George Harrison (album)
Encyclopedia
George Harrison is the eponymous album release by George Harrison
in 1979. It was recorded during a period of domestic happiness in which Harrison married Olivia Trinidad Arias
and his son Dhani
was born.
s release, he had not started recording a follow-up until mid-1978, although he had been writing songs during his hiatus. Teaming up with a co-producer for the first time in years, Harrison decided to use Russ Titelman
to help realize the music for George Harrison, which was recorded at his home studio, entitled Friar Park
, with string overdubs being effected at London's AIR Studios. Special guests included Steve Winwood
, Gary Wright
(who co-wrote "If You Believe") and Eric Clapton
.
The album was previewed by the single "Blow Away
", which reached #51 in the United Kingdom and #16 in the United States. George Harrison received positive reviews upon its February 1979 release. It reached #39 in the UK and it peaked at #14 in the US, going gold. "Blow Away" as a single was also successful in Canada, peaking at #7 on the singles chart. Harrison's increasing efforts, however, were being directed towards the film industry, having formed Handmade Films
in order to help his friends in Monty Python
complete Life of Brian.
Three of the songs from the eponymous album were included on Harrison's Best of Dark Horse 1976–1989 compilation: "Blow Away," "Here Comes the Moon," and the single edit version of "Love Comes to Everyone." "Blow Away" was also included in the career-spanning compilation Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison
.
In 2004, George Harrison was remastered and reissued both separately and as part of the deluxe box set The Dark Horse Years 1976-1992
on Dark Horse
with new distribution by EMI
, adding the bonus track demo version of "Here Comes the Moon", recorded just after it was written in Hawaii
.
For the 2004 digitally remastered issue of George Harrison a bonus track
was added:
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
in 1979. It was recorded during a period of domestic happiness in which Harrison married Olivia Trinidad Arias
Olivia Trinidad Arias
Olivia Trinidad Arias , a.k.a. Olivia Harrison, is the widow of George Harrison, former member of The Beatles. They were married on September 2, 1978 and had one son together, Dhani Harrison.-Biography:...
and his son Dhani
Dhani Harrison
Dhani Harrison is an English musician and the son of George Harrison of The Beatles and Olivia Harrison. Harrison debuted as a professional musician when completing his father's final album Brainwashed after George Harrison's death in November 2001...
was born.
History
With Harrison's penchant for leisure and travel following Thirty Three & 1/3Thirty Three & 1/3
Thirty Three & 1/3 is an album by George Harrison released in 1976. As his first release on his Dark Horse Records label, Thirty Three & 1/3 was beset with misfortune during its production, yet Harrison still managed to deliver one of his most celebrated albums.-Background:After satisfying his EMI...
s release, he had not started recording a follow-up until mid-1978, although he had been writing songs during his hiatus. Teaming up with a co-producer for the first time in years, Harrison decided to use Russ Titelman
Russ Titelman
Russ Titelman is an American record producer and songwriter. He has to date won three Grammy Awards. He earned his first producing the Steve Winwood song "Higher Love", and his second and third for Eric Clapton's Journeyman and Unplugged albums...
to help realize the music for George Harrison, which was recorded at his home studio, entitled Friar Park
Friar Park
Friar Park is the 120-room Victorian neo-Gothic mansion previously owned by the eccentric Sir Frank Crisp in Henley-on-Thames and bought by the musician George Harrison in 1970, as he left his former home Kinfauns, in Esher.-History:...
, with string overdubs being effected at London's AIR Studios. Special guests included Steve Winwood
Steve Winwood
Stephen Lawrence "Steve" Winwood is an English international recording artist whose career spans nearly 50 years. He is a songwriter and a musician whose genres include soul music , R&B, rock, blues-rock, pop-rock, and jazz...
, Gary Wright
Gary Wright
Gary Malcolm Wright is an American musician, best known for his song, "Dream Weaver". He was the piano player on Harry Nilsson's version of "Without You".-Early life:...
(who co-wrote "If You Believe") and Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
.
The album was previewed by the single "Blow Away
Blow Away
"Blow Away" was a 1979 hit single by George Harrison, taken from his eponymous album. The song is one of Harrison's most popular and beloved post-Apple singles, but also one of the simplest. Its uptempo pop sound fell far outside of the dominant genres of the era, disco and punk...
