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Solo forums => George Harrison => Topic started by: Bobber on June 05, 2007, 02:28:30 PM

Title: George's Worst Album
Post by: Bobber on June 05, 2007, 02:28:30 PM
Just because where are discussing everyone's worst album today. Shoot.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Kevin on June 05, 2007, 02:40:38 PM
Oooooh. Spoilt for choice. Extra Texture and 33& 1/3 were eye- wateringly dull. But Dark Horse was just plain bad. Bad songs and bad performance. (laryngitis or no).
Have any other albums by The Big Three failed to chart (in the UK)?
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Bobber on June 05, 2007, 02:41:39 PM
Quote from: 185
Oooooh. Spoilt for choice.

You got a multiple choice.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: BlueMeanie on June 05, 2007, 03:25:27 PM
I haven't heard them all, but from what I have it's Dark Horse. Purely because of the voice. Couldn't he have waited?
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Kevin on June 05, 2007, 03:33:59 PM
Quote from: 483
I haven't heard them all, but from what I have it's Dark Horse. Purely because of the voice. Couldn't he have waited?

I'm not sure, but the tour was booked and ready to go. And no point touring if you don't have an album to flog.
The whole thing (tour and album) was a sad mess. Probably cancelling was out of the question. I'm not sure if even in fine voice (and lets face it, even then George isn't the strongest singer around) the album would have been that good. I think he was always going to be up for a hiding over that album/tour.
Food for thought about his 1970 potential. I forget that he was regarded as the boy wonder - the star who had been suppressed by the evil egos of Lennon and McCartney
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: BlueMeanie on June 05, 2007, 03:55:16 PM
Quote from: 185
Food for thought about his 1970 potential. I forget that he was regarded as the boy wonder - the star who had been suppressed by the evil egos of Lennon and McCartney

I think around the time of Concert For Bangladesh he was just about the biggest star on the planet, but never really capitalised on it. But then he's always come over as a reluctant star, so maybe he wasn't that bothered.

True, a tour needs an album to flog, but I'll never understand why he didn't postpone the tour? Maybe he was trying to capitalise and it all went belly up.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Kevin on June 05, 2007, 04:20:32 PM
Quote from: 483

True, a tour needs an album to flog, but I'll never understand why he didn't postpone the tour? Maybe he was trying to capitalise and it all went belly up.

Hard to understand that one.
Interesting that post- Beatles both John and George went off on tangents (politics and religion) that ultimately did their careers no good (maybe even destroyed them). But Paul just carried on doing what he and The Beatles had done so well - knocking out songs with fine melodies and ambiguous lyrics, and did bloody well out of it.

Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Bobber on June 05, 2007, 05:54:51 PM
After ATMP, Living In TheMaterial World and Bangladesh, Dark Horse must have been a major disappointment in every way.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on June 05, 2007, 06:07:47 PM
Thanks for putting up this poll, Bobber! I'll fill it out as soon as I've heard all of George's solo albums. I've heard most of them now, but I'm still filling in my gaps. Considering I'm a relatively new fan, I hope you'll forgive the delayed response. I want to be accurate!  ;D

Quote from: 483
I think around the time of Concert For Bangladesh he was just about the biggest star on the planet, but never really capitalised on it. But then he's always come over as a reluctant star, so maybe he wasn't that bothered.
It's so hard to tell his true feelings about this. According to studio notes I've read--George Martin, perhaps?--George was astonished by the success of ATMP. He set about to make an album of stuff he was personally interested in, such as Krishna consciousness, and never in a million years expected anyone much beyond the devotee audience to particularly care. As for his secular tunes, like "Let It Down" (which is a personal favorite of mine), he'd already been assured by Paul and John that these songs were unworthy for inclusion on a Beatles album, and they ought to know when a song is lame, right? So he made the album basically as a labor of love, and it shows.

As far as Bangladesh, I have the DVD of that concert. In the extras, George is being interviewed with Ravi. I believe this takes place a week before the concert, as that's when he announced it. Anyway, he is clearly astonished (and terrified) that the tickets sold out so fast. Some guy says that the love of the Beatles seems to have been transferred to Harrison, and George acknowledges that appears to be true, "but I don't know why it should." Apparently in George's mind, Beatles and GH were so separate, why would the rest of us lump them together?

So (as he later acknowledged himself) he never set out to manage his career. He acted from the heart, just to get out his songs (basically for himself) and then to help the refugees (for Ravi). By the time he figured out he was a big star on his own, he probably had no idea what to do. I imagine his early success went to his head and he thought he was just extra lucky or something and could do whatever he wanted, and people would love it. Then again, he was always waging spiritual war with his ego, which probably clouded his judgment when it came to achieving commercial success. It's really tough to say.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: mr kite on June 05, 2007, 06:10:15 PM
George solo stuff has never really been pop chart music ,he has always recorded what he wanted to.
And ive  loved it all untill i bought EXTRA TEXTURE ,till this day i cant bring myself to play it  :-/
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: adamzero on June 05, 2007, 11:31:27 PM
Is there a rule--the fancier the cover the worse the music?  I bought Extra Texture on vinyl way back when--that nifty cover--and it's second rate.  "You" seems like a copy of "What is My Life" and the rest seem like copies too.  And that Legs song just ain't that funny like the reviewers say it is.  

