Nilsson Schmilsson 45rpm 2 Record Set MOBILE FIDELITY MFSL 2-498 Special Limited Edition ? 001005

MASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES AND LIMITED TO 4,000 NUMBERED COPIES: 2LP SET BRINGS BEAUTIFUL VOCALS AND MELODIES INTO CLEAR VIEW

     Harry Nilsson was many things in life – revered songwriter, razor-sharp wit, gifted singer, studio pioneer, daring poet, cult icon, creative maverick, fearless interpreter, larger-than-life inspiration, man of mystery and intrigue. All these hallmark facets come together in a resplendent symphony on Nilsson Schmilsson, a go-to standout in the beloved artist's vaunted canon and most commercially successful release. For the first time in decades, it features audiophile sonics that bring the record's brilliant melodicism, sophisticated soulfulness, subtle shading, and sure-handed production into full view

     Mastered from the original master tapes, pressed on premium vinyl at RTI, housed in an old-school Stoughton gatefold jacket, and limited to 4,000 numbered copies, Mobile Fidelity's 180g 45RPM 2LP set of Nilsson Schmilsson features unadulterated transparency and visceral solidity. The Brooklyn native's three-and-a-half octave range and beautiful phrasing come across with captivating depth, crystalline purity, and an emotional scope that stretches from tenderness to melodrama to sarcasm and beyond. Appealing as Nilsson's bizarre quirks remain, given how they stamp his music with personality and charm, his tremendous singing – of which Bud Scoppa memorably wrote possessed "a slight sawtooth buzz to add resonance when required" – takes center stage.

     Ditto the eclectic arrangements that lend an organic cohesiveness the four-time Grammy-nominated record, named by Pitchfork as one of the Top 100 Albums of the 1970s. Produced by Richard Perry, known for his work with Barbra Streisand, Nilsson Schmilsson walks a tightrope between streamlined accessibility and mischievous, whimsical individualism. Providing a prime example of its architect's breadth, a surfeit of exceptionally played organs, mellotrons, horns, strings, guitars, piano, and more paint daring soundscapes that on this reissue teem with color, texture, and detail. Reference-level spatiality and separation contribute to full, three-dimensional imaging and the ability to identify distinctive instruments (and their tones) in the mix.

     Anything lesser wouldn't befit the legend Rolling Stone proclaimed "a crucial bridge between the baroque psychedelic pop of the late Sixties and the more personal singer-songwriter era of the Seventies" and named the 62nd Greatest Songwriter of All Time. Nilsson's prolific skills shine throughout Nilsson Schmilsson, whose star-studded galaxy also involves session pros Klaus Voorman, Jim Keltner, Bobby Keys, Paul Buckmaster, and Gary Wright. Factor in the better-sounding options then available at London's Trident Studios, Perry's deft touch, and Nilsson's knack for songcraft, and every note here sings.

     None more so than those on "Without You," of course. Nilsson's sublime rendition of the Badfinger song climbed to the top of the Billboard charts and became a staple still heard in films and television shows. A pinwheel of point and counterpoint melody, and ringed by accordions, trumpets, and trombones, the bright, upbeat albeit melancholy "Gotta Get Up" also has enjoyed new life via its prominent appearance in the Netflix series "Russian Doll."

     More famous still is the indelible "Coconut," a Caribbean-flavored novelty smash that zoomed into the Billboard Top 10 and witnesses not only Nilsson's savvy lyrical acumen but finds him singing in a variety of different voices to suit the characters. Indeed, character abounds on Nilsson Schmilsson, one whose genius gets spotlit in solo form on the spooky, shivering, sleepless-at-2AM blues "Early in the Morning" with the same effortlessness it handles the raucousness of the romping, groove-laden "Jump into the Fire." (Just listen to those bass strings growl!) (Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab)

