Such epic irony that Harry hated performing... when he was such a world class natural entertainer. There aren't too many musicians who can just sit at a piano and play and sing their own music and be captivating with no help, but he was one of them, but we only have a few scraps of footage of it :(
Good grief! After listening to Harry since the 60's, I am still amazed by what he could do with his voice... just fantastic! Listening to an record album of his was ALWAYS an adventure; you just never knew what you were going to hear next!
about 15 years ago my dad got nilsson schmilsson and i played it every chance i had. I was only 10-12 years old and me and a friend camped in his back yard and played it all night. but only about a year ago i decided to start finding his music. It has almost turned into an addiction. I just can't seem to get enough, i'm listening, and reading about him and all i can say is god gave him a gift, and that gift should never be forgotten!
It's so great to see that special level of huge singing talent that astounded people to the point that they had to accept how quirky and bizarre his creativity and personality could be. Only Harry Nilsson could could sing about "one" being the loneliest number, and all his other strange songs - his voice was so silky and perfect people just had to be hypnotized.
Can’t listen to this without my spine tingling. What an amazing song writer and vocalist. It was a miracle he ended up making it so obscure was his early life. He met some key people without whom he would have just been another has been in Hollywood.
I miss you, Harry... I've been listening since the 1960s. I guess we're all getting old. Your music made me smile, cry(Without You is a difficult divorce song!), laugh. Wish you had lived longer. I was surprised you were a neighbor of mine in Yorba Linda, CA!
Harry Nilsson, Joe South, Laura Nyro, so many genius singer, songwriter musicians came out of that era that were under-appreciated at the time, but it seemed like almost everything that touched and created was magical and lives on today. Their music will live on for hundreds of years even all three are dead.
Have you seen the episode of "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" that he guest starred and performed two songs? I think that was the first time I saw him, and I fell in love with him then. I wish he'd done more acting, he was so wonderful.
Syncroincity, we listened to "The Point" too. Wore out our copy of it. His voice conveys something so beautiful that our souls can't help but love him. He may have had his drinking problem. But that was his life. He gave us a gift that nobody else could give. I'm grateful for the time he was here.
It's easy to see why Nilsson and John Lennon were close friends, collaborators, and influences on each other. I'm grateful to forward-thinking pioneers and talents like the Smothers Brothers for bringing artists like Harry Nilsson to the attention of a tight-assed America that was in need of opening its mind back then.
Harry was great!!! They don't make em' like that anymore! He had the whole package! The only band that ever came close was about 15 years ago...."Jellyfish" who happens to do a great version of troubles! Thanks for the posting!
Respond to this video... Amazing! So talented. I'm kinda' choking up right now because the no talents of today get super rich while this incredible talent really never got the credit he so richly deserved from the public or mainstream media. God bless and God rest Harry Nilsson!
Harry looks so bashful when the audience is cheering for him. In the documentary about him, they said he was very insecure, so that's why he didn't really perform live. A shame. He was one of the best musicians to walk the earth. RIP babe. We miss you.
Totally on spot with that! My understanding is that while he just starting out doing a duet with a guy he was laughed at as a teenager during a live performance and he never recovered from it. Thank you internet for reacquainting me with his beautiful voice and talent.
This gets my vote for best video on TH-cam. I knew very little about Harry Nilsson when I stumbled onto this video a couple of years ago. Now I am a huge Harry Nilsson fan, thanks to this video.
@@ArcticTighty Awesome! I'll check it out.. Never thought the 2 interacted in any way. Growing up Nilson was popular before Newman was but that was just my observation as a child..
Took my 12 year old and 22 year to the Black Bear film festival a couple years ago to see Who is Harry Nilsson and Why Are They All Talking 'bout Him. They loved the film AND his songs/voice. His talent transcends time.
I'm so glad I had a father to play "The Point" for me on cassette when I went to sleep every night. Harry's voice is imbedded in my mind and soul because of that, thanks DAD!
Beautiful. Thank you so much for posting this. Back then artists were encouraged to be creative. Today, if it doesn't pass corporate muster you're out of luck. It's practically a miracle when anything remotely out of the mainstream reaches us. Oh well.
Such a forgotten talent. Considering how popular he was when "Without You" came out and his album "Nilsson Schmillson." He won the big three Grammy awards that year, something very, very few people have ever done before or since. He was the first artist to get a million dollars per album, thanks to John Lennon negotiating his contract. God Bless and God rest Harry. We still love you.
