A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night

Last updated
A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night
Harry Nilsson A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night.jpg
Studio album by
Nilsson
ReleasedJune 1973
RecordedMarch 15–22, 1973
StudioCTS Studios, Wembley, England; RCA Recording Studios, New York, New York
Genre
Length36:04
Label RCA Victor
Producer Derek Taylor
Nilsson chronology
Son of Schmilsson
(1972)		A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night
(1973)		 Son of Dracula
(1974)
Singles from A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night
  1. ""As Time Goes By" / "Lullaby in Ragtime""
    Released: August 1973
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [2]
The Austin Chronicle Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Christgau's Record Guide C− [4]
The Essential Rock Discography 5/10 [5]
MusicHound 3.5/5 [6]
Pitchfork Media 4.7/10 [7]
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]

A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night is a 1973 album of classic 20th-century standards sung by American singer Harry Nilsson. The album was arranged by Frank Sinatra's arranger Gordon Jenkins, and produced by Derek Taylor. This album is notable in being a standards album produced a decade before such works started to become popular again. [2]

Contents

Music and lyrics

The album came about from a game Nilsson and Taylor would play, challenging each other to identify the composers of obscure songs. [10] Richard Perry, producer of Nilsson's two previous projects ( Nilsson Schmilsson and Son of Schmilsson ), was unenthusiastic about the singer's plans for a traditional pop album, especially given the critical and commercial underperformance of the latter compared to the success of the former. He recalled years later: "The timing couldn't have been worse for him to do a god-damned standards album...[it] was career suicide. He had the rest of his life to do an album like that, when it would have been more meaningful.". [10] He would have no involvement in the project.

The Gordon Jenkins arrangements incorporate interpolations of other standards in the collection as transitions between songs. The lyrics were sometimes altered from the most popular versions with alternate lyrics or occasional additions, changes that are referred to in the original liner notes. [11] "It Had to Be You" features a joke ending written by original songwriter Gus Kahn that finishes with the unusual lyrics "It had to be me/ Unlucky me/ It had to be you." [12]

Nilsson himself was exceedingly happy with the album, calling it "...God-like, the best album I've ever been associated with." [10] He also believed he made Touch at the last possible time his voice was suitable for such a project, saying in a 1988 interview with Bruce Jenkins "...Hell, I'm a baritone now. I was hoping to get hoarse like Ray Charles, because that choir-boy thing is gone. I knew it then. I told both Derek and Gordon, this is the last of it. That incredible, flexible, rubber-band-like voice - I just barley snuck in that album under the gun." [10]

Packaging and title

The title is an allusion to Shakespeare's Henry V , Act 4, in which the Chorus refers to Henry's nocturnal visit to his troops as "Behold, as may unworthiness define, a little touch of Harry in the night". The title came about when Taylor remembered the quote as the album was being recorded at Wembley Studios. Nilsson's friend Stanley Dorfman, who was present watching the album recording in progress, suggested they substitute “Harry” for “Schmilsson”, referring to Nilsson's colloquial nickname from his previous two albums, Nilsson Schmilsson (1971) and Son of Schmilsson (1972). A few days later, Dorfman went on to direct and produce the BBC TV special also named A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night. [13]

A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night was dedicated to Frank Wills, [14] the security guard who discovered the Watergate break-in. On the cover photograph, shot by Tom Hanley (known for his black and white shots of The Beatles), Nilsson is wearing lapel buttons depicting Wills and the singer's son Zak. [15] The flame extending from Nilsson's thumb is a direct reference to a gag performed by Stan Laurel in the 1937 Laurel and Hardy film Way Out West . [10]