", which reached #51 in the United Kingdom and #16 in the United States. George Harrison received positive reviews upon its February 1979 release. It reached #39 in the UK and it peaked at #14 in the US, going gold. "Blow Away" as a single was also successful in Canada, peaking at #7 on the singles chart. Harrison's increasing efforts, however, were being directed towards the film industry, having formed Handmade Films
Handmade Films
HandMade Films is a British film production and distribution company. Through a series of sales, and acquisitions, the company now known as Handmade Plc owns all the rights and assets of the original HandMade Films Ltd...
in order to help his friends in Monty Python
Monty Python
Monty Python was a British surreal comedy group who created their influential Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series...
complete Life of Brian.
Three of the songs from the eponymous album were included on Harrison's Best of Dark Horse 1976–1989 compilation: "Blow Away," "Here Comes the Moon," and the single edit version of "Love Comes to Everyone." "Blow Away" was also included in the career-spanning compilation Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison
Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison
Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison is the third compilation of George Harrison's music, and the first to span his entire solo career after The Beatles era...
.
In 2004, George Harrison was remastered and reissued both separately and as part of the deluxe box set The Dark Horse Years 1976-1992
The Dark Horse Years 1976-1992
The Dark Horse Years 1976–1992 is a box set of albums by George Harrison released in 2004. Comprising all of the output on his Dark Horse Records label, the set encompasses his studio albums from 1976's Thirty Three & 1/3 to 1987's Cloud Nine with bonus tracks, while 1992's Live in Japan features a...
on Dark Horse
Dark Horse Records
Dark Horse Records is a record label founded by George Harrison in 1974.-History:Harrison had recorded for EMI under a contract which expired in 1976. All his subsequent recordings were released through Dark Horse Records, starting with Thirty Three & 1/3 in 1976 and ending with Live in Japan in 1992...
with new distribution by EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, adding the bonus track demo version of "Here Comes the Moon", recorded just after it was written in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
The cover
The original LP featured a close-up photograph of Harrison, taken by Mike Salisbury, with the album's name printed in brown in the top right corner. For the 2004 CD-remaster, the same picture was used but with different lettering. The brown title was erased, and Harrison's signature in white was added to the top left corner.Side One
- "Love Comes to EveryoneLove Comes to Everyone"Love Comes to Everyone" is a 1979 song by George Harrison, from his eponymous album George Harrison. It was issued as the second single of the album.-History:...
" – 4:36- Guitar intro played by Eric ClaptonEric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
, who later covered the song on his 2005 album Back HomeBack Home (Eric Clapton album)Back Home is a studio album by British guitarist-singer-songwriter Eric Clapton. It was released 29 August 2005 internationally and a day later in the US. It is his first album featuring new, original material since Reptile , as the previous release Me and Mr...
. - The song was performed live only once, during Harrison's Japanese tour in December 1991.
- Guitar intro played by Eric Clapton
- "Not GuiltyNot Guilty (song)"Not Guilty" is a song written by George Harrison. It is featured on his 1979 album titled George Harrison and on The Beatles' Anthology 3 album...
" – 3:35- Originally written by Harrison/recorded with The BeatlesThe BeatlesThe Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
in 1968 for The White AlbumThe Beatles (album)The Beatles is the ninth official album by the English rock group The Beatles, a double album released in 1968. It is also commonly known as "The White Album" as it has no graphics or text other than the band's name embossed on its plain white sleeve.The album was written and recorded during a...
; however, it was not included.
- Originally written by Harrison/recorded with The Beatles
- "Here Comes the Moon" – 4:48
- A lyrical successor to Harrison's 1969 composition "Here Comes the SunHere Comes the Sun"Here Comes the Sun" is a song by George Harrison from The Beatles' 1969 album Abbey Road. It is regarded as one of the most popular Beatles songs. The song was written while Harrison was away from all of these troubles...
".
- A lyrical successor to Harrison's 1969 composition "Here Comes the Sun
- "Soft-Hearted Hana" – 4:03
- Written about a psychedelic mushroomPsychedelic mushroomPsilocybin mushrooms are fungi that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. There are multiple colloquial terms for psilocybin mushrooms, the most common being shrooms or magic mushrooms....
experience Harrison had in MauiMauiThe island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
. - Incorporates actual atmosphere from Harrison's local Henley-on-ThamesHenley-on-ThamesHenley-on-Thames is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, England, about 10 miles downstream and north-east from Reading, 10 miles upstream and west from Maidenhead...
pub, "The Row Barge". - The title is a reference to the Tin Pan Alley song "Hard Hearted Hannah".
- Written about a psychedelic mushroom
- "Blow AwayBlow Away"Blow Away" was a 1979 hit single by George Harrison, taken from his eponymous album. The song is one of Harrison's most popular and beloved post-Apple singles, but also one of the simplest. Its uptempo pop sound fell far outside of the dominant genres of the era, disco and punk...
