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Harry Nilsson – Aerial Ballet

“The level of songwriting, subtle humor, and vocal chops that he put into the album would make – and did make – The Beatles take notice.”

By Jojo Wrinkles

Most people know (if they know him at all) Harry Nilsson as John Lennon’s drinking buddy during Lennon’s “Lost Weekend” of 1974. Sadly, this fact has distorted Nilsson’s place in music history. He had already been making overlooked, beautiful pop music that sounded like no one for years. Before his big break singing “Everybody’s Talkin’” in Midnight Cowboy, Nilsson released “Aerial Ballet.” The level of songwriting, subtle humor, and vocal chops that he put into the album would make – and did make – The Beatles take notice. He laughs, he scats, and I promise that each listen pulls you in more than the last. If “Nilsson Schmilsson” is his masterpiece, then “Aerial Ballet” is the cornerstone and a starting point for making sense of his legendary, accelerated decline into oblivion that would come later.

JW

About author
Jojo yearns to drink from the cool, cool waters of the mighty Rock River from the banks of Martin Park. He longs to see a record store rise from the ashes of Mad City Music. He needs to see someone take The Symbol down and move it to the middle of the East State/Perryville intersection. He dreams about Boylan High School being swallowed by a huge sinkhole. He would love to see the West Side and long-neglected downtown restored to their former glory. He also knows that these things will never happen. Oh, Forest City of my sweet memory, sleep an eternal, peaceful sleep. Rest your weary soul and never wake again...only then will I return.
6 total comments on this postSubmit yours
  1. Thanks for sharing, Edward! That was a high class move.

  2. Thank you Jojo, for the birthday Nilsson gift that came in the mail. I went out and bought the documentary thanks to you. You are saving the economy, d*ck.
    : )
    dBUSA

    • Have you watched the doc yet? It is phenomenal. The only letdown was that Ringo wasn't in it. Ringo should be in everything.

  3. Ringo should have been in E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark and Schindler's List too, but he wasn't.

  4. Great artist, great man !…. Thanks !

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