Reviews (page 6 of 13)
These are really good songs, well written, nicely performed. I enjoyed hearing them again. Something between Billy Joel and Randy Newman.
Good to know where these songs come from!! A few revelations on the eurostar
Nilsson Schmilsson I fairly familiar with this album, I do listen to it from time to time, although haven’t in a while. I didn't realise until I listened to a Nothing is Real podcast episode last year that there was quite a bit of intertwining between Nilsson and the Beatles, not just the lost weekend stuff with John, but they all liked him and his music. He’s done a few Beatles covers, You Can’t Do That and She’s Leaving Home on Pandemonium Shadow Show are good. Even without knowing that and listening to this album you can tell he’s clearly very influenced by them. Gotta Get Up is great, really sets the tone for the album, kind of classic singer songwriting with a slightly off beat sensibility, interesting instrumentation and a lot of humour. He does seem to have that slight Macca-esque ability to appear to be able to toss off some effortless sounding melodies. Driving along has that same effortless feeling, although it just seems to end, feels like it could have built further. Early in the Morning is also great. I’m not familiar with the orginal but the electric keys only backing is excellent. The Moonbeam Song is very pretty, the Beach Boys style harmonies are great, they really elevate it. Massive solo Lennon and solo McCartney vibes on Down. The piano feels very Spector era Lennon, but the horns echoing the descent as he sings down are very McCartney/Martin. Coconut is fun but of oddness. I guess now you wouldn’t be able to sing in that accent, something something woke, but it’s great. While Let the Good Times Roll is fun enough, I’m not sure it adds a great deal to the album. Without You. Easy to forget what an excellent song this is when it’s been x factored/pub singered to death. I do love this version, the strings are excellent, just enough Bernard Herman edge to them to avoid it being too saccharine. Jump into the Fire is excellent, the stand out track. I’ve liked since I first heard it in Goodfellas. The bass is excellent, especially in the breakdowns. Great song. I’ll Never Leave You is a great downbeat end and a nice contrast to Jump into the Fire. Love the strings, horns and banjo as it builds and then levels out. Very pretty. He really does have a great voice, Moonbeam Song, Down and I’ll Never Leave You really show that. And the Beatles/solo Beatles echoes make a lot of sense as alot of the musicians on here also played on Lennon and Harrison’s stuff. Overall it is a great listen, although it’s definitely a bit woolly in places. It’s probably lacking a couple more really high quality songs to put it in the top tier. Nevertheless it lands very easily in the 4s, its slightly shabby and quirky laid back charm is a winner for me. 🥥🥥🥥🥥 Playlist submission: Jump into the Fire
I really enjoyed this album. Seems like a perfect representation of its time, if not a little bit ahead. Harry's voice is great and it was just a pleasant and fun listen.
Kinds good
This album was awesome. Can't say I've ever heard of Harry Nilsson but he's the coconut song guy! This record is chalk-full of unique and wildly original ideas. Not sure how anyone could hate on something as fun as this, especially for 71'. You can still hear The Beatles influence but it's no where near as derivative as other records following their peak.
Strange album, with a mix of power ballad (Without You) and quirky (Coconut) and other styles. I found a few songs here that I like so it bumps it up to a four.
Mostly here for Jump Into The Fire. Goodfellas :D
Fun album. Someone said “the American beatle” which I could see the connection with a number of his songs.
Favorites were "Without You", "Coconut", "Jump Into the Fire"
Didn't recognize the album cover or the names, but certainly knew the hits. Good album with an interesting mix of sounds. Still very 70's.
Cheto mal, me gusto un monton la verdad. no daba ni dos pesos por este cristiano, pero cuando vi que habia compuesto without you me tomo completamente por sorpresa
Good
This is an album that I've heard was really good for a long time, but have never sat down and listened to. It's as good as advertised. He goes through a lot of different styles, but he's at his best when he's mellow and sweet. Without you is a notable highlight, but the whole album is great. Well crafted songs with great production and a lot of heart 4/5
enjoyed above average
This one was really awesome. An artist I was not familiar with, but an album I will listen to again for sure.
without you and coconut back to back is wild.
never heard of him but he’s got pipes!!
Gear: Hifiman Arya Artwork: 🛀✌😎 Mix (2004 Remaster): 🎧👍😁 Musik: 👨⚕️💬🍋➡🥥🔗🍹🤰🤕🩺👌 Wertung: 🛀🛀🛀🛀/5
Some stellar songwriting here.
Solid with only a few hickups
Great album (except for that one song ...). Happy to listen again anytime.
Really enjoyed it. Probably won't listen to any of it again besides "Gotta Get Up", "Coconut" and that fire song but it was an enjoyable listen.
Was expecting more country alignment but either way was better than anticipated, hilariously simple and effective album title too
lushhhh especially liked 'driving along' and 'early in the morning' also the guitar solo at the end of jump into the fire!!
Ahhh Russian doll!
Always fun to hear an album starts and you say, “Oh THAT song!” And this one has got HITS. A wildly diverse palette of sounds that somehow seem to all fit together naturally. His lack of vocal range is unpleasant at first but he settles in nicely and makes the best of what he’s got as the album rolls along, to the point where it’s endearing and enjoyable by the end. Songwriting is relatable and tongue-in-cheek. Not something id listen to often but a unique gem. Listened to: returning the power broker :( favorite tracks: Get on Up, Early in the Morning, Without You
Great album. The songs are upbeat and fun and little bizarre.
Went in with low expectations based on the genre and name. What a surprise! This was brilliant. Hits for days and great fun
A few bops on here. I dig this album.
This is a really good album. Great songs, great performances, lots of diversity. I can see why the Beatles loved him!
Entspannter Pop, Bekannteste Lied: "Without you" 4/5
Not the work of a "serious artist", and it shows. There's a lightness to this album that's infectious. It's no wonder this was massively popular for its time.
There's some really good tracks on here, 'Without You' is a classic for a reason. The rest of the album doesn't quite hit those heights, but it's still a rewarding listen nonetheless.
Love the classic Gotta Get Up and Without You. Also enjoyed The Moonbeam Song, Down.
4 great songs mixed in with a bunch of good songs. Without You has always been amazing.
Underrated and under appreciated, he was more than just a novelty songwriter.
I have had this record in my collection for years because I fell in love with Harry Nilsson after I watched You've Got Mail. I had heard that this was his best work, and I liked it. Every song was beautiful. I think what I liked most was how Beatles this felt. This being his biggest work and I had heard gotta get up before, but this felt different. I actually heard the lyrics and how poignant the pauses and verbage used was. I love old music like this it makes life feel so simple.
Pretty fun pop rock singer-songwriter record. It's more sentimental moments on tracks like "Without You" and "The Moonbeam Song" do help to keep things varied, and Nilsson's voice has quite the range to it.
I really enjoyed this one. I thought Nilsson has a nice voice and i was surprised at the number of songs I recognized. I know some of the songs were covers but they felt like Nilsson tried to make them his own. I can see myself coming back to this album.
just good music throughout. playful at times but able to take himself seriously as well.
Going into this I only knew “Coconut” which is a great but goofy song, I was very surprised with the amount of range on this project.
I liked this and it has Coconuts which is one of my wife’s favorite songs.
i put on the tracks, said "enjoy it i willsson" though by the last three, i'd already had my fillsson
5/5 album cover
7. I think. I'm torn.
Would have gotten closer to a 5 without that damn lime in the coconut song…
Great album from a great artist
I have a preconceived notion of what this album was going to be because of Coconut. And I was totally wrong. Just when you think you know what’s coming next, it keeps you guessing. Overall, some really great stuff and some really weird stuff, and both are a lot of fun.
Beautiful
Very strong (maybe underrated) album. Some absolute tunes.
New to me but dang, that was good.
I dig it
A number of positive surprises. "Without You" is beautiful, "Gotta Get Up" has a Beatles vibe. Overall - an interesting diversity
That was a very nice and varied experience.
I had never heard of Harry Nilsson before, but I did enjoy this record.
I was super surprised by this album. It was awesome. Almost every song seemed like it was from a different genre. And not only that , they were good songs. It reminded me of Ween Chocolate and Cheese but not as brown.
7.3
A groovy little number. Without You and Coconut are classics. Enjoyed with a bowl of porridge and a coffee. Didn't cum.
This is wild. I've never heard of this guy, but four or so of the songs on this album are total classics -- easy listening soft rock classics. Great example of what the 1001 can do... it's super cool to hear these originals that have been classics for decades and covered by a lot of famous artists.
Ah, Practical Magic!!!
I liked this album it's definitely something I'd listen to again. The bass in all the songs is very good and the album itself has an interesting transition from beginning to end.
This guy. His music has absolutely no edge, and the true me is 100% into it. He wrote “Coconut” and put it on an album without any fear of ridicule. Which, brilliant foresight. It’s a silly song, but awesome. I adore this album and would love to meet Harry someday. I imagine he’s still wearing that robe. 4.0
Liked it a good bit
I can see why the Beatles loved him so much. Really great talent and versatility.
That sure was a schmalbum
given enough time Nilsson could have written Dirty Work
Is my mom in charge of this project? She was OBSESSED with Harry Nilsson lol. Yet another record that brings me back to cleaning house on a Saturday morning before getting shipped over to grandma’s house. This album is kinda like a “guys being dudes” soundtrack. Very dated, but still listenable. There aren’t too many standouts here other than the MASSIVE hit Without You. Lyrically dude has some spunk and some spicy stuff but for the most part I don’t think it’s particularly interesting. Son of Schmilsson is actually better in my mind, but this is still decent. The track Down has some bluesy elements but his vocals are actually pretty strong, so it’s probably my favorite song on this. Coconut… another one everyone has heard but almost nobody remembers who sang it lol. Not a bad record by any stretch but I feel like people who were into this sound kinda knows it’s not his best.
I know nothing about this. Ah, another time I was wrong and recognized stuff without knowing it. HITS. Those aside, there's a good variety of bass-thumping rock and ethereal. Big surprise here. Plus doing the "schm-" prefix has to be a first for major American rock. Hell yeah.
A weird amount of variety in this album. I would be hard pressed to pick a genre to describe this album as. It seemed to change every few songs. In a good way. The lyricals weren’t particularly impressive, nor particularly bad. Gotta give points for variety
pošto sam vrlo neobrazovana kada je u pitanju muzika nikad nisam čula za ovog gospodina, čituckam ja tako o njemu na vikipediji i saznam da je njegova pesma don't forget me sa albuma pussy cats inspirisala lanu del rej da napiše did you know that there's a tunnel under ocean boulevard. ovaj album mi je došao u pravi trenutak!
Without You is such a great cover.
This quasi-self-titled album (one of three for Nilsson, none of which outright said his name) is a hodgepodge of everything Nilsson was. Intricate ballads (“The Moonbeam Song”) clashed with uptempo classic Nilsson styles (“Gotta Get Up”), while his humorous side (“Coconut”) and experimental side (“Jump Into the Fire”) got equal time to shine, but would it be “Nilsson” if it didn’t? Now, it’s impossible to discuss this album without acknowledging arguably his two greatest songs: the emotional powerhouse of “Without You” and the intense closer, “I’ll Never Leave You.” While an album like Aerial Ballet will initially jump to my mind when I think of “Harry Nilsson,” this album is undoubtedly his most interesting and eclectic. this couldn’t be just a self-titled album, that would be too boring for Harry. It’s the “Schmilsson” tag that ultimately sets this thing as something unequivocal in his discography
Surprisingly lovely
The Beatles but better! I love the horns on this album. The off kilter singing and lyrics are charming. His falsetto is on point. 4 stars!
lime in da coconut
Harry Nilsson mastered the art of winning any argument long before James Acaster.
SHEPUTDELIMEINDECOCONUTSHEDRANKEMBOTUP
It was good!
Thought I would hate this but it's pretty great. It's real weird but he basically pulls it off for every track.
Schwonderful.
Interesting, and had more hits on it than I was expecting. 4/5
I thought it was fun and interesting! Ahead of its time in a way.
Really enjoyed it and added Gotta Get Up to my favorites.
Refreshing to see a singer-songwriter who doesn't take himself too seriously. This album is surprisingly fun in a dumb way.
