Harry Nilsson wrote hits for other people (including the Monkees, Three Dog Night, and the Modern Folk Quartet) yet had his biggest hits with covers of other folks' material (Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'," Badfinger's "Without You"). So it makes a perverse kind of sense that his most enduringly popular album is a collection of pre-World War II standards. With Sinatra arranger Gordon Jenkins on hand for traffic control, Nilsson wraps his lungs around such time-honored classics as "Makin' Whoopee!," "It Had to be You," and "As Time Goes By." Although Aerial Ballet and Nilsson Schmilsson are his finest outings, this album is extremely enjoyable on its own terms. --Dan Epstein
A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night,Harry Nilsson,RCA,Album Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter,Soft Rock
A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night
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A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night
Harry Nilsson Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000EQ47WM Release Date: 2006-05-23 |
Tracks:
- Lazy Moon
- For Me And My Gal
- It Had To Be You
- Always
- Makin' Whoopee!
- You Made Me Love You
- Lullaby In Ragtime
- I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now
- What'll I Do
- Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You)
- This Is All I Ask
- As Time Goes By
- I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
- Make Believe
- Trust In Me
- It's Only A Paper Moon
- Thanks For The Memory
- Over The Rainbow
Customer Reviews:
Schmilsson for Lovers.......2007-05-27
Supurb Departure to the Classics.......2007-01-23
FANTASTIC !!.......2007-01-10
The import is arranged for a better listen........2006-09-17
THERE ARE DIFFERENCES here that may be of interest to someone who has not yet discovered this magnificent collection, and these differences may be important enough for you to consider one version over another. The audiophile with an especially capable system will prefer the British pressing.
First, and perhaps most importantly, the new domestic remaster simply adds the bonus tracks to the end of the album after following the original 13-song LP sequence. In my opinion, this is something of a disservice since it appears to me (and to some professional critics) that the song, "As Time Goes By," is intentionally placed at the end of the album -- in either the truncated original 1973 release or the expanded British and Australian imports -- because the artist intended the song to be an epilogue expressing the theme of the album as a whole. The tune emphasizes the importance of the various phases of many interpersonal relationships as they evolve from courtship ("Lazy Moon") through marriage ("For Me & My Gal"), infidelity ("Makin' Whoopee") and irreconcilable differences ("Thanks For The Memories"). Along the way, Nilsson is mindful of the importance of introspection ("This Is All I Ask) and his own mortality ("Over The Rainbow").
Not only does this new remaster merely append the five additional tunes omitted from the original release, there are two non-essential asides that are attached to two songs, but not indexed (one from an engineer telling Nilsson that he has "all the time he needs but not a second extra." The other is a request from Nilsson that he is provided with a cigarette, some whiskey and some drugs.). These two instances on the domestic remaster are placed within the bonus tracks segment so that the album loses its continuity -- breaking a spell, perhaps. On the British import, the engineer's remarks precede the album in its entirety. Nilsson's request for drugs and whiskey was omitted from the British import altogether, but it appears at the end of "Over The Rainbow" on the domestic remaster. This results in a somewhat devalued effect for many listeners, myself included. Some may note that the revised lyrics for two song selections on the album might suggest the artist's nonchalant attitude toward this album; personally I consider them as comic relief.
Second in importance is the artwork that accompanies these two releases. While both the British import and the newer remaster provide the original jacket photo, only the British import follows the inner illustrations of the original gatefold, and in full color, just like the original. The new domestic release provides us with some sense of what was there (black and white only), but moves the musicians' credit to the back of the booklet. Both versions include producer Derek Taylor's introduction to the album, but beyond that is where the real differences are found. There is a more extensive set of notes to the domestic release. Curtis Armstrong wrote these notes in February 2006; the British import features an essay written by Andrea Sheridan in January 2002. Both are informative for the completist.
You Must Remember This..........2006-05-30
I purchased it back then (1973) and was transported by its romantic lyricism. Like many Beatles generation's kids, I was not enamored with the 70's music. Disco was on the horizon, jazz was becoming fusion, and country was becoming pop with a southern accent. The only place to go was to the past. And Mr. Nilsson must have known this. He didn't undertake this project to resurrect his own career, as he was on top at the time. It was a risky move; some warned of career suicide. The results, both commercially and critically, thankfully proved otherwise.
