Search - Harry Nilsson :: The Point! (Deluxe Packaging)

A Charming Pop Fable for Adults and Children

Lonnie E. Holder | Columbus, Indiana, United States | 02/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to understand today how an album like "The Point" was produced. The album is very experimental in that it is a narrated fable, with musical transitions from one portion of the story to another. Note that this story album predates "A Journey to the Center of the Earth" by Rick Wakeman and Jeff Wayne's "War of the Worlds" by a number of years.The tale is of one Oblio and his faithful Arrow. The two live in the land of points (everyone had a pointy head). For a time the two do quite well, but after a jealous child, son of a count, complained that Oblio had no point, there was a game to see whether Oblio had the ability to compete. Oblio defeated the count's child 2 out of 3. The count was outraged and went to the king to complain that the law was that all things in the land of point must have a point. A tribunal reviewed the case and banished Oblio and Arrow to the pointless forest.Once in the forest Oblio and Arrow discover that the forest had many points. While making this discovery, Oblio and Arrow have a number of adventures. Eventually the pair come across an egg, with no apparent point. The egg soon opens to reveal a bird with a pointed head. The bird flies off and the two soon fall asleep.The next day the two find a rock that looks like a pointed hand with the word destination on it. They went in the direction the hand pointed and came to, the pointed land. The count was quite angry, but the people were happy to see them because no one had ever been to the pointless forest. Oblio described the forest, and explained that there were many points in the forest, and reasoned that if the pointless forest had a point, then he must too. Someone shouts out "He has a point there", and the story ends very satisfactorily.It's easy to see this story being in the same vein as "Gulliver's Travels". Both were written to challenge and make fun of prejudices, as well as noting that underneath everyone is essentially the same. On another level, Oblio and Arrow undertook a journey of discovery, which is the same journey that we all take in life. The journey revealed truths, and the truths ultimately made everyone happier.This album is a great fairy tale and will enchant adults and children. The music is blended well with the story, seamlessly. The song "Me and My Arrow" received a lot of air play in the early 70s, and became a hit. Other songs are pretty and may remind you of songs by The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and the Monkees. One of the best examples is "Are You Sleeping". The music is all pop, mellow, but perfect for the intent of the story and the audience.The inspiration for "The Point" was chemical, but regardless of how Nilsson arrived, the result is wonderful and charming. 5 stars for a multitude of positives. Pop music with an easy to follow story for children and adults. Make that GOOD pop music. Excellent blending of story and song. Having one or morals to the story to create a fable. Buy this for your children so that you have an excuse to own it."

This CD has a great point

S. G. Landry | Worcester, MA | 09/08/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I was little, we had the record and video of this. Recently, a friend got me the CD. I had forgotten how great this CD is. The songs are so beautiful, and the story is great, too. Who doesn't feel like they stand out, or that they have no "point" in life? Oblio, who has no point on his head, and is therefore an outcast. After a journy around the pointless forest, he learns that if everyone else has one, then he must have one too. Whenever I'm feeling down, I pop in this CD and things seem to be a little better and sunnier. And even when I'm not down, I pop it in and everything seems even better than it was before. A must for any collection. Even if you're not sure if you like Harry Nilsson, then buy this. Because you do. You just don't know it yet."

You Been Goofin' With the Bees?

Leggo Ami | Richmond, VA USA | 08/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
This is arguably Nilsson's best set of songs. Every number is melodic, filled with wonderful "orchestral" arrangements, retaining the bounciness you want from Nilsson. His puzzling multi-tracked vocalizing never sounded better. Great period keyboards.



It is also one of the best soundtrack lps ever. Why? Not just the songs. The fantastic idea of having Harry himself read his story between each song works so well. And he's NOT reading the film script, but his own typed out version of the fable. (In other words, he's not reading Ringo's narration from the film) This makes for differences in story. For instance, in Harry's version, Oblio has no friends other than Arrow. In the film, he's pretty popular with all the townsfolk, except the Count's son. Harry's own double-tracked Rock Man is hilarious and Harry's voice for the Count is, of course, a bit like a Nazi in a WW2 film. You'd expect that.



The extra cuts are revealing of the creative process. The final one, "Down to the Valley" eventually became the superior song, "Everything's Got 'Em." The other two extra cuts feature radically different instrumentation choices, and different vocalizing.



The package includes two booklets:



The cd-sized comic book is difficult to read as others have said. Get out your magnifying glass.



The main booklet is thoroughly informative, revealing much interesting trivia, and includes a complete personnel listing. Four or five names should look familiar to fans of Pet Sounds!"