Nilsson is the greatest lesser-known artist today. i love his music, and to think that most people have only heard him through the Coconut song, only a scratch on the iceberg of his talent
This man is my all time favorite songwriter. When the Beatles were asked what band was their biggest influence, they replied simply, Harry Nilsson. You can totally hear Harry's influence in the Beatles music. I love the Beatles too of course.RIP Harry.
A genius. But like so many talented and gifted people sometimes their lifestyle choices cut short their time on earth. I am glad that Harry had the freedom to compose and arrange his compositions in his own style. Having the Beatles in your corner helps!
Talent......what a concept.......so lacking in todays "artistes".....that are packaged and promoted by a music industry that is all about marketing pap....How many current artists of today could sit down and entertain like Harry without the need of lip synching or autotune......unfortunately, the drink did get to him....but he was a major talent.....sadly missed....
FMHammyJ Yep. I would set all issues of drink or drugs aside, because Harry’s talent either way is undeniable. But often major depression accompanies talent, and gifted composers choose possibly a destructive way to cope. [I must confess to having a bit of this ‘gene’ as well.] In this performance of the Teacup song in particular, unlike the version that was recorded for the album “The Point”, I really enjoy the way he freely skips in and out of falsetto in an improvised fashion. That’s all I really wanted to mention.
Blind Man Bert Thanks for the reply.....I hope I didn't come across as judgemental about Mr. Nillson, because I certainly didn't mean to....I struggle with nerves, so I can't imagine what it would be like to be a performer. About Harry's voice.....I would give anything to be able to sing like him.....He was one of the Beatles favourite performers(as Im sure you know already)....which is high praise indeed....
FMHammyJ Not at all. I was actually 100% in agreement with your thoughts about the ‘packaged’ music industry, and singer/songwriters like Harry Nilsson, Amy Winehouse, or Donna Hathaway whom I am a huge fan of who struggled with their own demons. I was only pointing out from my own experience, and also researching the lives of these people that their talent is the primary force in their lives; but either through its intensity, or by surrounding themselves with a layer of sycophants they can easily be dragged down into substance abuse, insanity, suicidal thinking, etc. I would put Vincent Van Gogh squarely in the same family of intense people not quite meant to fit in with the rest. I didn’t consider your post judgmental at all.
Those packaged acts were Nilsson's bread and butter! Since he didn't like to tour, all the better that acts like the Monkees and Three Dog Night were on hand too provide him with a regular paycheck! Even his big boosters the Beatles couldn't do that!
The Monkees of course were an "industry package creation" (though actually rather talented as well), but Three Dog Night were really a great band with three massively talented singers (two in particular, Chuck & Cory, were the true stars in that band). They chose their own material and did their own arrangements - they just didn't write very much instead relying on so many great songwriters of the day. And yes, good for the incomes of all of those songwriters like Nilsson, Axton, Williams, Newman etc....
Going home from H.S. On the 67 Bus , Saw filming of Midnight Cowboy , in Calvary cem. Ratso visits Grave . Old Brklyn. Tanks, Kosciusko Bridge , All in in background ! 69 ! 🇺🇸 ☮️
Thank you for this. He was a great favourite of mine in my youth. Bought most of his albums. The albums are unfortunately long gone but the memories remain. But 40 years later seeing this I realise just what a genius he was. There is no one with such talent now or in recent years.
This is a great clip perfectly outlining the beauty and freshness of the singer-songwriter era when larger-than-life and poignant lyricism was present. Harry was a very skilled vocalist and piano player and his lyrics were pictureesque and thought-provoking. It was nice hearing him sing some classics and do a "song construction" lesson. He was very humble and polite here. I thought Tom did a respectable singing job; a full duet with Harry would have proved interesting. Treat to watch! Thx! A+!
Patrick, this is the song I was talking about.(I guess the lord must be in New York City) Fred Neil wrote 'Everybody's talkin' Harry sang it. Lucyhuto, thanks for posting this Gem!
"Think About Your Troubles" ended up as part of "The Point"... I grew up listening to that album and damn near wore it out. Nice to hear it here in the raw.
Thank you youtube. I'm 41 and have this medium to be introduced to great musicians like Harry Nilsson. I'm hooked on this guy. Wow what a talent.
how’s 47 treating ya?
my god, but this man's voice and compositions are absolutely timeless. just brilliant.
Harry had the voice of an angel.
