Harry Nilsson - All Time Greatest Hits (1989)

I probably should have paid more attention to the late Harry Nilsson a long time ago because he was one of the more eclectic artists to ever establish himself on the pop and rock music scene.

If you're like me and have mostly known Nilsson through his songs that were played on the radio a great introduction to his work is All Time Greatest Hits, a five-star compilation by the dynamic composer and singer. If you never dig deeply into his catalog, this twenty-song release is a must have.

Nilsson had eight top 40 hits, most notably "Everybody's Talkin'" (#6 on the Hot 100) in 1969 and "Without You," a Badfinger composition he covered in 1972 for his only #1 single.

Even if you're not a fan of Nilsson's music, what's indisputable is how wide-ranging his records were. When I listen to this collection I immediately think of The Beatles' White Album, a set where they jumped from genre to genre over the course of thirty tracks and two LPs. Fans of the classic album are well aware that it contains old-time music hall fare, proto-metal, country and folk songs, cheesy love ballads, political commentary, heavy, electric, rock guitar and schmaltzy strings. Love it or hate it, it's the group's most varied, full-length work.

I realize that the songs on Greatest Hits weren't originally meant to be released together as one album, but this assortment of tunes can be compared to the White Album because no two tracks sound alike. Both "Everybody's Talkin'" and "I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City" are pure singer-songwriter fare, and "Jump Into The Fire" is loud, hard rock from Nilsson Schmilsson, the same LP that gave us his melodramatic, #1 ballad. "Coconut" is a too silly novelty song. Paul McCartney could have applied his old-time music tendencies to "Nobody Cares About The Railroads Anymore." The star even mines the Great American Songbook with his cover of "As Time Goes By."

"Without Her," is a classically arranged original featuring cello and flute that has been covered by more than a few jazz musicians including a superb version appearing on Blood, Sweat & Tears' vaunted debut album.

Nilsson probably would have had more commercial success if he had played it safe and mostly adhered to a single style, but he was an artist more interested in recording music he wanted to make than riding the top of the charts.

Unfortunately, we lost Nilsson too soon. He died in 1994 from heart failure at only age 52.

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