DM's Beatles forums

Solo forums => George Harrison => Topic started by: DaveRam on September 02, 2009, 08:55:29 AM

Title: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 02, 2009, 08:55:29 AM
He may not have been mega successful like McCartney or been the critics darling like Lennon .
But i'm now eight solo albums into George's solo career and i think it was pretty excellent on the whole ?
There is a lot to admire about his solo work from the sublime "All Things Must Pass" to the frivolity "Gone Troppo"
Your thoughts please on solo George , how do you rate him ? 
I'm loving his solo work especially "Gone Troppo" it's my kind of album full of fun and very George , i now think he had the second best solo career out of The Beatles ?  :)
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Kevin on September 02, 2009, 09:08:59 AM
Sorry Dave, but apart from ATMP and Material World I find his work dull and uninspiring. Occassionally he rises to the dizzy heights of "nice" with an album like George Harrison. Some albums (ie Dark Horse) are just plain bad.
Whether his fragile confidence was destroyed by My Sweet Lord or if there wasn't that much their anyway I don't know.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 02, 2009, 05:32:05 PM
Sorry Dave, but apart from ATMP and Material World I find his work dull and uninspiring. Occassionally he rises to the dizzy heights of "nice" with an album like George Harrison. Some albums (ie Dark Horse) are just plain bad.
Whether his fragile confidence was destroyed by My Sweet Lord or if there wasn't that much their anyway I don't know.

I'm not finding him dull or uninspiring Kevin , he's a bit of a revelation to me especially on the album front a good half dozen of his albums i really like inparticular his 80's albums Somewhere in England , Gone Troppo and Cloud Nine and if you add the Travelling Wilburys first album it's a pretty cool decades worth of music ?
Gone Troppo is a real JOY, it's as mad as a bag of ferrets , it's a brilliant album ?
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: tkitna on September 02, 2009, 09:37:11 PM
First of all, 'Gone troppo' just flat out sucks,,,,period. Besides McCartney 2, its easily the worst solo effort of any of the Beatles.

Ok, now that I got that off of my shoulders, I like Georges solo output on the whole. I understand Kevins stance though too. One just doesnt slap on a Harrison album and get knocked out. I remember when I bought 'Extra Texture' and thought to myself, 'Man, this album sucks. Way to boring and depressing', but after about 10 listens, I loved it. George takes awhile to sink in unlike Pauls pop and melodies or Lennons meaningful songs whether about depression or love. I like him anyhow.

George would clock in around 3rd for the solo stuff in my world. Ringo's last 5 or 6 albums have been nothing short of awesome in my opinion so he gets the nod for 2nd. John still comes in last.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 03, 2009, 07:42:29 AM
I just can't equate McCartney 2 and Gonne Troppo in the same breath McCartney 2 as two good songs in Coming Up and Waterfalls , but Troppo is brilliant from start to finish .
Never heard Gone Troppo until recently , but i think it's a cracking 80's album much better than the dross i was listening to in the early 80's , it reminds me of XTC albums of the period ? it's quirky and a lot of fun .
Don't think George knew what he'd created with this album a couple of wacky music video's for the title track and Dream Away and he could have had a monster hit album on his hands , it was a real mistake not to promote this album .
I do agree George's albums take a few listens to get into , but when he's this cool it's worth the effort  8)

http://Dream Away (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ5WGwX4EpE#normal)

Gone Troppo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcoIQXp0-Ts#normal)
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 03, 2009, 08:30:51 AM
Don't think George's "Gone Troppo" is a million miles away from XTC's "Yacht Dance" ? from the English Settlement album also from  (1982)
Think George was very current with this album and it's sound , i can hear the quirky similarities between the two songs and respective albums ?

 XTC - Yacht Dance Live (Old Grey Whistle Test) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAaxZPjbrVQ#normal)
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Bobber on September 03, 2009, 08:38:12 AM
Although milder, I tend to agree with Kevin. I have always felt that George was largely repeating himself during his solocarreer. There's a couple of good songs on most of his albums, but the rest passes by without sticking to my mind.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 03, 2009, 09:06:46 AM
^^^^ And John and Paul did'nt repeat themselves  ?
I think in their respective solo careers they all developed a style which carried on from album to album .
Not much you can do to change a Beatles voice unless you have Yoko to balance it out  ;D
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Kevin on September 03, 2009, 10:54:49 AM
I shall endevour to listen to some of his stuff "without prejudice." Maybe he'll be kinder to my now older ears.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Bobber on September 03, 2009, 12:30:01 PM
^^^^ And John and Paul did'nt repeat themselves  ?
I think in their respective solo careers they all developed a style which carried on from album to album .
Not much you can do to change a Beatles voice unless you have Yoko to balance it out  ;D

