Me and My Arrow: Harry Nilsson Tribute Night

A pop singer whose taste for Tin Pan Alley and the beauty of bygone melodies never quite synched up with the rock ‘n’ roll age—yet who nursed an impish spite no rip-kneed punk could touch—the late Harry Nilsson spent much of his career at once ahead of his time and behind it. (Exceptions such as “Jump into the Fire” and his majestic 1971 single “Without You” prove the rule, which is exemplified by his 1970 Randy Newman collaboration Nilsson Sings Newman, one of the most gossamer recordings of the rock era.) This remarkable benefit delves into the Nilsson catalogue to help musician Terry Price, who was recently diagnosed with Bell’s palsy—and whose band Oblio takes its name from the hero of the Nilsson-scored animated feature The Point. Try topping this for a lineup: Oblio, The Features, Eureka Gold, David Mead, James Wallace & the Naked Light, Heypenny, The Silver Seas’ Daniel Tashian, and a supergroup featuring Mike Grimes, The Raconteurs’ Brendan Benson, My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel, Hotpipes’ Jon Rogers, and Marc Pisapia. We can only envy whoever gets to sing “Simon Smith and the Amazing Dancing Bear.” Admission is $10—a steal.
Thu., July 2, 9 p.m., 2009