Jump Into The Fire - Harry Nilsson

Jefenator · #1 02-28-2009, 02:16 AM

Was just watching Goodfellas. Ray Liotta's last coked-out day of non-captivity begins with this cut in the background. It blew me away so much, I looked it up and checked it out.

Can't say any of the other Harry Nilsson sound bites impressed me at all. But this one is out of sight! I'm glad I sprung for the 7 minute full version instead of the 3 minute single, cause the extended jam gets in to some crazy stuff, including some bizarre low-register detuning on the bass.

dannster · #2 02-28-2009, 02:44 AM

The trick is nailing the tuning twisting it back up to pitch and jumping up the fretboard again. Really fun song!

Barkless Dog · #3 02-28-2009, 06:30 AM

One of the best bass songs from my childhood.

Busker · #4 02-28-2009, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefenator

Can't say any of the other Harry Nilsson sound bites impressed me at all.

I'm a Nilsson fan.

Harry Nilsson was only one of the best singers of the 20th century. Pure, angelic voice that almost no one could match (check out some of his ballads to see what I mean, like "Can't Live (If Living Is Without You)," "Everybody's Talkin'," etc"). That would be impressive enough on its own, but he always got the best musicians to work with him as well. I believe the bassist who played on Jump Into The Fire was Klaus Voorman. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

The Beatles were Harry Nilsson fans. Ringo worked with him on some of his records. He hung out with John Lennon. I believe Klaus Voorman was introduced to Nilsson through the Beatles, who knew him from their early Hamburg, Germany days. Nilsson's heyday was about 1969 through '73 or so.

**john turner** · #5 02-28-2009, 06:50 AM

i've met his son. he's a phenomenal bass player.

.

lunarpollen · #6 03-03-2009, 11:36 PM

I used to joke about a decade ago that I was going to form a Nilsson tribute band... I would though, if I could find like-minded people to do it with...

bongomania · #7 03-03-2009, 11:47 PM

One of my exes is a huge Nilsson fan, and she explained to me that during much of Nilsson's early career and success, people criticized him as a composer and songwriter, saying his music was too sugary and upbeat and soft--so he wrote "Jump Into the Fire" to prove to everyone that he could rock out like a mofo if he wanted to.

Texx010 · #8 04-07-2009, 11:00 PM

The credits I read for that track show that Herbie Flowers played bass on that song while Klaus Voorman played rhythm guitar. I love that bassline.

bassie12 · #9 04-07-2009, 11:13 PM

Robin Zander from Cheap Trick did a fun cover of the tune on a solo record (early 90s). If there's anyone who can approach Nillson's voice, Zander is on the short list.

In any case, Nillson is one of my favorites.

Busker · #10 04-08-2009, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texx010

The credits I read for that track show that Herbie Flowers played bass on that song while Klaus Voorman played rhythm guitar. I love that bassline.

Wow. I would have bet money it was Klaus.

Solarmist · #11 04-09-2009, 04:13 AM

Wow - more "Jump into the Fire" fans!

I LOVE that song!

Real fun to play. I insisted on that song in the last band I was in. They had no choice.

Bassmickeyd · #12 04-09-2009, 04:37 AM

I hear more quirky Herbie than Klaus on bass in that tune, but who knows. There's certainly plenty of chemical inspiration in there.
Harry had a 4-octave range, what a singer, what a voice.
The first time I heard "You've Broken My Heart", I laughed and thought, wow! there's one man who doesn't want to be in the music business.
The Point is brilliant as a recording. I thought it lost a lot in the cartoon version.