I see more development in Pauls and even Johns output than in Georges. It's not just the voices.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 03, 2009, 12:51:20 PM
My top five George albums in order :

1. All Things Must Pass
2. Gonne Troppo
3. Somewhere In England
4. Brainwashed
5. Cloud Nine

I really do think George was very good in the 80's ? thats really surprised me . 
Two very solid albums in Somewhere In England and Cloud Nine  and one outstanding album in Gone Troppo .
When you consider his film productions and the Travelling Wilberys project as well as these three albums he had a very productive 80's ?
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 03, 2009, 01:08:29 PM
I see more development in Pauls and even Johns output than in Georges. It's not just the voices.

In some ways it's a bit unfair to compare George to John and Paul , Bobber he was not in the same league as them  very few artists are .
George to me is further down the list of music greats on a parr with someone like Cat Stevens although he's not like him , but that kind of middle range talent .
Thats not me putting him down , just think he's a different to John and Paul a lesser songwriter and singer but still very interesting in his own way ?
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Bobber on September 03, 2009, 08:02:56 PM
In some ways it's a bit unfair to compare George to John and Paul , Bobber he was not in the same league as them  very few artists are .
George to me is further down the list of music greats on a parr with someone like Cat Stevens although he's not like him , but that kind of middle range talent .
Thats not me putting him down , just think he's a different to John and Paul a lesser songwriter and singer but still very interesting in his own way ?
Erm, well, you compared George with McCartney and Lennon in the first place. ;D
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 03, 2009, 09:59:03 PM
Erm, well, you compared George with McCartney and Lennon in the first place. ;D

lol True i did , it is hard not to lump them together , but i do think it's a bit unfair to compare like for like as George is'nt a genius like John and Paul , just excellent  ;D
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Nelson_Wilbury on September 03, 2009, 11:59:03 PM
I prefer the 70's period. George got a determination to do his own kind of music, without influence of the "radio". And I think that he don't do the kind of songs that shame you when listen (OK, maybe 1 or 2) while John and Paul, maybe using his status, do some songs that everybody hate if they weren't former beatles.
Of course, together to these songs they write classics, but I think that, in average, George got a very much solid carreer.
This is not a competition, just the way that I see them.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: tkitna on September 04, 2009, 02:24:32 PM
I'm just beside myself that somebody can actually enjoy 'Gone Troppo'. I realize my opinion means absolutley nothing, but I thought the album would speak for itself.

2nd favorite George album Dave? Really? I like 'Wake Up My Love' because of the drum pattern, but thats it. Oh well, i'm glad you like it pal, but I cant side with you on this one.  ;D
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Kevin on September 04, 2009, 03:40:59 PM
Okay - I listened to the Gone Troppo songs. Like you Dave I was really into XTC, and I can see where you see the link. I still don't think george cuts it. The songs aren't that great and I always struggle with his weedy vocal.
Quirky it is. But to be honest it sounds more like a bad 10cc than a good XTC.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 04, 2009, 05:43:18 PM
I'm just beside myself that somebody can actually enjoy 'Gone Troppo'. I realize my opinion means absolutley nothing, but I thought the album would speak for itself.

2nd favorite George album Dave? Really? I like 'Wake Up My Love' because of the drum pattern, but thats it. Oh well, i'm glad you like it pal, but I cant side with you on this one.  ;D


It could well become my favourite tkitna it just sounds really fresh ,it's got a sunny feel to it , i like how the synths and guitar sound together .
I'm viewing it within the time it was made , as well as XTC i was into the Human League Dare era and Yazoo around 1982 , so i suppose that early synth pop sound is familiar to me and it as a feel of that .
It's kind of a nostalgic thing i would say .
Just great to hear an album i did'nt know until recently from that period with that quirky sound , it fits brilliantly with Dare (1981) and Upstairs At Eric's (1982) might do a tape of all three .
You can see the fact i liked Yazoo and The Human League in the early 80's i have wired taste or no taste in music  ;D
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 04, 2009, 06:02:53 PM
Okay - I listened to the Gone Troppo songs. Like you Dave I was really into XTC, and I can see where you see the link. I still don't think george cuts it. The songs aren't that great and I always struggle with his weedy vocal.
Quirky it is. But to be honest it sounds more like a bad 10cc than a good XTC.