I actually like 33 and 1/3.  Its got some good music with more than just the Hari-Krishna stuff.  I also think his version of "True Love" is a great Cole Porter cover.  George shoulda done a whole album of classic covers (like Hoagie Carmichael too)--like Willie Nelson's Stardust.

But on the whole the 70s albums are great or at least competent.  The early 80s stuff like Somewhere in England is alot worse to me.  

But then I love the Wilbury stuff and Brainwashed.  And a good producer like Jeff Lynne did a pretty damn good job with Cloud Nine.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: on June 05, 2007, 11:48:43 PM
Extra Texture (Read all about it). Dark Horse is stronger than that for me. Somewhere In England gets a bit too happy-clappy too.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: adamzero on June 06, 2007, 03:51:35 AM
Dark Horse grows on you.  I'd forgot the (Read All About It)--that's not even funny either.  
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Kevin on June 06, 2007, 08:38:05 AM
Quote from: 449
George solo stuff has never really been pop chart music ,he has always recorded what he wanted to.
And ive  loved it all untill i bought EXTRA TEXTURE ,till this day i cant bring myself to play it  :-/

Then what are "MySweet Lord" "What Is Life" "Ding Dong Ding Dong" "Got My Mind.." "All Those Years Ago"and "You" but stabs at pop chart music?
I can't find the quote, but he said of either Ding Dong or You that he wrote it in minutes and was the kind of pop song he'd always wanted to write. I think he would have loved chart success, but just wasn't up to it.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Andy Smith on June 06, 2007, 02:40:04 PM
I voted for Dark Horse which i suppose a lot of people agree with, it's quite a poor
album. I think some of the songs could have made better but songs like Bye Bye Love,
Hari's on Tour, or Ding Dong Ding Dong really spoil the album so much i think. Dark Horse is
really good track & so is Maya Love but the album just runs dry for me.
I didn't like Somewhere in England that much either but i've recently been listening to it again
& actually like it more & more.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: BlueMeanie on June 06, 2007, 03:36:50 PM
Quote from: 185

Then what are "MySweet Lord" "What Is Life" "Ding Dong Ding Dong" "Got My Mind.." "All Those Years Ago"and "You" but stabs at pop chart music?
I can't find the quote, but he said of either Ding Dong or You that he wrote it in minutes and was the kind of pop song he'd always wanted to write. I think he would have loved chart success, but just wasn't up to it.

I think George was always a reluctant pop star. He wanted the adulation (because he always had it with The Beatles) but couldn't, or didn't know how to handle it on his own.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on June 06, 2007, 03:59:36 PM
Quote from: 185
I think he would have loved chart success, but just wasn't up to it.
I agree he would have preferred to be successful, but he generally viewed pop songs as an obligation. He had to make at least one per album, so they could make a single. When that was done, it was like, Whew! On to the good stuff.

I remember the quote you're thinking of, and I can't lay my hands on it either. You provide a good list. "You" was pure pop, but it was written for Ronnie Spector (hence the high register) and George used it so he wouldn't be bothered writing a new pop tune; it did well in the charts anyway, despite the vocal stretch (top 20). "Ding Dong Ding Dong" was clearly an attempt at a commercial song that failed miserably. (I know it's a novelty song now, but IMO it's pretty dull.) I don't think George should have attempted to write anything purely commercial; it wasn't his strength.

If I had to pick a song that was representative of George writing pop from the heart, I'd pick "What Is Life". "My Sweet Lord" was an experiment writing gospel music, and "All Those Years Ago" was originally a give-away for Ringo that he took back and reworked after John's death. But some of his songs I adore like "Let It Down" and "Hear Me Lord" never got released as singles. I wonder what the criteria was for choosing which songs got released. As Kevin said, his selection of pop singles wasn't too inspiring. Perhaps it's just me, but I don't think they were representative of the bulk of his work.

Quote from: 483
I think George was always a reluctant pop star. He wanted the adulation (because he always had it with The Beatles) but couldn't, or didn't know how to handle it on his own.
I agree he was reluctant, but did he want adulation? I agree he didn't know how to handle his success. One of the things that's so cool about Paul is that he did; he just knew how to defuse a mad situation and get people to act normally. But this is a rare skill. Look at all the people who crack up under this pressure, compared to those who handle it well. It's a slim list.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: BlueMeanie on June 06, 2007, 04:10:19 PM
Quote from: 551
I agree he was reluctant, but did he want adulation? I agree he didn't know how to handle his success. One of the things that's so cool about Paul is that he did; he just knew how to defuse a mad situation and get people to act normally. But this is a rare skill. Look at all the people who crack up under this pressure, compared to those who handle it well. It's a slim list.

Well, maybe he was so used to it he just thought that, that was the thing to do? Remember, he was very young when the Beatles broke through, he didn't really know anything else.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Kevin on June 06, 2007, 04:14:21 PM
I guess i should stop being so cynical. I forget that George was very sincere in his religious beliefs, and no doubt legitemately saw all these rockstar neccessities as a bit onerous.
But in my heart of hearts, and no matter how charitable i get, I can't convince myself that though he did not seek adulation he would have very much welcomed success (he is human after all.)
But all points noted, and as I've never read George's book, or any books about him, I should probably shut up.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on June 06, 2007, 05:22:53 PM
Don't shut up, Kevin! Discussion is healthy. It also challenges me to make sure of my facts. Opinions are fun, but I also like a good, solid quote. :)

Quote
though he did not seek adulation he would have very much welcomed success
I absolutely agree with this. We are on solid ground here, because so does Olivia! When they recently re-evaluated the success of ATMP and officially gave it its number one spot in the UK charts, Olivia reported that George would have been "very pleased". As it was, he passed on without knowing he'd ever had a #1 album success in his own country.  

