Album: Duit on Mon Dei

Introduction
"Duit on Mon Dei" is the eleventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson, released in 1975 on RCA Records. The album followed the highly effective "Pussy Cats" (1974) produced by John Lennon. "Duit on Mon Dei" is a distinct album that uses a blend of several categories such as pop, rock, reggae and jazz, and showcases Nilsson's versatility as an artist. The title of the album is a play on words of "Do it on Monday" or "Money on my Mind", which reflects Nilsson's humor and his penchant for wordplay.

Background and Production
Harry Nilsson started work on "Duit on Mon Dei" following the conclusion of his questionable collaboration album with John Lennon entitled "Pussy Cats". The recording of the album saw Nilsson return to his home studio in Los Angeles. Van Dyke Parks, the significant American artist and composer, produced the album alongside Nilsson, and they made sure the record had a much lighter and eclectic feel compared to "Pussy Cats".

The album features a wide variety of guest artists, including Van Dyke Parks on keyboards, Ringo Starr on drums, and a variety of up-and-coming artists. Nilsson played the ukulele, harmonica, and piano on numerous tracks. The range of skill on the album produced a diverse array of structures that showcased Nilsson's varied musical interests and skills.

Track-by-Track Analysis
"Duit on Mon Dei" opens with "Jesus Christ You're Tall", a spirited tune that combines pop and reggae influences. The lyrics play with words based upon Nilsson's spiritual training. "It's a Jungle Out There" follows, a memorable pop tune that highlights Nilsson's flexible vocals and clever wordplay.

"Down by the Sea" is an easy going, Caribbean-infused number with steel drums and joyous vocals by Nilsson. It is followed by "Kojak Columbo", a lively, reggae-inspired number that seems a homage to two TV investigators of the time.

On "Easier for Me", Nilsson returns to reflective, melodic type. "Turn Out the Light" is a bluesy, piano-driven track that features Nilsson's powerful vocals and emotive lyrics. "Salmon Falls" is a sentimental and haunting song about the death of time and the beauty of nature, displaying the depth and emotion that Nilsson can convey through his songwriting.

In contrast, "Puget Sound" is a positive, boogie-woogie number that showcases Nilsson's playful side and his ability to incorporate numerous musical styles into his collection. "What's Your Sign" is an experimental track that blends different categories, consisting of ragtime piano and electronica, showing Nilsson's daring side as an artist.

The album concludes with "Good for God", a soulful, gospel-tinged number including an effective singing efficiency by Nilsson.

Reception and Legacy
"Duit on Mon Dei" got blended reviews upon its release. Critics applauded Nilsson's humor and imagination however found the album's eclectic mix of designs somewhat disjointed. Commercially, the album stopped working to match the success of its predecessor, "Pussy Cats", which might have largely been due to Nilsson's previous album's controversy.

Nevertheless, "Duit on Mon Dei" stays a considerable part of Harry Nilsson's discography. It demonstrates his distinct songwriting abilities and his determination to take imaginative risks by blending different musical categories. Although not as widely known or commercially effective as a few of his other albums, "Duit on Mon Dei" stands as a testimony to the versatility and genius of Harry Nilsson.