Nilsson : the life of a singer-songwriter /

This book is a biography of one of the most unfairly neglected songwriters from the late 1960s and 1970s. A favorite of members of the Beatles, Harry Nilsson was a reluctant live performer who preferred the confines of the recording environment. He received initial attention as a singer, recording songs written by others--for example, Lennon and McCartney's "You Can't Do That" (Pandemonium Shadow Show, 1967) and Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin'" (Aerial Ballet, 1968). His songs were often re-recorded by prominent artists from the 1970s, including Three Dog Night ("One"), Badfinger ("Without You"), Ella Fitzgerald, and David Cassidy. Nilsson's performance of "Everybody's Talkin'" received attention on the soundtrack for Midnight Cowboy and has largely been credited with exposing Randy Newman to a wider audience. Other hits included "Jump into the Fire" and "Coconut" (Nilsson Schmilsson, 1971). Shipton, well noted as a researcher in jazz, has produced a very well-researched biography. Certainly more historical than analytical, the book is a fine read and an important addition to the literature because as emerging songwriters begin to explore songs written during a key period of songwriting, they will have no choice but to gravitate toward Nilsson. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. T. R. Harrison Jacksonville University

Award-winning British jazz critic Shipton calls Harry Nilsson a songwriter's songwriter. Unlike most musicians, Nilsson never regularly toured and rarely performed in concert. Many of his songs were autobiographical, his way of exorcising perhaps the most painful episodes from his life, including his father's abandoning the family when Nilsson was a boy and the gruesome death of his beloved cat. Shipton's lovingly detailed biography of an often enigmatic figure chronicles the poverty of Nilsson's childhood, his fledgling career as a singer-songwriter in Los Angeles, his bouts with fame, and his self-destructive behavior. His celebrity friendships are also explored, none more so than his complicated relationship with John Lennon. Shipton describes in detail the notorious incident that took place at the famous West Hollywood club, the Troubadour, in 1974, in which both men caused a drunken commotion. The murder of Lennon in 1980 had a profound impact on Nilsson; the notoriously private singer even campaigned for gun-control legislation. Nilsson fans will appreciate this long-awaited biography of an often neglected and underrated musician.--Sawyers, June Copyright 2010 Booklist

One of the greatest male voices of his generation. A pioneer of the recording studio. Friend to Beatles, Monkees, and (Monty) Pythons. Add to this list of remarkable qualities of Harry Nilsson's life that it has remained thus far unexamined by biographers. Thankfully, Shipton (A New History of Jazz) addresses that issue with this scholarly yet intimate work. From a wealth of research material, including an unfinished autobiography, he has crafted as near as possible a complete picture of an extremely complicated man. Music buffs will appreciate the nuanced descriptions of Nilsson's vocal range, lyrical themes, and recording techniques, while the details of his troubled youth, early success, drink- and drug-fueled high jinks with famous friends, and struggle to find domestic stability will appeal to more general readers. VERDICT Like its subject, this book hits all the right notes. Highly recommended for popular music collections and fans of "'rise and fall"-style biographies.-Neil Derksen, Pierce Cty. Lib. Syst., Tacoma (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.