Search - Harry Nilsson :: That's the Way It Is

THE PINNACLE

Sidney Hainbach | Homewood, Illinois | 12/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"They just don't make them like this anymore. Nilsson has always been a bit of a schizophrenic artists- no two songs sound like they belong on the same album or are even done by the same artist- until now. This disc contains two entire albums by Harry Nilsson- his last two official releases in the United States. "That's The Way It Is'" blew me away when I first heard it over 25 years ago and it still blows me away today. An album of mostly cover versions, this is Nilsson at his creative peak. Just as he made "Without You" his own, even though it was written by Badfinger, Nilsson puts his own dinstinctive stamp on every tune on this album. "Sail Away" kills. It is perfection. Nilsson sings Newman again. What a powerhouse song. Play it for someone and ask them to tell you what it's about. They probably can't- unless they know the history of the song. It's a song about what line of bull was used on the people of Africa to get them to come to America to be sold into slavery. Nilsson's version of this song is definative."Just One Look" and "Baby I'm Yours" are updated too! Wow. His take on these two classics are distinctive and original. Unlike his dirge-like remakes on "A Little Touch of Nilsson In The Night", these remakes have spirit. Perfect to slow dance to.The whole of "Knillson" is Harry at his creative peak. Once known as the man with the multi-octave voice, he lost most of it during the "Pussycats" era- here is it's triumphant return. Only now it goes as low as it does high. Check out the low notes on "lonely"- unbelievable.It's been said that if this 1970's release was put out today it would be considered new wave. Well... kinda-sorta. You really can't label it. It's just Nilsson. But for once he's being consistent- one song leads it way to the next. And he's laid off of the novelty songs here. A welcome relief. A little of Nilsson's "humor" goes a long way.Damn. I can only give this treasure five stars. It deserves more. It truly represents the genius of the man. It also is the most representative of his truly remarkable voice and style."

Jekyll & Hyde

rg61 | Boston, MA USA | 04/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With respect to Sidney ...Let's be clear -- we have two albums on this CD, neither having much in common.The first is, shall we say, atrocious. Let's give it one star. Harry's voice was still recovering from the PussyCats binge sessions and, by and large, he has difficulty staying in tune. His voice has never sounded less musical. That said, Sail Away is tolerable (tho' check out Nilsson Sings Newman for some outstanding covers), Zombie Jamboree is somewhat entertaining, and She Sits Down On Me is as decent a cover as you'll find.On the other hand, Knnillssonn is about as consistently perfect an album as you'll find from any artist. It's gorgeous. One of a kind. Well worth the price of admission. Unique string arrangements, a voice remarkably recovered from Nilsson's '70s excesses, and perfectly crafted, timeless pop tunes. 5 stars.In my humble opinion ... ."

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Spin Doctor | Champaign, Illinois, USA | 07/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If, as the liner notes say, "Knnillssonn" stalled on the charts because RCA devoted 100% of its resources to reissuing Elvis Presley's back catalog immediately after his death, that was a huge disservice to Harry and to an outstanding album. Only two of the songs appear on Harry's "Personal Best" collection, but all ten hold their own next to anything he recorded in his hitmaking years. "Lean On Me," "Goin' Down," and "Old Bones" rank as three of my very favorite Nilsson recordings. I find the "That's the Way It Is" half of this CD less impressive and noteworthy mostly for the excellent version of "Sail Away" (which IS on "Personal Best") -- in my opinion, superior to anything on the "Nilsson Sings Newman" album. Why Harry chose to record America's "I Need You" or the "Just One Look/Baby I'm Yours" medley is beyond me. I recommend this collection highly but only for the "Knnillssonn" half. As his final American album release, it was the proverbial ending with a bang."