I most admit Kevin the biggest hurdle i've had to jump getting into George is his voice , it did'nt sit easy on my ears he strains a lot , especially when he goe's out of his range .
But i just seem to have got used to his voice it's pleasant enough but not brilliant .
As i said to tkitna it might just be i find Gonne Troppo  nostalgic  8)
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Jane on September 04, 2009, 07:53:00 PM
I have always felt that George was largely repeating himself during his solocarreer.

This is correct. Unfortunately.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Jane on September 04, 2009, 07:58:14 PM
I'm just beside myself that somebody can actually enjoy 'Gone Troppo'.

I can understand DaveRam. And I too enjoy Gone Troppo. I don`t think it`s an absolute masterpiece as DaveRam considers it to be, but for me it is very good.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: tkitna on September 04, 2009, 08:17:11 PM
Dave and Jane,,,question for you both. Do you like McCartney 2 also? I'm just curious.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Whoeveriam on September 05, 2009, 12:43:10 AM
Somewhere in England is actually very good if you listen carefully, it's so stylistically unique. You can hear that it's George Harrison coming from a mile away.

Dave, I'd try looking for the four other (I think officially released) songs that were supposed to be on it before the record company sent it back...

Flying Hour: George Harrison Photographic Tribute (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGmtiqUmQKA#normal)

Gone Troppo is like Somewhere In England with summer fruits on it.





Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 05, 2009, 07:28:43 AM
Dave and Jane,,,question for you both. Do you like McCartney 2 also? I'm just curious.

No i think McCartney 2 is a load of rubbish , only Coming Up and Waterfalls are good .
Gone Troppo is much much better than McCartney 2 .
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 05, 2009, 07:41:33 AM
Somewhere in England is actually very good if you listen carefully, it's so stylistically unique. You can hear that it's George Harrison coming from a mile away.

Dave, I'd try looking for the four other (I think officially released) songs that were supposed to be on it before the record company sent it back...

Flying Hour: George Harrison Photographic Tribute ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGmtiqUmQKA#normal[/url])

Gone Troppo is like Somewhere In England with summer fruits on it.

Yes i tracked down these four missing tracks , they should have been included as bonus tracks on the reissue of Somewhere In England , why Tears Of The World was included on Thirty Three & 1/3 is a mystery to me it's not even from that albums era .
It should maybe have been issued as a double cd Somewhere In England the original release and George's version ?
But i agree the released album is very good .





Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: tkitna on September 05, 2009, 07:42:40 AM
I was just curious as I group them both together as being awful. I thought maybe it was the synth stuff that caught your ear, but if you hate Macca 2 then that must not be it totally.

Oh well, different tastes for different people I suppose (But #2 Dave,,,).
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 05, 2009, 07:47:17 AM
One Other thing i like about George's work is his lyrics , they are quit thoughtful ?
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 05, 2009, 08:05:26 AM
I was just curious as I group them both together as being awful. I thought maybe it was the synth stuff that caught your ear, but if you hate Macca 2 then that must not be it totally.

Oh well, different tastes for different people I suppose (But #2 Dave,,,).

McCartney 2 always sounds like a collection of demos to me , the synth sound on Troppo is more polished and more in keeping with the era i think .
In someways i can see Gone Troppo was maybe a bit of a throwaway album by George kind of an experiment , but i actually think he pulls off a quirky cool and very current album it's overall sound and playfulness is a breath of fresh air to my ears .
Where Paul was trying to be to cool with McCartney 2 , George just comes along with a synth based album which is very cool and i don't think he was even trying it's just so natural and  lots of fun  8)
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Jane on September 05, 2009, 06:13:18 PM
Dave and Jane,,,question for you both. Do you like McCartney 2 also? I'm just curious.

No, I don`t like it. Sorry.
Gone Troppo is very relaxing music, soothing and charming. I can listen to it again and again. It`s one of the best albums of this kind of music.   :)
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Penny Lane on September 13, 2009, 11:09:04 AM
I've been listening to George's ATMP album lately. It's absolutely marvelous....I feel very sorry some of the songs in there did not become Beatle songs.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: JimmyMcCullochFan on September 21, 2009, 06:47:45 AM
I've been listening to George's ATMP album lately. It's absolutely marvelous....I feel very sorry some of the songs in there did not become Beatle songs.