Such epic irony that Harry hated performing... when he was such a world class natural entertainer. There aren't too many musicians who can just sit at a piano and play and sing their own music and be captivating with no help, but he was one of them, but we only have a few scraps of footage of it :(
Good grief! After listening to Harry since the 60's, I am still amazed by what he could do with his voice... just fantastic! Listening to an record album of his was ALWAYS an adventure; you just never knew what you were going to hear next!
about 15 years ago my dad got nilsson schmilsson and i played it every chance i had. I was only 10-12 years old and me and a friend camped in his back yard and played it all night. but only about a year ago i decided to start finding his music. It has almost turned into an addiction. I just can't seem to get enough, i'm listening, and reading about him and all i can say is god gave him a gift, and that gift should never be forgotten!
And thanks to the Smothers for sensitivity, politics, great music, and wonderful contributions to a magical time.
It's so great to see that special level of huge singing talent that astounded people to the point that they had to accept how quirky and bizarre his creativity and personality could be. Only Harry Nilsson could could sing about "one" being the loneliest number, and all his other strange songs - his voice was so silky and perfect people just had to be hypnotized.
One day... I'll be meeting Harry Nilsson in heaven ..... Love Harry eternaly
Jesus what a unique voice no one can sing like Harry
Harry was a genius.
No. Harry was a guy w talent.
Wonderful! Harry's voice always brings a smile to my face ... sometimes a sad one but never the less. How I miss Harry ...
Can’t listen to this without my spine tingling. What an amazing song writer and vocalist. It was a miracle he ended up making it so obscure was his early life. He met some key people without whom he would have just been another has been in Hollywood.
Graduated 2001 (high school). This stuff is so timeless. What a master. What a treasure. Thanks for the post!
I miss you, Harry... I've been listening since the 1960s. I guess we're all getting old. Your music made me smile, cry(Without You is a difficult divorce song!), laugh. Wish you had lived longer. I was surprised you were a neighbor of mine in Yorba Linda, CA!
One of the greatest voice of all times
Just discovered Harry Nilsson a couple months ago. I've been mesmerized ever since.
Harry Nilsson, Joe South, Laura Nyro, so many genius singer, songwriter musicians came out of that era that were under-appreciated at the time, but it seemed like almost everything that touched and created was magical and lives on today. Their music will live on for hundreds of years even all three are dead.
Stevei Rose!!! Ditto on all those three underrateds!!!
What a delight! I've never seen that. Fell in love with him and not just his voice. What a sweetheart he was then. Voice of an angel.
Have you seen the episode of "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" that he guest starred and performed two songs? I think that was the first time I saw him, and I fell in love with him then. I wish he'd done more acting, he was so wonderful.
Syncroincity, we listened to "The Point" too. Wore out our copy of it. His voice conveys something so beautiful that our souls can't help but love him. He may have had his drinking problem. But that was his life. He gave us a gift that nobody else could give. I'm grateful for the time he was here.
I just stumbled across this...hard not be be a Harry Nilsson fan after watching this!!
What a gift, I miss him so much. I have to put his songs on my ipod. His songs are woven into my life. Thanks so much for adding this--love You tube.
Nillsson was a musical genius - Gone too soon!
Thanks for this rare glimpse back to the playful spirit of one of the most inventive composers of songs. A deep soul for sure.
It's easy to see why Nilsson and John Lennon were close friends, collaborators, and influences on each other.
I'm grateful to forward-thinking pioneers and talents like the Smothers Brothers for bringing artists like Harry Nilsson to the attention of a tight-assed America that was in need of opening its mind back then.
Harry Nilsson! What a talent What a loss ... you are missed! So please your music lives on.
Harry was great!!! They don't make em' like that anymore! He had the whole package! The only band that ever came close was about 15 years ago...."Jellyfish" who happens to do a great version of troubles! Thanks for the posting!
The greatest voice ever,his rendition of "over the rainbow" was beyond words
Respond to this video...
Amazing! So talented. I'm kinda' choking up right now because the no talents of today get super rich while this incredible talent really never got the credit he so richly deserved from the public or mainstream media. God bless and God rest Harry Nilsson!
Harry looks so bashful when the audience is cheering for him. In the documentary about him, they said he was very insecure, so that's why he didn't really perform live. A shame. He was one of the best musicians to walk the earth. RIP babe. We miss you.
Totally on spot with that! My understanding is that while he just starting out doing a duet with a guy he was laughed at as a teenager during a live performance and he never recovered from it. Thank you internet for reacquainting me with his beautiful voice and talent.
Thank you for posting this of Nilsson from the old Smothers Bros show....Rest in Peace, dear Harry, I miss you and your songs!!
"Without Her" was also a famous Nilsson song. Nilsson cared deeply if he was without you, her, me, my brother, and my great aunt Mildred.