Muy lindo álbum. Without You es de este señor!!
yummy and soft- jazzy, bluesy and with a perfect fusion of rock and pop. It feels very beetlesque- and I'm just now discovering that he is considered "The american Beatle", being friends with both Starr and Lennon- theres definitely a huge semblance. Although each song is incredibly differentiated there's this commonality of each song being super smooth- possibly his vocals, or the production, or both. Either way this album is such an easy listen, thoroughly enjoyed. Favourites: "Without You", "Jump Into The Fire" skips: none
Loved it then, same now.
This is about as 70's as it gets. Lots to enjoy.
I never heard this, but recognized a few songs. Good album!
Been years since I listened to this. Kinda fizzles out for the last few tracks, but otherwise really enjoyed it.
I like how he clearly takes the music very seriously, but not the rest of the stuff process. The album cover and title really encapsulates this attitude very well.
Favs: without you, let the good times roll
I really enjoyed this album because I didn't really know what it was -- what genre is this, even? It's not quite singer-songwriter, it's not quite pop, but I liked it. Put the lime in the coconut!
Yes.
Lovely little record - with some great big hits from this weird weird man. Plays wonderful start to finish - and while there’s a lot of Beatles influence here it also presents itself as a fully 70s record.
I had not heard the whole album before but pretty good. I was familiar with his most famous songs but he was definitely pushing the boundaries of different music from a single artist.
Enjoyed a lot, reminded me of Ben Folds at times
Zaskakująco przyjemne. Without you wielki hit, nie miałem pojęcia, że autorstwa tego pana.4/5
Album Nr. 68 Gute 70iger Popmusik.
Some classics here
Great album…can see why for so many it’s a touchstone
“Nilsson became big when The Beatles named dropped him”. Wake up sheeple. The Beatles had stupid money and power at that time and had the juice to hire a bunch of scientists to mix all four of their essences up together into one person and then age him up to their age so they could hang out and jam with him. The scientists did it in some weird all-chrome 1960’s lab while smoking cigarettes so it came out a bit off, but they pretty much accomplished it. Harry Nilsson had Paul’s old-timey pop sensibilities, John’s acerbic wit, George’s naive vulnerability and Ringo’s goofiness. He’s a one man The Beatles, but just kind of a fucked up one. All of Harry Nilsson’s albums are worth listening to, but this really is the one you need to hear before you die. I think “all the songs sound the same” is lazy criticism because it means you aren’t paying enough attention to pick up on nuances, but there honestly are some albums that really feel like that. This album is the exact opposite. Every single song is wildly different from the others but they all sound like Nilsson. This is a great album by a weird lab-grown Frankenstein monster man who never felt at home in this world because he was brought to life by mad scientists and pop stars arrogantly playing God. Also it has a great beat and you can dance to it.
Nice surprise
I've only ever known "Coconut," so listening to this album was a treat. It's a fully developed album, so much more than "Coconut." Standouts for me include "The Moonbeam Song" (both versions), "I'll Never Leave You," "Lamaze," and "Old Forgotten Soldier."
This is my first Harry Nilsson album, an artist who I know very little about. I like the opening track. Nilsson's vocals are so expressive, sporadic, and all over the place melodically. I think it works well with the sorta clunky horn-backed instrumentation. This is certainly an unorthodox pop album for the time, there's something so strange about the varied and inconsistent style of each track. Like the quiet keyboard backing "Early in the Morning" which has Harry taking an almost soul approach to his delivery. The melancholy image of waking up in the morning to an uneventful day pairs well with this instrumental. I love the piano ballad "Without You" and it's probably my favorite song here as Harry details a tragic breakup with an incredible vocal melody in the verses. The instrumentation here is gorgeous too. Harry's certainly a talented vocalist and he showcases his range by taking on different styles all throughout this album. It keeps the album from getting stale or repetitive. I love the whispered vocals and the harmonies in the slower "The Moonbeam Song" and how it contrasts the following rock-inspired and organ-backed "Down". It's clear Harry takes a lot from the music around him and this album almost feels like a celebration of a lot of the popular music at the time; from RnB to folk to pop. Even tracks that are painfully standard like "Let the Good Times Roll" are still enjoyable to certain degrees. I think it just stands as a testament to how great of a songwriter Harry was. I love the pop-rock epic "Jump into the Fire" which has an incredible groove and is the most ambitious track here; it almost sounds like a Can song near the end. While I do like this album's eccentricity at times, the song "Coconut" was a low for me. It was fun to listen to at first but I think it overstays its welcome. With that said, I do think it still contributes to this album's overall charm. I loved this record's eclectic nature. It doesn't offer anything particularly new or groundbreaking for the time and I think that's fine; sometimes an album can just have really good songs.
That was the Partridge Family's "Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted?" followed by Edison Lighthouse's "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes", as K-Billy's Super Sounds of the '70's weekend just keeps on truckin'
I loved this. OG Father John Misty.
Cannot get over that this album contains the lime and the coconut song, Without You AND Gotta Get Up. We'd never even heard of Harry Nilsson so this album was a huge surprise. The other songs were not hugely remarkable, but for the audacity of having three such varied but iconic songs on the same album we gave it 4 stars.
4/5 Best Track: Without You
absolutely surprised by the songs i knew, thinking i knew none. catchy and nicely crafted
A fun listen. Sometimes felt like a long lost Beatle.
Pretty good, enjoyable throughout. No bad songs although that Coconut song could be considered irritating, but I learnt that he was where that song came from!
I enjoyed this quite a lot more than expected. Couple of corkers and the rest is possibly best described as "emo before it was cool"
Interesting album, very of it's time, but with some good songs on it.
3.5 star album that gets an extra half star because the name of the album makes me giggle
I really enjoyed this one. Added it to my want list.
Pretty cool opening track. Love the sound.
