Dark Horse Years 1976 - 1992 (Bonus Dvd) [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [BOX SET]

George Harrison forged the most idiosyncratic, artistically stubborn career of any ex-Beatle. After the spectacular success of All Things Must Pass (whose glorious, Spectorized production Harrison all but disowned in later years), The Concert for Bangla Desh and some tepid follow-ups on the Fabs' Apple label, Harrison released the half-dozen albums contained in this remastered box set on his Dark Horse imprint. Frequently out-of-print and ever under-appreciated, they remain in many ways his truest musical legacy.

Powered by a deceptively breezy compositional sense and impeccably tasteful soloing (his fluid slide work remains some of rock's most lyrically distinctive), Harrison variously mixes biting humor ("This Song" answers his "My Sweet Lord" plagiarism suit with sarcastic jabs), a love of pop history (his Motown tribute "Pure Smokey," covers of Cole Porter's "True Love" and Rudy Clark's obscure "Got My Mind Set On You," which became an unlikely late '80s hit), and ever-present spiritual meditations into an often jazzy musical tack that veered sharply away from his Beatles past. And while that laconic sense occasionally goes unfocused (as on "Gone Troppo"), it came to warm fruition on the triumphant Jeff Lynne collaboration "Cloud Nine." Harrison's past glories are revisited on that album's "When We Was Fab" and elsewhere on unused Beatle-era songs ("Not Guilty," "See Yourself"), as well as his tribute to the fallen John Lennon, "All Those Years Ago," but crucially they are always part of a larger, more forceful perspective. His double-live album from a 1991 tour of Japan with Eric Clapton encapsulates that sense, and is featured here in the SACD format with 5.1 surround sound.

Also included is a DVD exclusive to this set, featuring highlight footage from those concerts, interviews, and a slate of Harrison videos.

Concert For George [SOUNDTRACK]

Listening, and re-listening, to the Concert for George has been meaningful to me. I'm a few years shy of forty, so was not around for Beatle mania, but have always been a fan of the Beatles, and George Harrison was always my favorite solo Beatle artist. I own every album he made, and even a bootleg or two. While I am not Hindu, I appreciate his quest for God and meaning. And while his solo work is uneven in quality, a listen to all of his albums in a row still leaves me impressed with his ability and talent. I miss him.

Concert for George is an excellent tribute to George Harrison, bringing to me his most remembered music. One highlight is "Something", done by Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton. It is one of the few times I have heard a Beatle song done in a different way without it being diminished. I also loved hearing the Traveling Wilburys, (most of the survivors, but with Dani Harrison and without Bob Dylan) sing "Handle with Care". A personal highlight was listening to "I need you", which I had not paid that much attention to before. I did not purchase Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison as I had all of the original music and did not think that it overall improved on the songs I love. Concert for George is different. It adds to George Harrison's music without detracting from it.

Also included is a DVD exclusive to this set, featuring highlight footage from those concerts, interviews, and a slate of Harrison videos.

George Harrison [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

George Harrison has several criminally underrated albums, but this one has to be at the top of the list. Second only to All Things Must Pass, this is a superb album. I also think it is the quintessential George album, as I feel it best represents the overall sound and feel he was most comfortable with. There is a timelessness to this music as well.

There is not a weak song anywhere here. For me, the absolute standouts are the trio of consecutive songs dedicated to his family- "Dark Sweet Lady" and "Your Love is Forever", both dedicated to his new wife Olivia, and "Soft Touch", which was written about his newly born son, Dhani. These three songs as a whole, represent some of the most beautiful music George ever recorded. Brilliant.

Really, every song on this album is a standout. Incidentally, this is a great companion piece to 33 and 1/3, George's previous album to this one. Play the two of them back to back for a really amazing and relaxing listening experience!

