Everybody’s Talking – Duo Session
We just finished a new Duo Session!
We’ve never actually watched the movie “Midnight Cowboy” but we are sure many of you have! How is it, should we catch up? If you’ve seen it, you will know that Harry Nilsson’s rendition of “Everybody’s Talking” features in it.
We only recently learned that the original is actually by a singer called Fred Neil (it’s a great version!) but only Harry’s version reached the billboard charts in 1969 at number 6. What a cool song, we loved giving it a go, especially the acoustic guitar picking part!
Do you remember the first time you heard it?
Stay groovy,
Mona & Lisa
Nilsson had a way of arranging songs and owning them. So do you two. I’ve heard a couple of your covers that I’d arrange a little differently, but that’s the producer in me coming out to play. You never disappoint.
I was listening to the radio on my way home tonight and Nilsson’s Everybody’s Talking came on. Hmm, something’s missing. I had not heard it in a while, so it was a pleasant surprise. It is a pretty kool song. Afterwards I put on Duo Sessions II. Ah, there it is. You ladies really bring new life to this classic. It is such a perfect opener for the new album, followed by Stuck In The Middle. Perfect!
You chicks rock!
JP
If someone would have told me three months ago that Everybody’s Talking would be one of my favorite songs I would have said they’re crazy!!. But, they would have been right. I just love this version. It’s one of your best covers and that is saying a lot. I can never log out of the club without listening to this one, Alone and Catch The Wind. The new Duo Sessions is already my favorite album.
I emigrated from Britain to Canada in late summer 1969, at only 20 years old. This is a song that always reminds of those wild, exciting and scarey days. An excellent interpretation, as always, Mona and Lisa! XOXO
Ive been MIA at the club and just got back and listen to this song. I can’t remember where I was the first time I heard it but I do remember hearing this on the radio hundreds and hundreds of times. In particular I remember hearing it at night on my small hand me down radio, sitting on my night stand. You girls did a fabulous cover of this and it did take me back to another time in life.
It’s the first time I hear this song and I think it’s a great interpretation
greetings
Mona & Lisa,
OOOhhhhhhhhhh……!! I love this! Your voices, the hypnotic accompaniment & the overall mood. Mona, I LOVE your lead vocal! And Lisa, the same with your guitar and vocal harmony. I’m transported to a better place! — Bud
Listened to this a few times now. Super!!!!
Again, Wow! This is N-I-C-E Nice! Here’s two big high-fives!
Marlo & JP
Beautiful rendition of a classic song. As always, great harmonies and musicianship. What more can i say!
I was in high school when this song came out. So it holds a special place in my brain. Your version is absolutely the “bomb” as the cool kids say. The harmonies are so tight, and I really get into the pulsating guitar. Because Midnight Cowboy was rated X, I could not see it when it first came. I saw the “TV version.” Later I bought the VHS (remember those). Nilsson won a Grammy for it. So many great songs came out in 1969; I am rediscovering them via YouTube. Peace be
This song is on my list of top ten favorites and y’all nailed it. Very nicely done. This will go into my YouTube rotation when it becomes public.
The movie (Midnight Cowboy) is worth watching. It won Oscars for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Writing, and both lead actors (Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight) were nominated for Best Actor. It’s pretty dark, slightly violent, occasionally funny, and a little dated, but worth seeing if you haven done so.
I was a kid in Fiji when I first heard Nilsson’s version. It was big on the radio in New Zealand for years after.
I’ve just listened to it again on YT. It sounds over produced compared to this.
I love the ‘Less Is More’ approach with a lot of good songs.
Are you familiar with Seals And Crofts? They had several beautiful songs that would respond well to this treatment.
Thanks girls for making my day. 🙂
After a day of everybody talking at me, this music was soothing. Another fabulous duo session.
Your music is so powerful! Start listening and the beauty of your singing makes me forget everything and the moment is so amazing and beautiful. Only when the song ends, I have to return to the reality of the bustling world. I wish the song would never end.
Another beautiful cover as always! I never want to take these superb Duo Sessions for granted as they are so dawg gone good!