Quote from: 483
Well, maybe he was so used to it he just thought that, that was the thing to do? Remember, he was very young when the Beatles broke through, he didn't really know anything else.
It amazes me how young these guys were. Even more, it amazes me that they continued to be good people throughout their lives. Yes, John in particular had his rough patches, but I do believe they all sincerely wanted to do good in the world. How many people in similar circumstances rapidly become horrid selfish gits?

Ahem! Back on topic. I'm now reading "Here Comes The Sun" by Joshua Greene. He unfortunately does not attribute his quotes, but according to him, young George really loved the excitement and adulation through '63, started getting overwhelmed in '64, and started hating it in '65. You can see this in their interviews. In the early ones, he outtalks McCartney! Hard to believe, but John and George have the most to say. (Look at Ready, Steady, Go, or the early UK tour interviews.) Then George gradually shuts down, until he'll hardly do more than answer a direct question, while McCartney takes over as the main spokesman. It's a fascinating transformation to watch.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: adamzero on June 06, 2007, 06:16:58 PM
George is very talkative--and funny in the early interviews.  I wonder how good a producer George was.  He produced many of his albums, but did great work for Spector and Jeff Lynne.  Damn Spector, though, for recording reverb to tape!  Couple songs on ATMP would sound great remixed.  
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: mr kite on June 06, 2007, 06:48:35 PM
Quote from: 185

Then what are "MySweet Lord" "What Is Life" "Ding Dong Ding Dong" "Got My Mind.." "All Those Years Ago"and "You" but stabs at pop chart music?
I can't find the quote, but he said of either Ding Dong or You that he wrote it in minutes and was the kind of pop song he'd always wanted to write. I think he would have loved chart success, but just wasn't up to it.

I just remmeber him in an interveiw i saw or i read [i think it may be the brainwashed dvd ] saying that he has only recorded songs that he enjoyed and not thought of if it was going to be a hit or not .
Dont get me wrong i`m not kocking GEORGE`S  music i have all his solo albums even electronic sounds and wonderwall ,i loved GEORGE just as much as the other beatles , he was a truly great artist with or without the beatles .  
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: DarkSweetLady on June 08, 2007, 01:19:03 PM
I think all of george's albums had songs that were great dark horse i mean it wasn't his fault he had bronchitus or how ever you spell it or something...

i could just here his voice and get giddy... lol...

 8)
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on June 08, 2007, 02:37:51 PM
Quote from: 449
I just remmeber him in an interveiw i saw or i read [i think it may be the brainwashed dvd ] saying that he has only recorded songs that he enjoyed and not thought of if it was going to be a hit or not .  
Hmm, I think I remember that as well. *resists looking it up* ;D This is entirely in keeping with the majority of George's statements. He really wanted to do stuff he was interested in, and not care about the outcome. Of course, that's easier to say when you don't have to work for a living. It was Lennon, I believe, who said the early Beatles absolutely aimed their songs at the hit parade. After they broke in and got some success, they could come out with really clever tunes that were social commentary or experimental, and not love songs (which always dominate the Hit Parade).

That said, I still believe (like Kevin) that George would have preferred for the stuff he liked to be well received. But worrying too much about the outcome cripples an artist. I think that's a lot of the reason John went off for a rest. It's like, Bugger, what do they want? When really, the more unique and personal the piece of art, the more interesting it generally is to the audience. (Generally, because it still has to be accessible, and a lot of really wild stuff won't find a very big audience.) Anyway, that's my prejudice about creativity. When heartfelt and sincere meets talented execution, you've got a hit!

Quote from: 668
I think all of george's albums had songs that were great dark horse i mean it wasn't his fault he had bronchitus or how ever you spell it or something...
I still have one more album to listen to, then I'll have heard them all! I do love the Dark Horse song, but I'm not happy with the hoarse version. I heard the Live in Japan version first, and the song just sparkles. So it's hard for me to step down to the foggier version. The song is great--one of my favorites!-- but I prefer Healthy George singing it. :)

I am really loving this discussion. Thanks, everyone, for participating!
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: mr kite on June 08, 2007, 03:03:01 PM
Hello HARIHEAD
I`ll have to watch the brainwashed dvd A.S.AP. i m sure i did`nt dream it   :-/

As for the DARK HORSE album as much as georges throat is shot to pieces ,didnt he record this album after his short u.s tour ? its one of my favs [with the exception of BYE BYE LOVE] i like all the tracks
FAR EAST MAN i dont know why ,but i just love it  8)
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: DarkSweetLady on June 08, 2007, 03:14:42 PM
ya i agree with harihead...

 it wasn't his fault he had throat trouble...

8)
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on June 08, 2007, 05:05:11 PM
Quote from: 449
I`ll have to watch the brainwashed dvd A.S.AP. i m sure i did`nt dream it   :-/
Oh, good. Thanks, Kite! I have a really slow connection, so anything from YouTube takes ages to load.