The back cover of the original gatefold edition features track-by-track commentary on the songs penned by Nilsson and producer Derek Taylor. [12]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Lazy Moon" Bob Cole, J. Rosamond Johnson 3:20
2."For Me and My Gal" Edgar Leslie, E. Ray Goetz, George W. Meyer 2:47
3."It Had to Be You" Isham Jones, Gus Kahn 2:45
4."Always" Irving Berlin 1:34
5."Makin' Whoopee!"Kahn, Walter Donaldson 4:25
6."You Made Me Love You" Joseph McCarthy, James V. Monaco 2:32
7."Lullaby in Ragtime" Sylvia Fine 3:39
8."I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" Joe Howard, Harold Orlob, Frank R. Adams, Will M. Hough2:40
9."What'll I Do"Berlin2:25
10."Nevertheless (I'm In Love with You)" Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby 2:38
11."This Is All I Ask" Gordon Jenkins 3:35
12."As Time Goes By" Herman Hupfeld 3:21

A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night (Television Special)

In March 1973, days after Nilsson and Gordon Jenkins recorded the album at Wembley Studios, he recreated the experience with a live orchestra for a BBC television special by the same name. [16] Known as a "singer-composer who is heard by not seen", Nilsson had appeared only for a few moments once on television in England, and once in America. [17] A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night was Nilsson’s second full-length collaboration with director and producer Stanley Dorfman. [18] With exception to his appearance on an episode of the BBC series In Concert , also directed by Dorfman, the TV special was Nilsson's only televised full-length concert. [19] It was filmed in one take at BBC Television Theatre, with Nilsson sitting in the middle of an orchestra, as opposed to being in a booth. The television special, was broadcast by the BBC to coincide with the release of the album that fall. [18]

A Touch More Schmilsson In The Night

A Touch More Schmilsson in the Night
A Touch More Schmilsson in the Night.jpg
Compilation album by
Harry Nilsson
Released1988
RecordedMarch 1973
Genre Pop
Length35:21
Label RCA Victor
Producer Derek Taylor
CompilerRob Burt

In 1988, RCA released A Touch More Schmilsson in the Night, containing 6 previously unreleased songs, and 4 alternative takes from the original recording sessions. It also includes 2 songs from the 1977 album Knnillssonn. [20] The album was met with a small release, was primarily only released in Germany, and did not meet markets outside of Europe until 1995 when it was released on CD in Japan. The cover art was based on Frank Sinatra's album cover art from In the Wee Small Hours . [21]

Charts

Chart (1973)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [22] 19
US Top LPs (Billboard)46

Personnel

Technical

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Taylor</span> English journalist, writer, publicist and record producer

Derek Wyn Taylor was an British journalist, writer, publicist and record producer. He is best known for his role as press officer to the Beatles, with whom he worked in 1964 and then from 1968 to 1970, and was one of several associates to earn the moniker "the Fifth Beatle". Before returning to London to head the publicity for the Beatles' Apple Corps organisation in 1968, he worked as the publicist for California-based bands such as the Byrds, the Beach Boys and the Mamas and the Papas. Taylor was known for his forward-thinking and extravagant promotional campaigns, exemplified in taglines such as "The Beatles Are Coming" and "Brian Wilson Is a Genius". He was equally dedicated to the 1967 Summer of Love ethos and helped stage that year's Monterey Pop Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harry Nilsson</span> American singer-songwriter (1941–1994)

Harry Edward Nilsson III, sometimes credited as Nilsson, was an American singer-songwriter who reached the peak of his success in the early 1970s. His work is characterized by pioneering vocal overdub experiments, a return to the Great American Songbook, and fusions of Caribbean sounds. Nilsson was one of the few major pop-rock recording artists to achieve significant commercial success without performing major public concerts or touring regularly.

Gordon Hill Jenkins was an American arranger, composer, and pianist who was influential in popular music in the 1940s and 1950s. Jenkins worked with The Andrews Sisters, Johnny Cash, The Weavers, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Harry Nilsson, Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herbie Flowers</span> English musician (born 1938)

Brian Keith "Herbie" Flowers is an English musician specialising in electric bass, double bass and tuba. He is noted as a member of Blue Mink, T. Rex and Sky.