Tracklist

A1 Gotta Get Up Accordion – Henry Krein Bass – Klaus Voormann Drums – Jim Gordon Guitar – Cris Spedding* Percussion – Richard Perry Piano, Vocals [Vocal] – Harry Nilsson Trumpet, Trombone, Arranged By [Horns Arranged By] – Jim Price Written-By – Nilsson* Accordion – Henry Krein Bass – Klaus Voormann Drums – Jim Gordon Guitar – Cris Spedding* Percussion – Richard Perry Piano, Vocals [Vocal] – Harry Nilsson Trumpet, Trombone, Arranged By [Horns Arranged By] – Jim Price Written-By – Nilsson* A2 Driving Along Acoustic Guitar, Lead Guitar – John Uribe Bass – Herbie Flowers Drums – Jim Gordon Mellotron – Harry Nilsson, Richard Perry Rhythm Guitar – Klaus Voormann Vocals – Harry Nilsson Written-By – Nilsson* Acoustic Guitar, Lead Guitar – John Uribe Bass – Herbie Flowers Drums – Jim Gordon Mellotron – Harry Nilsson, Richard Perry Rhythm Guitar – Klaus Voormann Vocals – Harry Nilsson Written-By – Nilsson* A3 Early In The Morning Engineer – Rich Schmitt Organ, Vocals [Vocal] – Harry Nilsson Recorded By [Recordist] – Dennis Smith Written By – Hickman-Jordan-Bartley Written-By – Bartley*, Hickman*, Jordan* Engineer – Rich Schmitt Organ, Vocals [Vocal] – Harry Nilsson Recorded By [Recordist] – Dennis Smith Written By – Hickman-Jordan-Bartley Written-By – Bartley*, Hickman*, Jordan* B1 The Moonbeam Song Acoustic Guitar – John Uribe, Klaus Voormann Bass – Herbie Flowers Vocals, Mellotron – Moonbeam Harry* Written-By – Nilsson* Acoustic Guitar – John Uribe, Klaus Voormann Bass – Herbie Flowers Vocals, Mellotron – Moonbeam Harry* Written-By – Nilsson* B2 Down Drums – Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner Guitar – Cris Spedding* Organ – Roger Coolan* Piano, Vocals [Vocal] – Harry Nilsson Saxophone [Sax] – Bobby Keys Trumpet, Trombone, Arranged By [Horns Arranged By] – Jim Price Written-By – Nilsson* Drums – Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner Guitar – Cris Spedding* Organ – Roger Coolan* Piano, Vocals [Vocal] – Harry Nilsson Saxophone [Sax] – Bobby Keys Trumpet, Trombone, Arranged By [Horns Arranged By] – Jim Price Written-By – Nilsson* C1 Without You Acoustic Guitar – John Uribe Arranged By [Strings And Horns Arranged By], Conductor [Strings And Horns Conducted By] – Paul Buckmaster Bass – Klaus Voormann Drums – Jim Keltner Piano – Gary Wright Vocals – Harry Nilsson Written-By – Ham*, Evans* Acoustic Guitar – John Uribe Arranged By [Strings And Horns Arranged By], Conductor [Strings And Horns Conducted By] – Paul Buckmaster Bass – Klaus Voormann Drums – Jim Keltner Piano – Gary Wright Vocals – Harry Nilsson Written-By – Ham*, Evans* C2 Coconut Acoustic Guitar – Ian Duck Bass – Herbie Flowers Drums – Jim Gordon, Roger Pope Guitar – Caleb Quaye Percussion – Jim Gordon Vocals – Harry Nilsson Written-By – Nilsson* Acoustic Guitar – Ian Duck Bass – Herbie Flowers Drums – Jim Gordon, Roger Pope Guitar – Caleb Quaye Percussion – Jim Gordon Vocals – Harry Nilsson Written-By – Nilsson* C3 Let The Good Times Roll Bass – Klaus Voormann Drums – Jim Keltner Guitar – Cris Spedding* Organ – Gary Wright Piano, Harmonica, Vocals – Harry Nilsson Written-By – Lee* Bass – Klaus Voormann Drums – Jim Keltner Guitar – Cris Spedding* Organ – Gary Wright Piano, Harmonica, Vocals – Harry Nilsson Written-By – Lee* D1 Jump Into The Fire Bass – Herbie Flowers Drums, Percussion – Jim Gordon Lead Guitar – John Uribe Piano [Acoustic Piano] – Jim Webb* Rhythm Guitar – Cris Spedding*, Klaus Voormann Vocals [Vocal], Electric Piano – Harry Nilsson Written-By – Nilsson* Bass – Herbie Flowers Drums, Percussion – Jim Gordon Lead Guitar – John Uribe Piano [Acoustic Piano] – Jim Webb* Rhythm Guitar – Cris Spedding*, Klaus Voormann Vocals [Vocal], Electric Piano – Harry Nilsson Written-By – Nilsson* D2 I'll Never Leave You Arranged By [Strings And Horns Arranged By], Conductor [Strings And Horns Conducted By] – George Tipton Engineer – Rich Schmitt Piano, Vocals [Vocal] – Harry Nilsson Recorded By [Recordist] – Dennis Smith Written-By – Nilsson*

*(stock photo used for display)

• • Manufactured by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, Inc.
  • Copyright © – RCA Records
  • Pressed by RTI
  • Recorded At – Trident Studios, RCA Studios, Hollywood
  • and Island Studios
  • Mastered At – Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
  • Lacquer Cut at – Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

• • Lacquer Cut By – KW*
  • Mastered By – Krieg Wunderlich
  • Mastered By [Assisted By] – Rob LoVerde
  • Photography By – Dean Torrence
  • Producer [Produced By] – Richard Perry

Notes

• Double-pocket gatefold.
  
  From back cover:
  A Nilsson House Production
  Limited numbered edition of 4,000.
  © 1971, 2020 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. Originally released 1971.
  Manufactured for Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab®, Inc. by Sony Music Entertainment. Made in the U.S.A.
  Mastered by Krieg Wunderlich, assisted by Rob LoVerde at Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab ®, Sebastopol, CA on the GAIN 2 ULTRA ANALOG SYSTEM ™
  Specially plated and pressed on 180g high-definition vinyl
  Production by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab®
  Recorded at Trident Studios, London - June, 1971 / Engineer: Robin Geoffrey Cable
  "I'll Never Leave You" and "Early in the Morning" recorded in RCA Studios, Hollywood / Engineer: Ritchie Schmitt / Recordist: Dennis Smith
  Additional recording at Island Studios, London / Engineer: Phil Brown
  Remixed at Air, Island, Trident Studios, London and RCA Studios, Hollywood