As far as I remember, George got throat trouble due to overwork. He was producing an album for Ravi and for Splinter along with his own, and left himself just one month to get Dark Horse together before his tour. So he was singing on other people's tracks during the day and his own album at night! He was really distressed when his voice started to go, because he already had the band committed (lots of people had scheduled around the tour) and venues booked. He decided to go ahead. The album came out partway through the tour, as he only just finished it before they got going.

Argh. If only one could turn back the clock-- or at least drag George to the doctor. He wouldn't go on his own. Thank goodness Olivia put her foot down later so he didn't die of hepatitis! The goof.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: mr kite on June 09, 2007, 02:24:20 PM
Ive watched the brainwashed HARIHEAD and theres no mention of what i said in this thread  :B
It must be somwhere else i saw it .
I know why i dont watch it to often it quiet emotional ,its proberly one of georges last interviews i should imagine.
Its sad really, really sad.  :(  
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: The Swine on June 22, 2007, 09:08:40 PM
life must have been hard for george after 74, musicalley wise. he must have realised that he had made a stunning debut album and that he should never be able to make a better one.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Flaming Pie in the Sky on June 22, 2007, 09:16:03 PM
Quote from: 748
life must have been hard for george after 74, musicalley wise. he must have realised that he had made a stunning debut album and that he should never be able to make a better one.

Even if he didn't admit it, he must have thought it... he was only human, like Kevin said.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: The Swine on June 23, 2007, 09:05:52 AM
Quote from: 687

Even if he didn't admit it, he must have thought it... he was only human, like Kevin said.

sure. and i'm pretty sure he knew he had lost it. there was always the mccartney-lennon rivalry, but of course george saw paul doing pretty good things, not just john. george's albums became more and more boring after all things must pass, he just kept repeating himself. but it is true, that is a very human thing. 33 1/3 is about as deep as he could possibly sink.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: maccalennon on June 25, 2007, 02:12:24 PM
Extra |Texture by a country mile. Terrible album with no redeeming features. I know most people here will disagree by I really like Dark Horse.

Simply Shady,Far East Man and Dark Horse are all great tracks
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: tkitna on June 26, 2007, 03:33:18 AM
'Gone Troppo' is so awful, it isnt even worthy of a beer coaster in my house. If it wasnt for 'Wake Up My Love', it could possibly be the worse mix of music ever thrown together on an album.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Wayne L. on June 26, 2007, 10:35:49 AM
I voted for Gone Troppo, because it's almost forgotten over 25 years later, even though it has some good tracks, but the album cover is great.  
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: sewi on June 26, 2007, 02:20:36 PM
Dark Horse.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on June 26, 2007, 03:33:28 PM
Quote from: 373
'Gone Troppo' is so awful, it isnt even worthy of a beer coaster in my house. If it wasnt for 'Wake Up My Love', it could possibly be the worse mix of music ever thrown together on an album.
I guess we're fated to have opposing tastes, Tkitna.  ;) 'Wake Up My Love' is one of my least-favorite cuts from that album. The repetitive keyboard rift doesn't do a thing for me; I actually find it obnoxious. I also dislike "Baby Don't Run Away"-- the whole arrangement and particularly the female voice just don't work for me.

But in contrast to Tkitna and Wayne (among others, I'm sure) I enjoy the album overall. I love the social commentary and innovative guitar-playing on "That's the Way It Goes" (not to mention the beat), and I delight in the sheer goofiness of "I Really Love You". "Greece", "Gone Troppo", and "Mystical One" all have an upbeat, vacation in the tropics feel, which is one of the reasons I like the whole mood of this album. I wish they'd released the toe-tapping pop song "Dream Away" with the hit movie Time Bandits for which it was written; I'm sure it would have done well as a single. And concluding the album with the gentle lament of "Circles" is slightly melancholy and soothing at the same time.

So, not top of the list, but definitely not bottom of the stack for me. I'm still making up my mind about that; no need to rush. Cheers, all.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: sewi on June 26, 2007, 03:47:19 PM
Quote from: 551
I guess we're fated to have opposing tastes, Tkitna.  ;) 'Wake Up My Love' is one of my least-favorite cuts from that album. The repetitive keyboard rift doesn't do a thing for me; I actually find it obnoxious. I also dislike "Baby Don't Run Away"-- the whole arrangement and particularly the female voice just don't work for me.

But in contrast to Tkitna and Wayne (among others, I'm sure) I enjoy the album overall. I love the social commentary and innovative guitar-playing on "That's the Way It Goes" (not to mention the beat), and I delight in the sheer goofiness of "I Really Love You". "Greece", "Gone Troppo", and "Mystical One" all have an upbeat, vacation in the tropics feel, which is one of the reasons I like the whole mood of this album. I wish they'd released the toe-tapping pop song "Dream Away" with the hit movie Time Bandits for which it was written; I'm sure it would have done well as a single. And concluding the album with the gentle lament of "Circles" is slightly melancholy and soothing at the same time.

So, not top of the list, but definitely not bottom of the stack for me. I'm still making up my mind about that; no need to rush. Cheers, all.