Agreed. ATMP and Brainwashed are my favorite records from George.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: DaveRam on September 21, 2009, 07:41:50 AM
Can't believe how much i'm getting into George's albums , poor Paul is'nt getting a look in these days not listening to him at all at the moment  :o
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Melack on October 02, 2009, 05:38:03 PM
"All Things Must Pass" is one of my favorite albums ever.

When it comes to Beatles solo albums it's up there with "Plastic Ono Band" and "Ram" for sure.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Melack on October 09, 2009, 06:16:56 PM
If you are gonna judge them from their highs, then "All Things Must Pass" is up there with "Ram" and "Plastic Ono Band" for sure.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: tkitna on October 09, 2009, 07:05:17 PM
'All Things Must Pass' surpasses RAM and Plastic Ono Band.

It is the greatest solo album.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Jai Guru Deva. on January 12, 2010, 09:23:17 PM
I have to say I'm really getting into George's solo stuff.  Being the daft Lennon lover that I am, I instantly turned to John when I wanted to hear Beatle solo music, but I had no idea I'd love George's music so much.  I think the fact that I'm quite a spiritual person connects me to his lyrics, as well as the sensations his music creates.
I only knew about 10 random George solo songs that I'd heard from random places, and everything that's on the Concert For George DVD.  I got Living In The Material World for Christmas 09, and I've only just managed to prise it from the speakers and listen to something else!  I can understand why some people can find George's solo music to be on quite a repetitive level, and possibly boring if it's not your thing, so I'm of course not condemning the opposite viewpoint!  But I personally enjoy Living In The Material World tremendously.  The track "Be Here Now" particularly stands out for me somehow.
I think I might just have to get my hands on a copy of All Things Must Pass.  Well done Georgie.   :)

xxx
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: breedofrandy on January 12, 2010, 09:41:27 PM
^I really enjoy a lot of George's music, I like All Things Must Pass quite a bit. I think he has a very calming way about his music. It really relaxes me to listen to his voice.  :) It's a lot different than listening to some of John's work. Not that I don't love John's work, I think I just like all of the Beatles solo efforts! I'm just different like that.  ha2ha
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Jai Guru Deva. on January 12, 2010, 10:18:44 PM
Each Beatle is very different in his solo music...  It gave each of them a chance to do absolutely anything they wanted, and the results were quite different, probably more different than Beatles fans were expecting. 
I think that's where it divides people into genre/style preferences, rather than which Beatle you like the most.  It doesn't take a genius to work out that I absolutely adore John, but if I'm honest, I think I prefer George's solo work, at least for now.  Perhaps I'll hear some John stuff that'll change my mind, but at the moment, George has my vote.   :)

xxx
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: MrsHarrison on January 13, 2010, 02:15:36 AM
I thought "All Things Must Pass" was fantastic. I got it for Christmas and I'm dying to get more of his albums. I never really got into the other Beatles' solo stuff, but George's I really like.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Jai Guru Deva. on February 08, 2010, 05:03:46 PM
I bought All Things Must Pass over the weekend, and I think it's great!  Another fine effort from Georgie.  There are some really heartfelt and emotion-evoking songs on there.  So far, although I'm by no means knowledgable about it yet, my faves are I'd Have You Anytime, My Sweet Lord, If Not For You, I Live For You, Beware Of Darkness and All Things Must Pass.  I knew a few of them already from the Concert For George, but everything's fantastic.  I like the jams too!  Especially Plug Me In.  Nice one Georgie.  :)
Oh, and I did have to laugh when I'd just bought the album and as we were leaving in the car, an Asda wagon rolled by us with "GEORGE" emblazoned massively on its side.  ;D

xxx
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: I_Will on February 08, 2010, 05:17:58 PM
I think that's where it divides people into genre/style preferences, rather than which Beatle you like the most.

This is totally true I think. However, it really just so happens that I tend to listen to music more similar to Paul's solo work haha. I really like most of John's solo stuff too, and some of George's. To be honest though, I haven't listened to most of it, but with the great reviews here I'll definitely have to give a listen!

(and as far as Ringo goes, I'm sorry, but I just don't really like him much as a lead vocalist)
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Jai Guru Deva. on February 09, 2010, 11:22:50 AM
That's why I'm not sure about getting into Ringo and Paul as solo artists.  I'm not sure Ringo's songs will resonate with me, not because of his singing, I don't know.  I saw "Y Not" in HMV yesterday and it made me laugh, and then I felt bad.  :P
And I'm guessing Paul's music is quite pop orientated?  I do prefer something a bit different.  I keep getting tempted to buy his latest DVD though.  I'm sure it follows me every time I go in HMV  ;D

xxx
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: I_Will on February 09, 2010, 02:21:52 PM
^^A lot of Paul's music (much like his music with The Beatles) actually spans a bunch of different genres. There are actually a lot of rock numbers and some poppier ones, and other random sorts as well.

