A visual checklist for those collecting Harry Nilsson vinyl
I acquired this pressing from a Dutch seller, living in France, who advertised it as an Australian pressing. I suspect that was merely a typo as the Dutch know their geography perfectly well. None the less, this was one I didn’t have and was happy to add my very first Nilsson pressing from Austria for the very reasonable sum that was being asked.
Only issue I’ve got with this RCA promotional ad for ‘… That’s The Way It Is’ – the use of a question mark.
Let’s keep the French flag waving with this French pressing of Nilsson Schmilsson under the alternate title of ‘Without You‘.
I’m not entirely sure why this alternate cover was used as there was a French pressing of Nilsson Schmilsson issued the very same year with the very same catalogue number that used the original US artwork, but I’m all for alternate artwork so why not?
On February 12, 1973 TIME magazine featured a cover story entitled, ‘Inside Pop Records’ (our pal Harry is depicted as a contemplative Son of Dracula on that very cover). The feature itself is a sweeping glimpse into the record business of the time. Nilsson is referred to as both a vaudevillian and a troubadour. More specifically Harry is, “ … blithe and winsome with his pen as well as his voice, first projected himself as a sort of sad-clown chronicler of Middle America (Nobody Cares About The Railroads Anymore, Mr. Tinker), now a zany mod-rocker (Coconut, Spaceman)”. Hmm, sad-clown & zany mod-rocker. Not so sure.
The article also briefly touches on Nilsson’s reluctance to perform publicly, quoting that performing is “a separate occupation. I like concentrating my energies in the studio and doing other things with the rest of my life.”
Nilsson producer Richard Perry is also briefly featured as are a host of other players. One of the more enjoyable excerpts is a handy ‘Lingo Primer’ which features such far out phrases as, ‘On The Farm’, ‘Boogie’ & ‘Whipped’.
If you’ve never read the article before, TIME have it freely available on their site.