Somewhere in England [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

'We've got to save the world/someone else might want to use it' is one of the best lyric tags I've heard George pen and it's a KILLER song!So is the bouncy "Blood From A Clone" where GH slyly name drops Frank Zappa and rails at the repatition infesting the pop music of the day.And "All Those Years Ago" is of such high quality it would've made a FABULOUS Beatles reuinion song.As with it's twin 'Gone Troppo' (see review) this album has far too many good songs then I can review but that about covers all of it.

Gone Troppo [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

This is a great album for Harrison fans that appreciate that Harrison had a fun loving side and did not just write dirges as critics procliamed when they fell asleep after the "Dark Horse" album. This is an album that has several upbeat tunes such as "Wake Up my Love" and songs that are just a fun enjoyment like "I Really Love You" that features a deep barritone solo with Harrison and back up singers singing in support that make it sound like a tropical 50's rock tune that is truly fun. "Baby Don't Away" features Harrison teaming up with a beatiful female voice that works and harmonizes well with Harrison and takes the edge of his somewhat traditional wail. This is Harrison obviously enjoying himself with his friends making an album he enjoyed without worrying about commercial success. Its not "All Things" but its another turn in an artist's life that makes it unique and since it didn't have much commercial success, its a treat to listen to and own.

Thirty Three & 1/3 [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

This is Harrison's strong re-entry after geting burned by critics after Extra Texture. "This Song" and "Crackerbox Palace" were entertaining hits that were actually made into music videos that pre-dated MTV and were shown on Saturday Night Live at the time. "This Song" was Harrison's come back over his law suit for "My Sweet Lord" but I really enjoyed the love songs on the original LP, "Beautiful Girl" ("Never seen such a beautiful girl, got me skaking inside), "True Love", and "Learning How to Love You" ("Love you like you have never been") are absoloutely great. Harrison had a unique sound all his own and quite often his music surprises you. A very well done album/CD all the way through.

Live in Japan (Hybr) [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [HYBRID SACD]

George Harrison's "Live In Japan" 2-cd set features songs from his days a Beatle as well as numerous ones from his solo albums. The song selection are tunes he wrote as a Beatle such as "Something", "Here Comes The Sun", "If I Needed Someone", "Taxman", "Piggies", "While My Guitar Gentley Weeps", "Want To Tell You", etc., as well as from his solo career which include "What Is Life", "My Sweet Lord", "Isn't It A Pity", "Give Me Love", "Dark Horse", "Got My Mind Set On You" and others. The sound quality was excellent on my stereo (non -sacd player) with none of the concert hall echo that others have mentioned in their reviews. In true SACD format this may very well be the case. The concert itself is excellent and Harrison is in fine form and his guests include Eric Clapton, Steve Ferrone, Ray Cooper, Greg Phillinganes, Chuck Leavell, and Andy Fairweather Low to name a few. If you are a Beatles fan you'll certainly enjoy hearing this concert.

Any Road Pt.1 [CD-SINGLE] [IMPORT]

A new single from George Harrison's last album is now available. "Any Road" features George Harrison on slide and acoustic guitars; Jeff Lynne on bass, piano, and backing vocals; Dhani Harrison on electric guitar and backing vocals; and Jim Keltner on drums.

Brainwashed

Completed by George Harrison's son Dhani and Jeff Lynne (Traveling Wilburys, Cloud Nine) after the ex-Beatle succumbed to a long illness in November 2001, Brainwashed is a bittersweet reminder of the myriad contradictions that made Harrison such a compelling figure.

Brainwashed (Special Edition with Bonus DVD) [ENHANCED]

This limited edition comes in a special collectors box and includes a bonus DVD, The Making of Brainwashed, a poster, and a George Harrison guitar pick.

All Things Must Pass [DIGI-PAK EDITION] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [EXTRA TRACKS]

This remastering with extra tracks of George's 1970 masterpiece is a delight to the ear. Sonically, it's never sounded better, with no hiss and plenty of high end to really bring out the beauty and detail of Phil Spector's lavish production.

My Sweet Lord
[CD-SINGLE]

Buy this even if you have the rereleased All Things Must Pass album from 2001 and already own all three tracks. Why? Because the cover photograph of an open lotus flower was taken by George Harrison and it is how his widow believes he would want to be remembered. All proceeds go to charity.