I really enjoyed this from front to back. Absolute solid effort. It felt like a man shooting his last ditch at making a solid album. And he achieved.
yes, finally got around to listening to this one. sometimes proggy, sometimes country bluesy and occasionally whimsical. definitively a product of the 70's us folk rock scene really liked ; gotta get up, perfect opener, early in the morning, down, coconut (lime in the coconut) - classic whim and a dirty little favorite of mine . without you - classic... say no more let the good times roll - a nola-style country jam done right too syrupy for me; moonbeam jump into the fire - prog done right, even though it isn't always in my moodset i'll never leave you -excellent closer with an interesting choice of haunting, dark and harrowing tones juxtaposed with light bringing/ dreamy instruments. not an underappreciated album or music at all. overall an enjoyable, laid back affair with a lot of variation in the styles throughout, all with harry's voicing perfectly laid over the sometimes extraordinary compositions. a journey from the end of the 60's to the 70's encapsulated in an emblematic album
What an eclectic artist. A lot of variety in terms of style: jazz, Caribbean, easy listening, etc.
Good vibes good times
One of those fun albums where I didn’t realize I knew a number of the songs. Very enjoyable! Especially love Gotta Get Up.
DELIGHTFUL
Loved it. Loved singing along to it.
First and foremost, the audacity to call your album “Nilsson Schmilsson” and then just be lookin rough wearing a ratty ass robe for your album cover takes some balls. (Speaking of balls, mad props to the due who must’ve cut his own off to get that high Db on the harmony of without you, goodness). I love when a piece of pop culture can make me go down a Wikipedia rabbit hole and this one certainly did. You can clearly hear Beatles influences on here and it was cool to find out this guy and John Lennon were boys. Without you is a certified power ballad. Sure Mariah can belt better but I was pleased that schmilsson still held his own. Very good pop/rockish songwriting here. The bass solo at the end of jump into the fire is sick. (The only time I’ve heard of this dude before is he plays a song Remember from the hanks/Ryan classic you’ve got mail, which I highly recommend if you don’t know either, and I will definitely start playing again on the piano after hearing this album, sorry geege)
I was pleasantly surprised with the album. Coconut was a fun thing to have thrown in there, followed by Without You as well. I enjoyed my listen through. I felt as if Nilsson had a good balance of music and jest/comedy. Most of the funny albums we have listened to have been lacking musically in comparison.
This white man has so many hits for me to literally not know his name.
Solid old rock
Lot of classics on here - a few whose origins I'd never considered before.
A surprising number of songs I didn't know I knew.
Not bad! A happy sound and I recognized a few songs.
Enjoyed the folksy, almost mundane lyrics in the beginning with some fun lyrics later on
- Never listened to a Harry Nilsson album before but I recognised a few of the tracks - Overall very good but some tracks stood out more than others - How many good albums came out in 1971!? - Fav songs: Gotta Get Up, Without You, Jump Into the Fire
Best lache
Het had wel iets dat bleef hangen. Lekker
likte den! hørte på den igjen i helga. Hadde hørt noen av sangene før men visste ikke at det var "Harry Nilsson". Trodde han var svensk men googlet og fant ut at han var fra New York
Without You is a classic, but for me the surprise of this album is the opener Gotta Get Up. Beatlesque but it gives me Mr Blue Sky vibes and I like it a lot. The rest of the album has an amazing variety to it, yet still feels fairly cohesive. The only song that rubbed me the wrong way was Coconut. I find it stupidly annoying and it stops this being a 5 star album for me.
I enjoyed it much more than I was expecting. Good singer, solid songs, overall. Enjoyed Jump in to the Fire, in particular. Can't justify only 3*, but 4 seems a little too high. 3.5 would be perfect. I'm going with 4.
Today I learned that Harry Nilsson wrote the coconut song. I’ve listened to a little bit of Harry’s music on the past but haven’t listened to this one as far as I recall. Nilsson is an artist who has intrigued me but I haven’t quite gotten hooked on his music. This collection is great and gives me reason to take a deeper dive into his catalog at some point. I really enjoyed it and its Beatlesque sound. He was a fantastic vocalist, that’s clear on this listen. The basslines on several songs really caught my ear. “The Moonbeam Song” and “Jump into the Fire” were standouts.
GREAT album, forgot he sung lime in the coconut. Very good 1st album to start this journey
Definitely could be the 5th Beatle. Songs sounded familiar even though most were new to me.
Surprised by how much I like this. Tonally, all over the place but produced so damn well with loads of catchy songs
Liked Nilsson's work back in the 70s, but not enough to purchase anything. Feel the same way still...interesting to listen to, enjoyable s well, but mostly because if his uniqueness.
Lots of fun songs. Also had no idea the guy who did Coconut also did Jump Into the Fire
This Harry Nilsson album was released in late 1971 and leads off with Gotta Get Up (which sounded like it could have been the theme song from a TV show). The next 4 songs were ok but then next the Grammy winning Without You jumps out at you and reminds you that yes, you have heard this song...many times before, if you are from that era. Great song. The next few songs (Coconut and Let The Good Times Roll) are very recognizable songs from the past. This album was Grammy nominated for Album of the Year in 1973. Great album - 4 stars.
1.16.24
Top 2: Driving Along and Early in the Morning Other goodies: Gotta Get Up, Down and Jump Into The Fire The Coconut was a fun one and Without You were both bangers but unlikely to make it into my frequent listening lol The album had an odd amount of genre range
Only heard of this album, didn't know what to expect. It's very fun, very eclectic and well crafted. Recognized more songs than I thought I would. Good time and I can imagine this hitting hard in 1971. Coconut is also just a wild and goofy track but just try to not enjoy it.
Me gustó mucho
Suprised by this one. Never heard of him. Timeless tunes.
You get why fans of the ‘70s singer-songwriters must have gone bananas over “Nilsson Schmilsson.” It’s packaged with everything Nilsson offers—wry humor, sad sack tales, piano-driven ballads, rock-inflected statements, and a range of voices, like characters in a one-man play. And through the record: melody, most notable of his top tier emotional breakthrough, “Without You,” with a chorus that defies you not to sing along. “Coconut” is a lark and a fluke but it’s also amazingly catchy, even if you get the point about 2 minutes in (hit or not, this one could’ve used editing). And you get why his famous admirers, like David Bowie, and his famous drinking buddy, John Lennon, would hold up Nilsson as a guiding light for their own work. As much as he’s a good vocalist, his real gift here is managing to let the song-craft shine on this record, which probably accounts for its brand of timeless longevity.
first listen a wonderfully vibrant and sometimes silly piano singer record
This is a super cool record - poppy but quirky. Favourite tracks: Gotta Get Up, Down, Jump Into The Fire.