As always, “Thanks for the Memories!”
Beautiful cover, to me it is better than the original, I really hope it will be on the next Duo Session, your voices are splendid as always. Merci pour cette belle version de cette belle chanson.
I don’t know how you manage to select such iconic, heart-felt songs to cover in these duo sessions but you’ve done it again. This is another special one from the year I graduated from high school. You have made it come alive with an arrangement so fresh and clear that (yes) I like it even better than the original. So beautiful. You are amazing! Thank you, thank you.
Nice to see that you have an authentic Hoefner electric bass!
Eine schöne Ballade, gut gesungen und gespielt. Vielen Dank, liebe Twins.
Fabulous cover as always, you are very talented and not stuck just in one genre.
I am looking forward to the new Duo album, I really hope you include Vincent, I have mentioned this in previous mails, it is one of my all time favourites and I seldom like covers of any songs I like but your version is note perfect and one of, if not the best, covers you have ever recorded
Fingers crossed!
Oh, my God! That was fantastic! You actually sounded like a country and western singer. I can just picture you singing “A Coal Miner’s Daughter” or any other country and western song. How do you do your voices. You did the song just right and your vocals were perfect.
Fantastic version, thank you girls ! Mona´s lead vocal somehow catches the feeling of the movie though you haven´t seen it. I have and it´s really a sad movie in the end. Fantastic harmonies ! Bob Dylan offered !Lay Lady Lay” to the movie and wanted The Everly Brothers to sing it. But producers choose “Everybody´s Talking” instead. Not a bad choice ! The Everly Brothers recorded “Lay Lady Lay” finally in 1984.
Dylan (like Nilsson, whose own composition was I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City) failed to complete his/their song(s) in time to meet the film director’s deadline.
Dylan has since added to the mix by suggesting more recently that he wrote Lay Lady Lay for Barbra Streisand rather than the Everly Brothers.
Who knows? Who cares, some may say.
Fred Neil’s share of royalties from
his 1968 song, re-recorded by Nilsson for the film, enabled him to retire to Florida and live there in some comfort no doubt until his death in 2001. Everybody’s Talkin’ has been recorded by over 100 artistes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/arts/music/24brow.html
I honestly cant remember when I first heard this song, it just seems to have been around for ever in my mind. Love this great version with Mona leading and some lovely harmonies. Also excellent choice of instruments for a duo session too. I just bought the first duo session album so will be giving it a spin very soon!
Really fine interpretation and the sustained high notes ending are stunning.
Never heard « Aerial Ballet » to this day and my original Nilsson Schmilsson album from 1973 or so filled me with enough wonder and magic for a long time. I still « put de lime in de coconut an den I feel better… » That album has many memorable gems.
I never really cared for the original version of this song, but the MLT version is beautiful!!!
Just watched again for about the 10th time and this cover is amazing!!!!
Amazing! I LOVE it! You ladies know how to take an old familiar song and make it fresh as a daisy. Lots of love to you all XOXO
Thank you for another great duo session! What a joy to listen to and watch you two enjoy playing it 🙂
Besides yours, I only know the version by The Beautiful South, which is great too.
I remember early last year in the skype call you had with John Sebastien and he asked how your finger picking was coming along Lisa. I think you said something to the affect it was a work in progress. Well you’ve mastered it with brilliance here, and Mona too on the bass, easily surpassing the original Harry Nilsson’s version with this performance. I think John would be awfully proud. He should see this video. And I have to mention again the harmonies and the vocal range you take it here is stunning.
I agree Jung! It’s a masterpiece in progress!
She inspired me to do more with my very limited fingerstyle and wow is it difficult!
Hey Tomas! Yeah, I listened to the original for comparison, and MLTs version leaves it in the dust, both instrumentally and vocally.
Gents, I have to agree 100%.
A really good melody doesn’t need a whole lot of instruments or audio trickery to make it shine.
This MLT version shines brightly indeed.
I’d go so far as to say that it grabs me more than any other I’ve heard.
