Pussy Cats {Stereophonic LP}

Not a lot of original material here. Harry tries to sound too much like John Lennon on ^"Many Rivers to Cross^".

It seems a lot of people can't see the forest for the trees with this one. The reason why it's so wonderful is the reason why some (not all) critics dismissed it...it's ragged, unkempt, sloppy...all those things that rock and roll is supposed to be. Yet on the other hand, despite the slovenly treatment, all the beauty inherent in such songs as ^"Many Rivers to Cross^" and ^"Save the Last Dance for Me^" shines through. Produced in that beloved (by me, anyway) mid-range heavy sound by John Lennon, it gives a manic edge to the skonking good ^"Subterranean Homesick Blues^", and ^"Rock Around the Clock^". So it's mostly covers. So what? Harry was as good an interpreter as he was a songwriter, and this album is a fine example of that. And among the originals, ^"All My Life^" is an underrated gem. ^"Black Sails In The Moonlight^" isn't half bad either.

This was the first Harry LP I ever owned, and I've always had a soft spot for it, even more so now that I know more about its history. Despite the fact that Harry's voice was mostly shot, I think it's one of his most beautiful vocal performances, and certainly one of his gutsiest.

I always recommend this to Replacements fans, and anyone who loves good ol' sloppy rock 'n' roll.

In one sense, I hate Harry Nilsson for making this album. By rupturing his vocal chords, and making this album before letting his vocal chords properly heal, he permanently wrecked his singing voice, one of America's great natural treasures, if you ask me. On the other hand, that boozy sound in his voice makes some of these tracks an interesting listen.

^"Save the Last Dance for Me^" is the best song on this album, and probably would have been the first single, if it wasn't for The Difranco Family releasing a version of it just a couple of months before Pussy Cat's release.

^"Old Forgotten Soldier^" and ^"Mucho Mungo/Mount Elba^" are other Harry originals and both are standouts. Most of the other songs are covers, and don't do much for me, although ^"Subterranean Homesick Blues^" is pretty cool with it drum emphasis. ^"Many Rivers to Cross^" is pretty but, Jeez, if they slowed down the song any more, he would have sung it backwards. And it wouldn't be a later-day Harry record without one piece of dreck, ^"Black Sails^" which is about vericose veins.

Lastly, John Lennon's production is entirely forgettable, unless you're one of the 12 people who actually liked his Rock and Roll album.

THIS was THE album through which I came to Harry! Thanks to John Lennon! ;-)

I'm a big fan of this site, but I only registered to offer an alternate, glowing opinion of this album! Sure, it may be limited by Harry's disturbingly close imitation of Lennon, but that beats him doing ^"Mother Nature's Son^"! Seriously, Harry's particular blend of beauty and cynicism reaches an apex with ^"Don't Forget Me^" perhaps his finest moment. The pairing with Lennon (in many ways this is more like a Lennon lp) is only natural and the fantastic 1999 BMG issue bonus cuts show Harry with voice intact- The alt. take of ^"Save the Last Dance^" shreds the lp version because Harry's voice ain't shredded! It is stunningly lovely. Lots of covers, but surely Harry's most rock and roll album. If you love John's work and Harry's work you'll either love this or be miffed. The bonus tracks are a must- don't get an older issue unless, of course, you find the lp. It sounds great and the cover's a winner.

As a John Lennon fan I bought this record many many years ago and I loved it. It introduced me to Harry and from that point I became a fan. Harry oes a good job of sounding like John but with a trist - as he did with the Newman record. Enjoyed all the songs.