Harry Nilsson Point! CD

This reissue features original comic book story and cover art.
Personnel includes: Harry Nilsson (vocals, piano); George Tipton (conductor); Alton Hendrickson (guitar, mandolin); Dennis Budimir, Tommy Tedesco, Al Casey (guitar); Tibor Zelig, Israel Baker, Arnold Belnick (violin); Armand Kaproff, Edgar Lustgarten (cello); Louise Dismsan, Gretchen Shanley, Arthur Gleghorn (flute); George Fields, Tommy Morgan (harmonica); Tom Scott (saxophone); Carroll Lewis (trumpet); Mike Rubini (piano, organ, clavinet); Dan Randi (organ); Carol Kaye, Stephens LaFever (bass); John Guerin, Earl Palmer (drums); Jerry Williams, Alan Estes, Milt Holland (percussion).
Recorded at RCA Studios, and at A&M Studios, Hollywood, California between April and September 1970.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
Personnel: Harry Nilsson (vocals, piano); Alton Hendrickson (guitar, mandolin); Dennis Budimir, Al Casey, Tommy Tedesco (guitar); Dorothy Remsen (harp); Tibor Zelig, Israel Baker, Arnold Belnick (violin); Byron Berline (fiddle); Armand Karpoff (cello); Ethmer Roten (flute, saxophone); Arthur Gleghorn (flute); George Fields, Tommy Morgan (harmonica); Jim Horn, Tom Scott (saxophone); Carroll Lewis (trumpet); Michel Rubini (piano, Clavinet, organ); Mike Melvoin (piano, Clavinet); Michael Lang (piano); Ralph Grierson (harpsichord, organ); Don Randi (organ); Frank Capp (drums, timpani); Earl Palmer , John Guerin (drums); Alan Estes, Jerry Williams , Milt Holland (percussion).
Liner Note Author: Curtis Armstrong.
Recording information: A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA (12/12/1969-09/28/1970); RCA Studios, Hollywood, CA (12/12/1969-09/28/1970).
Arranger: George Tipton.
The Point! is the soundtrack to a cartoon feature originally aired on ABC TV in 1971. Especially at this stage of his career, Harry Nilsson was uniquely suited for writing and recording children's music, given his sweet melodicism and love of whimsy. As it happens, The Point! worked out better than anyone could have expected, not just because "Everything's Got 'Em," "Me and My Arrow," "Think About Your Troubles," and "Are You Sleeping?" are songs strong enough to have been on a proper Nilsson record. There's also an intangible quality to this record, a warmth and generosity that really wasn't on any of his other albums, quite possibly because his humor is never sardonic or reliant on in-jokes. It's gentle and loving, as is the music. The tale is fantastical enough to be of interest to children (and the moral is strong enough to reassure them and their parents), but the songs and music are so strong that the album continues to be a source of wonder, even as those children become adults. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
In 1970, Harry Nilsson's THE POINT appeared. It arrived as both an animated television special and this soundtrack. The album alternates seven warm and sprightly songs with seven bits of narration (also by Nilsson), which together present Nilsson's delightful little fable. However, the songs do stand perfectly well on their own. "Me and My Arrow" was a hit at the time, and found its way into people's consciousness again in the '80s when it was used in a car commercial. The story's themes are universal and the songs and their arrangements are catchy to children without being cloying to adults. "Think About Your Troubles" sports a confident vocal that melds the blues with Broadway. The orchestrations throughout the entire album (arranged and conducted by George Tipton) are supple, supportive, and slyly inventive.
The Point! is the soundtrack to a cartoon feature originally aired on ABC TV in 1971. Especially at this stage of his career, Harry Nilsson was uniquely suited for writing and recording children's music, given his sweet melodicism and love of whimsy. As it happens, The Point! worked out better than anyone could have expected, not just because "Everything's Got 'Em," "Me and My Arrow," "Think About Your Troubles," and "Are You Sleeping?" are songs stRolling Stone (5/27/71, p.53) - "...THE POINT is not a collection of sound track songs, but rather a carefully told story complete by itself...conveyed in an utterly delightful style..."
Mojo (Publisher) (9/00, p.88) - "...Strange and lovely..."
NME (Magazine) (9/23/00, p.35) - 8 out of 10 - "...THE POINT has great charm, better songs, and was a huge TV hit..."