Maps of Music

Son of Schmilsson (1972)

Where the lyrics of Son of Schmilsson take you, and where it was really made.

The album was meant to be a follow-up in the vein of Nilsson Schmilsson, but Nilsson made a more eccentric record instead.

Key places

Recording at Trident Studios, London (1972)

Recording site Trident Studios — The album was recorded at Trident Studios in London, with Ken Scott as the audio engineer there. Engineering credits are listed under this studio. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Cover photo at Friar Park (1972)

Album cover F.P.S.H.O.T. — The cover photograph of Nilsson dressed as a Dracula-like vampire was taken by Michael Putland at George Harrison's home, Friar Park, in Henley-on-Thames. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Son of Schmilsson: eighth album by American singer Harry Nilsson
• Released in 1972 by RCA Records
• Produced by Richard Perry
• Features former Beatles Ringo Starr and George Harrison
• Cover photograph taken by Michael Putland

Background

• Nilsson was pressured to make a follow-up similar to Nilsson Schmilsson, his 1971 breakthrough
• Instead he created a more eccentric work
• Other musicians include Nicky Hopkins, Klaus Voormann, Bobby Keys and Peter Frampton
• Tracks include "You're Breakin' My Heart" and the US hit "Spaceman"
• Most sessions were extensively filmed at Nilsson's request

Recording

• Footage was meant for a planned documentary titled Did Somebody Drop His Mouse?
• The film was never released
• Engineers: Ken Scott, Robin Geoffrey Cable, Phil McDonald

Cover

• Photo shows Nilsson dressed as a Dracula-like vampire
• Taken by Michael Putland at George Harrison's home Friar Park
• Friar Park is in Henley-on-Thames

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Harold Edward Nilsson III, born June 15, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York; known as Harry Nilsson.
• Moved to Los Angeles as a teenager; worked as a bank computer programmer while pursuing songwriting from 1962.
• Debuted on RCA Victor with Pandemonium Shadow Show (1967); collaborated with arranger George Tipton until 1971.

Career

• Known for a versatile tenor range, pioneering vocal overdubbing, Great American Songbook explorations, and Caribbean fusion sounds.
• Nine singles reached the US or UK top 40 between 1968 and 1974, including top 10 hits "Everybody's Talkin'", "Without You", and "Coconut".
• Won two Grammy Awards, for "Everybody's Talkin'" and "Without You".
• Nilsson Schmilsson and Son of Schmilsson were certified gold by the RIAA.
• Close friendships with John Lennon and Ringo Starr; Lennon produced Pussy Cats.
• Largely avoided touring and live concerts, a rarity among major pop-rock artists.
• Died of heart failure on January 15, 1994 in Agoura Hills, California, aged 52.
• Ranked 62nd in Rolling Stone's 2015 list of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Released in 1972 on RCA Records as Nilsson's eighth album
• Nilsson had been pressured toward a sequel-style record of Nilsson Schmilsson
• The album instead took a more eccentric direction
• Produced by Richard Perry
• Ringo Starr is credited as Richie Snare on drums
• George Harrison is credited as George Harrysong, playing slide guitar on "You're Breakin' My Heart"
• Lowell George plays electric guitar on "Take 54"

Records

• "Spaceman" was a US hit from the album
• The 2000 CD reissue added two bonus tracks
• The 2006 CD reissue added five bonus tracks
• 2006 bonus tracks include "Campo de Encino" by Jimmy Webb
• Hidden track on the 2006 reissue: "It Had to Be You" (jam session), 2:34

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Most sessions were filmed for a documentary titled Did Somebody Drop His Mouse?, which was never released
• Ringo Starr is credited on the album as Richie Snare
• George Harrison is credited as George Harrysong
• The 2006 reissue ends with a hidden jam-session track, "It Had to Be You"
• The 2000 reissue included two demo versions of "Joy", one guitar and one piano

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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