George took five years off, and then came back with Cloud Nine, which is a really good album. The LP had a couple of big hits, and the whole affair is very polished, perhaps even a tad too polished. I'm conflicted about the whole Jeff Lynne thing, since I am not a lover of ELO. But, the album works very well.
I think that some reviewers were a little too harsh in reviewing this record. The problem is that George released his best work near the beginning of his solo career and I think it was hard for him to equal that. The other thing is that the record suffers a bit from mediocre 80s production. But, I think this is a far better album than some reviewers would have you believe, apart from the last track, which is really not very good at all.
It's too bad that the Beatles didn't record more of his songs. Sometimes, I think he wrote the best of the Beatles songs.
Somewhere in England contains the closest thing to a Beatles reunion, at least until Free as a Bird, which really wasn't a reunion, but more of an endeavor in musical archaeology plus some editing. But, all four members were present, even if John sounded like a ghost. All Those Years Ago features Ringo on drums and Paul McCartney doing some over dubs on vocals. This track, of course, was atribute to John, who was murdered a few months prior to the release of this record.
This is a good record. The video for All Those Years Ago makes me sad, though.
I guess by this point, George realized that he had not released a self-titled record, and decided that the time had come. So, here, several records into his solo career, is a self-titled record.
When I first heard this record, I wasn't convinced that I was actually listening to a George Harrison record. It's a very smooth record, and it's perhaps a bit too over-produced, with tracks that don't quite do it. I had high hopes for Here Comes the Moon, which would suggest a sequel or tie-in to Here Comes the Sun. On that level, it's a disappointment. It's OK, but the title is full of possibility that is never realized. I think this is a case of expectations ruining what is otherwise a pretty good track.
This record was pressed in Canada, but I have the US version. I get the sense that George was struggling here a bit, thought there are couple of good songs, like Crackerbox Palace and This Song. In the end, I would rate this higher than some of the contemporary reviewers. George might have been my favourite Beatle, but it's hard to say. So, I have a positive view of his music, in general.
I have the US Winchester pressing, which seems identical to the Jacksonville pressing, but I could be wrong. Both come in a die-cut "pigskin" textured sleeve.
This record was his final recording for Apple Records. Many people, including Peter Sellers, are listed as not appearing on the record, which I guess is funny. Wikipedia notes that "[a]mong his solo releases, Extra Texture is notable as the only album whose lyrics are devoid of any obvious spiritual message." Maybe that's why I don't hate it, when many others do. I think this record is widely regarded as a soul effort, which makes it less interesting than it should be. Also, there is little of substance in the lyrics, so maybe he was struggling with the idea of a non-spiritual record. While I don't hate it, this is probably is weakest record, but the following track, which seems like a fairly obvious sequel to While My Guitar Gently Weeps, is pretty good.
This is a really great George record, but I gather that some listeners found themselves let down after the brilliant triple album, All Things Must Pass. That's too bad because this is a really strong record.
I've always loved George's voice and his guitar playing, so I am usually fully engaged, with some exceptions. Bowie did a really good cover of Try Some Buy Some IMHO. Unfortunately, when I think of this record, what often comes to mind is Madonna's Material Girl, even though the line she uses is "living in a material world," which is subtly different. It's also a really terrible song. But, I will be frank: there is no Madonna music that I like, although I think there are a couple of tracks on Ray of Light that are not offensive ear worms.
Damn that idiotic plagiarism case. I honestly believe that this was unintentional. But, when I think of this song in my head, it breaks into He's So Fine every time, and it's irritating. Anyway, that brings me to the tune My Sweet Lord, which is a really great song, especially if you ignore the lyrics.
Wonderwall was the first solo record from a Beatles member, but it is an odd one, being the soundtrack to the film of the same name. Not surprisingly, I have never seen the film.
The music is heavily influenced by Indian music. Anyone who is familiar with Harrison at this time would know of his fascination with Indian music and religion. The album has been both praised and dissed, as far as I can tell, and I think it has been treated better in hindsight. The public always seems to know what it wants, and the weight of expectations sometimes gets in the way. I like the record, but I like drone and I do like some Indian music and tabla music. That's not to say that the entire record sounds Indian. There is some diversity.
The only other thing I will say is: piss off, Oasis, you bunch of scurvy bastards. I have never owned any Oasis music in any format and I quite honesty cannot figure out what that appeal is. They really thought they were the new Beatles. They were not.
Ii wish I had an original pressing from 1968; instead, I have a German pressing from 1986.
