Nilsson Schmilsson:(1971)
Son of Schmilsson:(1972)
Son of Dracula:(1974)
Sandman:(1976)
Oddball. Brilliant. Singer par excellence. All these things, and then some, describe Harry Nilsson. The sympathy for the human condition is buried in the humor, and Pop Rococo of a Nilsson record. "I'd rather be dead than wet my bed" sung with a senior citizen choir. The humor doesn't get much darker, or more empathetic. I was fourteen or so when my godfather gave me most of his old records, but there was one he was not ready to let go of, even though he didn't have a functioning turntable. And that record was Son of Schmilsson. I wondered what was so special about that album, but I didn't push. I didn't even know who Harry Nilsson was. I was just grateful to be getting records. A few years later, when I had procured a copy of Nilsson Schmilsson, I began to understand, and appreciate the magic that this man could put down on wax. It's so out of left field, and yet so mainstream all at the same time. Genius. Timidly, I broached the subject of the lone record with my godfather. After a discussion about Nilsson, he handed me the album. That album still holds a very dear place in my heart.
"I sang my balls off for you, baby."
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