Without You: The Best Of Harry Nilsson

The late American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson (1941-1994) remains criminally underrated, although I'd imagine that a lot of keen mellow-music lovers will at least be familiar with his two biggest hits: 'Everybody's Talkin', which was used in the hit film 'Midnight Cowboy', and the sad romantic ballad 'Without You', which was a chart topper in Britain, and in many other countries. The great John Lennon and Paul McCartney were both fans of his, and it isn't difficult to understand why.Although his other hits in the UK were few and far between, Harry penned and recorded many other excellent songs, including the singles 'One' and 'All I Think About You'. This extensive double album from Sony's Camden Deluxe series contains all of these highlights, virtually all of the other essentials, and several covers of timeless standards, including 'It Had to Be You', and what is probably the best version of 'As Time Goes By', which closes off the second disc, that I've ever heard. Other beautiful standouts include 'Sail Away' and 'The Lottery Song'.I was at first quite wary that 36 songs on this anthology might be a little too much for me, but really, none of these tracks are at all excessive, and I'm genuinely glad to have been able to hear these treasures. This is some of the finest melancholy music recorded between the relatively short ten year period of 1967 to 1977. Harry Nilsson had a wonderful voice, strong and full of emotion, and it deserves to be more widely appreciated.The wonderful front cover of this compilation looks deliberately retro, very 1970s', and although it's the music that matters, and the content is very generous, the booklet contains no other photographs or even a write-up about Harry's career. Still, that's what the internet is for. Buy this 'Best Of', and discover the talent.

Good old fashioned songs with sentiment in the words. A masterpiece of the singer-songwriter’s imagination showing the depths he felt about each of his subjects. I appreciate this cd for its quality of sounds from songs he selected to include on the album. I felt like I was on the journey into his mind, to see where it was going to and where it could take me.

Without you: The best of Harry Nilsson; is a 2009 release,2 cd collection of (some) of Harry Nilsson's finest recordings.Both original compositions and cover versions are included across both discs.Opening track: Everybody's talking (featured in the film: Midnight cowboy) - is more than a fine start; and the all time classic: Without you (best version by a mile) - what a voice Harry!The humourous,calypso/tropical style of: Coconut - highlighting Harry Nilson's quirky and eccentric style,and the ballad: All i think about is you - complete his UK (top 75) chart entries - all in the 1970's.The song: One - both thought provoking and feel good - is another outstanding (non hit) I'll give a worthy mention.Despite his rather sparse chart history: HN was a big influence on other artists.Covers of; Without you - Mariah Carey,Everybody's talking - The beautiful south (not original comps - i know) - and The puppy song - hit for teen sensation - David Cassidy - being prime examples.Tracks to highlight on disc 2 are; Sail away,With its immigrant theme,With beautiful choir-like harmonies,The tongue in cheek - Kojak Colombo (Nilsson original) - and his take on Many rivers to cross (Jimmy Cliff),Makin' whoopee! and closing track: the timeless classic - as time goes by.By and large a very good compilation of Harry Nilsson's - an eccentric and quite a maverick character's - finest.The inner two-sided sleeve is flimsy,with rather sparse information - no biographical liner notes on here.but the sound quality is excellent.Harry Nilsson and John Lennon were quite a good match,in terms of music styles and personalities - you could say.Lennon produced and worked on Nilsson's: Pussy cat album.Lennon once remarked: Nilsson - was his favourite group - albeit with one constant member,and ever changing line-up of session musicians'.similar to his own: Plastic ono band.Without you: is a very good introduction to the music of the late - but certainly great - Harry Nilsson.but probably not the definitive.no clever and wonderful version of The Beatles: You can't do that on here - well recommended all the same.P.S. I am,no doubt going to buy (when I can afford it) Harry Nilsson: The complete RCA albums collection (11 in total),to further explore this much missed - and amazing talent.

This is a double album featuring 38 tracks from Harry Nilsson. His career as a singer-songwriter spanned from 1966 to 1980, during which time he recorded numerous studio albums. The peak of his commercial and critical success was the period 1969 to 1972, beginning with the release of the hit single "Everybody's Talkin'" (featured in the 'Midnight Cowboy' film) and culminating with the album "Nilsson Schmilsson" (which included the international number 1 hit single "Without You"). Given these successes, Nilsson was an influential pop-rock artist during the early 1970's - and he worked alongside many well-known musicians (such as John Lennon and Ringo Starr). Nilsson preferred to not to perform live. It was in the recording studio that he was able to best express his vocal talents - and, indeed, he was tenor (with a three-and-a-half octave range).This CD presents over three dozen songs by Nilsson. There are self-penned tracks, as well as several covers. There is much to be enjoyed here ... although nothing eclipses the truly magnificent "Without You". Nilsson's songbook deserves to be listened to - and this collection provides the perfect opportunity. If you're unfamiliar with Nilsson, this "best of" will introduce you to one of the greatest voice talents of the 1970's. If you're a fan of Nilsson, you'll already understand why his music is something to be appreciated.

Good intro into his songs