Didn't know some of these songs were on here! Great American songbook
Harry Nilsson is often referred to as a bridge between sunny Beatles psychedelia and the wave of confessional 1970's singer-songwriters (Billy Joel and Elton John, sit up and take notes). His 1971 album "Nilsson Schmilsson" makes it easy to see why: charming, likeable and emotive, with a generous helping of American Songbook-worthy classics. Although Nilsson was closest with Lennon and Starr (they were all close friends and fellow alcoholics throughout the 1970's), "Nilsson Schmilsson" borrows much more heavily from the McCartney school of Beatles. It's stacked full of perfectionist musicality, music-hall level jauntiness, piano-led restless song structures and ambitious orchestral arrangements. "Gotta Get Up", an excellent choice for an opening track, introduces all of this at once: it unravels rapidly through one line after another, modulation after modulation, layer upon layer of instrumentation being added over a lyric mingling the mundane with the fantastical. What are the other highlights of the record? "Coconut" is an unending calypso groove - based around a single chord! - which teeters into winning novelty. Then there's of course "Without You", written and originally recorded by Apple Records alumni Badfinger, but given a sublime symphonic treatment here which has long eclipsed the song's origins. Nilsson was also praised for incorporating layered harmonies into his songs all on his own: they aren't in too much effect here, but are worthy of praise in the lovely "The Moonbeam Song", a slow-moving stand-out from the album's first stretch. Finally, the closing track "I'll Never Leave You" is perfectly judged, shifting from sleepy and lulling to dramatic and bombastic… then back again. Possibly the most striking arrangement on the record. There's a lot to like, but for me it's the full-bodied, inventive orchestral arrangements which are the most exciting aspect of the album. It's the reason the cover of 40's blues track "Early in the Morning" falls a little flat, feeling like a throwaway sketch of something that could have been great. On the other hand, Nilsson proves he can nail straight-ahead rock as well as theatre across the remainder of the album. "Driving Along" and "Down" foreshadow this with strong guitar work and singalong hooks, but it peaks in "Jump into the Fire". This is a masterclass of intensity, from the rumbling bass line to the scratching central guitar motif, insistent stabs of organ, howling, unhinged vocals and climactic drum solo. No wonder Martin Scorcese chose it for such a climactic scene in Goodfellas. "Nilsson Schmilsson" may not be perfect, but it's very close. I've owned it for many years but had completely neglected several of its best tracks: at last, I now feel duty-bound to give it many more listens.
I had no idea who this was until halfway through the album when Without You played, followed by Coconut. I really liked this one, a lot of variety but most of the tracks were really good. I hadn’t expected the random Spanish version of Without You! Listens: 1 Fave Track: Without You Rating: 4
chill semi-groovy 70s rock. lime in the coconut!
4.5
This was a surprise - my listening group talked about it and figure if this had been released by someone more known/popular (George Harrison for example) it would prob have been a big hit actually
Didn't know what to expect from this album. İt was really good, i actually knew some of the songs too and was very surprised i hadn't listened to this artist before. Great ballads, great songs to dance too. This album has balance which is always a pro.
01) Gotta Get Up - 8,5 02) Driving Along - 8,0 03) Early in the Morning - 8,0 04) The Moonbeam Song - 8,0 05) Down - 7,5 06) Without You - 10,0 07) Coconut - 7,5 08) Let the Good Times Roll - 7,0 09) Jump into the Fire - 9,0 10) I'll Never Leave You - 7,0 TOTAL: 8,05 (81/100)
Pretty enjoyable listen. Nice vocals, some recognizable songs. Instrumentation is mostly unimpressive but also enjoyable so who cares
Ken hier een aantal nummers van: Gotta get up is leuk maar vind vooral Coconut grappig, en Without You mooi liedje Jump into the fire kende ik niet maar wat een heerlijk nummer zeg!! Vind het een leuk en gevarieerd album, would buy! Krijgt een 4+
The ‘Russian Doll’ song ! ‘Without You’ ! ‘Coconut’ ?? Had never heard of this guy, but clearly I should have. I recognised a bunch of tracks on this.
A favorite album of mine! Jump Into the Fire is badass. Gotta Get Up is great. Overall the album is a good mix of slow and harder songs. The only thing that really brings this album down is coconut, that song has been over played and I hate it.
Another one I had never heard all the way through before. The most I knew about Harry Nilsson was that he was close friends with John Lennon. I think I never picked up this album because of the stupid name, which is a shame because it’s quite good.
Pro Nilsson! Until recently I didn’t known this artist by name, and I was bowled over when I realized how many songs of his that I knew. So maybe not as familiar as the artists that adored him, but certainly as important. I liked this as much as anyone likes anything that has been with them their whole lives without them knowing it.
A few gems on this one that I never knew the origins of... I'm looking at you Coconut. Of course, the Fred Schneider version is my favorite. Also Without You... still can't figure out what band covered it, but enjoyed it.
This is a fun listen. I had heard of him and some of his songs before, but this is the first time listening intently. There are a couple of weird songs, but overall a fun read with some hits.
If he's the Yank McCartney, Coconut must be his Frog Chorus. Jump Into the Fire is the soundtrack to sauce-stirring which slaps.
amazing vibes
That was a fun ride. Surprising indeed. 4 stars
liked the moonbeam song.
put the lime in the coconut
i enjoyed
Excellently done especially surprised by the clarity in the songwriting, nothing is overstated or overblown.
Surprised I already knew 4 of these songs. Also how varied the sound is across this album. If I didn’t know it was the same artist, I don’t think I would have guessed these were all by the same artist.
It introduces Without You!
Un discazo. Mucha rola chida que ya conocía pero no hilaba a una sola persona.
Some excellent tracks and some filler. The daddie day care song comes from this album! The highlights were breathtaking, like driving along a coastal highway very stoned
Versatile but still cohesive. And enjoyable too, beyond the hit. Easily one I can see revisiting.
Where has he been my whole life
This one is a bit weird, kinda all over the place. Coconut is goofy but without you slaps
Great! Songs that I've heard and enjoyed but didn't have any idea who sang them. What range this guy has.
I get the Beatles comparisons. Pretty good album with some classics on there.
