The Point!

Harry Nilsson | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: November 19, 2002
• Label: RCA/BMG Heritage
• Copyright: (P) 2002 BMG Heritage
• Total Length: 42:06
• Genres: Pop/General
• ASIN: B00136NSRW
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #8,727 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Charming Pop Fable for Adults and Children, February 17, 2003

By	Lonnie E. Holder "The Review's the Thing" (Columbus, Indiana, United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Point! (Deluxe Packaging) (Audio CD)

It's hard to understand today how an album like "The Point" was produced. The album is very experimental in that it is a narrated fable, with musical transitions from one portion of the story to another. Note that this story album predates "A Journey to the Center of the Earth" by Rick Wakeman and Jeff Wayne's "War of the Worlds" by a number of years.

The tale is of one Oblio and his faithful Arrow. The two live in the land of points (everyone had a pointy head). For a time the two do quite well, but after a jealous child, son of a count, complained that Oblio had no point, there was a game to see whether Oblio had the ability to compete. Oblio defeated the count's child 2 out of 3. The count was outraged and went to the king to complain that the law was that all things in the land of point must have a point. A tribunal reviewed the case and banished Oblio and Arrow to the pointless forest.

Once in the forest Oblio and Arrow discover that the forest had many points. While making this discovery, Oblio and Arrow have a number of adventures. Eventually the pair come across an egg, with no apparent point. The egg soon opens to reveal a bird with a pointed head. The bird flies off and the two soon fall asleep.

The next day the two find a rock that looks like a pointed hand with the word destination on it. They went in the direction the hand pointed and came to, the pointed land. The count was quite angry, but the people were happy to see them because no one had ever been to the pointless forest. Oblio described the forest, and explained that there were many points in the forest, and reasoned that if the pointless forest had a point, then he must too. Someone shouts out "He has a point there", and the story ends very satisfactorily.

It's easy to see this story being in the same vein as "Gulliver's Travels". Both were written to challenge and make fun of prejudices, as well as noting that underneath everyone is essentially the same. On another level, Oblio and Arrow undertook a journey of discovery, which is the same journey that we all take in life. The journey revealed truths, and the truths ultimately made everyone happier.

This album is a great fairy tale and will enchant adults and children. The music is blended well with the story, seamlessly. The song "Me and My Arrow" received a lot of air play in the early 70s, and became a hit. Other songs are pretty and may remind you of songs by The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and the Monkees. One of the best examples is "Are You Sleeping". The music is all pop, mellow, but perfect for the intent of the story and the audience.

The inspiration for "The Point" was chemical, but regardless of how Nilsson arrived, the result is wonderful and charming. 5 stars for a multitude of positives. Pop music with an easy to follow story for children and adults. Make that GOOD pop music. Excellent blending of story and song. Having one or morals to the story to create a fable. Buy this for your children so that you have an excuse to own it.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Point of it All, December 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Point! (Deluxe Packaging) (Audio CD)

I first heard this album when I was living in a college dorm 16 years ago. I've been a fan ever since. This is the first time I've heard though, since that day.

The story and the characters behind them are a lot of fun and will appeal to kids and adults alike. The narration between songs is engaging and entertaining and does more than just tell a story. It has a point! What is the Point? You'll have to listen and find out for yourself. Although this album is sort of geared towards children, there seems to be a deeper wisdom under the surface of it all that people of all ages can learn from.

As for the music, it varies a little, starting off very strong with Everything's Got 'Em and Me and my Arrow. It seems to dip occasionally below these very high standards that are set at the start of the album, but there isn't a bad song on the album. For now, Me and My Arrow is my favorite song on the album and must be one of Nilsson's best songs.

It's a very cheerful album. This album might very well change your attitude and brighten your day if you feel so inclined.

The packaging on this remaster deserves to be mentioned. It is one of the best packaging jobs I've ever seen on a CD. Besides the booklet containing lyrics and excellent liner notes, it also comes with a bonus cartoon booklet of the story. Even the picture under the CD in the case is a treat. Very cute! Buy it and see for yourself!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This CD has a great point, September 8, 2003

By	S. G. Landry (Worcester, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Point! (Deluxe Packaging) (Audio CD)

When I was little, we had the record and video of this. Recently, a friend got me the CD. I had forgotten how great this CD is. The songs are so beautiful, and the story is great, too. Who doesn't feel like they stand out, or that they have no "point" in life? Oblio, who has no point on his head, and is therefore an outcast. After a journy around the pointless forest, he learns that if everyone else has one, then he must have one too. Whenever I'm feeling down, I pop in this CD and things seem to be a little better and sunnier. And even when I'm not down, I pop it in and everything seems even better than it was before. A must for any collection. Even if you're not sure if you like Harry Nilsson, then buy this. Because you do. You just don't know it yet.