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Harry Nilsson - Hollywood Dreamer (1977)

Track listing:
  1. Oh Caroline 1:55
  2. Just Wait Till Summer Comes 2:03
  3. It Just Ain't Right 2:48
  4. The Will 2:40
  5. He Ain't Gonna Get My Girl 1:36
  6. The Only Light 3:48
  7. Once A Loser 2:32
  8. The Ash Grove 1:42
  9. Building Me Up 2:46
  10. A Man And His Castle 2:26
  11. All For Your Love 1:35
  12. My Best Friend (Aka My Baby's Coming Home) 1:29
  13. Please Mister Music Man 2:42
  14. Oh I Wonder 2:49
  15. Learning From You 1:19
  16. Take This Heart 1:29
  17. There's Gotta Be A Girl 2:13
  18. Me Without You 1:48
  19. My Girl 1:59
  20. Thank Heaven For Kathy 2:28
  21. Foolish Clock 2:12
  22. It Just Ain't Right 2:50
  23. In Time 3:02
  24. Nilsson's Message To Scotty 1:04

Notes

With the invaluable assistance of songwriter/guitarist Scotty Turner, these sessions demonstrate the lush, diamond-in-the-rough voice that became Harry Nilsson's trademark. What is unique about these recordings is how they've been stripped of their original arrangements, leaving the basic elements intact and adding to the simple, quasi-"unplugged" strength within the album. While many die-hard enthusiasts will feel the album is eerily familiar to both Buddy Holly and, in particular, Ricky Nelson, songs like "Oh I Wonder" demonstrate Nilsson's true yet hidden talents. There are a few forgettable songs such as "He Ain't Gonna Get My Girl" and "A Man and His Castle," where the vocal theatrics seem forced and diminish the lyrical content. The seven bonus tracks are also slightly more upbeat and pop-oriented, showing the direction he would eventually head. Nonetheless, the album is a piece of history from one of America's most underrated and underappreciated singers.