my absolute favorite! I am only 17 but my parents turned me towards Harry, and now I can't get enough of his wit and style. If you've never heard the Moonbeam song or Think about your Troubles, you don't know Nilsson!