Search - Harry Nilsson :: Son of Schmilsson

Please Don't Censor My Review

03/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

""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?"

Son as good as father....

Gordon Pfannenstiel | Russell, KS United States | 12/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."