The album itself is composed mainly of prewar, (WW11 that is,) standards written by the likes of Gus Kahn, Herman Hupfield, and Irving Berlin. The lesser known jewels "Lazy Moon" and "Lullaby In Ragtime" glimmer just as much as the more familiar "Always", "Making Whopee", and "As Time Goes By". Mr. Nilsson employs a respectful approach, preventing a degeneration into camp, a la Tiny Tim. The renditions are joyous, and full of vitality, but not overdelivered (unlike so much of the bellowing we hear today). His vocals caress each lyric, and being who he is, Mr. Nilsson avoids the solemnity that often mars so many of these projects, while simultaneously rejecting the whimsey that was beginning to stereotype him.
Much of the credit for the album has to go to Gordon Jenkins for his arrangements and direction of the 39 piece orchestra. For many of us, the past sounds like Gordon Jenkins: sumptious, elegant, and full of grace. This lp stands alongside Mr. Jenkins best work, including the lp "Where Are You".
For me, Touch served as a launching pad, albeit into the past, and led me down a path where I discovered those singers and artists before the Beatles, and before Elvis. Jo Stafford, Jeri Southern,and Hoagy Carmichael became favorites; then I happened upon jazz, where the standards, particularly since Mr. Nilsson's lp, seem to be valued and constantly reinterpreted. I like to think Touch had something to do with that. Finally, I have come to rest where all paths in popular music inevitably lead- to Frank Sinatra's doorstep. And waiting in the wings- much to my surprise- with Mr.Sinatra, was Gordon Jenkins and the aforementioned "Where Are You". Mr. Sinatra's seminal 1957 lp emanates with much of the same sense of longing and sweet sadness that haunts Mr. Nilsson's. My musical route, circuitous as it was, and some 30 years in the making, had come full circle. And now, a few years later, the lp that started it all-Touch- has finally been remastered and released, sending me back in time once more...This is all I ask, this is all I need...
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A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night
Harry Nilsson Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002W5F Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Lazy Moon
- For Me And My Gal
- It Had To Be You
- Always
- Makin' Whoopee!
- You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It)
- Lullaby In Ragtime
- I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now
- What I'll Do
- Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You)
- This Is All I Ask
- As Time Goes By
Amazon.com
Harry Nilsson wrote hits for other people (including the Monkees, Three Dog Night, and the Modern Folk Quartet) yet had his biggest hits with covers of other folks' material (Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'," Badfinger's "Without You"). So it makes a perverse kind of sense that his most enduringly popular album is a collection of pre-World War II standards. With Sinatra arranger Gordon Jenkins on hand for traffic control, Nilsson wraps his lungs around such time-honored classics as "Makin' Whoopee!," "It Had to be You," and "As Time Goes By." Although Aerial Ballet and Nilsson Schmilsson are his finest outings, this album is extremely enjoyable on its own terms. --Dan EpsteinCustomer Reviews:
breathtaking.......2005-08-21
For Those Who Don't Know Anything About Harry.......2003-07-17
Already knowing Harry's work from previous records, I added this album to my collection. What I found out is, Harry changed directions from what he was known for. I think he set out to do something daring, gutsy for the times he lived in. Rock and Roll
was the dominant music, crooning was for Las Vegas. He took the risk of recording something, that might not have been to popular at that time, and showed any who would take the time to listen his talent, his voice, his range. I feel strongly that Harry achieved his greatest work in this one LP. Today it still has just as much impact as it did thirty years ago. Yes, this album
would go with me to the deserted island if I were to go. If you don't know him, this album is my first recommendation to
learn about Harry Nilsson. He paved the way for Linda Ronstandt
to record with Nelson Riddle. I never want to be where I can't
listen to this record when the mood strikes me. It's one of my all-time favorites. I hope you enjoy it too.