I also can't listen to Ringo's because I'm sorry, but his lyrics are so cheesy.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Jai Guru Deva. on February 09, 2010, 03:12:27 PM
Bless Ringo  :D
That's cool about Paul.  I might check out some Wings when I don't already have a massive pile of CDs to listen to.  :P
I'd advise you to check out George's stuff though, some of it's just fantastic.  I'm so glad I took the chance  :)

xxx
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: dbone828 on June 22, 2010, 01:14:32 AM
George is easily my favourite Beatle, which is a combination of elements:

He is easily overlooked by Lennon and McCartney, so he is somewhat of a hidden gem. You can argue all you want about who has the best solo career (he would be my pick), but it's hard to argue that he doesn't have the most interesting solo career. He's the underdog. I love rooting for the underdog. And he has an underdog story.

Known as the "Quiet Beatle," living in the shadows of the great Lennon and McCartney, being limited to 2 songs per album (thus building up a stockpile of songs to be used for a later date). Although he was behind Lennon & McCartney at the beginning of their songwriting career, he catches up to them, and passes them by having the best songs from The White Album and Abbey Road, and finally, is allowed to have one of his compositions released as a single (but not without a Lennon composition to be its double A-side), all the while composing the soundtrack for a movie (and becoming the first Beatle to put out a solo album).

Once the Beatles break up, he uses his stockpiled songs and puts out a TRIPLE album of material, All Things Must Pass, containing the first #1 single by a solo Beatle ("My Sweet Lord"), and becoming the first to be nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys, with what remains to this day the biggest-selling solo album of any of the Beatles.

Along with a little help from some of his friends (including Ringo, but no John or Paul), he brought life to the concept of an all-star benefit concert with the legendary Concert for Bangladesh, winning the Grammy for Album of the Year (also the first ex-Beatle to do so).

With his follow-up studio album Living in the Material World, George topped both the album charts, and the singles charts with his lead "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" (knocking Paul McCartney's "My Love" off the top).

Perhaps at this point, George no longer seemed to be the "overlooked" or "breakout" Beatle, put instead the "lucky" one, as critics began to dismiss his musical output.  This didn't stop fans from buying his records (or radio stations from playing his tunes), and by the end of the '70s, had produced eight Gold records, and ten Top 40 hits, all the while producing and writing songs for other artists, such as Cream, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Joe Cocker, Badfinger, Cilla Black, Jackie Lomax, the Radha Krishna Temple, Lou & Derek Van Eaton, the Shankar family, Splinter, the Remo Four, and Monty Python.

His success may seemed to have slowed a bit in the '80s, yet looking back, one can see a still successful artist at the time. Although his next two albums became his first and second studio albums to go without a Gold record, they still produced a #2 hit ("All Those Years Ago," his tribute to his late ex-bandmate John Lennon), and two more singles that charted, but failed to make the Top 40. He also contributed again to a lot to soundtracks, such as Time Bandits, Shanghai Surprise, as well as sequels to Porky's and later, Lethal Weapon.

In 1987, after a brief hiatus, George released Cloud Nine, his first Platinum album which contained a handful of hits: "When We Was Fab," "This Is Love," "Devil's Radio," "Cloud 9," and his version of "Got My Mind Set on You," which became the last hit single by any of the Beatles to make #1.  The album was a huge success, both commercially and critically, being regarded easily as his best output since All Things Must Pass.  Sadly, the album was Harrison's last solo record of new material released during his lifetime.

While recording a B-side to "This Is Love" in 1988 with guest musicians Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne, Harrison ended up forming a supergroup known as the Traveling Wilburys, and put out two albums, selling 4 million copies, gathering hit singles and multiple Grammy award nominations along the way.

Before his death in 2001 at age 58, Harrison had been recording material for a new album, which would be released under the title Brainwashed nearly a year later. It earned several Grammy nominations, and even gave Harrison a posthumous win (for the instrumental "Marwa Blues").