From Beatles to Self-Realization (Bonus Dvd) [IMPORT]

Includes George Harrison's Last Full Length Interview by BBC Film Maker Philippe Auliac.

Living in the Material World

Living In The Material World is a solid follow up to George Harrison's All Things Must Pass. Mr. Harrison was easily the most spiritual Beatle and he's never been afraid of preaching his beliefs. Songs like "The Light That Has Lighted The World", "The Lord Loves The One (Who Loves The Lord)", "Who Can See It" and the number one hit "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)" all expound on Mr. Harrison's spiritual beliefs. Despite all the love, Mr. Harrison can wield a sharp pen and that always when he's been most interesting. On songs like "Sue Me, Sue You Blues", the title track and "Try Some, Buy Some" he looks at the Beatles' on going lawsuits, the commercialism of the day and other things with a harder edge that he peace and love songs. The album was a big hit, going all the way to number one, the last time he would reach the summit on the album charts.

Dark Horse

"Dark Horse" was released in 1974 and it was the third solo album by Harrison (excluding the "Concert for Bangladesh") after the Beatles' breakup. In my opinion, this is a very good album and it has been overlooked since its release. Although it did not reach the #1 in the US, like his two previous albums ("All Thing Must Pass"; and "Living in the Material World"), it climbed as high as #4.

Extra Texture

This is a close to a companion piece for All Things Must Pass, but better in lots of ways. Rather than having the songs drown under Spectors production, this is GH in great voice with a stellar band behind him...creating a really funky bluesy white soul vibe.

Cloud Nine

Although it can't match All Things Must Pass in scope, Cloud Nine runs neck and neck with ATMP in terms of the sheer quality of the songs. When Cloud Nine came out, it was a refreshing breath of fresh air.

Cloud Nine [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Although it can't match All Things Must Pass in scope, Cloud Nine runs neck and neck with ATMP in terms of the sheer quality of the songs. When Cloud Nine came out, it was a refreshing breath of fresh air.

The Best of George Harrison

As the Beatles' perpetual dark horse, Harrison rarely got the chance to write and sing more than one or two songs per album. But once the band split up, the former "quiet one" was quick out of the gate with a series of memorable hit singles that seamlessly merged his budding spirituality.

All Things Must Pass

On the heels of "Something" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," George Harrison must have felt he had little to prove as a songwriter. This album is proof of that.

The Concert For Bangladesh

George Harrison's social and spiritual conscience had been an increasingly dominant force in the Beatles' final years, and his landmark 1970 solo album, All Things Must Pass, wasted little time giving it a remarkable, Phil Spector-produced forum. This album is a tribute to those that have helped the poor and homeless in a mortified country.

Everest

Everest: Soundtrack From The IMAX Film Experience [SOUNDTRACK]

Wonderwall Music

"Wonderwall Music" is a fascinating recording, and I speak from the point of view of someone who loves to play with tape recorders and audio at home. Beatlefans should note that this is not a collection of pop songs, nor are there any vocals except chanting at the end. Instead, it is an eclectic group of little ditties of varying lengths, which make full use of some fascinating sounds - both Indian (tabla, shenhai, sitar, etc.) and western (tapes played backwards, tapes cut up and edited together, jangle pianos, searing electric guitars, gentle mellotron, etc.) Harrison's studio prowess is quite evident throughout, and it is a lot of fun waiting to hear what is going to happen next.

Electronic Sound
[IMPORT]

Although his first instrumental solo album, '68's brilliant "Wonderwall" (mostly Indian music) could be called avant-garde by some, it is his second solo effort "Electronic Sound" (1969) which is truly of that genre. Given a Moog synthesizer, Harrison proceeded to record whatever sounds he managed to emit from it. It's not exactly music, but then again it is. Don't expect to hear any singing or lyrics or actual melodies, and you should enjoy this disc for it's sheer boldness.