Genial! Fantástico sou fã desde dos anos 70! Tenho os seus LPs!
This gets my vote for best video on TH-cam. I knew very little about Harry Nilsson when I stumbled onto this video a couple of years ago. Now I am a huge Harry Nilsson fan, thanks to this video.
Excellent post! Priceless!
That's actually an understatement.
Awesome vocal range, awesome songwriter.
John Lennon's favorite.
God bless you, Harry. 💕
Reminds me of Randy Newman..Very similar..Love them both..Thanks
Martin B man you’re going to love the record Nilsson Sings Newman by Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman, released in 1970.
@@ArcticTighty Awesome! I'll check it out.. Never thought the 2 interacted in any way. Growing up Nilson was popular before Newman was but that was just my observation as a child..
He was brilliant. Wonderful to have this video of him.
So sad, and so beautiful.
The Smothers Brothers were so far ahead of their time!
Such an effortless talent
could not agree more. i watch this thing weekly for years now. moves me.
What a talent! Great this live performance is around.....He can straight up sing very good!!
Harry was the best of the best. I still miss him. Always will.
I wrote a comment about a year ago, and I just wanna say I'm still enjoying this video. So beautiful. Thanks for this.
Took my 12 year old and 22 year to the Black Bear film festival a couple years ago to see Who is Harry Nilsson and Why Are They All Talking 'bout Him. They loved the film AND his songs/voice. His talent transcends time.
I'm so glad I had a father to play "The Point" for me on cassette when I went to sleep every night. Harry's voice is imbedded in my mind and soul because of that, thanks DAD!
Beautiful. Thank you so much for posting this. Back then artists were encouraged to be creative. Today, if it doesn't pass corporate muster you're out of luck. It's practically a miracle when anything remotely out of the mainstream reaches us. Oh well.
the point !!! Just remembered this story I listened to as a child,,,,wonderful to relive my childhood through Harry,,,well done
Such a forgotten talent. Considering how popular he was when "Without You" came out and his album "Nilsson Schmillson." He won the big three Grammy awards that year, something very, very few people have ever done before or since. He was the first artist to get a million dollars per album, thanks to John Lennon negotiating his contract. God Bless and God rest Harry. We still love you.
Nilsson is the greatest lesser-known artist today. i love his music, and to think that most people have only heard him through the Coconut song, only a scratch on the iceberg of his talent
'm blown away watching this
yes it was on my hippy trail...
I love this man and his talent.
little cowboy was the 1st nilsson song i ever heard. my mom sang it for me when i was a baby.
The Smothers Brothers had some terrific artists on their program. They were obviously big fans of the great rock musicians of the day.
I love that song "Think about your troubles"
this performance was NOT aired on the original Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour on CBS, but instead on a 1970 summer series on ABC.
wow. takes me back to my childhood. thanks so so much.
A lesson in song writing from above. How good is this? Timeless.
Fab post. Thanks
Smooth as buttah... I love his voice, and The Point.... and 'cause it takes just like a teardrop.
Nothing fake or showbiz here, so refreshing.
thank you for this! how wonderful to see harry in his prime.. made my holidays..
This man is my all time favorite songwriter. When the Beatles were asked what band was their biggest influence, they replied simply, Harry Nilsson. You can totally hear Harry's influence in the Beatles music. I love the Beatles too of course.RIP Harry.
I just loved Harry Nilsson! And I still do!!!❤️
He had such talent! I watch and listen to him on TH-cam as much as I can. I miss him. R.I.P. Harry
Think About Your Troubles... one of my favorite Harry Nilsson tunes. Wow... what a nice treat this was. Thanks for posting!!
Love you Harry!
I think I was in love with him most of my life absolutely
Very special footage. Harry Nilsson explains and demonstrates song composition construction, with humor.
The man could sit there and jam and it would be pure genius. Has there been such a talent as Nilsson since this gem has blessed us?
Holy Moly. Wonderful voice and ease of singing. Thank you. I want to hear more.
A genius. But like so many talented and gifted people sometimes their lifestyle choices cut short their time on earth. I am glad that Harry had the freedom to compose and arrange his compositions in his own style. Having the Beatles in your corner helps!
Talent......what a concept.......so lacking in todays "artistes".....that are packaged and promoted by a music industry that is all about marketing pap....How many current artists of today could sit down and entertain like Harry without the need of lip synching or autotune......unfortunately, the drink did get to him....but he was a major talent.....sadly missed....
FMHammyJ Yep. I would set all issues of drink or drugs aside, because Harry’s talent either way is undeniable. But often major depression accompanies talent, and gifted composers choose possibly a destructive way to cope. [I must confess to having a bit of this ‘gene’ as well.]