I love the album too, Harihead.My favourite Beatle is John but George wrote some of the most beautiful melodies and he was dstill doing in the seventies and eighties.Gonne troppo is very underated.It is a long time since I listened to it so I cannot remember the songs so well to describe why I like them but I remember how funny some of them are for example the cover he made of I Really Love You.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Andy Smith on June 26, 2007, 09:39:39 PM
Gone Troppo's not a bad album but i don't think one of his best, i agree with Harihead
that Baby Don't Run Away & Wake Up My Love are quite weak songs & i don't like that
keyboard sound he used  :-/. the best song on their for me is Unknown Delight. i think
its a beautiful song & realised it was written for Dhani when he was born! :)
That's the Way it Goes is a good tune but not some of George's best lyrics.
Mystical One is quite a happy tune but i do struggle with the rest of the album.  :-/
Not a great George album but OK  :-/ :)
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Rising Starr on June 27, 2007, 10:25:16 AM
I've been listening to George Harrison for over 30 years, so I know all these albums pretty well.  When I first heard Brainwashed I didn't like it, but it grew on me and now I love it.  I love Extra Texture, but I think that's only because of the memories it brings back.  It's probably not really that good of an album.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: raxo on June 27, 2007, 11:11:33 AM
Quote from: 431
[...] I love Extra Texture, but I think that's only because of the memories it brings back.  It's probably not really that good of an album.
But I love it!!! It's my favourite Georgie album  :) ...

Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: sewi on June 27, 2007, 02:38:29 PM
My favourite album is All Things Must Pass but Brainwashed is a great work too.I do not why somebody has voted for it.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: The Swine on June 27, 2007, 02:45:11 PM
Quote from: 564
My favourite album is All Things Must Pass but Brainwashed is a great work too.I do not why somebody has voted for it.

someone didn't like it
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Andy Smith on June 27, 2007, 02:46:09 PM
My fav George album's are 33 & 3rd, George Harrison, Cloud 9 & Brainwashed.
I love the songs on All Things Must Pass but not the overall echo sound on it &
the Apple Jam really lets it down for me.
I loved Brainwashed from the 1st listen & it was a very important album in a period
in my life when it came out.
Electronic Music is quite a awful album, has anyone mentioned this?  :-/
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: sewi on June 27, 2007, 02:51:03 PM
Quote from: 748
someone didn't like it
Yes heheheh but someone thinks that it is George's worst album and that it is the strangest thing.

Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: The Swine on July 02, 2007, 10:55:47 AM
heheheh why? everyone's entitled to their own taste, right? just because a majority of people think it is great, is it strange someone else is thinking a different way? a wise man once said: don't follow leaders. and: think for yourself.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: maccalennon on October 08, 2007, 06:22:20 PM
33 1/3 and george harrison each getting a vote. hard to fathom that. I think theyre the best two outside of all things must pass
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: dirtyoldsod on October 24, 2007, 09:41:40 AM
Wow, am I the only one here who likes 33 & 1/3?
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Andy Smith on October 25, 2007, 12:41:17 AM
Quote from: 599
Wow, am I the only one here who likes 33 & 1/3?

No, 33 & 3rd is my fav George album!!!
such an underated album, some of his best guitar
playing is on this album! ;)

Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: tkitna on October 25, 2007, 02:16:59 AM
Quote from: 614

No, 33 & 3rd is my fav George album!!!
such an underated album, some of his best guitar
playing is on this album! ;)


I like it too.

Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: on October 27, 2007, 10:07:09 PM
Extra Texture
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Geoff on March 18, 2008, 03:14:27 AM
Quote from: 599
Wow, am I the only one here who likes 33 & 1/3?

It's my favorite George album after ATMP.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: maccalennon on April 04, 2008, 02:17:46 PM
mine too
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: wingsman on April 19, 2008, 07:38:07 PM
I have only 3 albums of George - C9, ATMP & Brainwashed. 3 masterpieces.
According to All Music Guide his worst album is "Gone Troppo". It received 1 of 5 stars! (afraid4). Is really that bad?
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Sgt. Pepper 45822 on April 19, 2008, 11:37:20 PM
I need to start listening to his solo stuff.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Geoff on April 20, 2008, 03:37:53 AM
Quote from: 713
According to All Music Guide his worst album is "Gone Troppo". It received 1 of 5 stars! (afraid4). Is really that bad?

It's not a great record, but I suspect much of the critical disdain for it comes from the fact that George used a lot of synthesizers on some of the tracks. Synths were popular in the early eighties, but "rock" critics often loathed them. I think "That's The Way It Goes" is a good song, and "Gone Troppo" is an okay novelty song that after all came from the guy who used to sing "Three Cool Cats" with The Beatles. The album also has "Circles," a song George first demo'd for The Beatles in 1968. I used to play this with Pete Townsend's All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes, which came out at about the same time. :)
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: tkitna on April 20, 2008, 03:40:53 AM
Quote from: 713
All Music Guide his worst album is "Gone Troppo". It received 1 of 5 stars! (afraid4). Is really that bad?

Yes

Its on the shelf right beside my copy of 'McCartney 2'.

Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: awc1967 on April 21, 2008, 05:55:05 AM
Quote from: 713
I have only 3 albums of George - C9, ATMP & Brainwashed. 3 masterpieces.
According to All Music Guide his worst album is "Gone Troppo". It received 1 of 5 stars! (afraid4). Is really that bad?
listen to the mystical one, it's very beautiful,   dream away was from the movie, time bandits, it's actually preety good too.
with each listen, it grows on you, actually it's one of my favorites, but I love them all.
It is the least favorite of George fans, but it's far from being bad.


 :)

Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on April 21, 2008, 03:26:52 PM
Quote from: 1161
I suspect much of the critical disdain for it comes from the fact that George used a lot of synthesizers on some of the tracks.
Thanks for explaining that, Geoff. I was mystified why this album got such lousy reviews when it is so much fun!

"That's The Way It Goes" gets you in the mood for a holiday, and "I Really Love You" gets you in the mood for silly. Now we can relax on our little traveling ship as we pass "Greece" and find we've "Gone Troppo", which is so much fun that George has to give a shout of glee at the end of it, which never fails to crack me up.

Frankly, I think the album holds together very well and I enjoy playing it more than, say, Dark Horse or Extra Texture. I also enjoy "Circles" and "Mystical One". His playful "Dream Away" should have been released to support the highly successful Time Bandits. If George had done so, I'm sure the single would have charted high. Somebody was asleep on the marketing switch over that one.

Quote from: 713
According to All Music Guide his worst album is "Gone Troppo". It received 1 of 5 stars! (afraid4). Is really that bad?
Notice also that they gave Electronic Sound 4 stars. Critics have their own way of viewing the world.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Geoff on April 21, 2008, 03:39:20 PM
Quote from: 551
Notice also that they gave Electronic Sound 4 stars. Critics have their own way of viewing the world.

Being a critic is like being a weather forecaster: nobody even notices when you're absurdly wrong; it's expected. ;)

Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: madman on May 13, 2008, 07:40:57 AM
Of the albums I've heard, "Living In The Material World" is the worst.  It bores me to tears.  

Not that "33 & 1/3" or "Extra Texture" are masterpieces; except for George's voice they sound pretty much like everything else that came out in the mid/late 70's.  But while they're not unique, they don't put me to sleep the way "Material World" does.

And I've never liked "Got My Mind Set On You"; ugh.  I get queasy just thinking about it.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on May 13, 2008, 04:26:07 PM
I hate "Got My Mind Set On You", too. I much prefer Weird Al's sendup-- you must play "This song's just six words long". Hilarious.

However, the rest of Cloud 9 is wonderful. Since it closes with GMMSOY you can easily avoid it.  
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: madman on May 14, 2008, 07:14:06 AM
Quote from: 551
I hate "Got My Mind Set On You", too. I much prefer Weird Al's sendup-- you must play "This song's just six words long". Hilarious.

However, the rest of Cloud 9 is wonderful. Since it closes with GMMSOY you can easily avoid it.  


I just listened to a clip of "This Song's..." on allmusic.com; that is funny.  I gotta find the whole thing.

I avoided "Cloud 9" just because I couldn't stand "Got My Mind Set On You"; maybe I should actually listen to it now and see if I like it!
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on May 14, 2008, 01:48:21 PM
I've generally been able to find it on YouTube with a search. The quality of those videos vary, but you can look away and at least hear all the clever lyrics. One of his best, I thought.

He also spoofed "Taxman" with "Pacman"- in that case do try to find the actual Al video, because the graphics are pretty funny. George liked Al's work (of course); I can imagine them accidentally meeting in a restaurant after Al did his spoof, and Al sliding under the table to hide. :)
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: madman on May 15, 2008, 07:36:02 AM
Quote from: 713
According to All Music Guide his worst album is "Gone Troppo". It received 1 of 5 stars! (afraid4). Is really that bad?

I just listened to it today, for the first time in a long time.  I don't think it's bad, it's just average.  All the songs share the same mellow mood, with lots of harmonized slide guitars, but there's nothing really remarkable about any of them.  

The only exceptions would be "Wake Up My Love', since that's the song with the most synths, and "Circles", which has a "bluesy" (for lack of a better word) feel to it.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Mellotroniac on May 18, 2008, 12:28:39 AM
Electronic Sound is by far the worst to me. If I knew albums like that could sell, I'd be rich along time ago.
The only other major turn off was the "George Harrison" album, something I don't like about perms.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Lana on June 06, 2008, 08:31:36 PM
 ??)  Well, in my most humble opinion, there is no such thing.  LOL.  I find something fantastic about each and every one of George's albums.  
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Geoff on June 06, 2008, 08:54:56 PM
Quote from: 1309
something I don't like about perms.

(afro)

They had these, too: poor buggers.  ;D
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on June 07, 2008, 08:24:37 PM
Quote from: 1309
The only other major turn off was the "George Harrison" album, something I don't like about perms.
Fortunately, you don't have to listen to the perm to enjoy the music. But I understand. I never liked the cover to the "Brainwashed" album, so I have to sort of avert my eyes when I play it.

Welcome to the forums, Lana!

Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: DarkSweetLady on June 08, 2008, 04:25:26 PM
I really don't think Gone Troppo is as bad as peoplesay it is. I mean not his best, but I like a few songs on it like Dream Away is so fun and Cirlces is good and Mystical One.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: NoNameR on October 31, 2008, 04:54:13 PM
Live in Japan because it's dull. Otherwise, it'd have been Dark Horse.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Jane on November 03, 2008, 08:49:07 PM
Quote from: 668
I really don't think Gone Troppo is as bad as peoplesay it is. I mean not his best, but I like a few songs on it like Dream Away is so fun and Cirlces is good and Mystical One.

