Son of Schmilsson
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| The Austin Chronicle |  [2] |
| Robert Christgau | B+[3] |
| The Essential Rock Discography | 6/10[4] |
| MusicHound | 2/5[5] |
| NME | 7/10[6] |
| Pitchfork Media | 6.5/10[7] |
| PopMatters |   [8] |
| Q | [6] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [9] |
Son of Schmilsson is the eighth album by American singer Harry Nilsson. Nilsson was being pressured to produce a follow-up album similar to his 1971 breakthrough, Nilsson Schmilsson, but instead, he created a more eccentric work. The album was produced by Richard Perry and features musical contributions from former Beatles Ringo Starr and George Harrison. Other musicians on the recording include Nicky Hopkins, Klaus Voormann, Bobby Keys and Peter Frampton.[8] Among the album's tracks are "You're Breakin' My Heart" and the US hit "Spaceman".
Most of the sessions were extensively filmed, at the request of Nilsson. The footage was to be used for a planned documentary, titled Did Somebody Drop His Mouse?, but the film was never released.
The album cover for Son of Schmilsson features a photograph taken by Michael Putland of Nilsson taken at Harrison's home, Friar Park.[2] The album was remastered and released on CD with two bonus tracks in 2000 and with five bonus tracks in 2006.
Track listing
All tracks written by Harry Nilsson except where noted.
- Side one (LP)
- "Take 54" – 4:22
- "Remember (Christmas)"– 4:07
- "Joy" – 3:42
- "Turn on Your Radio" – 2:42
- "You're Breakin' My Heart" – 3:10
- Side two (LP)
- "Spaceman" – 3:33
- "The Lottery Song" – 2:24
- "At My Front Door" (Ewart B. Abner, John C. Moore) – 2:46
- "Ambush" – 5:35
- "I'd Rather Be Dead" (Nilsson, Richard Perry) – 3:20
- "The Most Beautiful World in the World" – 3:33
- Bonus tracks (2000 reissue)
- "Joy" (demo version: guitar) – 1:57
- "Joy" (demo version: piano) – 0:55
- Bonus tracks (2006 reissue)
- "What's Your Sign?" (Alternate version) – 3:08
- "Take 54" (Alternate take) – 3:39
- "Campo de Encino" (Jimmy Webb) – 4:54
- "Daybreak" (Single version) – 3:06
- "It Had To Be You" (Jam session) – 2:34 (Hidden track)
Personnel
- Harry Nilsson – vocals, electric piano (tracks 1, 5, 6, 9), acoustic guitar (4)
- Nicky Hopkins – piano (tracks 1–8, 11)
- Klaus Voormann – bass (tracks 1, 3–6, 8, 11), saxophone (1, 5), electric guitar (7)
- Ringo Starr (credited as Richie Snare) – drums (tracks 1, 6, 8, 9, 11)[10]
- Peter Frampton – electric guitar (tracks 3–6, 8, 9), acoustic guitar (7)
- Chris Spedding – bouzouki (track 2), electric guitar (6, 8, 9), acoustic guitar (7)
- Additional musicians
- Milt Holland – percussion (tracks 1, 7)
- Jim Price – trumpet (tracks 1, 5, 9), horn arrangements (9)
- Bobby Keys – trumpet (tracks 1, 5, 9), tenor saxophone (8, 9), trombone (9)
- Lowell George – guitar (track 1)
- Del Newman – string arrangements (track 2, 11)
- Pop Arts String Quartet - strings (track 2)
- John Uribe – acoustic guitar (tracks 3, 7), electric guitar (track 6, 9)
- Red Rhodes – pedal steel guitar (track 3)
- Ray Cooper – percussion (tracks 3, 7, 11), congas (8), tambourine (9)
- Kirby Johnson – horn arrangements (tracks 4, 11)
- Richard Mackey – tuben/French horn (track 4)
- Vincent DeRosa – tuben/French horn (track 4)
- David Duke – tuben/French horn (track 4)
- George Harrison – slide guitar (track 5)[10]
- Barry Morgan – drums (track 5)
- Paul Buckmaster – orchestral arrangement (track 6)
- Richard Perry – percussion (tracks 6, 11), arrangements (11)
- Senior Citizens of the Stepney & Pinner Choir Club No. 6, London, England – choir (track 10)
- The Henry Krein Quartet with Klaus Voormann – rhythm section (track 10)
- Henry Krein – accordion (track 10)
- Paul Keogh – guitar (track 11)
- Les Thatcher – guitar (track 11)
- Technical
- Ken Scott, Robin Geoffrey Cable, Phil McDonald - engineer
- Michael Putland - cover photography
Charts
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Billboard Pop Albums | 12 |
Single
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | "Spaceman" | Billboard Pop Singles | 23 |
Certifications
| Organization | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| RIAA (US) | Gold | December 30, 1972 |
References
- ^ Thomas, Stephen Thomas. "Harry Nilsson Son of Schmilsson". AllMusic. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ a b Schroeder, Audra (August 25, 2006). "Son of Schmilsson, A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night, Everybody's Talkin': The Best of Harry Nilsson". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ Christgau, Robert. "CG: Artist 567". robertchristgau.com. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ Strong, Martin C. (2006). The Essential Rock Discography. Edinburgh, UK: Canongate. p. 758. ISBN 978-1-84195-827-9.
- ^ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds) (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p. 815. ISBN 1-57859-061-2.
- ^ a b "Harry Nilsson – Son of Schmilsson CD Album". CD Universe/Muze. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ Leone, Dominique (June 9, 2006). "Harry Nilsson: Son of Schmilsson / A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ a b Horning, Bob (May 16, 2006). "Harry Nilsson: Son of Schmilsson / A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night". PopMatters. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
- ^ Randall, Mac; Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds) (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th edn). New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. p. 586. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
- ^ a b Castleman, Harry; Podrazik, Walter J. (1977). All Together Now: The First Complete Beatles Discography 1961–1975 (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Ballantine Books. p. 115. ISBN 0-345-25680-8.
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