I really enjoyed everything about this – the vocals, the harmonies, but I’m really in love with the melody from Lisa’s acoustic guitar. I know it’s there in Harry Nilsson’s rendition, but to me it’s masked a bit by the orchestration and percussion. Again, the beauty in the simplicity of your Duo Session helps make your version special. Now I can’t get a song out of my head that I that I always liked, but hadn’t heard for many years.
On the question of the movie “Midnight Cowboy”, I would say it’s a well-made movie with great performances by Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman, but a very sad and depressing story. I certainly would not recommend it if you are looking for some light entertainment.
At this moment it is sundawy morning (00:02) and i am still listening this duo sesion, i bet i ‘ve listened to it for about 300 times now and it still is marvellous!!grat job Mona and Lisa…
Heavenly!
Beautifully done. Another step closer to Tuo sessions! For anyone interested in getting to know a little more about Harry Nilsson, I recommend this Documentary. Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him)? (Full Documentary) | Amplified – YouTube.
You’ve all done a marvellous job with this song. It’s a very spare version and reminds me how the main character John Voight
BRAVO! LOVE those “Ahhhs” too! I remember the song well and you did it justice as you always do! Mona getting some bass action this time!
I never liked this song until NOW
So beautiful and relaxing!
I can feel the summer breeze, put the lime in the coconut…
Beautiful in every way !
beautiful music – next up is Without You
“Clothes”!?!? “where the weather suits my _clothes_”? Always thought it was “bones”, like an older person would say, from the first I heard it in 69, when I was 11.
Anyway…I love you version; it suits your style.
And I had thought it was “soul”. It’s funny that I had to listen to two Austrian women who have learned English as a second language to get the lyrics right.
Of the three versions, “soul” makes the most sense.
Yeah, Mona and Lisa have corrected me on a lot of lyrics. If it weren’t for them, I would have gone to my grave thinking that in Time of the Season, the Zombies were singing, “Is he rizzy rich like me?”
I just listened to Fred Neil again on YouTube. It is “clothes”. He oughta know. It’s his song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOpFBfugS3M
As a teenager, I felt bad for the singer, thinking he’s so poor he doesn’t have clothes for cold weather. Maybe I was projecting! 🙂
Thanks for recommending Fred Neil’s version. I love it for its simplicity. (Says the lover of Baroque and classical symphonies.) A nice pre-birthday treat.
💞💞💞
Mona’s vocal is right on. She sounds very American. This performance is an excellent sample of those true MLT harmonies. Be sure and use this for any upcoming auditions. LOL It has been echoing through my mind all day. Thanks!
TGIF!!
Yeah Mona’s vocals does sound very American, western and country, like in Stuck In The Middle With You. She can be so diverse from a raspy rock and roller to country western to everything in between and and more and do it superbly. Lisa too from sublime ballads to raspy rock vocals of Janis Joplin. They both have such a vocal range and depth to it. I loved their vocal range here at the end in their harmonies, remarkable.
As soon as they mentioned they were working on Everybody’s Talkin, you felt everyone’s anxiety skyrocketing. We knew we had another treasure on its way
I’ve said this before. Sometimes I feel like Brave Ulysses. Mona’s voice really fits this one. She sounds spectacular. They are such relaxed pros that I can’t help but tap along with a big dopey grin. Then I hit replay to try and follow what they are playing. It just flows out of them like magic. Hope you’re having a great weekend.
With tales of brave Ulysses
How his naked ears were tortured
By the sirens sweetly singing
Duo Sessions II should prove to be a must have for everyone’s collection.
Wow! That was fantastic! I got chills! I like the relaxed pacing and Mona’s vocals were sublime. This is my new favorite song with Mona taking lead. This rendition fit the Duo Sessions instrumentation and vocals perfectly. With this and Look What They’ve Done to My Song, the next Duo Sessions album is going to be fire! BTW, if I may humbly suggest, I think “Duo Duo” would be a fun title for the second Duo Sessions album by our favorite duo.
Lastly, I think a new recording of She’s Leaving Home would go well. The earlier recording was not in the best acoustical environment. I like the idea of using a ukulele in a slower, somewhat melancholic song as a play against type for the instrument. It would also show off Lisa’s technique and add another sound to the album mix.