<i>Pandemonium Shadow Show</i> 1967 studio album by Nilsson

Pandemonium Shadow Show is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson, released in December 1967 on RCA Victor.

<i>Nilsson Schmilsson</i> 1971 studio album by Nilsson

Nilsson Schmilsson is the seventh studio album by American singer Harry Nilsson, released by RCA Records in November 11, 1971. It was Nilsson's most commercially successful work, producing three of his best-known songs. Among these was the number 1 hit "Without You", written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of the group Badfinger. The album was the first of two Nilsson albums recorded in London and produced by Richard Perry.

<i>Son of Schmilsson</i> 1972 studio album by Nilsson

Son of Schmilsson is the eighth album by American singer Harry Nilsson.

<i>Pussy Cats</i> 1974 studio album by Harry Nilsson

Pussy Cats is the tenth album by American singer Harry Nilsson, released by RCA Records in 1974. It was produced by John Lennon during his "Lost Weekend" period. The album title was inspired by the bad press Nilsson and Lennon were getting at the time for being drunk and rowdy in Los Angeles. They also included an inside joke on the cover – children's letter blocks "D" and "S" on either side of a rug under a table − to spell out "drugs under the table" as a rebus.

<i>In the Wee Small Hours</i> 1955 studio album by Frank Sinatra

In the Wee Small Hours is the ninth studio album by American vocalist Frank Sinatra. It was released in April 1955 by Capitol and produced by Voyle Gilmore with arrangements by Nelson Riddle. The album's songs deal with themes such as introspection, melancholy, lost love, failed relationships, depression and night life. The cover artwork reflects these themes, portraying Sinatra alone at night on an eerie and deserted city street awash in blue-tinged street lights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coconut (song)</span> 1971 novelty song by Harry Nilsson

"Coconut" is a novelty song written and first recorded by American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson, released as the third single from his 1971 album, Nilsson Schmilsson. It was on the U.S. Billboard charts for 14 weeks, reaching #8, and was ranked by Billboard as the #66 song for 1972. It charted in a minor way in the UK, reaching #42. "Coconut" did best in Canada, where it peaked at #5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What'll I Do</span> Written by Irving Berlin 1923

"What'll I Do" is a song written by Irving Berlin in 1923. It was introduced by singers Grace Moore and John Steel late in the run of Berlin's third Music Box Revue and was also included in the following year's edition.

Stanley Dorfman is an English music television director, producer, and painter. He is known as the co-creator and original producer and director of the world's longest running music television series, Top of the Pops. His work on the program contributed to the development of music videos.

<i>For the Love of Harry: Everybody Sings Nilsson</i> 1995 studio album by various artists

For the Love of Harry: Everybody Sings Nilsson, released on 9 May 1995 by Musicmasters, is a tribute album by various artists and dedicated to the songs of American musician Harry Nilsson. The album was released the year after Nilsson's death. Proceeds went to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.

"This Is All I Ask" is a popular song written by Gordon Jenkins in 1958.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jump into the Fire</span> 1972 single by Nilsson

"Jump into the Fire" is a song by American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson from his 1971 album Nilsson Schmilsson. It was also issued as the album's second single, after "Without You", and peaked at number 27 on America's Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 16 in Canada.

"This Could Be the Night" is a song recorded by the American band Modern Folk Quartet (MFQ) in 1965. The lyrics describe a couple on the verge of conquering their inhibitions. Written in tribute to the Beach Boys' leader Brian Wilson, the song is one of three that are credited jointly to Harry Nilsson and Phil Spector, although Nilsson submitted that he was the sole writer on a 1966 copyright form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're Breakin' My Heart</span>

"You're Breakin' My Heart" is a song by American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson, appearing on his 1972 album Son of Schmilsson. It is notorious for the opening line, "You're breakin' my heart / You're tearin' it apart / So fuck you".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gotta Get Up</span> 1971 song by Nilsson

"Gotta Get Up" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson and the opening track from his 1971 album Nilsson Schmilsson. It was first released as the B-side to his single "Without You". "Gotta Get Up" is an upbeat pop song with a music hall feeling and lyrics about transitioning from carefree youth to adult responsibility. Nilsson based the lyrics on his experiences working at a bank and on his parents.

