Search - Harry Nilsson :: Hollywood Dreamer

For real Harry Fans

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 10/25/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Lots of folks love the Beatles but not everyone has the Anthology series (or, for that matter, their first two albums). Hollywood Dreamer is really for hardcore Harryheads. Sure, it has very little common with his later stuff but you can hear a glimmer of the vocal talent Harry would display on his first couple of albums. Is this a bad CD to pick up? No. It's certainly not the first place to come to get a taste of Harry. This has about as much in common with Harry's "offical" releases as The Early Beatles Featuring Tony Sheridan does with Revolver, Sgt. Pepper or Abbey Road. There are a number of gems particularly on some of the fleshed out bonus tracks included (these sound closer to something Harry might have recorded for release). The bulk of the CD does sound like demo recordings because that's precisely what they were--a calling card that would enable Harry to find a deal.Scott Turner's accompaniment is restrained and compliments Harry's voice quite well. Harry doesn't demonstrate his full range here simply because there isn't a song that allows that opportunity. This fine release isn't up to the later standards Harry demonstrated with his own material (and his interpretation of other people's material). As an early glimpse into Harry's budding career Hollywood Dreamer is an important album for Harryheads. The big question "is it for you?" remains to be seen. The description of an early Ricky Nelson has some merit. Nevertheless, there's enough of Harry's personality in each song he sings to give this CD merit."

Harry Woulda Needed a Lime in the Coconut

Spencer Glass | Newtown, PA United States | 06/02/2001

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I would say that you would need to be a "real" Nilsson fan to enjoy this CD, except that I do consider myself a true fan, and was very disappoited with this release.I really felt like I was listening to a poorly developed Ricky Nelson studio session. Harry's range was not too evident, but what made this CD even more lackluster was the true missing ingredient from a Harry Nilsson offering; his humor.If you just have to know what Harry sounded like in 1962 then you need to buy this CD. If you want to relish in true Harry-esque music, look for some of ghis already available CD's. I hear the Son of Dracula Sountract will be out for Halloween. Now that should be a treat!"