In this performance of the Teacup song in particular, unlike the version that was recorded for the album “The Point”, I really enjoy the way he freely skips in and out of falsetto in an improvised fashion. That’s all I really wanted to mention.
Blind Man Bert Thanks for the reply.....I hope I didn't come across as judgemental about Mr. Nillson, because I certainly didn't mean to....I struggle with nerves, so I can't imagine what it would be like to be a performer. About Harry's voice.....I would give anything to be able to sing like him.....He was one of the Beatles favourite performers(as Im sure you know already)....which is high praise indeed....
FMHammyJ Not at all. I was actually 100% in agreement with your thoughts about the ‘packaged’ music industry, and singer/songwriters like Harry Nilsson, Amy Winehouse, or Donna Hathaway whom I am a huge fan of who struggled with their own demons.
I was only pointing out from my own experience, and also researching the lives of these people that their talent is the primary force in their lives; but either through its intensity, or by surrounding themselves with a layer of sycophants they can easily be dragged down into substance abuse, insanity, suicidal thinking, etc. I would put Vincent Van Gogh squarely in the same family of intense people not quite meant to fit in with the rest.
I didn’t consider your post judgmental at all.
Those packaged acts were Nilsson's bread and butter! Since he didn't like to tour, all the better that acts like the Monkees and Three Dog Night were on hand too provide him with a regular paycheck! Even his big boosters the Beatles couldn't do that!
The Monkees of course were an "industry package creation" (though actually rather talented as well), but Three Dog Night were really a great band with three massively talented singers (two in particular, Chuck & Cory, were the true stars in that band). They chose their own material and did their own arrangements - they just didn't write very much instead relying on so many great songwriters of the day. And yes, good for the incomes of all of those songwriters like Nilsson, Axton, Williams, Newman etc....
I got into Nilsson during his deeper-voiced later years, so discovering these days of vocal purity was a surprise! What a great mind too. :)
Going home from H.S. On the 67 Bus , Saw filming of Midnight Cowboy , in Calvary cem. Ratso visits Grave . Old Brklyn. Tanks, Kosciusko Bridge , All in in background ! 69 ! 🇺🇸 ☮️
Thank you for this. He was a great favourite of mine in my youth. Bought most of his albums. The albums are unfortunately long gone but the memories remain. But 40 years later seeing this I realise just what a genius he was. There is no one with such talent now or in recent years.
Super friend 👌👌👌👌👍
Killer!!!! love the album the point and great to see some of these tunes sooo many years latter thanks for posting!
Harry Nilsson was the king of melody and voice, none in all these years I have listend to music comes nere this wonderfull lunatic
harry nilsson is a genius.
I never tire of this post..amazing voice,writer...and such a tragic story! Great post..thanks!
You are SO right Sir.
This would never happen today !!
sends shivers, stunningly good
Love Harry and the Smothers Brothers. Thanks!
He sparkled
Really awesome, thanks for posting.
what a nice voice-what a gift
Listen closley for the fade! Love Harry! My all time fave! Thanks for this post it is awesome!
one of the fortunate ones whose voices seem to float without effort-he makes it seem it so easy. what a singer...
This is a great clip perfectly outlining the beauty and freshness of the singer-songwriter era when larger-than-life and poignant lyricism was present. Harry was a very skilled vocalist and piano player and his lyrics were pictureesque and thought-provoking. It was nice hearing him sing some classics and do a "song construction" lesson. He was very humble and polite here. I thought Tom did a respectable singing job; a full duet with Harry would have proved interesting. Treat to watch! Thx! A+!
very very nice. thanks for sharing.
You are one of my life's best friends, Harry. Thanks for being in my lifetime.
Patrick, this is the song I was talking about.(I guess the lord must be in New York City) Fred Neil wrote 'Everybody's talkin' Harry sang it. Lucyhuto, thanks for posting this Gem!
I didn't know Harry wrote "One", I've been lovin' that song since 1969 !
Spikevalhalla said it all for me!!!! Nilsson put all those acts he cited in the damn shade, baby!!!
"Think About Your Troubles" ended up as part of "The Point"... I grew up listening to that album and damn near wore it out. Nice to hear it here in the raw.
handsome talented young lad he was!
'Think About Your Troubles', one of the MANY songs performed by Nilsson in his epic story 'The Point' feat. Oblio and Arrow.
I remember seeing him do this on Smothers Brothers. I'm pretty sure it was in the spring of 1969. What a fantastic singer/songwriter.