Monday, March 22, 2010

Childlike warmth from Nilsson

Who can forget those memorable ethics from the seventies that promoted uniqueness, brotherly love and community. The remnants of such sentiments quickly eroded a decade later with the onset of the Reagan era, but gratefully youtube has time capsuled many artifacts from the hippie bubble.

In 1971 Harry Nilsson apparently wrote a story about a little boy who did not belong. In a town full of points he was the lonely sphere. The story is both delicate and touching for even those past the age of twelve. I found a lot of comfort in watching it in the first month of my moving to Portland. The meaning of the story is quite obvious, but nevertheless emotionally educational. The fable's promotion of acceptance and open community pretty much melts my heart.

Besides a touching story the soundtrack is wonderfully poignant. Nilsson's voice is both charming and solemn. The soundtrack features narration in between each track that makes you feel like you're on a trip, a small form of escapism. I recommend getting the whole soundtrack if possible!

Also, possibly the most rad acid quote ever:

"I was on acid and I looked at the trees and I realized that they all came to points, and the little branches came to points, and the houses came to point. I thought, 'Oh! Everything has a point, and if it doesn't, then there's a point to it.'" – Harry Nilsson

Harry Nilsson - Me and My Arrow
Harry Nilsson - Poli High

3 comments:

Zardoz's Body said...

Maaan This takes me back. My uncle let me borrow this record back in the day and I have been crazy about it ever since. Its a cool movie too. It never really blew up the way I thought it would after blackalicious sampled it. Great post!!! Just made my double Monday liveable!! Thanks!!!

PS i almost failed summer school because i couldn't stop making doodles of Arrow running!!

[uzine] said...

Yeaaaayyyy! Hats off, thanks, congrats … great springtime post! And I picked up on it here: http://uzine.posterous.com/nilssons-pointedly-pointillist-point-of-view

Julia said...

Superb blog much more complete and practical. It will take me months to manage to "catch up" my delay.
A big thank-you.

voyance gratuite par mail