George Harrison - All Things Must Pass [BOXED EDITION]
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Free Music Notes for All Things Must Pass [BOXED EDITION]
Free Music Review: Still a grand statement -- 30 years later
Hit: 5 Stars
When the "Quiet Beatle" finally spoke up in 1970, fans learned he had quite a lot to say. He still does, thanks to this sparkling reissue of his masterpiece "All Things Must Pass." One look at the cover of the environmentally friendly cardboard box,and you know that there will be a few new wrinkles to this package.First of all, there's the remastering -- very nice, a sparkling kind of sound that keeps the breathtaking Phil Spector production fairly intact. Then there are the songs: the hits "My Sweet Lord" and "What Is Life," definitely not your standard pop music fare (but then, nothing any of the Beatles did after 1965, together or apart, was your standard pop fare). Add into the mix such choice cuts as "Isn't It a Pity" (two versions), the roaring "Wah Wah", "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp," and the rousing "Apple Scruffs" and you've got quite a collection. All right, maybe some of the spiritually tinged lyrics haven't aged well, even into and out of New Age passing fads, but you've got to understand this was (is) an epic undertaking in its day, both musically and spiritually.
Of the new tracks, two are stripped-down demos (brings to mind some of the scenes from the movie "Let It Be"), one is a backing track of "What Is Life" with funny little horn parts and another, "I Live For You" is a bona-fide reject from the original album. The mid-tempo tune has a cool steel guitar part from Pete Drake. The other new offering is "My Sweet Lord (2000)" which, while interesting, won't keep you away from the original. Harrison strips down this classic too, and gives us a taste of his current singing style.
The final attraction of this new package is the re-ordered all-star "Apple Jam" that took up one whole LP of the original set. With big names like Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Ginger Baker, et. al., it's nice background music but a good history lesson for the young ones -- all the best albums had a "jam" on it in those days.
Overall, a very worthwhile package for Beatles fans and rock fans in general. Man, this brings back some memories.
Free Music Review: The Best Post-Beatles Album
Hit: 5 Stars
All Things Must Pass is George Harrison's definitive masterpiece, proving beyond all doubt that he was a songwriting genius in his own right and not simply along for the ride while in the Beatles. The newly remastered edition of this album makes it even better than ever. Much of Harrison's best work is on here. The first disc consists mainly of acoustic ballads with memorizing chord changes, while the latter half of the second disc consists of stripped down blues based jams, which even features Eric Clapton. This is a real treat for all of us Beatle's fans who wish we could have simply heard them jam more. On this album Harrison reveals that he is very capable of performing extended, but simple jams. The only problem with this album is a few of the tracks are over produced with somewhat overdone orchestral arrangements to accompany Harrison's acoustic work. While "My Sweet Lord" is exceptional, the subtle beauty of "Beware of Darkness" seems to get lost in a virtual symphony playing in the background. Harrison probably should have taken a lesson from his former band mate, John Lennon, who's album Plastic Ono Band, featured a rawer sound. At any rate, the remastered version helps to fix this by offering an acoustic version of "Beware of Darkness," and it is also clear that Harrison is familiar with the raw approach with the jams that are presented at the end of disc 2. ...As long as one is willing to forgive this, "My Sweet Lord" being only one of many excellent songs on this album, than one will be hard pressed not to admit that this album is one of the best ever. Aside from the musical content, it also offers religious insights which now seem like clichés because of the thousands of Beatle imitators who created the eastern religion fad in the west. But on this album Harrison shows that he is not a pseudo intellectual religious impostor. Instead he is on a legitimate religious and musical exploration, the very title of the album being a rough English translation of the last words of the Buddha. All an all this is one of the best and most significant albums ever recorded.Free Music Review: Far from that fountain of perpetual mirth
Hit: 5 Stars
And so, armed with a pretty great portfolio of songs rejected by John and Paul, the quiet Beatle decides to blow his wad and release the whole damn thing in one go as a triple album. Classic little-brother move there. He was king for a day. Foolhardy at first glance--some would argue he should have rationed this A-list material out more carefully--but it was probably a good idea. Judging from bootlegs from this era, even minor songs that never saw the official light of day were more compelling than what would come later. In short, George was in the zone--a place he'd never been, and would never be again. I think it was a smart move going for broke here.
That said, I've always had reservations about this album. George had an exasperating habit of keeping his sly humor out of his songs, leaving us with his rarely attractive sermons (and what a born scold he was, even before he found God--maybe that was why he could relate to Dylan). And, as George rather grumpily suggests in his liner notes, Phil Spector's often magnificent production does, at times, steamroll over the delicate material. Still, he has Phil to thank for crafting the only sonically rewarding album in his catalog. Overblown at times, perhaps, but this is a sublime piece of record-making.
