Harry Schmarry Nilsson Schmilsson

If I were to choose recordings desert island style, at the near top of the list would be Harry Nilsson's Nilsson Sings Newman, Stereo Review magazine's Album of the Year for 1970.  Randy Newman and Harry Nilsson share an affinity for goofing around, classic pop arrangements, and soundtracks, but Nilsson, free of his own fastidiousness, seems to tease the desperation and sadness out of Newman's romanticism. I have been somewhat obsessed with the entirety of Nilsson's output over the years, but this one remains the go-to pull for those special life moments.

For this reason I was quite happy to find this post entitled "Nilsson Sings More Newman" on the amazing Nilsson shrine/blog, For the Love of Harry, that compiles the outtakes and uncollected Newman tunes.  If you're even slightly into the enigmatic and tragic songwriting genius of Harry Nilsson, stop by the blog for lots of rare stuff, to buy a "Harry Schmarry" t-shirt, or to finally see the Dustin Hoffman-narrated long out-of-print movie version of The Point. 

And, from around the WFMU webspace, here's a a great post with an mp3 of Harry singing the credits to the movie Skidoo, one on the Nilsson/Keith Moon horror film, Son of Dracula, and Station Manager Ken doing "Everybody's Talkin'" (Real Audio) with the Hoof and Mouth Sinfonia from the 2001 marathon finale (Harry's version of the Fred Neil tune).

Comments

[B.D.]

FWIW, The Point, which everyone should see, is available on DVD. http://www.amazon.com/Point-Ringo-Starr/dp/B0001JXPSO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1215008692&sr=1-1

[dav]

The version of The Point on DVD is different. Dustin Hoffman narrated the original. Ringo Starr narrates the DVD version. The Hoffman version in unreleased. Great link Scott, thanks.

[Krys_O.]

Harry also plays a prison guard tripping on LSD in the movie Skidoo. FWIW, I preferred the Dustin Hoffman narration of The Point because that's how I remember it from the original TV airing.

[Steve]

Surprised you didn't mention their NEWMAN Sings Nilsson Sings Newman collection. Randy's original songs in the Nilsson Sings Newman running order with a funny alternate cover.

http://fortheloveofharry.blogspot.com/2007/12/newman-sings-nilsson-sings-newman.html

[Holland Oats]

love that record, thnx for the tip

[yazoo]

FWIW, Skidoo, which everyone should see, is available on DVD.

http://5mtl.com/1D/SKIDOOPG.htm

This site ought to be old hat for readers here, has some pretty wunnerful stuff. Make sure you look around. I have the bizarre Lost and Found series. Good times.

[Dale Hazelton]

You should post the song "I'll Be Home". Best song on NsingsN.

[Jerry]

Shrine is right. That place is amazing. I thought Nilsson put out about 6 or 7 albums or something. I couldn't belive some of the stuff they got over there. Those demos of him singing acoustic songs to sell to the Monkees was incredible and an album of him doing Yoko Ono songs? It'll never be my favorite because it's Yokos songs, but it's fascinating! I might spend my 4th of July weekend there.