It’s been 33 years since it first came out, but on August 13th Varese Sarabande Records will re-release Harry Nilsson’s final album, Flash Harry, for the first time on compact disc. Originally issued on Mercury Records in 1980 (only overseas, never in the United States), the CD version will include four bonus tracks: “Old Dirt Road (alt. version),” “Feet,” “Leave The Rest To Molly” and “She Drifted Away.” The last three were previously unreleased outtakes from the sessions, which took place at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, and featured Lowell George, Fred Tackett and Bill Payne (all of Little Feat), Ringo Starr, Van Dyke Parks, Jim Keltner, Jim Gordon, Klaus Voormann, Dr. John, Donald “Duck” Dunn and others.
The album (save the opening track – a demo created independently by Monty Python’s Eric Idle) was produced by Steve Cropper and Bruce Robb. Plans are to include an eight-page booklet with additional liner notes by Jerry McCulley. There also will be a vinyl version of Flash Harry (limited to 2,500 units) that will replicate the original 1980 LP’s track listing (no bonuses) and artwork, including Derek Taylor’s original liner notes.
1. Harry – by Eric Idle and Charlie Dore (Eric Idle)
2. Cheek To Cheek (Lowell George/Van Dyke Parks/Martin Fydor Kibbee)
3. Best Move (Harry Nilsson/Van Dyke Parks/Michael Hazlewood)
4. Old Dirt Road (John Lennon/Harry Nilsson)
5. I Don’t Need You (Rick L. Christian)
6. Rain (Harry Nilsson)
7. I’ve Got It! (Harry Nilsson/Perry Botkin, Jr.)
8. It’s So Easy (Harry Nilsson/Paul Stallworth)
9. How Long Can Disco On (Harry Nilsson/Ringo Starr)
10. Bright Side Of Life (Eric Idle)
11. Old Dirt Road (alt. version) (John Lennon/Harry Nilsson)
