Brainwashed Review

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Brainwashed ReviewPosthumous releases always seem to have the ghost of their author aboout them, with the inevitable questions: What if he or she had lived? Then what?Fortunately, George Harrison remained a creative, energetic spirit till the end (see "Horse to the Water" on the Jools Holland cd from last year) despite the challenges of recovering from a horrific attack at his Friar Park home and later facing the ravages of cancer. This album has wry and heartbreaking allusions to his bittersweet acceptance of his mortality. It's an incredibly moving, daring album about love, faith, and humor that not only will appeal to long-time fans but also to those new to Harrison.With assistance primarily from his son, Dhani, and friends such as Jeff Lynne and Jim Keltner, George delivers 12 songs, one of which is a spirited banjo-driven cover of "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea." The album bears repeat listening, and there are many notable moments when one can hear George expressing his fun in simply rocking out on the songs, which makes one think of the simple love he had making music in previous performances such as "Apple Scruffs", "Crackerbox Palace", and the Carl Perkins and Friends session from 1985. It appears the finality of working with his son inspired George to go for broke--it's a shame they had only worked together recently. Some of the standout songs include the rocking "Any Road", the surreal Dylanesque "P.2. Vatican Blues", the candid "Looking for My Life" (which would make a great single), and the scathing title track which attacks the hypocrisies of the material world with vigor. Harrison's guitar work is magnificent (check out the heartbreaking slide instrumental "Marwar Blues") and his vocals and harmonies soulful ("Rising Sun" and "Pisces Fish"). "Stuck Inside this Cloud" (perhaps an allusion to the rigors of chemotherapy and radiation treatments he endured) is one of the most distinctive, unusual pop songs to be released as a single in the new century. As a longtime Harrison fan, I'd rank this among his very best works, solo and with The Beatles. Sonically, it comes across as mixture of ALL THINGS MUST PASS and THE TRAVELING WILBURYS, and co-producer Jeff Lynne opts for an understated mix this time around. In terms of melody and lyrics, there's plenty to enjoy, too-- real turns of phrase and shifts in tone that show a deep appreciation of blues and jazz. Thank you, George, for your music, humor, and ongoing quest for the truth in the sound and the fury of life.Brainwashed Overview
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Cloud Nine Review

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Cloud Nine ReviewWith the afterglow of my personal discovery of the Beatles in full swing, the release of what would turn out to be George Harrison's penultimate solo album, Cloud Nine, well, put me there. After getting greatest hits albums by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, this was perfect. George had a lot of quality help on this album, including former bandmate Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Gary Wright, Elton John, and on the producer's helm, Jeff Lynne.
Most of the material is laid back pop, with George's gentle and understated voice an additional balm. "That's What It Takes" is one such song, on how in order to enjoy the shining world, one has to take all those chances.
However, the great heartfelt ballads are what make Cloud Nine. The tearful piano ballad "Just For Today" is great for those who are very down and need "to get through this day only" and other things somehow: "If just for one night/I could feel not sad and lonely/Not be my own life's problem/Just for one night." It shows that it wasn't just Paul McCartney who could make a universal ballad like "Yesterday." Equally as sad and touching is "Someplace Else" of needing that certain someone during a time of crisis: "And for a while you could comfort me/And hold me for some time/I need you now to be beside me/While all my world is so untidy/Loneliness/Empty faces/Wish i could leave them all in someplace else." Clapton helps out on this song.
The quick "Fish On The Sand" features Jeff Lynne's signature production, that backbeat rhythm synths and guitar also to be present on the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle With Care" and Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" and "Learning To Fly." A similar sound is present on the third single, "This Is Love."
Okay, what is "white and black like industrial waste/Pollution of the highest degree"? If you answered the "Devil's Radio," give yourself a hand. George gives a much-needed punch at the gossip magazines, radio, and TV, but oh, with such a fun sound. "It's all across our lives/Like a weed it's spread/'till nothing else has space to grow," sings George of this menace. Clapton lends his bluesy guitar here and also on the brass and piano boogie of "Wreck of the Hesperus." This is how George feels great about himself at present, with some witty repartee: "I'm not a power of attorney/But I can rock as good as Gibraltar/Ain't no more no spring chicken/Been plucked but I'm still kicking."
Naturally, the silly video for the fun and upbeat "Got My Mind Set On You," the song which reached #1 and was George's third chart-topper, after "My Sweet Lord" and "Give Me Love-(Give Me Peace On Earth)" started things off. A song written by Rudy Clark in the 50's, it was first recorded by James Ray in 1962. A brisk rhythm guitar is accompanied by some brass and later sax, which in the video was played by a squirrel!
The next single was George's remembrance of the Beatles. "When We Was Fab" features sounds that harken back to the Beatles' Sgt Peppers and Magical Mystery Tour, including cello, sitar. Even the video had Elton John in a walrus costume a la MMT. Reaching #23, this was George's last Top 40 hit.
As for the bonus tracks, they were songs for the Madonna/Sean Penn bomb Shanghai Surprise. Vicky Brown assists him on vocals on the title track, which has a Chinese aura. "Zig Zag" has a more 30's nightclub jazz feel to it, complete with Armstrong-style trumpet. Harrison himself appeared as a nightclub singer in this turkey, which he co-executive produced!
I was on Cloud Nine when I first heard this, and sent back there once more upon its remastered reissue, and I hope that's where George is now.Cloud Nine Overview