Agree with you. I think the album is good and I like to listen to it from time to time. But Cloud 9 is fantastic for me, I just love it! And the more I listened to it the more I loved it. Now I adore it! It is one of the best albums for me of all, I never get tired of it, I get into it more and more, opening every sound.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: fercarv on November 04, 2008, 09:07:05 PM
I think the worst album by George is "Extra Texture" because I think it's really dull, his voice may sound bad in Dark Horse but the songs themselves aren't bad. I've heard George himself considered Extra Texture to be his worst album.

By the way, Somewhere In England is one of my favorite George albums and I can't understand why many people here don't like it (The rejected tracks are pretty good too).
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: tkitna on November 06, 2008, 02:22:47 AM
I just listened to 'Gone Troppo' again the other day to see if my opinion may have changed.

Nope, it still sucks.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: BlueMeanie on November 20, 2008, 07:23:30 AM
Some time back I won 33 1/3 in a quiz on another forum. Whilst I much appreciated the prize donated by the forum admin, it is an earth shatteringly poor and badly written album. I chose it because so many people seem to rate it highly, but I realised I was on to a loser as soon as the slap bass kicked in on the first track. Tell me what is supposed to be good about this album?
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Geoff on November 20, 2008, 04:09:42 PM
Quote from: 483
Some time back I won 33 1/3 in a quiz on another forum. Whilst I much appreciated the prize donated by the forum admin, it is an earth shatteringly poor and badly written album. Tell me what is supposed to be good about this album?

I like it for "This Song" and Crackerbox Palace" particularly, and also "True Love" and "Pure Smokey." "Beautiful Girl" just might be an old mid-sixties Beatles leftover, and "Dear One" is an interesting idea. Most of the rest is filler, and yeah, I'm probably too soft on him because he's an ex-Beatle. But there you are.  ;D

Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Bobber on November 21, 2008, 08:35:29 AM
Quote from: 483
Some time back I won 33 1/3 in a quiz on another forum. Whilst I much appreciated the prize donated by the forum admin, it is an earth shatteringly poor and badly written album. I chose it because so many people seem to rate it highly, but I realised I was on to a loser as soon as the slap bass kicked in on the first track. Tell me what is supposed to be good about this album?

You had better picked RAM.  ;D
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Kagome on January 10, 2009, 09:51:32 PM
I think Living in the Material world sucks worst than 33 1/3 Only one hit or good song on the Living in the Material World Album is Give me love Give Peace on Earth
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: on February 15, 2009, 05:13:11 AM
Somewhere in England, I think George subconsciously sabotaged it because the record company made him change the original.  After "All Those Years Ago" nothing good until "Save The World " Dark Horse & Extra Texture are way better in terms of songwriting and Gone Troppo is a fun, loose album.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: on February 15, 2009, 05:25:34 AM
Quote from: 483
Some time back I won 33 1/3 in a quiz on another forum. Whilst I much appreciated the prize donated by the forum admin, it is an earth shatteringly poor and badly written album. I chose it because so many people seem to rate it highly, but I realised I was on to a loser as soon as the slap bass kicked in on the first track. Tell me what is supposed to be good about this album?

Are you kidding?!  "Woman Don't You Cry For Me" kicks ass.  "This Song" is the funniest parody of the My Sweet Lord affair. "See Yourself" and "It's What You Value" are philosophies we all should follow.  "Learning How to Love You" is one of his best all-time ballads with a great acoustic guitar solo.

(Also, pre-MTV wonderfully produced videos of This Song and Crackerbox Palace at his home on F.P.H.O.T.)
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: BlueMeanie on February 15, 2009, 07:48:41 AM
Quote from: 1918

Are you kidding?!  

No! Even if you like it I don't know how you could possibly think it was THAT good.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: glass onion on February 16, 2009, 07:34:28 PM
"george harrison"is a cracking album in my opinion.i rate "blow away"as one of georges'very best songs,what lovely,lovely chord changes.however,i must say that "dark horse"is a dull album.dear old george-my fave beatle-the most honest,the funniest,cut-thru-the-bullsh*t.he was never topping all things must pass.nothing to be ashamed of though.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Gary910 on February 16, 2009, 09:33:42 PM
As George is may favorite Beatle, I do not think any of his albums were bad. There are some that do not hit the turntable or CD player very often. Those are Dark Horse and Extra Texture. This does not mean I think they are bad, in fact often when I listen to them, I remember that they are pretty good.

The hardest one to listen to is Electronic Sound. Even that one has some interesting moments.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Kevin on February 17, 2009, 10:31:56 AM
Quote from: 1918

Are you kidding?!  "Woman Don't You Cry For Me" kicks ass.  "This Song" is the funniest parody of the My Sweet Lord affair. "See Yourself" and "It's What You Value" are philosophies we all should follow.  "Learning How to Love You" is one of his best all-time ballads with a great acoustic guitar solo.

(Also, pre-MTV wonderfully produced videos of This Song and Crackerbox Palace at his home on F.P.H.O.T.)