This was a surprising little album packed with some great hits. I’ve never purposefully listened to Harry Nilsson, but have certainly heard his radio hits and know the name. He’s really a great songwriter though, and this album showcases it with a few hit singles. “Gotta Get Up” is a standout favorite of mine though, and what a great album opener. There’s some cheese here, “Without You” lays it on thick, but it’s endearing overall and at 35 minutes the album never overstays its welcome. Plus, how could you not love the lime in the coconut guy?
3.7
Chill and cool
Good early 70’s pop. Like the hits and ‘Jump Into The Fire’. Other songs are also good. Nice album.
This was a pretty good album from someone I never heard of before. Harry Nilsson sounds like the Beatles with the classic pop rock sound from the early 1970s. Favorite Song(s): "Gotta Get Up", "Early in the Morning", "Without You"
Very close to 5 stars. Damn good album! Nilsson had an incredible voice.
Favourite tracks: without you; coconut; gotta get up
I'm already a fan of Nilsson so when I got this album as my second album, I was pretty excited. Everybody's Talkin' is one of my favorite songs of all time, but honestly I'd never really dipped into a full album of Nilssons work. I'm pleasently surprised with this album.. This is the kind of album I'd buy on vinyl to throw on while I cleaned my house or cooked dinner.. I'll go over reviewing the songs I enjoyed off this album and leave out the ones that I didn't.. 'Gotta Get Up' is a great intro track, everytime I put it on I'd catch myself bopping to Nilssons flow.. "We used to carry on and drink and do the rock and roll" great tune. 'Early In The Morning' has this like.. hushed whisper feel to it, the track FEELS like getting up at 5am to go to work. Its a song that just grows on me more and more every listen. 'The Moonbeam Song' has this tranquil acoustic almost harvest moon feel about it. I love this song. A great break or pallet cleanser from the schmilsson you've gotten up until this point. A great song to put on at a lake at night under the moon.. 'Down' has this BIG almost aggressive energy to it that i love, with the horns and Nilsson howling at the top of his lungs screaming about going down to the bottom of a hole.. This is also one that grew on me more and more. Then we have side two.. We start with his most popular song, 'Without You' a beautiful song.. The song features this beautiful soft ethereal piano, and then Nilsson comes in with his iconic sound in a soft tenor voice.. I do get why this is his most popular song, and honestly.. it is an amazing song. I get chills listening to it. It starts bringing tears to my eyes as I listen to it and write this review. Its a reminder to me of all of the love I've experienced in my life, and how strong some of those bonds have been.. How I've felt like I COULD NOT go on at times, how I've loved and lost.. and it reminds me of how time heals wounds, how we find love again, and how its what life is all about.. This is what music is all about. This song reminds me of how music can just move me so powerfully.. A beautiful, beautiful song. Thank you schmilsson for this song.. AND THEN OF COURSE, my personal FAVORITE song on this album and his "meme" song, if you will.. 'Coconut' this song is just fucking FUN man.. I know this song was in some movie and kind of became like a joke song or whatever, but honestly its just funky and psychedelic and fun.. a great song along to and just be goofy! and the final track I enjoyed off of this album, was 'Jump Into The Fire'.. it feels like being in the sahara desert tripping off of peyote and you start to see a mirage of a goddess and you write her this song to prove your love to her? I don't know why but I love this song.. Overall Score: 4.2/5
Strong 4
Kinda fun, alt indie mix
V atmospheric, almost beatles like w the harmonies. V chill and good background. Also happy and fun. Solid 4
4. I was pleasantly suprised
Did anyone else know the guy that sings Coconut was white? Don’t know if I’m embarrassed or offended. Who knew he also covered Without You and is responsible for Gotta Get Up? This album is versatile. Feels like LSD
i liked this more than i expected to. he sounded like an american beatle so if you're into that then you're good to go. nice songs, interesting and varied music, and the song about the lime in the coconut - what more do you want? favorites: gotta get up, without you, coconut, jump into the fire
4.5
Show tunes, jazzy and funny. Some epic tracks
Lots of different styles and influences in one album with a classic in the middle. I liked this.
It’s interesting to me that the popular song form spread by the Beatles—verse chorus verse middle eight chorus coda (and all the variations, sometimes with an intro, etc)—is really etched into our consciousness such that songs which don’t have such a clear structure sound unfinished, which is most of the material here. There are some very fun grooves but they sound like parts of songs. Moonbeam song is good, and How Can I Be Sure of You is a standout for me, and the Coconut Song is fun but the album as a whole feels like a collection of half-finished ideas by an extremely restless mind. Songwriters’ songwriters are always going to have it rough. Probably merits a relished.
Lindo disco, ritmos y sonidos interesantes para la época. Muy marcado por la Beatlemania del momento
:)
Really good! It really has a Broadway musical feel to it but not in a try-hard or overdone way. Really catching and I loved the incorporation on brass into a few of the songs. 8/10
This actually goes pretty hard. I really enjoyed this album
Liked this album a lot, first song was best Very sing-alongy
Coconut is such a classic but I also really enjoyed 'Jump Into The Fire'. Really varied sound.
A funky, bluesy and for the most part entertaining album. Really enjoyed Nilsson's singing and instrumentals, primarily on tracks like Down and Coconut.
What a gem of an album. I never realized how many classics of Harry’s were all here in this one album. From the playful yet realistic themes of “gotta get up” to the very somber and emotional energy of “without you” this album is so human at its core. If you dislike this album then fuck you ya robot freak!
7.0 Nilsson really shows his ability to write catchy and sometimes moving tunes. One can see why he was so heavily covered. Unfortunately, for me at least, he is also able to render catchy-as-fuck but annoying-as-fuck ear worms. The mean mr mustard syncopations are all over this, but the writing is often wry and sincere at the same time. It really is a broad mix in this album. Ballads, expansive rock, you name it.
suave
I had heard the name Henry Nilsson a fair amount but was unaware that I knew a couple of his songs. This album is pretty damn good and will go into my "weekend morning making pancakes" rotation.
I feel like I’ve heard a bunch of these songs before, but somehow never heard the name of the singer. Fantastic album front to back.
Fun! Some definite bops in there.