A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night.......2002-10-21
Just Perfect.......2002-07-03
Cole Porter Redux!.......2002-05-13
"You Made Me Love You," "As Time Goes By," "Making Whoppie."
What is it about those tunes that makes you want to grab a bottle of gin, a string of pearls and dance the night away slowly and tenderly with your lover?
This 1970's release by Harry Neilson is terrific. He's done a masterful job of working the music. He captures the essence of the songwriters as well as the lovers of that generation and of many that have followed.
This cd is well worth owning.
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A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night
Nilsson Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00006J4CK Release Date: 2002-12-17 |
Tracks:
- Intro
- Lazy Moon
- For Me And My Gal
- It Had To Be You
- Always
- Makin' Whoopee!
- You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It)
- Lullaby In The Ragtime
- I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now
- What'll I Do
- Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You)
- This Is All I Ask
- I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
- Make Believe
- Trust In Me
- It's Only A Paper Moon
- Thanks For The Memory
- Over The Rainbow
- As Time Goes By
Album Description
Full title - Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night. 2002 reissue of the late singer/songwriter's 1973 album includes six bonus tracks, 'I'm Always Chasing Rainbows', 'Make Believe', 'Trust In Me', 'It's Only A Paper Moon', 'Thanks For The Memory' & 'Over The Rainbow'. The track listing is the same as the 'As Time Goes By...The Complete Schmilsson In The Night' CD. The booklet reproduces all the artwork and text from the album cover with additional updated liner notes. Slipcase. Camden Deluxe.Customer Reviews:
Awesome improvement in sound quality!.......2003-03-17
Paraphrasing that review, I mentioned that it is my favorite pop recording of all time, and that it clearly demonstrated Harry Nilsson's ability to create near-definitive performances of many classic popular tunes. I would add to that assessment here that I don't think there's a finer version of "Over The Rainbow" available from any other vocalist - not even Judy can wrench you heart out quite as completely as Harry does.
The few extra dollars for this one over the Australian version are justified by two things.
First, this release restores the artwork from the original 1973 release on LP. This doesn't appear in the shorter, standard USA release (that omits tracks 13 - 18 found here). While I would have liked to have the newer essay found in the Australian version IN ADDITION to the original artwork, an either/or situation would have me selecting the original art.
Second, the British release has slightly better sound quality. If you are an audiophile with a system capable of revealing very high resolution, you will find this one will exceed the Australian one in several important aspects: transparency, dynamic range and spatial correctness being the three that come to mind now. PLEASE NOTE the typical audio system will display no difference in the sound whatsoever. If you own neither version and are considering one or the other, buy this higher priced one for the complete artwork restored, but buy the other one to save a few dollars if you are not a completist as I am. In either case, you will be buying one of the best recordings to be made in the 1970's. That, I can tell you with complete confidence.
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Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night
Harry Nilsson Manufacturer: Bmg ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000068R8Z Release Date: 2002-09-02 |
Tracks:
- Lazy Moon
- For Me And My Girl
- It Had To Be You
- Always
- Makin' Whoopee!
- You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It)
- Lullaby In Ragtime
- I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now
- What'll I Do
- Nevertheless
- This Is All I Ask
- As Time Goes By
- I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
- Make Believe
- You Made Me Love You
- Trust In Time
- Lullaby In Ragtime (Alternate Version)
- Always
- It's Only A Paper Moon
- It Had To Be You
- Thanks For Thye Memory
- Over The Rainbow
Customer Reviews:
THE BEST AUDIO VERSION AVAILABLE.......2006-08-17
If you are looking for the best audio versions, navigating the array of domestic, European and Japanese releases for each Nilsson album can be a frustrating experience.
I have purchased and painstakingly A/B'd them all, and have posted this review on the best editions of each Nilsson title. All you have to do is find this review and the guesswork is eliminated.
As with all my A/B reviews, the discs were compared on two Sony XA7 transports wired via identical Acoustic Zen coax cables to a Camelot Uther DAC.
The entire catalog was issued in 2002 with Japanese K2 remastering. In terms of remastering, K2 would usually be the end of the story, but this catalog is the rare exception: The final six albums in the K2 offering are the best audio versions, but in the front half of the catalog, the UK and one domestic editions are superior.
