Son of Schmilsson is the eighth album by American singer Harry Nilsson, released in 1972 by RCA Records.
Background Nilsson was being pressured to produce a follow-up album similar to his 1971 breakthrough, Nilsson Schmilsson, but instead, he created a more eccentric work. The album was produced by Richard Perry and features musical contributions from former Beatles Ringo Starr and George Harrison. Other musicians on the recording include Nicky Hopkins, Klaus Voormann, Bobby Keys and Peter Frampton. Among the album's tracks are "You're Breakin' My Heart" and the US hit "Spaceman".
Most of the sessions were extensively filmed, at the request of Nilsson. The footage was to be used for a planned documentary, titled Did Somebody Drop His Mouse?, but the film was never released.
The album cover features a photograph of Nilsson (dressed as a Dracula-like vampire) taken by Michael Putland at George Harrison's home Friar Park. The album was remastered and released on CD with two bonus tracks in 2000 and with five bonus tracks in 2006.
Track listing All tracks written by Harry Nilsson except where noted.
Side one (LP) "Take 54" – 4:22 "Remember (Christmas)"– 4:07 "Joy" – 3:42 "Turn on Your Radio" – 2:42 "You're Breakin' My Heart" – 3:10 Side two (LP) "Spaceman" – 3:33 "The Lottery Song" – 2:24 "At My Front Door" (Ewart G. Abner, John C. Moore) – 2:46 "Ambush" – 5:35 "I'd Rather Be Dead" (Nilsson, Richard Perry) – 3:20 "The Most Beautiful World in the World" – 3:33
Bonus tracks (2000 reissue) <li>"Joy" (demo version: guitar) – 1:57 <li>"Joy" (demo version: piano) – 0:55
Bonus tracks (2006 reissue) <li>"What's Your Sign?" (Alternate version) – 3:08 <li>"Take 54" (Alternate take) – 3:39 <li>"Campo de Encino" (Jimmy Webb) – 4:54 <li>"Daybreak" (Single version) – 3:06 <li>"It Had to Be You" (Jam session) – 2:34 (Hidden track)
Charts Chart (1972)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)13United States (Billboard 200)12
Personnel Harry Nilsson – vocals, electric piano (1, 5, 6, 9), acoustic guitar (4) Nicky Hopkins – piano (1–8, 11) Henry Krein – accordion (10) Peter Frampton – electric guitar (3–5, 8, 9), acoustic guitar (6, 7) Chris Spedding – electric guitar (8, 9), acoustic guitar (6, 7), bouzouki (2) John Uribe – acoustic guitar (3, 6, 7), electric guitar (9) Lowell George – electric guitar (1) George Harrison (credited as George Harrysong) – slide guitar (5) Paul Keogh – guitar (11) Les Thatcher – guitar (11) Red Rhodes – pedal steel guitar (3) Klaus Voormann – bass guitar (1, 3–6, 8, 10, 11), saxophone (1, 5), electric guitar (7) Ringo Starr (credited as Richie Snare) – drums (1, 6, 8, 9, 11) Barry Morgan – drums (3, 5) Ray Cooper – percussion (3, 7, 11), congas (8), tambourine (9) Milt Holland – percussion (1, 7) Richard Perry – percussion (6, 11), arrangements (11) "Moxie" – bass harmonica (6)Armstrong, Curtis (February 2006). Son of Schmilsson remastered re-release liner notes, page 13. Quoting Paul Buckmaster. Bobby Keys – saxophone (1, 5, 8, 9) Jim Price – trumpet (1, 5, 9), trombone (9), horn arrangement (9) Richard Mackey – French horn (4) Vincent DeRosa – French horn (4) David Duke – French horn (4) The Pop Arts String Quartet – strings (2) The Henry Krein Quartet – rhythm section (10) Senior Citizens of the Stepney & Pinner Choir Club No. 6, London, England – vocals (10) Del Newman – string arrangements (2, 11) Kirby Johnson – horn arrangements (4, 11) Paul Buckmaster – orchestral arrangement (6)
Technical Ken Scott, Robin Geoffrey Cable, Phil McDonald – engineers Michael Putland – cover photography
Charts Album YearChartPosition1972Billboard Pop Albums12
Single YearSingleChartPosition1972"Spaceman"Billboard Pop Singles23
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References