Anyway, splendid, splendid, splendid performance of today’s song.
I also would like to see a redo of “She’s Leaving Home”.
Make that three, I agree!
Love that Twins duo a lot… So fresh !
It’s the right song with the temperature we have in France.
My pleasure to hear your voices and your differences on.
Congrats Mona & Lisa … !
Hi again,
It’s approaching 5pm here in NY, so I’m not sure if Mona or Lisa or anyone will get to read this. But I hope so.
In reference to Duo Sessions, I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again (and some other clubbers have said it previously also) –
Please cover Jim Croce’s “Time in a Bottle”.
Every time I hear it I can imagine the Twins playing and singing the song. It will be wonderful.
Thanks,
Bobby S.
P.S. The ladies received Croce’s LP for their BD from a member and I had sent a CD of Jim’s biggest hits, earlier this year. 🧛♂️😎🧛♂️
Oh my…that was spellbinding and beautifully done….I never really paid much attention to Harry Nilsson but I PAID ATTENTION to this version ….you girls just have a knack for taking a song to places it never has been….the only song of Nilsson that I did pay attention to was WITHOUT YOU written by Pete Ham / Tommy Evans of the group Badfinger….so if you should decide to do another Harry Nilsson please consider WITHOUT YOU…..I love what you do❤️🧡
Lovely.x
Unfortunately I’m old enough to have seen the film when it first came out and heard the Nilsson original. That being said I loved your version. Mona’s singing lead, Lisa’s harmonies and guitar playing made it yet another MonaLisa classic. Thank you for the music.
I have always liked that song and that was a brilliant cover. You sound great together as always.
I’ll share a funny story about my Mom. She was a decent christian woman and liked Western movies. She had never been to the uptown theater before. For her birthday one year my older sister and her husband took my Mom to dinner and then to the theater to see a new Western called Midnight Cowboy. Turns out it wasn’t cowboy movie and she was very mad that they took her to a pornographic movie. They were home early and we all thought it was funny. She did thank them for dinner.
Yes Tim, that’s an amusing story. Did they “walk out” of the theatre during the showing, before it was over?
Bobby S. 😎
Oh yeah, my mom left right away. I never seen the movie myself so I don’t know when she realized it was x rated but I know they didn’t stay long.
Left the theatre during the theatre scene, I’ll bet.
Idk, it’s funny how a song can bring back old memories.
Thx!Thx!Thx! What a beautiful cover of a song that I have always loved. The harmonies are sensational and bring out the best of this song. Toward the end the harmonies are just out of this world. I have seen the movie Midnight Cowboy several times but it is dark and won’t leave you skipping down the sidewalk with big smiles. Very exited at the prospect of another Duo Sessions album in the future.
Ladies…you bring so much joy to those of us that follow you and I am almost “evangelical” in my sharing who you are with everyone I know and meet. As someone mentioned earlier never stop being who you are!!
I love what you did with that, the great harmonies, and that bright guitar picking, that’s wonderful. You sing like other people can only dream about.
Nice version I really liked that . I never saw Midnight Cowboy or heard the original version of this song. Thank you for sharing , Always love The Duo Sessions always a weekend treat. I’ll have to look for the movie and the original song. Have a nice Weekend Everyone.
Howdy,
Good job ladies. I was never a big fan of Harry Nilsson, but he did have some good songs. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, just like Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, Neil Sedaka, and many others.
As far as the film, Midnight Cowboy, is concerned – great acting, but a rather depressing story. Both Dustin Hoffman & Jon Voight were nominated for Oscars, along with Peter O’Toole, Richard Burton, and John Wayne who won for “True Grit” (his first Oscar). After never having won previously, John Wayne gave a cute acceptance speech, saying something like – Gee, if I knew that putting on the eyepatch for this role would win me an Oscar, I would have put it on 30 years ago.
Take care everyone and enjoy the weekend.
Bobby S.
Quite a nice tune that might have been lost to history if not for its attachment to Midnight Cowboy. I see that my local library has the video, which might just prompt another look see, after many years. I distinctly remember the Ratso Rico, street person character (Dustin Hoffman) say to the Joe Buck character (Jon Voigt) “You know what they do to you when you can’t walk”. A sobering thought, and (spoiler alert), the movie does not have a happy ending.
