The Essential Nilsson

Anyone looking for a comprehensive career retrospective of Harry Nilsson’s unusual career will be well-served by this smartly chosen collection. His breakthrough hit single—a version of Fred Neil’s “Everybody’s Talkin’” from Midnight Cowboy—is here, along with the daring genius of “1941,” “Cuddly Toy,” “Without Her,” “I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City,” and the mono-single version of “One,” a tune most familiar through its Three Dog Night cover. Nilsson Sings Newman is represented, as is the incomparable Nilsson Schmilsson album. Anyone seeking the wit and wisdom that led John Lennon to becoming barmates with ol’ Harry need only hear “Without You” and “Coconut” to understand the inspired lunacy that charmed everyone who knew Nilsson. His career became shaky after a point, but this collection sticks to his inspired moments. His heartfelt versions of “As Time Goes By” and “All I Think About Is You” show a tender side of the mad genius.