Very 70s, experimentally Awsome
Great album. Full of bangers with occasional dips into sappy 60’s style love songs that just aren’t my thing.
Actually have to say this a really nice album Doing this project has made me realise how many songs I do actually like. I appreciate an album that you can just vibe with that is suitable for all times of day I can see why Harry Nilsson is called the American beatle it’s deffo gave me that vibe. This album had a nice loose feel about it. Stand out tracks: Driving Along, Without You.
Original vinyl listen! Would listen again, so guess that ought to be a 4. More of a 3.5. But enjoyable easy 70s pop listening.
I honestly enjoy this album. It's pretty much what making music is all about. It's witty, passionate and with a glint of greatness.
Good! Enjoyed it quite a lot.
Oo, most of that was pretty fun!
Playful, eccentric, and catchy songwriting. Dabbles into some psychedelic rock for good measure, too. Easy to see the Beatles comparisons.
Loved it despite myself. I could have just seen the album cover and loved it.
Previously I've only heard about him because of John Lennon and his lost weekend in 1974. Well this album was a pleasant surprise to me. It is well written, really well produced and arranged, it reminded me of some of the later Beatles songs (perhaps it's no surprise Nilsson is named the American Beatle). There are songs on it from varied styles - pop, rock, ballad etc - and Nilsson shows a wide range of emotions on this album. I've found the first side + Without You and Coconut stronger than the last few songs but overall it's a really solid album.
Gotta get up is awesome ! Great way to start this listening experience. Loved the album !
Fun, solid, consistently good. Jump Into The Fire and Without You are my favorite tracks on this album.
Not what I expected and surprised with the number of songs I recognized i.e. Coconut. Reminds me of Lennon solo albums a bit. I like it.
4/5 Heavy Beatles influence. Good lyrics and happy mood album.
two Iconic tracks rest of album solid rock. light 8
Insanely surprising arrangements. Full of personnality, much more than I expected when I saw this was a singer-songwriter affair.
Superbly produced and arranged quirky pop from the early 70’s. Reminds me of Mr. Bluesky by ELO and late period Beatles.
jubilant, groovy music
Jolly, easy listening
4.25
So many hits
Great start. I don’t know the end so well
Second listen. This one was so close to a 5, but ultimately I don’t think I liked enough songs. It will probably get there sometime, though.
enjoyable listen, nice variety of songs and Harry Nilsson has a fine voice. Aside from the brilliant Without You, there is more than a hint of Beatles on some of the songs with Nilsson sounding like both McCartney and Lennon on occasion. I also liked the rocking Jump in the Fire
Great stuff.
Really cool to discover your favorite artists's influence ! 7.5/10
Didn't know Gotta Get Up before Natasha Lyonne's Russian Doll but that's a cracker. I really liked The Point, his kids album. Don't really know anything else besides the big song on here and everybody's talking. Odd that his most famous songs are both covers. "Ken Lee" is an indisputable classic. Coconut though. Please do fuck off. Everything else here is really good also. Jump in the Fire really reminds me of the Cult's She Sells Sanctuary, their one good song. Really good jam at the end with some lovely work on the bass.
Interesting listen, a piece of music history that I’ve not listened to directly.
Not only are Without You and Coconut by the same artist, they’re on the same album. And not only are they on the same album, but they’re back to back. This album was a wild ride and it worked
I had never heard of this guy before but really enjoyed the album. I feel like it hits the sweet spot between experimental and listenable which is hard to do. Very modern sound for being released in 1971
Decent enough hiii, few hideen bangers on there I was not expecting!
Boy, Harry Nilsson could do it all. And all from the cozy comfort of his morning robe, with a wink and a nod. I can see why the Beatles took to him. And why his music continues to weave its way through the fabric of our modern pop culture, cropping up in a Quentin Tarantino movie there, an LCD Soundsystem cover here, etc. I can leave “I’ll never leave you“ and “Without You” (not sure why this is the hit of the album when there are far better tracks in “Jump Into the Fire” and “Gotta Get Up”) otherwise great album.
Hold on, who is this? This is why I'm here for 1001 albums. I had no clue who this guy is. He's talented and a really good songwriter. Some ghostly, almost McCartney lines on some of his lyrics. I'm not surprised at all by the Beatles affiliation. What happened to him? I really enjoyed the sound. It's nothing groundbreaking, but again, thought I would have come across this artist by now, in one of my obsessive 70s music binges. Like finding a missing puzzle piece under the couch for that puzzle you've been working on. I liked it. 4/5
I agree with what a lot of people say about him being the American Beatle. He has that fun, whimsical, quirkiness to his music. I believe that is a harpsichord that I hear? Also he brings a lovely voice to the mix. I suppose short of a few standout songs, this album is something I would recommend to others with a similar taste, but would only listen to it when showing them or if it happened to be on the radio. Overall, very nicely made music. Perhaps a revisit in the future, this is only a first impression. Lime and the coconut ironically hurts this song after pop culture took ahold of it for so long. Actually, on second thought (god I’m bad at judging) I’m going to err on the side of a 4. I like this guy.
Reminds me of my childhood listening to music with my mom. The sounds are complex and robust and has a lot of great vocals.
I liked this album more than I thought I would. It had some fun songs and some more serious, somber ones. 4/5
Good! Songs I knew but didn't know who were from. Just finished arcade fire and this guy is a better version of what they were trying to do. Folksy and great
buen album. vale la pena escucharlo. algunas muy buenas canciones.
Actually just listened to this a week or two before it came up. But I've been overlooking Harry Nilsson for too long.
This was a really solid 4.
Si vous aimez les Beatles vous allez aimer ça
hmmm yes okay! it’s cute and good and sweet and strong. love the moonbeam song idk if it’s the mood i’m in listening to this but i like that the most. coconut is not it. without you is cute. wish the writing was more meaningful throughout its cute tho.
Amazing listen, hearing the origin of some modern greats is really interesting
Loved it 3.5/5
It was great! Heard some of his songs before but never knew the artist name.
A really weird album in a way I found fun and endearing. You can tell Harry is just making the kind of music that makes him happy and that’s contagious.
Whoa. I had no idea this album contained the earliest power ballad “Without You” and that the same guy sang “You put the lime in de coconut…” holy crap. I started listening to the album and was intending to write it off as another head scratcher on this list, but it’s at least a 3.5/5.