The 2004 RCA remaster of "Schmilsson" is the only domestic release that is better than the imports.
The 2006 RCA domestic remaster of "A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night" is virtually identical to the more expensive K2, but the K2 has 22 tracks to the domestic's 18, so the Japanese version is my recommendation.
Here is a list of the best audio versions:
1. Pandemonium Shadow Show/Aerial Ballet/Aerial Pandemonium Ballet (2CD) (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe (catalog number) 74321 757422
2. Skidoo/The Point (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe 74321 757432
3. Harry/Nilsson Sings Newman (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe 74321 757442
4. Schmilsson USA (2004) RCA 82876 572652
5. Son Of Schmilsson (2000) UK BMG/Camden Deluxe 74321 757462
6. A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37249
7. P*ssy Cats (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37251 (the UK has one extra track not on the K2)
8. Duit On Mon Dei (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37252
9. Sandman (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37253
10. That's The Way It Is (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37254
11. Knnillssonn (2002) Japan K2 BVCM-37255
The three 2000 BMG Camden UK releases offer more clarity than the Japanese K2's. Perhaps they were working from better source material.
However, the Japanese K2's are definitely better than the UK "2-fer" discs in the later titles. Unfortunately, the K2's are now OOP, more difficult and expensive to locate, although the Japanese frequently re-issue catalog titles.
Before purchasing any OOP Nilsson title off Amazon Marketplace, Half or eBay, I would highly suggest e-mailing the seller (with the catalog number info I have provided above) and confirm the listing. The seller may have another edition of these titles mis-listed.
A Touch More Schmilsson in the Night.......2002-08-15
Harry's recordings of pop classics were done at a time when his voice was at its best. Backed by a 39-piece orchestra conducted by the legendary Gordon Jenkins, Harry sings with compassion, wit, and charm.
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A Touch More Schmilsson in the Night
Nilsson Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000N9I2V2 |
Product Description
Rare German import of previously unreleased songs & alternate versions, with later tracks in a similar vein. Tracks include: I'm Always Chasing Rainbows (Previously Unreleased)/Make Believe(Previously Unreleased)/You Made Me Love You (alt. take)/Trust In Me(Previously Unreleased)/Lullabye In Ragtime (alt.take)/All I Think About Is You/Perfect Day/Always(alt.take)/It's Only A Paper Moon(Previously Unreleased)/It Had To Be You (alt.take& lyrics)/Thanks For The Memory(Previously Unreleased)/Over The Rainbow(Previously Unreleased)Customer Reviews:
Essential for those who treasure the original........2007-02-26
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A Touch More Schmilsson in the Night
Harry Nilsson Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000N99CDY |
Product Description
Rare collection from Germany 1988. Contains outtakes from "A Little Touch O Schmilsson In The Night", including unreleased songs & some studio banter, and a few later tracks in the same vein. Contains these tracks: I'm always Chasing Rainbows/Make Believe/You Made me Love You/Trust In Me/Lullaby in Ragtime (alt. take)/All I Think About Is You/Perfect Day/Always (alt. take)/It's Only A Paper Moon/It Had To Be You (alt.take)/Thanks for the Memory/ Over The RainbowRap Music:
- A Walk Across the Rooftops [Import]
- Absolutely Free [Original recording remastered]
- Ain't Life Grand
- And [Import]
- Annunciation
- B.L.T./Truce [Original recording remastered] [Import]
- Back Room [Import]
- Best Party Ever [Import]
- Breakaway [Import]
- Buffett Live: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays [Enhanced] [Live]
Recommended Music:
Ferrero: Concerto for Violin, Cello, Piano and Orchestra / Piano Concerto / Capriccio
Music: Suite for Strings / Sextet for Strings
Dirty Harriet [Explicit Lyrics]
Hope of Heaven: Integrity Music's Scripture Memory Songs
Country's Greatest Hits, Vol. 3: Ten Gallon Country
Et Tant Pis Si Cela Vous Deplait [Import]
Earthed to Ground/Agents of Chaos