features in: Album Chart of 1974 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s |
“Nilsson Schmilsson” got all the acclaim for Nilsson in the 1970s, but “Pussy Cats” is way cooler, albeit never too far removed from basic middle-of-the-road approach favoured by both the performer and his producer, John Lennon. Famously, the two had a wild-old time when they got together to make the record; Nilsson’s cracked-voice and the generally laid-back vibe pay testament to this. There are seven originals and five covers on-board. Best from Nilsson’s pen are “Don’t Forget Me”, a beautiful piano-led ballad which oozes class and “Old Forgotten Soldier”, another fine piano-led ballad which stands forever as a document to the singer’s ruptured vocal cord episode in the making of this LP; good effort Harry. The covers delve back into the recent past with “Many Rivers To Cross” (Jimmy Cliff, 1969); “Subterranean Homesick Blues” (Bob Dylan, 1965); “Save The Last Dance For Me” (The Drifters, 1960); “Loop De Loop” (Johnny Thunder, 1962) and “Rock Around The Clock” (Sonny Dae and His Knights, 1954). The Drifters cover is best for me – it seems I dig him most in full-on raspy mode. Nilsson or Lennon could never make a classic album for me, but this one deserves pass-marks.
The Jukebox Rebel
05–Dec–2011
Tracklist |
A1 | [04:56] Harry Nilsson - Many Rivers To Cross (James Chambers) Pop Ballad |
A2 | [03:17] Harry Nilsson - Subterranean Homesick Blues (Robert Zimmerman) Pop |
A3 | [03:37] Harry Nilsson - Don’t Forget Me (Harry Nilsson) Songwriter |
A4 | [03:11] Harry Nilsson - All My Life (Harry Nilsson) Pop |
A5 | [04:14] Harry Nilsson - Old Forgotten Soldier (Harry Nilsson) Songwriter |
B1 | [04:25] Harry Nilsson - Save The Last Dance For Me (Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman) Pop Ballad |
B2 | [03:43] Harry Nilsson - Mucho Mungo / Mt. Elga (John Lennon - Harry Nilsson) Crooner / Cabaret |
B3 | [02:40] Harry Nilsson featuring The Masked Alberts Kids Chorale - Loop De Loop (Ted Vann) Pop |
B4 | [03:15] Harry Nilsson - Black Sails (Harry Nilsson) Songwriter |
B5 | [03:12] Harry Nilsson - Rock Around The Clock (James Myers, Max Freedman) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly |