Everybody's Talkin': The Very Best of Harry Nilsson [RCA] [Remaster]

Performer: Harry Nilsson
Producer: Harry Nilsson; Rick Jarrard; Robin Geoffrey Cable; Richard Perry; Rob Santos (Compilation)
Distributor: BMG (distributor)

Notes: Liner Note Author: Van Dyke Parks. Photographer: Michael Putland. Arrangers: Mike McNaught; George Tipton; Paul Buckmaster; Del Newman. Respected for his vocal range and pop smarts, singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson rose to fame when he was championed by the Beatles. Like the Fab Four, Nilsson's stylistic palette was remarkably wide, as revealed on self-penned tunes such as the goofy ditty "Coconut," the surprisingly primal rocker "Jump Into the Fire," and the string-laden chamber-pop of "Without Her," all of which are presented on this collection. With the exception of 1977's lush "All I Think About Is You," every track on this 14-track disc is from Nilsson's late-'60s/early-'70s heyday, including his charming hit covers of Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'" and Badfinger's "Without You." Though slightly outshone by 2002's GREATEST HITS, this concise anthology is a well-selected compilation, making it a fine introduction to Nilsson's wonderful pop aesthetic. Released as part of the great Harry Nilsson revival of 2006 -- a year that saw an acclaimed documentary hit theaters and video as well as Legacy reissues of Son of Schmilsson and A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night -- Everybody's Talkin': The Very Best of Harry Nilsson is a good, albeit brief, overview of the basics of Nilsson's career. The big songs are here, all loaded toward the front -- "One," "Coconut," "Everybody's Talkin'," and "Without You" arrive one after another, and "Jump into the Fire" and "Me and My Arrow" follow a couple of tracks later -- which will be enough for many listeners who are only familiar with those tunes. Those very listeners will find much of the rest of this enjoyable as well, since the other eight songs are well chosen, ranging from the quirky pop of "Daybreak" to the rolling, elegiac folk-rock of "I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City." So, as a simple introduction this works well, yet there are too many major songs missing -- including the baroque pop of "1941," the cute 'n' clever "Cuddly Toy," and the gleefully profane "You're Breaking My Heart" -- for this to be called definitive. These three songs are all on 2002's Greatest Hits, which provides more bang for the buck, but if it can't be found, Everybody's Talkin' is a good substitute. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Though he's best known for his versions of other people's songs (Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'," Badfinger's "Without You," an entire album of Randy Newman songs), Nilsson was a skilled composer, and is recognized as a pop craftsman of the first order. As a songwriter, he placed tunes with the Monkees, the Yardbirds and others. As a singer he managed to wring greatly expressive range from his uniquely flexible voice, and is recognized as a pop craftsman of the first order.

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