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Concert for George (2002) Review

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Concert for George (2002) ReviewThe concert event had the chance to be sappy and morose. Thank God, it isn't. Instead, it's a lot of George's friends covering his songs, having fun doing it, and otherwise doing what they've always been doing.
Summary: Great guests, superior musicianship. Buy This DVD. Now.
The show opens with a few words from Clapton, who introduces Ravi Shankar and his daughter. They play a fair amount of Indian music. It's pretty good, I have to admit, though not my cup of tea. One word - Ravi Shankar's daughter is quite the sitar player... She plays a piece and violates at least 2 rules of physics. Amazing.
Then the Western band forms up. They play a number of songs, with luminaries being introduces and added to the band over the course of the evening.
Highlights, in no particular order:
1) Ringo :-) During "Honey Don't" Look for Albert Lee. His solo is blistering though short.
2a) Clapton on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
2b) Clapton having the class to not play all the solos thereby making it the "Eric Clapton Show." Instead most of the real guitar work is being done by someone I don't know. I think it's Clapton's long-time guitarist. My son and I call him "THE Guy".
2c) Clapton in general
3) Watch Tom Petty's guitar player get OWNED by George on "Taxman". Tom does this song kinda weird, it's probably the weakest track.
4) Sam Brown. What a voice!
5) Waa Waa. Amazing.
6) Something by Paul, via uke.
7) Ravi's daughter and her sitar. Your eyebrows will fly up!
8) Dhani has George's spooky eyebrow thing going on.
9) Jeff Lynne is there, and takes an active part doing what he does best. Bob Dylan is notably absent.
Every track is worthwhile and many are superb. And while a lot of similar productions are muddy and horrid, this isn't. Eric is running the show, and keeps it moving and clean.
The only dings I give this production are
1) The "behind the scenes" footage is too sparse. I know there had to me more...
2) The band isn't introduced well enough. I expected a close up of every performer, with a hello, and a name. See 2b) above.Concert for George (2002) OverviewFilmed on November 29, 2002 before a sold-out audience at Royal Albert Hall in London, "The Concert For George" is a beautifully filmed, joyous celebration of some of the most significant music of the 20th Century.Friends including Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Ravi & Anoushka Shankar, the cast of Monty Python and other artists who worked with George Harrison throughout his lifetime, present his music in a special concert to commemorate the first anniversary of his passing.This 2 DVD set includes the full 2 hour & 40 minute concert and the 1 hour 40 minute documentary filmed in high definition by David Leland ("Band Of Brothers") featuring concert footage and interviews with the artists about George's life and music.Documentary produced by Ray Cooper, Olivia Harrison and Jon Kamen.

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