" – 4:00
Side Two
- "FasterFaster (George Harrison song)"Faster" is the third single from George Harrison's 1979 eponymous album George Harrison. Faster begins the second side of the LP, and is the sixth track on the CD...
" – 4:46- Incorporates actual racing sound effects from the British Grand Prix1978 British Grand PrixThe 1978 British Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on 16 July 1978 at Brands Hatch.-Report:Lotus took the front row, with Ronnie Peterson beating Mario Andretti to pole, with Jody Scheckter next up on the second row. Andretti took the lead at the start from Peterson, and the two Lotus cars...
on 16 July 1978.
- Incorporates actual racing sound effects from the British Grand Prix
- "Dark Sweet Lady" – 3:22
- "Your Love Is Forever" – 3:45
- "Soft Touch" – 3:59
- "If You Believe" (Harrison/Gary WrightGary WrightGary Malcolm Wright is an American musician, best known for his song, "Dream Weaver". He was the piano player on Harry Nilsson's version of "Without You".-Early life:...
) – 2:55
For the 2004 digitally remastered issue of George Harrison a bonus track
Bonus track
In terms of recorded music, a bonus track is a piece of music which has been included on specific releases or reissues of an album. This is most often done as a promotional device, either as an incentive to customers to purchase albums they might otherwise not, or to repurchase albums they already...
was added:
- "Here Comes the Moon" (demo version) – 3:37
Personnel
The following personnel was credited in the liner notes.- George HarrisonGeorge HarrisonGeorge Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
– Guitars, vocals & backing vocals, bass on "Faster" - Andy NewmarkAndy NewmarkAndrew "Andy" Newmark is an American musician, best known as a popular session drummer, and for playing with the funk band Sly & the Family Stone from 1972 to 1973....
– Drums - Willie WeeksWillie WeeksWillie Weeks is an American bass guitarist. He has gained fame performing with famous musicians in a wide variety of genres. He has been one of the most in-demand session musicians throughout his career. Weeks has also gained notoriety touring with many of rock's heavyweights throughout his career...
– Bass - Neil Larsen – Keyboards, MinimoogMinimoogThe Minimoog is a monophonic analog synthesizer, invented by Bill Hemsath and Robert Moog. It was released in 1970 by R.A. Moog Inc. , and production was stopped in 1981. It was re-designed by Robert Moog in 2002 and released as Minimoog Voyager.The Minimoog was designed in response to the use of...
- Ray CooperRay CooperRay Cooper is an English musician. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with several musically diverse bands and artists including George Harrison, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. Cooper is commonly regarded by music fans, critics and fellow...
– Percussion - Steve WinwoodSteve WinwoodStephen Lawrence "Steve" Winwood is an English international recording artist whose career spans nearly 50 years. He is a songwriter and a musician whose genres include soul music , R&B, rock, blues-rock, pop-rock, and jazz...
– PolymoogPolymoogThe Polymoog is a polyphonic analog synthesizer that was manufactured by Moog Music from 1975 to 1980. The Polymoog was based on divide-down oscillator technology similar to electronic organs and string synthesizers of the time, and this led to a certain lack of flexibility compared to later...
, Harmonium, Minimoog and backing vocals - Emil RichardsEmil RichardsEmil Richards, born Emilio Joseph Radocchia on September 2, 1932 in Hartford, Connecticut, is a percussionist who plays a variety of different percussion instruments.-Biography:...
– Marimba - Gayle Levant – Harp
- Eric ClaptonEric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
– Guitar intro on "Love Comes To Everyone" - Gary WrightGary WrightGary Malcolm Wright is an American musician, best known for his song, "Dream Weaver". He was the piano player on Harry Nilsson's version of "Without You".-Early life:...
– Oberheim on "If You Believe" - Del Newman – String and horn arrangements
Chart positions
| Chart (1979) | Position | Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
14 | 18 |
| Norwegian VG-lista VG-lista VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by... Albums Chart (top 40) |
21 | 2 |
| Japanese Oricon Weekly LP Chart Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... (top 100) |
38 | 9 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... (top 75) |
39 | 5 |
| Chart (2004) | Position | Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese Oricon Weekly Albums Chart (top 300) | 204 | 1 |
Shipments and sales
| Country | Organization | Certification | Shipments |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
RIAA | Gold | 500,000+ |
| Country | Provider | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
Oricon | 18,000+ |