It’s solid, I find having coconut right after without you a weird sequencing choice but other than that it’s cool 4/5
baita som, musicas diversas
I got interrupted listening to this but was so engaged that when I went back to listen again three days later I started from the beginning. I really enjoyed this. Before I had only really known Coconut and Without You - two songs which did not go together with the same person in my mind. This album built bridges between those two and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Didn't expect this to be my cup of tea only knowing Without You but totally blown away by it. I have to go, I need to put this on again
Wow. Just brilliant. I had no idea.
American Beatle is apt as hell
Feels like this should be more well known
A great varied album from this artist. Knew more songs than I thought and the remainders were still solid and a worthy addition to the list.
Really liked this one. A lot of duds but the good ones really made up for them. "Jump into the Fire" is incredible. Cut out some of the weaker stuff and this could easily be a 5 star.
På en annen dag hadde dette kanskje vært en 2er, men humøret var riktig i dag. En morsom blanding av "Beatles"-esque musikk, ispedd litt mer humor. 🎵Put de lime in de coconut🎵🤯
This is the guy who did Me and My Arrow!! Album was nice overall, bt 2 & 6.
Pretty good. Good songwriting, good voice. Big fan
Gotta Get Up, Driving Along, Down, Without You (best song), Let The Good Times Roll, Jump Into The Fire (other best song) and I’ll Never Leave You. Alfa. Will definitely come back to it. Drums in Jump Into The Fire we’re amazing.
A lot to like on here with only a little filler
I appreciate Nilsson dearly. Spicy hot take but Jump Into the Fire just really doesn't do it for me, I felt the 7 min length of it. Otherwise loved the album. Would go 4.5 if I could.
Never heard this one before but the Beatles influence was clear as day. However he still brought a lot of himself here. It gets a 4 but I wonder if with more familiarity I’d give it a higher score.
Excellent early 70s rock album. Definitely see how he could be called the American Beatle. Most songs are great but really love “Gotta Get Up,” “Coconut,” and “Without You.”
I hadn't thought about Harry Nilsson's music in years, but thanks to the Russian Doll TV show, his song, Gotta Get Up was upfront and center throughout the first season. I had thought of Nilsson more as a drinking buddy of John Lennon, and though I was aware of a lot of his songs, hadn't taken the time to listen to a complete album. I sometimes confuse Nilsson's music with Badfinger, and for good reason, they both definitely had a Beatlesque sound and the classic, Without You is written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans from Badfinger. Nilsson Schmilsson is the essential Harry Nilsson album and is the high point of his career. I enjoyed it and often wonder why I haven't listened to more of his music. Pretty good for a guy in a bathrobe on the cover.
Nilsson is an excellent songcrafter. He also has an amazing voice, which he famously destroyed in a moment of bravado hanging with John Lennon. Sometimes called the American Beatle, he certainly holds his own with this collection of songs. It’s a little varied and the styles kind of zig zag all over between rock n rock tracks, full on ballads, and oddities. Overall it’s a very enjoyable listen.
Very good album... Unique things all around and not disappointed. Some exceptional tracks and other forgettable! Solid 3.5/5 Coconut
Both fine and funny. Adorable album!
wanna just put some line in the coconut
This was pretty interesting. I've never heard his stuff before for the most part and I thought it was pretty good. Production quality is insane for 1971, maybe it's a remaster? It's not all good, and Jump into the Fire is downright bad, but definitely decent stuff. HE PUT THE LIME IN THE COCONUT AND DRINK IT ALL UP
3.7 Very Beatlesque but a little less timeless, some are not for me but Jump Into The Fire was a banger and if the rest of the album were like that it would have been in the 4s. Faves: Jump Into The Fire, I'll Never Leave You, Without You
I know way more of these songs than I realized.
A fascinatingly eclectic collection of songs. The Spanish language ballad 'Si No Estas Tu', the new-age punk rock of 'Jump into the Fire', the reggae-inspired 'Coconut', the blues/R&B/rock vibes 'Down', and whatever 'Lamaze' would be considered. It's a regular Golden Corral of musical tastes, all prepared with a surprising level of excellence.
PREFS : Gotta Get Up, Driving Along, The Moonbeam Song, Down, Without You, Coconut, Jump Into the Fire MOINS PREF : Let the Good Times Roll
Der amerikanische Beatle. Ich bin zu jung dafür, aber man hört schon warum das gesagt wird. Klassischer 70er Sound, classic rock, blues und viele ruhige Nummern wie Without You, bei denen Nilssons Stimme gut zur Geltung kommt. Die Uptempo-Nummern wie Jump into the Fire machen Spaß und werden kaum langweilig. Speziell die Baseline finde ich sehr gelungen. Ohne dieses Album hätte ich nie von Lennons und Nilssons Lost Night erfahren. Darüber sollte jemand einen Roman schreiben.
Very good songwriting! Enjoyed it from start to finish.
neat album
What a belter! Never heard of him before, but recognised Gotta Get Up straight away, and obviously Without You and Coconut. Had very little expectations for this but it’s class, a massive range of songs and generally all very good. I imagine most of these tracks would fit into a Wes Anderson film, which is fine by me. 4.5
Unexpectedly great, started pleasant enough but got better as it went on, with Coconut the highlight. Not my sort of music really so must be a great example of it. Without you is a bit much but its probably not wor Nilsson's fault it's been overplayed by others.
Had never heard of Harry Nilsson before but immediately recognised the opening song. I can see why he was called "The American Beatle". Overall thought this album was great and will listen to it again. Highlights: Gotta Get Up Down Without You Jump Into The Fire
Thought I hadn't heard of him before but instantly recognised the opening track. Feel like it must've been on an advert? Enjoyed this mostly though, thought the first half was much stronger 3.5 if I could but I'm feeling generous
American Beatle comparisons are accurate, but ‘Nilsson Schmilsson’ also takes you to unexpected places and is quite a diverse record. However, my overriding takeaways from this album are the visions and psychological trauma of Mariah Carey covering ‘Without You’ (which Nilsson himself covered here) and Dannii Minogue’s techno/trance version of ‘Coconut'. Nightmarish stuff.
Pretty nice album