Well, by the time I had finished writing, I realized it was too much. Oh well. Here's to George!
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: dbone828 on June 22, 2010, 01:19:24 AM
Bless Ringo  :D
That's cool about Paul.  I might check out some Wings when I don't already have a massive pile of CDs to listen to.  :P
I'd advise you to check out George's stuff though, some of it's just fantastic.  I'm so glad I took the chance  :)

xxx
His Wingspan: Hits and History is an excellent starting point, containing not only his mega hits, but also a great sampling of his lesser-known gems from his early solo career. But if you're not into greatest hits compilations, check out Band on the Run. A brilliant album which showcases some more of his experimental (yet successful) material.

His recent music is also quite good too (Flaming Pie, Driving Rain, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, Flaming Pie), but I wouldn't recommend starting there (although by brother-in-law started there, and absolutely loves it)
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: tkitna on June 22, 2010, 01:45:59 AM
RAM is where one should start with Paul. Besides 'ATMP' this is the best solo album.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Kevin on June 22, 2010, 08:36:40 AM
George is easily my favourite Beatle...........
 ........ it's hard to argue that he doesn't have the most interesting solo career.

Sorry, but no it's not.
I find Lennons bizarre lifestyle with Yoko, the move to America, his political activities, the "lost weekend", reconciliation, retirement and murder far more interesting than boring old George. That's not to say you have to though.
I like the way you cherry pick your evidence of Georgwe's "greatness." No mention of being found guilty of plagirism with his only #1 hit. No mention of the disastrous tour or ten years of albums and singles that barely dented the top 50.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: dbone828 on June 23, 2010, 03:27:06 AM
Sorry, but no it's not.
I find Lennons bizarre lifestyle with Yoko, the move to America, his political activities, the "lost weekend", reconciliation, retirement and murder far more interesting than boring old George. That's not to say you have to though.
I like the way you cherry pick your evidence of Georgwe's "greatness." No mention of being found guilty of plagirism with his only #1 hit. No mention of the disastrous tour or ten years of albums and singles that barely dented the top 50.
You make a good point. Perhaps my article was a bit lop-sided.

Although, it isn't just his ups that make George Harrison's solo career interesting for me (although they do outweigh his weaknesses for me).  No, he is not a perfect recording artist, but no recording artist is. They all have found points where they weren't selling as much as they used to, had something that didn't even break even in returns, had creative droughts, or embarrassing legal matters.  All of the Beatles went through these troubles.

Mind you, when I am trying to sell an artist to someone, I'm going to tell of their successes, or what makes them an incredible artist. I'm not going to say: "Oh, you know that funky Indian song that was the least-catchy bit on Sgt. Pepper? Oh and that Indian song from Revolver? Yeah, George Harrison wrote those. His first album was even more Indian music! And his second one was just him practicing using some weird instrument called a Moog or Boog or something. Anoooyyying. Don't bother listening to anything he put out after All Things Must Pass--which would be a good album except it has that awful disc full of jam sessions--oh, and that was his best album, so yeah, don't bother listening to anything that he put out after that. Oh, and he doesn't really write his own music. He steals it. All of it. Well, at least the one and only song that ever sold anything....nothing else he put out that he actually wrote himself was any good. Also, one of his albums was so terrible his producers made him replace almost half of the songs...and it still flopped! And then he put out Gone Troppo, which is the worst album any of the Beatles ever released, even worse than those experimental naked albums John put out with Yoko. There was even a time frame when George didn't have a top 40 hit! But that's okay, because it probably would have hogged radio airtime from Paul McCartney's frog song. What a classic! The only reason Cloud Nine sold anything is because of Jeff Lynne's production and Elton John played the piano. Oh, I almost forgot, you know those sweet guitar solos on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "My Sweet Lord"? Eric Clapton had to play those for him, cause George Harrison is one of the worst guitarists, and by far the least talented Beatle! And his mustache is ugly."

I have learned over the years to market the stronger points of something to get people interested, because even if you have something amazing, if all you point out are the flaws, disregarding its strengths, nobody will have any interest in checking it out.  This is the reason they put out "Best Of" albums, not "Worst Of" albums, or "The Average Of" albums, or even "The Best & Worst of" albums.

I will agree with you though that depending on their perspective, one could make a strong argument that any one of the Beatles has the most interesting career.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Kevin on June 23, 2010, 08:07:59 AM
^ Hi dbone828. Excellent post, and points well made. I'm liking you a lot.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: tkitna on June 23, 2010, 08:21:29 AM
^ Hi dbone828. Excellent post, and points well made. I'm liking you a lot.