That was just incredible, Mona and Lisa, and I’ve never been a big fan of that song but your version is amazing. I really love the duo sessions. There’s nothing better. Can’t wait for the next one.
Very, very beautiful!
I’ve asked before but still haven’t found out what the make and model of the guitar Lisa is playing. It sounds so nice I believe it has nylon strings. I’ve done some research but still found no answers. Anyone?
I did some looking and guessed Cordoba. Then, duh, I searched the site for Cordoba.
https://test4.monalisa-twins.com/forums/topic/guitars/#post-139830
Cordoba Nylon String (Fusion Series 12)
Tim,
I did some looking and guessed Cordoba. Then I searched the site for “Cordoba”.
https://test4.monalisa-twins.com/forums/topic/guitars/#post-139830
Cordoba Nylon String (Fusion Series 12)
I think I’d like one of those too.
Thanks Chris, I’m not a guitar guy but I do know a lot of the more common brands. I have seen Lisa use it a lot, especially for finger picking and was curious. It has an unusual cut in the last fret and looks like a 3 diamond insignia on a split headstock. Looks and sounds beautiful.
Tim,
I had never heard of Cordoba guitars before. But I googled “nylon string headstock”, then clicked on Images, and scrolled down until I found one with those 3 white inlays that you mentioned. It said Cordoba.
When I worked in IT, I had to find things on the web, a lot. In a hurry. I might be better at that than with guitars.
Take care.
Hi Chris, I googled every detail I could see about that guitar but came up with nothing really. After you mentioned Cordoba I did find a Factory video of their building process. https://youtu.be/GY3XuPrC4F4 Very interesting. I can see why Lisa would choose that as the one guitar she would want on a deserted island. Maybe you could use crab intestines to replace broken nylon strings, I mean you’d probably be killing crabs to eat anyways. Lol, have a great summer.
https://youtu.be/GY3XuPrC4F4
That’s an interesting video.
Maybe this is their guitar? Cordoba make a lot of guitars with a lot of options.
https://www.cordobaguitars.com/guitars/12-maple/
I found a review of that model guitar too, with comments from people who’ve bought one.
https://www.buscarinstrumentos.com/en/guitars/cordoba-fusion-12-maple/
There’s a Guitar Center about half an hour from me and I was already thinking about paying them a visit soon, since I haven’t been there since before the pandemic. I usually spend most of my time there looking at what’s new in keyboards, but maybe I’ll check out their Cordoba guitars as well.
Chris, that sure does look like the right guitar. That demo video sounds exactly like Lisa’s. I think the nylon strings give it a bit of a uke sound. Let us know if you buy one. I have no business buying one unless my playing would somehow get drastically better. Would be fun to play it though.
One thing I saw mentioned is that that guitar has a spruce top, and someone said that that gives it a brighter sound. I mentioned the brightness of it in my comment here before I had read that, but that’s the only time I’ve heard anyone say spruce causes that, so who knows.
I’m unlikely to buy a guitar, but I’ll mention it if I do. Looking at them is free though, and that’s the current plan.
Very lovely.
I don’t know how you keep taking these old songs and making them better. I never paid much attention to it before but today I want to listen to it over and over. Great finger picking Lisa and love Mona’s lead vocals and my God, how do those harmonies keep getting better. Thanks girls. Have a great weekend everyone.
Beautiful guitar work… both of you.
Beautiful! Sets me up nicely for the weekend. I’ll keep this song in mind while running in the rain at the Holyrood Parkrun tomorrow. Thank you both once again.
Great harmony. I like this arrangement better than the original. Did I already say great harmony?
Hello Ladies,
You’ve done it again! I love this dark edgy trend you are going for lately. Everybody’s Talking is a bit lighter, but still gives a dark edgy feel to it, and you sell it perfectly.
I remember first hearing it on the radio and thinking it was a great song, and you can’t help but sing along with it.
