While he never reached the level of international stardom his unparallel talents warranted, Harry Nilsson remains a deservedly beloved figure in American pop music. Arriving at a time when the British Invasion ruled the radio airwaves-and achieving widespread acclaim when John, George, and Paul-but not Ringo- all famously named him the songwriter they were most listening to-his music defied easy categorization and marketing. It hearkened back to an earlier era, utilized melodic structures far advanced of what the record companies wanted, and worked on multiple levels that most listeners were frankly unable to fully understand.  That and his refusal to perform live, along with his infamously stubborn personality must have made him a handful. But he was also a favorite of many in the industry, becoming fast friends with Keith Moon, Ringo (despite that lack of endorsement!) and attracting unwanted notoriety via his famous “lost weekend” with John Lennon.  Nilsson was arguably the most respected singer, songwriter, and record maker of the '70s, winning a pair of Grammys for his covers of "Everybody's Talkin'," and "Without You." This documentary features archival footage of the fiercely independent artist, and numerous new interviews with such contemporaries as Randy Newman, Jimmy Webb, Van Dyke Parks, and others. The film does a brilliant job of reckoning his outrageous behavior with his formidable talent, and goes a long way towards explaining how Nilsson’s impoverished and single parent upbringing affected his adult life. Poignant observations by Nilsson’s widow Oona O’Keefe give us an even deeper look at how the murder of his friend Lennon charted the later years of his own too short life. I’ve been a fan of Nilsson’s for many years and thought I knew nearly every important facet of his career. Who Is Harry Nilsson and Why is Everybody Talking About Him?, originally released in 2006 and recently expanded, has proven me wrong. *****

 James