Search - Harry Nilsson, John Stewart :: Spotlight on Nilsson: The Early Tower Masters

Harry Nilsson, John Stewart
Spotlight on Nilsson: The Early Tower Masters
Genres: Country, Folk, Pop

Track Listings (25) - Disc #1
1. The Path That Leads to Trouble - Harry Nilsson, Cole, Johnny
2. Good Times - Harry Nilsson, Nilsson, Harry
3. So You Think You've Got Troubles - Harry Nilsson, Rainwater, Marvin
4. I'm Gonna Lose My Mind - Harry Nilsson, Cole, Johnny
5. She's Yours - Harry Nilsson, Nilsson, Harry
6. Sixteen Tons - Harry Nilsson, Travis, Merle
7. Born in Grenada - Harry Nilsson, Marascalco, John
8. You Can't Take Your Love (Away from Me) - Harry Nilsson, Nilsson, Harry
9. Growin' Up - Harry Nilsson, Nilsson, Harry
10. Do You Believe - Harry Nilsson, Nilsson, Harry
11. Big Joe
12. Julie, Judy, Angel Rain
13. Belly Full of Tennessee
14. Friend of Jesus
15. Clack Clack
16. Hero from the War
17. Back in Pomona
18. Willard
19. Golden Rollin' Belly
20. All American Girl
21. Oldest Living Son
22. Earth Rider
23. Great White Cathedrals
24. Marshall Wind
25. Naked Angel [#][*]

CD Details

All Artists: Harry Nilsson, John Stewart
Title: Spotlight on Nilsson: The Early Tower Masters
Members Wishing: 8
Total Copies: 0
Label: Drg
Original Release Date: 1/1/2010
Re-Release Date: 6/29/2010
Genres: Country, Folk, Pop
Styles: Bluegrass, Traditional Folk
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 021471851229

Synopsis

Product Description

This collection spotlights two major performers: one is in the process of finding his own voice; the other already has just done that. Harry Nilsson (1941-1994)and John Stewart (1939-2008), didn't sound anything like each other, but both were, in the broadest sense of the term, singer-songwriters who had an important role to play in the folk-rock movement of the 1960s. Both had a direct connection to the Beatles; it was the endorsement of John Lennon and Paul McCartney that helped boost Nilsson to national attention in 1967 (and he later collaborated at length with Lennon and Ringo Starr), and Stewart's best album, Willard, was produced by Peter Asher, who was, among other things, certainly part of the Fab Four's inner circle. They also both wrote songs that became iconic hits for The Monkees: Nilsson's "Cuddly Toy" and "Daddy's Song" and Stewart's "Daydream Believer." The ten tracks that Nilsson recorded for Capitol's Tower label from 1964 to 1966 show that he listened to and absorbed a wide variety of music: early rock, blues, soul, folk, country, and as would come through more clearly in his later work, he also had a keen appreciation of traditional popular standards. John Stewart recorded three albums for Capitol which linked him to some fairly heavy talent via their producers: Voyle Gilmore attached to Sinatra, Nik Venet the longtime associate of Bobby Darin and Peter Asher who produced Willard. At the time, Asher was betting heavily on a young folksinger and guitarist names James Taylor, and its undoubtedly through Asher that Taylor plays a prominent role on Willard. And he's not the only celebrity present: Doug Kershaw plays country fiddle throughout, Asher also himself supplies background vocals and Carole King plays piano on two songs.

CD Reviews

Nilsson Repealson

Ernest D. Cossiboom | Louisville, KY | 07/02/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After decades of collecting classic rock albums and then replacing the whole collection with CDs, I was overjoyed to see this Harry Nilsson selection finally appear on disc. I actually ordered an unplayed copy of the vinyl piece from England and made my own CD years ago, but always wanted a professionally done copy. I first got a taste of Nilsson's rock when, as a little kid shopping at the local Super-X drug store, I purchased from the cutout bin the Pickwick re-release of "Spotlight on Nilsson" which they titled "Nilsson 'Rock N Roll." Despite what critics claim as "unrepresentative" of Nilsson's work, this early rock album combines rock-a-billy, jazz, blues and soul sounds into a real gem of an album (Nilsson's remake of "Sixteen Tons" is what remakes should be: a complete reworking of the song into something new. Just listen!) Except for the very first track (that wasn't even included on the Pickwick re-release), I absolutely love every single selection here. I have spent years begging small record companies like Rhino and Wounded Bird to release this, and this is the last of my recommendations to finally show up on disc. Considering the latest trends in pop music, this is probably the last addition that I will make to the several thousands of pieces already stored for my own listening enjoyment.

The Nilsson piece deserves five stars (and the Nilsonn item is worth the price by itself) except for the addition of the John Stewart work. The Stewart piece has deep country roots and completely clashes with the Nilsson selection. I'm not knocking Stewart at all, but the music company executive who decided that these two pieces belong together should be fired. Both of these discs would have been better with added bonus tracks from the same artist instead of trying to make an extra buck by combining two artists who clearly appeal to two very different tastes. In fact, if anyone is interested in repackaging this piece as a Nilsson-only item, I'll be glad to trade in my 2-4-1 version with Stewart included. Still, I hope that many more fans will enjoy this little piece of classic rock history as much as I have already (even if you have to jump up and hit stop before Stewart starts)."