As you both often do, you’ve taken this song to a different level and place. You’ve given Everybody’s Talking a different speed, more balanced sound. The MonaLisa Twins Magic just gives a song a breath of fresh air, and a new life that brings back an old feeling, yet adds a new deminsion to it.
Well done Ladies. 👏 💛❤️
Best always
Rick Ross
Another fantastic Duo Session! The chemistry between you is always evident. Love the combination of the finger picking on the acoustic and bass playing. Your voices are at the top of your game.
Thank you, as always. Hope that the entire Wagner family is having a nice summer!
Wonderful! I love this song and it has been a favourite for many years. Thank you to Mona & Lisa for producing a lovely rendition of it.
Exquisite! There are only a few songs for me that when they come on the radio I really pay attention and won’t change the station to find something better. This song is one of them. Is this the first time we’ve seen Mona on bass? Wonderful! Lisa’s picking is on point as always. The vocals are perfect, even the little giggle in it, charming! I am always impressed when you add percussion to your duo sessions.
I’ve been really looking forward to this performance since you announced you were working on it.
I can see I won’t be getting my house husband chores done today, as I will listen to this over and over. I’ll tell my wife when she gets home “it’s Mona and Lisa’s fault!”
Hello Tim,
Mona has actually played Bass before. It’s not often, but she has played it on a couple of other current Duo Sessions. The names of the songs escape me, but they should be in the archives.
Rick Ross
Thanks Rick. I don’t know how I missed it before, I imagine was mesmerized by their voices and smiles. It’s easy to do.
Hi Tim, I believe Mona plays bass on the Sounds of Silence duo session. I think it was the small composite bass.
Mona plays the bass on the song Junk also. same one she’s playing on this song.
I count 4 Duo Sessions where Mona plays a bass. The little uke bass in “Sounds of Silence”, the bass in “Junk” and “Everybody’s Talking”, and the Journey bass in “Look What They’ve Done To My Song, Ma”. I loved the sound of the uke but I remember the Twins saying it won’t stay in tune long. I also loved the little Journey bass and hope she uses it again. I hope to see more of Mona playing the bass; it’s a great fit for the Duo sessions.
Great arrangement. I’ve always loved this song – brings back a lot of early memories of traveling with my family as it always seemed to be played a lot on the radio on long car trips. Your version is the best!
Absolutely a great performance! I was very impressed with the harmony but most of all, I was impressed with Lisa’s finger picking while singing. It is very hard to finger pick through an entire song alone without missing a beat. Even though the chords were simple and repetitive, singing along without missing a beat is really hard to do! Excellent beautiful cover of this song by both Mona and Lisa! Mona and Lisa are the best! 🎤 🎸 ⭐ ⭐ 💖
I’ve always liked this song and now I like it even more! Wonderful arrangement and of course those amazing sisterly harmonies! I love the little look between you two after the ahh part! I wouldn’t suggest seeing “Midnight Cowboy”. It was rated X (adults only) when it came out. It was the first X rated film to win an Oscar. It won for adapted screenplay and best picture. It’s about selling yourself for sex. Harry Nillson was an amazing songwriter and singer. You might want to cover “Me and My Arrow” from the movie “The Point”. (animated) Maybe not Jump Into The Fire” from “Goodfellows” Stay groovy!
Yes Michael, I agree about Midnight Cowboy. Great acting, but can be very depressing.
Bobby S.
I’m nearly speechless. That was so very beautiful! Thank you! 🙂
I first heard this on the radio in 1969 while still in elementary school. Very strange, but this song was on my mind when I woke up this morning and then I received your email. As usual, a beautiful rendition by two lovely ladies. Thanks for sharing!
Bravo!!!! Mona and Lisa just simply beautiful and your lovely voices blend so well and perfect!! You always make songs your own and never take the essance of the song away and that what makes you both so great! Love seeing Mona on the bass and the bass lines are so cool Mona, and the runs are fantastic and Lisa my goodness what great guitar picking you do, the best part? You both do it with no problems and ease. Wow I am at awe here with this song, always been a favorite of mine. This is great to hear these songs again and with a breath of fresh air and beautiy that you both put in to your craft. All I can say is when Duo Sessions II Come out there is going to be some great music, heck there may be enough for a double album!! God bless you both and thank you for getting out weekend off to a lovely start and to hear your lovely voices is heaven to me!!
