Making Sense of Troubles

Life Line: The Songs of Nilsson 1967-1971 Review by Steve Leggett
Harry Nilsson was always a maverick artist, following his own sense of style in the world of pop, turning out carefully crafted – even baffling – songs that shared no direct affinity with any other artist of his day, although in some ways he resembled Randy Newman (even recording a marvelous album of Newman covers). Both men drew on American Tin Pan Alley traditions, but while Newman used them to craft his own ironic view of the little cruelties and occasional kindnesses of the human condition, there was a part of Nilsson that always wanted to actually be that tradition, making him, in some ways, an extremely crafty, artful and very postmodern vaudeville act stuck just slightly out of time. This collection has plenty of Harry Nilsson gems, including his own version of "One" (a huge hit for Three Dog Night), the fascinatingly realized "1941," the infectious and cartoon-like "Me and My Arrow," and the delightful "I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City," but it lacks some obvious tracks like his two dance singles "Coconut" and "Jump into the Fire," so it doesn't make the ideal introduction to this unique artist, but there's more than enough here to convince anyone that Nilsson was a one of a kind pop treasure.

Ray Charles’s Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Volumes 1 & 2 are major landmarks in American culture. Charles demonstrated that great songs with signature performances work in all genres. “I Can’t Stop Loving You” was a standard in country, soul and R&B, as he proved. Modern Sounds also brought America together during the Sixties’ civil rights movement. Charles became one of the first recording artists to have ownership and complete control of the masters. Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music has been listed among the greatest albums of all time, along with the Beatles, Dylan, Motown, Springsteen, Hendrix and the Beach Boys.

Transform Your Life with Gratitude, Resilience, Imagineering, Fun, & Exercise for Ultimate Well-Being & Success

John Pilger's first film, The Quiet Mutiny, made in 1970 for the British current affairs series World in Action, broke the sensational story of insurrection by American drafted troops in Vietnam. In his classic history of war and journalism, The First Casualty, Phillip Knightley describes Pilger's revelations as among the most important reporting from Vietnam. The soldiers' revolt – including the killing of unpopular officers – marked the beginning of the end for the United States in Indo-China.

The Al Pacino Boxset Collection "An Actor’s Vision" includes: "Chinese Coffee (2000)", "Looking for Richard (1996)", "Local Stigmatic (1990)" and Bonus Disc "Babbelonia (2005)".