Yeah, some decent swagger in that post. I'll give it an 8.5. Would have scored higher, but there wasnt any name calling or swearing.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: tkitna on June 23, 2010, 08:27:37 AM
Oh, one other thing to mention. Being that this is a Beatle board, you dont really need to sell George. He's been sold to death around here (as have the others). They've all been sold so often that sometimes a reality check is in need. Negative remarks can confuse people though (members, fans). Thats alright. They werent perfect and its ok to say so every now and then. I know I do.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: dbone828 on June 23, 2010, 07:35:59 PM
^ Hi dbone828. Excellent post, and points well made. I'm liking you a lot.
ha2ha You're a good sport :)
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: dbone828 on June 23, 2010, 07:40:42 PM
Yeah, some decent swagger in that post. I'll give it an 8.5. Would have scored higher, but there wasnt any name calling or swearing.
Nah, you don't have to worry about that from me ;)
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: dbone828 on June 23, 2010, 08:06:46 PM
Oh, one other thing to mention. Being that this is a Beatle board, you dont really need to sell George. He's been sold to death around here (as have the others). They've all been sold so often that sometimes a reality check is in need. Negative remarks can confuse people though (members, fans). Thats alright. They werent perfect and its ok to say so every now and then. I know I do.
I'll keep that in mind! ;D
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: glass onion on November 01, 2010, 10:09:19 AM
i like george,we all do here-all things must pass is in the top 2 or 3 beatle solo albums-without doubt.i have never been so inspired musically than when i sat and listened to atmp.a real gem of an album.however...........even on 'living in the material world'george did start to show the signs that would kind of dog the rest of his solo career-basically,some pretty mediocre boring songs.now that is not to say i don't like georges' solo stuff,far from it.i love atmp-material world-george harrison-all good albums.

the thing with george really is that a mediocre song sang with an average voice is gonna get you found out in the end-even the most ardent beatle fan must surely find 'dark horse' hard work?he had been ill there,granted.but even though......

he still came good at times,the wilburys stuff is o.k,not sure about gone troppo,brainwashed is an o.k album.george was both lucky and unlucky in the fact that during the beatle days his work was overshadowed so much until the latter days.all the quality material he had for atmp was maybe a 'george harrison quality song overload' and he could have kept some stuff aside for an equally fantastic follow up album and kept atmp as a single album?this is digressing,and you cannot take anything away from the double set.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Kevin on November 01, 2010, 10:45:48 AM
.all the quality material he had for atmp was maybe a 'george harrison quality song overload' and he could have kept some stuff aside for an equally fantastic follow up album and kept atmp as a single album?this is digressing,and you cannot take anything away from the double set.


Yep - the oft quoted Third Album Syndrome. The first album is all the good stuff saved up over the years. The second album is all the leftovers, never quite as good as the first, but generally well recieved. Then The Dreaded Third - all new material and a new direction required. You can't get away with it sounding "just like the other one" anymore.  Tis the fence most horses fall at, even Dark ones.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: glass onion on November 01, 2010, 07:45:23 PM
the other thing i read about george somewhere was a real good point about the religious songs he wrote,and the fact that he could appear to be preaching-something he also did in interviews,he would just go off onto one of his 'krishna passages' and really lay it on thick-sometimes to people who were interviewing him who would not have a clue at the point he would be making.and i find that, with some of georges' songs about god-i am not knocking religion(somebody famous once said that),but i am not interested.so when you have an average tune sang in an average voice about a subject you aren't interested in......it can be a turn-off point.some of his songs on this subject are nice tunes,some others not so good.it is something he became well known for,but maybe it hindered some of georges' creativity and he was almost blinded.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Jema on February 20, 2011, 01:56:04 AM
I really love George's solo work,I also love everything he did while he was a Beatle.I think his voice is beautiful and he's my second favorite solo Beatle,my first is John.I only have two albums of George though,I really want to get more.The two I have are All Things Must Pass and Brainwashed.The next one I want to get is Living In The Material World.Oh,and by the way I just want to say right now I'm listening to "Deep Blue" by George :D
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: dbone828 on March 30, 2011, 06:52:23 AM
I really love George's solo work,I also love everything he did while he was a Beatle.I think his voice is beautiful and he's my second favorite solo Beatle,my first is John.I only have two albums of George though,I really want to get more.The two I have are All Things Must Pass and Brainwashed.The next one I want to get is Living In The Material World.Oh,and by the way I just want to say right now I'm listening to "Deep Blue" by George :D
Excellent choices. Have you heard any of his other albums? If not, I would recommend checking out (in the following order): George Harrison, Cloud Nine, then Thirty-Three & 1/3. To me, those (along with the three you mentioned) are his essential studio albums that I enjoy most of, if not all of the songs from. After that, I feel the rest of his studio albums contain some gems, but there are a lot of clunkers as well. My preferred listening order tends to be Extra Texture (I enjoy 7/10 songs), then Gone Troppo (6/10), then Somewhere in England (6/10), followed lastly by Dark Horse (5/9)
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Hombre_de_ningun_lugar on March 30, 2011, 08:31:34 PM
I like his first four post-Beatles solo albums. About his 80's stuff, I think it sucked as most music from that decade.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: PaulRamon on April 13, 2011, 08:22:37 PM
    This is George's complete solo album discography  :

