On February 12, 1973 TIME magazine featured a cover story entitled, ‘Inside Pop Records’ (our pal Harry is depicted as a contemplative Son of Dracula on that very cover). The feature itself is a sweeping glimpse into the record business of the time. Nilsson is referred to as both a vaudevillian and a troubadour. More specifically Harry is, “ … blithe and winsome with his pen as well as his voice, first projected himself as a sort of sad-clown chronicler of Middle America (Nobody Cares About The Railroads Anymore, Mr. Tinker), now a zany mod-rocker (Coconut, Spaceman)”. Hmm, sad-clown & zany mod-rocker. Not so sure.
The article also briefly touches on Nilsson’s reluctance to perform publicly, quoting that performing is “a separate occupation. I like concentrating my energies in the studio and doing other things with the rest of my life.”
Nilsson producer Richard Perry is also briefly featured as are a host of other players. One of the more enjoyable excerpts is a handy ‘Lingo Primer’ which features such far out phrases as, ‘On The Farm’, ‘Boogie’ & ‘Whipped’.
If you’ve never read the article before, TIME have it freely available on their site.