Hello jimik3567 (if that is indeed your real name)
"Philosophies we all should follow" is officially the worst reason for recommending a rock song. There are a million christian rock albums chocker full of P.w.a.s.f. Race you to the store?
"This song ain't black or white and as far as I know
Don't infringe on anyone's copyright, so . . ."
Stop it George you're killing me. An old lady falling over on the pavement and all the tomotoes in her bag roll down the road - now THAT'S funny.
"Woman Don't You Cry For Me" kicks ass. Your use of the term "kick ass" convinces me that you and I will never agree on what constitutes a good tune, so all the power to you if that's what you hear.
And lets face it, people had been making "pre-MTV videos" for years before this.

Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: BlueMeanie on February 17, 2009, 12:37:39 PM
Oh my, love really is blind isn't it. Some albums are just sh*t, aren't they? Whoever they're by. I've been a huge fan of John Martyn for 33 years, but I'll readily admit that a few of his albums are utter sh*te. And no amount of love for his music will change that. Extra Texture really is rubbish, isn't it?
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on February 18, 2009, 03:46:18 AM
I'd have to say it's my least-favorite album as well. Most of George's albums have at least one song that shines for me and I'll say, "Hey, I've got to put that on again!" But ET didn't have a stand-out track for me (personal taste). According to Wiki:

Quote
Harrison himself would later designate the album as his worst.

Which brings me to my favorite topic-- critic bashing! They liked this one better than "Dark Horse", which I think is a more emotional album with better songs overall. And "Gone Troppo" was panned, which I think is indeed "a fun, loose album", as Jimik says. In fact, that's one of the ones I play most often, because it's so light-hearted.
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Andy Smith on May 15, 2009, 06:01:31 PM
why is Electronic Sounds not on here??
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on May 16, 2009, 02:08:43 AM
Hmm, good point. Perhaps because everyone realizes it's not a proper album. Was it marketed as one in the day?
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: DaveRam on May 16, 2009, 08:13:17 AM
I've been slowly getting into George over the last few years , my only real experience  of him for many years was All Things Must Pass .
All the albums i've heard from him thus far are not as good as ATMP .
But if you accept the fact he's not going to top that album and explore his other albums their is much to like and admire i find 33 1/3 , Cloud Nine and now Brainwashed to be on the whole quite satisfying albums .
Yes George does'nt have the best voice and his songwriting is  less than genius , but i'm finding him to be a very interesting artist there is something very ramshackle about his work which i like .
Not everything you listen too as to be five star classic album ?
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: harihead on May 16, 2009, 01:49:32 PM
I love that word: "ramshackle." Kind of a cool way to describe his work!

Yes, George is very laid back and random about his music. There's an air of "I'm just having fun here" that I really appreciate. He's more on the exploratory side than the ambitious end. I think that's why he never quite bothered to get Brainwashed together in his lifetime. It was all good-- it would get out sooner or later-- or not. He was mainly going to relax and enjoy the time he had left with his family-- a kind of priority and focus that appeals to me.

I'm glad you like the albums. Feel free to discuss them further; I enjoy hearing your opinions. Cheers!
Title: Re: George's Worst Album
Post by: Pegasus on May 16, 2009, 02:54:09 PM
For me it has to be "Dark Horse"

It was recorded at certainly one of the very  LOWEST points in George's post Beatles years...

His FIRST sign of health problems....during a USA Tour he got "Bleeding in the throat" & his voice started to crack up....leading towards his first brush with Cancer...he ended up filling shows with Instrumentals...to critical hammering !


Hence the opening "Jam like" Instrumental "Hari's on Tour"....hardly a very impressive start...

....and sadly George's clearly struggling  voice on songs like "Ding Dong Ding Dong" sounds quite AWFUL.... like he'd been swallowing Razor blades (Similar to Elton John  later on his "Live in Australia" album...when Elton also had a throat cancer scare....and Harry Nillsson on "girl privatecats" too...when he too had a Bad throat  !)

George's  first marriage to Patti had just collapsed...as she went off with his Best pal Eric Clapton...hence the weird revamp of The Everly's "Bye Bye Love"  - with odd unkind Parody Lyrics....

"So Sad" has exquisite heart rending guitar lines...but such an agonised vocal....so depressing...yet it's still a memorable song for the guitar lines alone...

 ...along with "Maya Love" & "Simply Shady" it's about all I can listen to on the album...tho' "Dark Horse" is not too bad either....

For me "Far East Man" sounds a total Mess...were they all drunk ? - it needs re-arranging & remixing at least...

The Album cover was weird too...George's  School pic I guess...but this was hardly likely to draw the Average music fan to it....was it ?

while a dis-interested serious looking George wearily slumped on a park Bench...looking like a tramp...hardly made for a good image....considering what say Paul with Wings, or John were doing at this time...

the Fact George then so quickly came back...when his throat was better...with "Extra Texture" - with a SMILING George depicted on the inner cover....suggests he too was keen to Re-establish his solo credentials after this sub standard effort...

others may dislike his other Albums...yet for me they each have their Strengths...yet "Dark Horse" sees George at a really Low point both Health wise & emotionally too...luckily he came through it....


The Album ...and it's single ('B' side was "I Don't Care Anymore"....how apt !) was er Mercilessly CRUCIFIED in the Rock Press at the time too....