Track Listing

1. Gotta Get Up
2. Driving Along
3. Early In The Morning
4. Moonbeam Song
5. Down
6. Without You
7. Coconut
8. Let The Good Times Roll
9. Jump Into The Fire
10. I'll Never Leave You
11. Si No Estas Tu
12. How Can I Be Sure Of You
13. Moonbeam Song
14. Lamaze
15. Old Forgotten Soldier
16. Gotta Get Up

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #168104 in Music
• Released on: 2004-02-09
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording remastered, Import
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

CD Description
Produced by Barbara Streisand's producer Richard Perry, 1971's NILSSON SCHMILSSON retains all of Harry Nilsson's wonderful songwriting and warm singing, but presents them in a decidedly rock-based setting. Nilsson's decision to combine hisquirky, tongue-in-cheek Tin Pan Alley aesthetic with rock arrangements proved to be a successful one, and contributionsfrom a stellar cast of British and American studio regularsdidn't hurt either. The result was the artist's most focused, consistent, and accessible album. It also heralded Nilsson's commercial breakthrough.
From the opening notes of "Gotta Get Up", Nilsson is in complete control, fronting the proceedings with grace and ease. The album yielded a number of hits: "Coconut" (as in "put the lime in the coconut") and "Jump Into the Fire" were two, but his highest chart placement came with a song he didn't write, "Without You", a song penned by the English band Badfinger. (Those familiar with "Without You" but unfamiliar with Nilsson's other material maybe surprised by what they find here). Witty and idiosyncratic, yet always defined by a consummate pop craftsmanship, NILSSON/SCHMILSSON is immensely pleasurable, and remains one of the artist's best recordings.

Customer Reviews

An old friend finally gets what it deserves
Having been a dyed-in-the-wool Nilssonian for nearly 30 years I had always been in the camp that preferred the follow-up 'Son of Schmilsson' to this, Harry's real 'breakthrough' album...but this reissue may be about to change all that...

Firstly, the sound on this reissue is wonderful; much clearer and 'livelier' than the recent Camden version. The song which really jumped up at me in a whole new way was the beautiful 'You'll Never Leave Me' where the voice, instruments and orchestra weave their magic together to make for a completely marvellous aural experience! All the favourites you'd expect to hear on NS are similarly 'reborn': Coconut (which many only know from its numerous film soundtrack appearances - e.g. Reservoir Dogs, although the recent US Diet 'Lime' Cola ads may add a few sales to this release as well), 'The Moonbeam Song', 'Jump Into The Fire' and perennial heartbreaker 'Without You' all sound better than ever, unless you are especially nostalgic for the rumble and click of vinyl, of course!

The bonus tracks, however, are the icing on the cake and are worth the (cheap) price on their own. 'Without You' in Spanish, 4 early demos of tracks on this and later Nilsson albums and the typically quirky and never before heard 'Lamaze'...and there's still more to come if you listen to the end.

The packaging is attractive and informative with quotes from most of the personnel involved and, as is usual these days, superb, humorous and informative liner notes from Nilsson-fan extraordinaire Curtis Armstrong (yes...that one, 'Nerds' fans!). I doubt I'll play my other 4 NS discs much more apart from the bonus cuts - THIS is the benchmark. Thanks, RCA/BMG!

Can't Live If Living Is Without You , Can't Live Anymore
"In which the whimsy and vocal pyrotechnics of Aerial Ballet and Pandemonium Shadow Show, now cunningly collapsed into a disc called Aerial Pandemonium Ballet, are apotheosized under the direction of popmeister Richard Perry. The bathrobed recluse who shows his unshaven face on the cover (his well-stocked fridge is on the back) veers from kitsch fantasy both romantic and comic to terrified evocations of everyday existence -- that kicks off side two). The two-and-a-half years since his last real LP, Harry, have been worth it -- if only every artist could learn to mark time until a good one was ready." Robert Christgau

Harry Nilsson was the sum of my musical existence in the late 60's and 70's. I fell in love with his voice and his music, no one could top him, he was the sum of all parts of the decade and in my mind. The Beatles came and left, Van Morrison was in his league but Harry was my man.This CD is the best of the man and his music- a CD I have never been without and this remastered edition 'Nilsson Schmilsson' is the best of Harry. I recently heard 'A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night' and it is glorious, but this CD is mine. This CD took Harry to the top of the charts with one of my favorites 'Without You'. ;'Put the Lime In the Coconut, gave the CD a fairy-tale feel and 'Moonbeam Song' is just dreamy. "The Forgotten Soldier' brings us back to earth and 'Let The Good Times Roll' brought us back into the stratosphere. 'Jump Into The Fire' is seven-minutes of bliss that gave Nilsson a reputation of a talent of unusual depth and scope.

"Harry had an impish wit -- yet he hadn't made a record as cohesive as this since his first time out, nor had he ever made something as shiny and appealing as this. It may be more accessible than before, yet it's anchored by his mischievous humor and wonderful idiosyncrasies. Chances are that those lured in by the grandly melodramatic "Without You" will not be prepared for either the subtle charms of "The Moonbeam Song" or the off-kilter sensibility that makes even his breeziest pop slightly strange. In short, it's a near-perfect summary of everything Nilsson could do; he could be craftier and stranger, but never did he achieve the perfect balance as he did here." Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Harry Nilsson had a bumpy life of rock, folk and then roll. He is remembered in my soul and mind, and I find myself often singing his tunes,
'Put the Lime In the Coconut', 'Can't Live Without You'.

Highly, Highly Recommended. prisrob 08-24-07

The Point! (Deluxe Packaging)

Harry Nilsson - Greatest Hits

A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night

Son of Schmilsson

Harry / Nilsson Sings Newman