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Harry Nilsson - Everybody's Talkin' Audio CD

A fair review of the Harry Nilsson "Everybody's Talkin'" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Harry Nilsson reviews here, or go back to the Harry Nilsson tabs.

Harry Nilsson Band: Harry Nilsson
Title: Everybody's Talkin'
Rating:
Release Date: 1997-11-11
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Everybody's Talkin' 2: Vine St. 3: Love Story 4: One 5: Without Her 6: Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear 7: As Time Goes By 8: Without You 9: Many Rivers to Cross 10: Down to the Villey

Good Nilsson Sampler--Makes You Want to Sample More Nilsson
It does what such a product should do: gives you a solid overview of the artist's work and (probably) leaves you wanting a bit more (which is, of course, GREAT marketing). As budgetline samplers go, EVERYBODY'S TALKIN' is pretty darn good. You may find yourself listening to a track like "Without You" over and over and then say to yourself, "Hmm. What about the other great tracks from NILSSON SCHMILSSON that AREN'T included here, like "Jump Into the Fire" and the (for some) guilty pleasure of "Cocoanut. " Next thing you know, you're online buying more, more, more.

Contemporary audiences may not be aware that Nilsson was a favorite of both Lennon and McCartney, a collaborator of Randy Newman's and admired as a musical peer by nearly all those pioneering studio wizzes of the late 60s (Van Dyke Parks). In a way, it's understandable that he was such a favorite of the latterday Lennon-McCartney. Like them, he was focused on creating music in the studio, NOT re-creating on stage. (Unlike them, he never did. . . AT ALL).

The care and craftsmanship exhibited on even the slightest of his tracks is evident here. On the aforementioned "Without You," he multi-tracks the vocals and puts just enough echo on them. It's a tour de force effort, but strictly speaking, it is a tour de force of production not of vocals. Unlike Mariah Carey, some 20 something years later, Harry Nilsson's recording was not meant to suggest that he produce the same effect live. He plainly could not. He had a lovely voice, but not a powerhouse one. Creating a socko-boffo vocal in the studio is NOT dishonest, however, when it's evident to all and sundry that that is precisely what you've set out to do.

It is on the quieter tunes, however, that you appreciate what a fine singer Nilsson could be. The title track is a masterpiece of understatement, although I never could quite figure out the occasional passages where he deliberately squawks like Burgess Meredith as the Penguin. I used to find the song irritating on my tinny car radio back in the day, but on record--and on a pretty good system--I love it.

Probably the best example of the kind of subtle phrasing I'm talking about is the track "Love Song. " Randy Newman's version of the song traded on his trademark wryness. Nilsson is equally ironic in his approach to the song, but he sings it so pretty, you may not realize it at first. It is a very careful, precise reading of the song. And it may take a few hearings before you realize that it was meant to be taken with a nod and a wink.

Nilsson's well knonw vocal difficulties during the recording of the Lennon produced PUSSYCATS are very much evident on the track "Many Rivers to Cross. " I actually thought it was Lennon at his primal screamiest doing the vocal. It scarcely sounds like the same singer who so skillfully negotiated all the delicate vocal maneuvres on "Love Song. " But it is powerful on its own terms. (It's just that they are rather harsh terms).

In his day, Nilsson was a widely admired, if not quite beloved, artist--in part becuase of his absolute refusal to tour. Aside from Lennon and McCartney, it's probably safe to say that he had numerous "casual" fans but probably not too many passionate ones. And that's a bit of a shame. He was really, really good. In a just world, there really would be die hard Harry Nilsson fanatics. And maybe there are, but they're all just as low key and unassuming--and yes, I DO know all about the crazy nights during with Lennon--as the master was.


Awe-inspiring!!!
I was happy to have recieved the cd in brand new condition and still wrapped in plastic, so it was good to know that I was going to be the first to hear it and be in bliss. I love and enjoy Harry Nilsson's music and voice, so when I saw one of his cds on Amazon for a good price I had to get it. I'm glad I have this great cd of an awesome singer/songwriter of his time and now. I'll be buying more of his music and other artist's music in the future. Thanks! :).


Pure Gold
And it was a significant contribution to making the film such a great success. "Everybody's Talkin'" wasn't the first song Nilsson submitted as the theme for Midnight Cowboy (1969) but it was the one that ultimately (to Nilsson's surprise and even disappointment) was chosen. It was also the song that brought international attention to Nilsson's singular gifts both as a singer and as a songwriter. Offering depth of emotion and humor combined with a purity and sweetness of tone, Nilsson (who never, ever toured) was hugely talented--performing his own compositions or those of others. This compilation includes Randy Newman's touching "Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear" and the painful "One" (is the Loneliest Number)--where Nilsson's voice twists sinuously around the notes as if physically exploring the dimensions of aloneness. To get a taste of Nilsson's immense talent, Everybody's Talkin' is a perfect entree with beautiful orchestrations and top-quality production values.


Nilsson rules
I love his music and this CD is no exception. what can I say about the man with THE voice of gold. Its an album that everyone should listen to when they're feeling melancholic. I can only wonder what he may have achieved if he were still alive today. Everybody's talkin should be a part of the collection of all good music connoisuer.


You can see a complete list of all Harry Nilsson discography, or go back to the Harry Nilsson tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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