With hugs and love from Bill and Maddie Isenberg Huge fans from Pittsburgh PA USA
A beautiful version of an all time favourite of mine and thank you for rekindling some very happy memories of a very happy time in my life. I first heard the song when the film was released here in Ireland in 1972 when I bought my then girlfriend now my wife to the cinema to see Midnight Cowboy.
Keep doing what you’re doing girls you’re absolutely amazing at what you do and i hope that I’m around for many more years to listen to your beautiful renditions of many more classics.
Love you lots 💗 Mona and Lisa.
Beautiful song, perfectly done, what wonderful harmony – it is hard for me to come up with the right words to describe this song. I find myself just listening and letting your music take me away.
Midnight Cowboy is about a very dark theme.
Harry Nillson had some light songs and some dark ones.
You two always manage to brighten up the sad ones.
Fred Neil (Everybody’s Talking composer) and John Sebastian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lms7Gxbe-Jo
What a beautiful song, I remember that one over the years whenever it would come on the radio, but did not really know anything about it, awesome choice. Your version really enhances the feel of the song like never before, superb. The guitar work and bass throughout against your vocals and harmonies are awesome. Beautiful finger picking by Lisa that just captivates, and Mona is awesome on the Bass. Wow, towards the end your harmonies just lifted my spirit so high. You raised this song to another level, brilliant version, love it. Thanks for another golden nugget.
Another Duo Session album sounds wonderful, I love it. Looking forward to it.
Oh, and further to my post earlier, I’d love you to cover his other big hit ‘Without you’, I know you’d do a great version of it- No pressure ha ha.
Hi David,
It’s coincidental that you should mention “Without You”, because I was going to mention it in my comments. You may or may not be aware that that song was written by Pete Ham & Tom Evans of Badfinger. Their original version of the song is 100 times better than Nilsson’s. Well, that’s just my opinion. If you have not heard it, check it out.
Take care, Bobby S.
I’ll check it out- thanks Bobby.
Hey Bobby S…WITHOUT YOU is absolutely a great song and should have been a Badfinger hit…but the story I read somewhere was that Badfinger was in the studio recording…they walked down the hall to another studio and there was Nilsson recording Without You and Pete and Tommy just fell out in amazement of what Nilsson was doing to their song…they loved it…… but I really really enjoy the Badfinger version….regardless of which version you like it is a great song.
Just listened to the badfinger version and I see what you mean. I think Mona and Lisa could do a Fantastic version of this, particularly with their beautiful harmonies and acoustic sound😊
Thanks for getting Friday off to a great start!
Loved the guitar work and of course the harmonies – like a gentle breeze!
You are both even more beautiful after your birthdays!
I have never seen the movie, but this is such a beautiful cover of the song!
Beautiful as always!! Thanks for the good start to what’s going to be a long day. Have a great weekend, everyone!
Love this!! Outstanding cover of a classic,with that special MLT twist!! Love the harmonies,the finger picking on guitar.You ladies sure know how to get our weekend off to a Groovy start.
I was 9 when the movie came out,don’t think I have ever seen the whole thing straight thru.But this song has always touched a chord in my soul.And to see and hear it done so beautifully,by the most lovely,talented,and coolest duo in music today,just makes it all the more special.Thanks for getting my rainy day off to a great start.Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Love Hugs 💛 💓
Tom
Oh oh what a treat this friday, once again, you ladies sing heavenly!!! Those harmonies are really marvellous, nice of you to wear fitting clothes. To be honest i could swear the song was sung by John Denver, seems i was wrong all these years, thanks for telling me 🥰
Mona and Lisa, you’ve done a great job with this. Seems it was on the Nilson Shmilson album back in 1974. Never saw Midnight Cowboy in its entirety, but I remember the guy in the lit up suit!
