Customer Reviews

Son of Schmilsson

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It's rare to find a follow up as good (if not better than) the album that preceded it. In today's disposable pop culture world it's becoming rarer still. That's why it's great to report that Harry's follow up to his classic 1972 album Nilsson Schmilsson is just as terrific.

Harry began dismantling his musical persona with this album (and the previous). He began to branch out into untested waters as an artist. Spaceman, TUrn on your Radio, Remember Christmas and You're Breaking My Heart all feature Harry's wry wit and deft way with words.

I'd recommend the import as the sound is superior to the domestic version. It also features two demo versions of one of Harry's classic tunes Joy. The contrast in style is particularly interesting. Glad your music is back Harry!

In my opinion, this is Nilsson at his peak. Witty, humourous songs with memorable words. Great music from a great songwriter.

Nilsson's albums often turned out to be "parties," consisting of a who's who among the popular musicians of the time. On this album, the talents of Harry Nilsson, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, and George Harrison are split out among different tracks.

Some of Nilsson's best songs are on the album: "Spaceman", "Take 54", "The Lottery Song"... there's no song on the album I don't like.

If you're looking for a sample of this late great musician, give this album a try. The man had a beautiful voice and had been a true songwriting genius.

Harry Nilsson died a few years ago from a heart attack, sadly. He has many websites in his honor & listed John Lennon as one of his close friends. He was well respected in the music community, and one of his hits was "Coconut" (you put the lime in the coconut and shake it all up...) as well as the sentimental favorite, "Without You", & "Me And My Arrow". None of those above-mentioned songs are on this particular CD, but I thought I'd mention them so you get an idea of his talent. This CD has more of his quirkier humor, which catches a person off-balance and makes one laugh.

If you are one of those people who joins music clubs to get your collection built up every time they change the format (8-tracks v.s. vinyl v.s. cassette v.s. CD v.s. 'to be continued'), then you know what I'm talking about when I say that there are eleven favorite albums you always get first. Right?

Son of Schmilsson is always one of my Top 11 first choices.

'nough said!

Harry Nilsson...what an enigma. Obviously a man of great talent who never really defined himself as an artist. But that doesn't mean he didn't create some great music, and critics and fans seem to agree that his career reached its apex with Richard Perry and the Nilsson Schmilsson/Son of Schmilsson sessions.

There are those who think that Son of is just an inferior rehash of Schmilsson, but I don't agree. It does not contain the blockbuster smash (Without You), but is just as enjoyable. It was the last time that Nilsson would reach a large audience. From here it was a standards LP, which was good but an obvious letdown after the previous 2 LPs. Then came disaster...his cavorting with John Lennon and Pussy Cats. Nilsson destroyed not only his reputation, but his incredible voice. I'm a Beatles fan, and by extension John gets included, but what he contributed to Nilsson's demise is unforgivable. It seems that Harry so wanted to be a Beatle that he was willing to sacrifice anything.

So this marks the last time we get the full brilliance of Harry in the studio. For that reason alone this is a classic. If you're new to Nilsson, start with this and Schmilsson and work backward. His earlier work may be a bit spotty, but it all features his incredible singing, and that alone carries it all.
A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In the Night is worthwhile in that it is the last time we would hear that voice in all its glory. His work after that is for completists only. Even if the songs were brilliant (they're not), it's just too hard to listen to that ravaged voice.

RIP Harry.

I bougth this used on LP back in about '79 or '80 because it was one of the many great studio records Peter Frampton played guitar on in his early solo career. There was even a cute picture of him in the liner. Hey, I was like 15. He was god. Even then, I loved this record. I was particulary interested in the songs with Pete's sunny, effective riffing but I grew to adore Harry's humor. And I learned about other great session men of the time like Nicky Hopkins and Cris Spedding by falling for this record. Heck, George and Ringo are on it! Listed as George Harrysong and Richie Snare ;-)

After "Spaceman" was used in one of my all-time favorite movies, 1997's CONTACT, I pulled out the LP, made a tape of it and started listening to it again...This is kind of an underapreciated effort in a rather illustrious career. If you like Nilsson's other work, even if you only know the hits, give it a try. It's very catchy, even singable, and always a fun way get from here to there in traffic.

"You're breaking my heart!...You're tearing it apart!...SO F**K YOU!!!! No, they don't write 'em like that anymore, that's for sure. What kind of insane mind would come up with lines like, "I'd rather be dead then wet my bed". And what about Joy?...."Now when I think of her I get all clammy inside". But never mind, even if as Harry says, "I SANG MY BALLS OFF FOR YOU BABY!!!!!" Thery're ain't no one, absolutely not a single solitary songwriter around today, who knows how to express more unabashed fun into their craft. We miss you Harry. It's sad you left us so soon. But look on the bright side, at least you did't wet your bed.

PS: Hey Harry, How's Johnny doin' up there?

This recording will knock out the blues..with tunes that have enduring humor. "I'd Rather Be Dead" features a group from the local old folks home, in a rendition you'll never forget. "You're Breaking My Heart" is one I sing to my closest broken-hearted friends. Have never found a song that expresses anger in such a satisfying and enjoyable way.

I bought this album in the mid 70s. It was in the cut-out bins for 2 bucks! Great songs chock full of humor and wit. Great production. And a who's who of phenominal session men. Nilsson had one of the best voices in pop music.I also recommend The Point, Nilsson sings Newman and Nilsson Schmilsson.

I can't believe I'm the first person to review this album!! The songs such as "Joy" might be the typical Love song, but it is chocked full of tongue in cheek irony. This album, on the surface, appears to be "lighter" than some of his others, but the underlying message is obvious to the astute mind. A must for anyone who would "Rather be Dead" than wet the bed. I would also recommend the album, "A Little Touch of Schmillson in the night" because Roxanna said so...

This is one of Harry's best that is not a hits package.It includes his musical madness as well as his masterful writing skill.A great example is "Joy",which actually does both.You will find for yourselves why John Lennon chose to do a duet with Harry called "pussy cats".A few overly whacky interuptions,but at least theyre intentional and not overly done.A rare gem.