<i>Not Without a Friend</i> 1974 studio album by Peter Skellern

Not Without a Friend is the second album by English singer-songwriter Peter Skellern, released on 25 January 1974 by Decca Records. Arriving just over a year after Skellern's first album You're a Lady and the single success of its title track, the album was produced by Derek Taylor, former press officer for the Beatles then working for WEA (Warner-Elektra-Atlantic). Despite positive reviews, Not Without a Friend and its single "Still Magic" failed to chart. It was reissued in 2019 by Mint Audio as part of Peter Skellern: The Complete Decca Recordings, a release crowdfunded by fans through a Kickstarter campaign.

In Concert was a British music television series, broadcast live by the BBC between 1970 and 1974. Each episode consists of a one-hour live performance by a single singer songwriter. The series premiered on 9 October 1970 on BBC Two. It was created, produced, and directed by Stanley Dorfman.

References

  1. 1 2 Stanley, Bob (2022). "Epilogue". Let's Do It - The Birth of Pop Music: A History. New York. p. 586.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. 1 2 Ruhlmann, William. "A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night". AllMusic .
  3. ↑ Schroeder, Audra (August 25, 2006). "Son of Schmilsson, A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night, Everybody's Talkin': The Best of Harry Nilsson". The Austin Chronicle . Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  4. ↑ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: N". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies . Ticknor & Fields. ISBN   089919026X . Retrieved March 8, 2019– via robertchristgau.com.
  5. ↑ Strong, Martin C. (2006). The Essential Rock Discography. Edinburgh, UK: Canongate. p. 758. ISBN   978-1-84195-827-9.
  6. ↑ Gary Graff & Daniel Durchholz (eds), MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide, Visible Ink Press (Farmington Hills, MI, 1999; ISBN   1-57859-061-2), p. 815.
  7. ↑ link
  8. ↑ Horning, Bob (May 16, 2006). "Harry Nilsson: Son of Schmilsson / A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night". PopMatters . Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  9. ↑ Randall, Mac; Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds) (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th edn). New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. p. 586. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Armstrong, Curtis (2006). A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night (booklet). Harry Nilsson. New York: RCA Records. p. 4-12.
  11. ↑ OriginTaylor, Derek and Harry Nilsson (1973). A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night (liner notes). Harry Nilsson. New York: RCA. Back cover.
  12. 1 2 Taylor, Derek and Harry Nilsson (1973). A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night (liner notes). Harry Nilsson. New York: RCA. Back cover.
  13. ↑ Shipton, Alyn (2013). Nilsson: The Life of a Singer-Songwriter. Oxford University Press. pp. 482–483. ISBN   978-0190263546.
  14. ↑ Taylor, Derek and Harry Nilsson (1973). A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night (liner notes). Harry Nilsson. New York: RCA. Gatefold copy.
  15. ↑ Taylor, Derek and Harry Nilsson (1973). A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night (liner notes). Harry Nilsson. New York: RCA. Cover and gatefold copy.
  16. ↑ 45press (1973-06-01). "A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night". The Official Harry Nilsson Site. Retrieved 2023-06-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ ""Harry Nilsson First Show" Evening Post 01 Jan 1972, page 3". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  18. 1 2 Shipton, Alyn (2013). Nilsson: The Life of a Singer-Songwriter. Oxford University Press. pp. 482–483. ISBN   978-0190263546.
  19. ↑ Davidson, Merric (2015-10-18). "Harry Nilsson". Toppermost. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  20. ↑ "A Touch More Schmilsson In The Night". Official Nilsson Site. June 1973. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Frank Sinatra: In the Wee Small Hours Album Cover Parodies". amIright. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  22. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 218. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.