Whoa … This oldie was/is Brand New ro my music ears , lol….at least it’s not ringing any familiar bells , nor have I ever seen the ” Midnight Cowboy” movie either…. The only thing familiar with/to me is the Harry Nilsson part ( his flat famous for having where both Keith Moon & Cass Elliot had passed… what the heck was it about that flat …?! ) but I’m echoing sentiments here… for you to tackle/take on a cover and make it your own distinctive touch that is purely beautifully done and got to embrace the harmonies in vocals, guitar/bass pickings, just the whole ensemble flows tunefully along the #MLTBuzzLuvGroovified Creative Music River, where the waves give off ripling effects that vividly resonates … Kudos on this…. Am happy that a hinting perhaps of a near future further installment of a ” Duo Session ” CD is currently in the works possibly or will be …. 🫶🤘🏻✌️💜
What a lovely rendition! The vocal harmony adds a whole new dimension to the song. I was wondering how Nilsson’s “waw-waw-waw” vocalizations would be interpreted; my money was on Mona’s harmonica.
Fun fact: Nilsson’s first exposure to a mass audience occurred when the Monkees recorded his uniquely catchy song Cuddly Toy and featured it on their TV show.
Great rendition ladies. Harry Nilsson was good friends with John Lennon. They were hanging out in clubs during John and Yoko’s separation. They were kicked out of a club in L.A. one night because of John’s antics. Brings back lots of memories.
Gorgeous version of this fantastic song. Loved the perfect harmonies especially in the high notes. Nice to see Mona take the lead vocal and play bass too- What a talented pair😊🎶
Wow! An absolutely stunning version of an old favorite! It’s a rainy Friday morning here in New York, and once again you spread a little sunshine on my day. Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!
I am.spell bound after listening to this one I love it could you send me a link to the mlt club you tube as I’m only getting the audio recording and no.picture
I’m going where the sun keeps shining and that is in your beautiful voices! Lovely song choice that works so well as a MLT duet.
great job with the acoustic guitar and the song was great to listen too with some wine
Yes, I remember when I first heard it, it was just 5 minutes ago! I don’t know the original, but it can hardly be any better! I love everything you do, you’re simply perfect!
Don’t know how you do it, but you take a classic and cool tune and make it more classic-ier and cooler. Since I have seen all the Duo Sessions, I am no longer surprised that you would pull this off, again. However, I am still enthralled with your talent, insight, and dedication to genuinely great music! Fun Fact: “Midnight Cowboy” is the only X rated film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. The film features themes and content considered appropriate for adults only at the time, although the rating was changed to R later on.
Gorgeous. Everything you two do makes me smile, and that little barely suppressed chuckle did the job again. Never change, please…
beautiful
Beautiful job, Ladies. It’s always nice to wake up to a little Harry Nilsson on a Friday. I met and listened to Fred Neil play in Coconut Grove, FL, many, many years ago. He was an artist ahead of his time and hearing his name always makes me think of the Ocean…
I did see Midnight Cowboy at the time, but the Nilsson version was on radio before that, I suspect.
I prefer Nilsson’s I Guess The Lord Must Be In New York City from the film soundtrack.
We were told that Nilsson and Dylan (possibly Lay Lady Lay) had been asked to write songs for the film, but neither could meet the director’s deadline so they went with the older Fred Neil song, but Nilsson’s updated recording.
Dustin Hoffman’s announcement of Nilsson’s death in 1994 opens an excellent documentary about Harry: “Who is Harry Nilsson (And Why is Everybody Talkin’ About Him?)”.
Awesome, as always. Love the Duo Sessions. Thanks, and stay groovy!
Lovely. Another winner
Sure didn’t see that one coming! Perfect vehicle to showcase your amazing, beautiful harmonies and vocalizations! 💕 the pickin’, Lisa! Never saw the movie, either and no idea when I might’ve heard the song first, but thanks for a great start to my Friday!
Thank you for a harmonious start to the weekend. I don’t remember the first time I heard this. It’s one of those songs I know as background music.
Everything about this is beautiful. Guitars, percussion, Harmonies. Your outfits really set the mood, too.
TGIF
JP
This will be in the echoes of my mind all day.🤓