Overrated.

[Kevin]

Ok-here we go.
I think George, as an artist, is somewhat overrated. He came up with a handful of good songs while a Beatle. And please don't say that's because Paul and John stifled him. Look at All Things Must Pass- the best songs he'd been saving up and at best its an OK album (noone but an ardent Beatles fan would put it in their top 50) then its downhill from there (Extratexture, 331/3, Darkhorse are just plain ordinary).
As a vocalist he's mediocre-check him out live on Bangladesh-he struggles to hold a note. None of his Beatle vocals are exceptional (again at best he's OK, but no range, no emotion).
And as a guitar player-what does he do that Paul (and a million others) can't?
Alright-let me have it!

[Bruno]

ATMP is an awesome album and the title song is far from being the only good  number. My Sweet Lord, Isnt A Pity, Apple Scruffs, Beware of Darkness, The Art of Dying... it's easily one of the best albums by a former beatle.
I do agree that the following albums weren't as good as the first one but they have good songs. Cloud Nine is a pretty good album.

[Kevin]

. it's easily one of the best albums by a former beatle.
I do agree that the following albums weren't as good as the first one but they have good songs. Cloud Nine is a pretty good album.

Agreed-but the competition ain't that good is it?
I think "pretty good" pretty well sums it up

[Mairi]

Only somewhat overrated. Sadly, he was not paid much attention when he was alive as when he was dead. And now, just like John, people tend to put him up on a pedestal.
That's not to say that George hasn't written some killer songs.

[Fried_Chicken]

hes not overrated

[tkitna]

I think 'All Things Must Pass' is pretty close to a masterpiece and easily the greatest Beatle solo effort out there. 'Brainwashed' is also incredible. I think George plays lead with alot more conviction and feeling than Paul ever did. I feel he was underated if anything.

[Herecomesyoursun]

All things Must Pass is the greatest Beatle solo record in my opinion.

[Kevin]

Man, I was expecting a TORRENT of abuse.
Do I have to turn into a Dirke to stir you guys up?
Oh well.  

[DayTripper]

no range, no EMOTION? oh god, who says a voice needs to be perfect to be good?? george is one of the most emotional singers i can think of! how is he overated? he gets little recognition as it is. oh my. his voice is wonderful, flaws give character. perhaps he is not the most technical guitarist around, but george guitar solos are so beautiful, and so characteristic of george, his guitar was his way of putting into the beatles when he wasnt singing, they might have been able to limit his vocal time......but he sings through his guitar, i hear it in ever song.

[Kevin]

no range, no EMOTION? oh god, who says a voice needs to be perfect to be good?? george is one of the most emotional singers i can think of

Sorry mate, can't hear it. I listen to While My guitar..., Here Comes...., Something, and I hear someone doing, at best, an OK job. Imagine Paul singing Something! Then we'd be talking.

[Kevin]

, but george guitar solos are so beautiful,

Examples please (Beatle stuff only for now)

[Bruno]

Drive My Car, Let It Be, Hey Bulldog, Nowhere Man....

[Kevin]

Drive My Car, Let It Be, Hey Bulldog, Nowhere Man....

I'm not saying he isn't a good guitarist, I just don't think he can be mentioned in the same breath as hendrix, Jimmy Page, Clapton, van halen, Joe Walsh....

I don't think a non-Beatle person would hear those and go "wow, check out that guitar...

[Indica]

A solo isn't always about the complexity.
I always get bugged by the wave of chessnut Lead Guitarists...Clapton, Hendrix, Townshend, Page etc etc
Yeah, they are some of the greatest out there...but Solo's arent always about how many bends and hammer ons etc etc..thats not what its about..at all...thats only the case now, becasue of Hard Rock/Metal..which seems to have stamped its authority on the definitive Guitar Solo.

I Want You.... Solo (Lennon)..amazing..maybe not technically the greatest ever...but its what you feel when listening to it, what it gets across...what it stands for.

[Kevin]

...but Solo's arent always about how many bends and hammer ons etc etc..thats not what its about..at all...thats only the case now, becasue of Hard Rock/Metal..which seems to have stamped its authority on the definitive Guitar Solo.

.

Agreed. I used to be a MAJOR Neil Young Freak-he's work on Hurricane is probably my favourite ever (and I admit to not being a guitar man-all a bit macho for me).
I'll have a good listen to George at the weekend and come back on this.