    1968: Wonderwall Music
    1969: Electronic Sound
    1970: All Things Must Pass
    1971: Concert for Bangla Desh -Live (With Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton & friends)
    1973: Living in the Material World
    1974: Dark Horse
    1975: Extra Texture
    1976: Thirty Three & 1/3
    1979: George Harrison
    1981: Somewhere in England
    1982: Gone Troppo
    1987: Cloud Nine
    1988: Traveling Wilburys Vol.1 (With Petty, Dylan, Orbinson & Lynne)
    1990: Traveling Wilburys Vol.3 (With Petty, Dylan & Lynne)
    1992: Live in Japan  (With Eric Clapton & his band)
    2002: Brainwashed


    Here are my personal favorite studio albums in a ranking order:

    01.  All Things Must Pass
    02.  Cloud Nine
    03.  Thirty Three & 1/3
    04.  Living in the Material World
    05.  Brainwashed
    06.  George Harrison
    07.  Somewhere in England
    08.  Extra Texture
    09.  Gone Troppo
    10.  Dark Horse

    Wonderwall Music is a nice attempt in film soundtrack but not more.
    Electronic Sound is like playing  with a new toy (moog synth) at the studio-kindergarden..... ;D
    The Traveling Wilburys albums are absolute brilliant stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Both Live recordings are well done concerts, the more interesting one is "Bangla Desh" 'cause of the different musicians playing on it!

    I really love the music of George Harrison!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Edit: Spelling
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: Mr Mustard on June 02, 2011, 01:22:22 AM
Being Brainwashed  ;) with all things Beatle, I make it my business to own every solo and post Beatles recording by each of the four ex fabs. With regard to George's output... well, like each of the other three he had a chequered career and there are undoubtedly a few duff albums and a few gems.

Thirty Three & 1/3 is surely one of the most underrated solo efforts... Crackerbox Palace, This Song, and in particular the gorgeous Beautiful Girl are outstanding tracks for me. Pleasingly, this 1976 album set in motion a run of refreshingly good releases from the Quiet One: George Harrison, Somewhere In England, the less impressive but quirky and somewhat underrated Gone Troppo and especially the fabulous Cloud Nine (probably my favourite Harrison album outside of the compilations)... these all easily outstrip the downright turgid and almost depressing early/mid 70's efforts Living In the Material World and the truly awful Dark Horse and Extra Texture.

And now for the controversial bit (let me take a deep breath and put on my hard hat)... All Things Must Pass is for me the most overblown, self indulgent and overrated solo Beatle album of them all. There just isn't enough quality material to fill a double, let alone triple album... indeed whittling it down to a single LP it would still be patchy and partly made up of filler to my mind. Why does everyone rave about it? Plagiarism lawsuits aside, My Sweet Lord is terrific and The Art Of Dying is sublime. If Not For You is OK I suppose - but then any Dylan song sounds OK so long as someone else other than Dylan himself is singing it. Sorry, but beyond that I'm really struggling with ATMP.... how this myth developed about a surfeit of quality material being held back to finally appear as some avalanche of brilliance for his glorious debut - nope, never bought into that, sorry.

As for Wonderwall Music - I don't believe George even plays on it does he? In which case it's no more of a solo album than The Family Way - a Beatle penned soundtrack performed by others.
Title: Re: George - His Excellent Solo Career ?
Post by: tkitna on June 02, 2011, 06:28:42 AM
I like Extra Texture and believe it or not, I like every song on ATMP (barring the jams). I dont know, the album just speaks to me for some reason and I consider it the best solo effort by any of them.

To each his own.