I've been terrorizing the wife and kids for the past year with my guitar-playing around the house, and in learning the 'All Things Must Pass' songbook I have gained a new dimension of appreciation for these strange, beautiful constructions. George knows when to haul out the Dsus2 and the F#m7, but also knows when to keep it simple. It's that uncanny Beatles-coached balance of instinct and hyper-fluent attention to detail.
I have little patience for the George Harrison cult, those people who would have us believe that he was the equal of (or better than) John and Paul. He wasn't. But there is such a thing as a George Harrison Song--with its own lovely qualities, born right out of that Harrison hard-drive--and it finds its perfect moment in this very necessary, if never repeated, freedom-drunk masterpiece.
Free Music Review: "George Harrison Came Of Age With This Masterpiece" (now with extra tracks)
Hit: 5 Stars
George Harrison wrote lots of songs during the Beatles years that were never recorded by the band, as he often had to plead just to have them heard.
The huge majority of those songs appeared on this large outpouring of material (3 vinyl LP's in 1970). This mammoth collection, along with John Lennon's "Imagine", Paul McCartney's "Band On The Run" and Ringo Starr's "Ringo" albums is arguably the greatest solo project by any of the Beatles.
The personnel ? A who's who of rock at the time; Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Gary Brooker, Klaus Voormann, Alan White, Dave Mason, and uncredited performances by the likes of John Lennon, Peter Frampton and a young Phil Collins was a phenominal lineup.
Legendary producer Phil Spector was also on board for the basic tracks.
Though not present for the sessions, Bob Dylan's presence was felt as a writer, having written "If Not For You" on his own and co-written "I'd Have You Anytime" with George.
The selections were eclectic, which gave the album it's charm.
The religious rock of "My Sweet Lord", "What Is Life", "Hear Me Lord", "Awaiting On You All", "Beware Of Darkness", "The Art Of Dying" and "Isn't It A Pity";
The humor of "Wah Wah", "Apple Scruffs", "Let It Roll" and "I Dig Love";
The raw, human emotion of "Run Of The Mill", "Behind That Locked Door" ( a song about Bob Dylan), "Let It Down" and the title cut "All Things Must Pass";
All these styles and approaches from folk ballads to steel guitar filled country to high powered rock give the listener variety.
A collection of in-studio jamming was also included.
This re-release includes several bonus tracks including several early versions of album tracks, a previously unissued recording titled "I Live For You", and a 30th anniversary re-recording of the mega hit "My Sweet Lord" further enhances this rock classic.
If you love George's music, this is one you can't live without. 5 stars.
Free Music Review: Ahhhhhhhhh!! Sweet Memories
Hit: 5 Stars
Remember the Goodle Daze? The days when we all had our "Favorite" Beatle? Mine was George. I just thought that he was the Kewlest. He looked the Best in the Mop Top Hair, he played the Meanest Guitar, he was free of affectations, and he very nicely told off the "Trend Mongers" in "A Hard Days Night".When ATMP was released in 1970 I was 14 years old. I remember asking for nothing but this album for Christmas that year! ($10.00 for a triple album, imagine that!)
I still remember unwrapping and holding it like it was a Treasure handed down from the sky. It immediately became my favorite album and remained so through my college days (sure wish I still had that poster). The roster of friends that helped George of this album is probably the most impressive ever gathered. Eric Clapton (along with the rest of Derek & The Dominos), Badfinger, Ringo, Jim Keltner, and Dave Mason just to name a sampling. According to the Liner notes even Phil Collins made an appearance!
I hadn't listened to this album in 20 years. I had almost purchased it on CD on a few occasions but had been turned off by reports of poor sound quality. When I heard of this release I purchased it as soon as it became available. Now, 30 years later it has become my favorite album once again! I got a huge kick out of opening the miniature CD box. The colorization and the additions to the inside sleeves show evidence of a slightly twisted sense of humor as well as an acknowledgement of changing times.
I enjoyed reading the liner notes. I find it very interesting to read George's reflection's upon his 30 year old masterpiece. There is really no need to apologize for the "Wall of Sound" production. That's part of album's charm!
Most importantly, after 3 decades the music stands on it's own merit! The songwriting, musicianship, and production don't show any evidence to me of being "Good for it's day". Over the years I have purchased many "Beatle Related" releases. This one remains my favorite. Nuff said.