The Beatles' Thread

[Progatron]

I don't think it was even a B-side, unless my memory is failing. It was definitely not on an album but there are a few different versions out there.

[Mister Triscuits]

Was Besame Mucho on an album or was it B-side originally?

It was not released on an official record until the Anthology series. It was one of the songs recorded for the Beatles' unsuccessful audition for Decca records, and of course it appeared later in the Let It Be film--where they camped it up even more than they did in their early days!

Cha-cha-BOOM!

[JKL2000]

Today on the Beatles Channel a song came on that sounded like Tull, and I had to look and it was a George Harrison song, but I forget which one. Any guesses? Harrison's voice sounded like Anderson's, mainly. In the beginning, anyway.

[Mister Triscuits]

Today on the Beatles Channel a song came on that sounded like Tull, and I had to look and it was a George Harrison song, but I forget which one. Any guesses? Harrison's voice sounded like Anderson's, mainly. In the beginning, anyway.

Could it have been "Faster"? I always thought it sounded a bit like mid-'70s Tull, especially with that string arrangement.

[JKL2000]

Could it have been "Faster"? I always thought it sounded a bit like mid-'70s Tull, especially with that string arrangement.

Actually, I just remembered - it was Dark Horse.

[Mister Triscuits]

Actually, I just remembered - it was Dark Horse.

Ah, with the flutes, and George having throat trouble, which led to his '74 tour being nicknamed "Dark Hoarse."

[JJ88]

^The 'In My Life I Love God More' tour. One of the weirdest in rock history, surely? Anyone ever see him on that one?

[ronmac]

The entire tour was a disaster, from George's laryngitis to the terrible reviews. It was misguided, as George never really liked touring and only did a handful of live performances after that. All that being said, anyone who watches the incredible Concert for Bangladesh can see what could have been.

[Mister Triscuits]

The entire tour was a disaster, from George's laryngitis to the terrible reviews. It was misguided, as George never really liked touring and only did a handful of live performances after that. All that being said, anyone who watches the incredible Concert for Bangladesh can see what could have been.

He had better luck on the 1991 Japanese tour with Clapton--at least musically. I think the resulting Live in Japan album is really excellent, although sales-wise it bombed mightily.

[Buddhabreath]

I always liked Dark Horse and there were a few other good tracks on the album of the same name. I probably haven't listened to that in many many years. I think I'll take a quick dip.

For me George is a wonderful slide guitarist and studio guy and not so much of a performer, at least post-Beatles. I guess that's another observation from Captain Obvious.

[JJ88]

Dark Horse has a few good songs in the title track, 'Simply Shady', 'Far East Man' and 'Maya Love'. But some of the rest is dreadful (an unspeakable cover of 'Bye Bye Love' with new whiny lyrics about his divorce!) and obviously his ravaged vocal is the elephant in the room.

A bit late but RE; 'Besame Mucho'. The Anthology 1 version is from the initial Parlophone recording they did, which only survived via acetate. That was its first and only appearance on a Beatles album, I think. The Decca audition version remains unreleased.

https://www.beatlesbible.com/1962/06...rding-session/

In this Parlophone session, George Martin picked up on Pete Best's weakness straight away (hence session drummer Andy White being drafted in before Martin had heard Ringo play anything). I suppose Best would have been adequate in the clubs but not really for records.

[Paulrus]

I'll post this here for those who may have missed the thread I started a few days ago:

[Mister Triscuits]

Dark Horse has a few good songs in the title track, 'Simply Shady', 'Far East Man' and 'Maya Love'. But some of the rest is dreadful (an unspeakable cover of 'Bye Bye Love' with new whiny lyrics about his divorce!) and obviously his ravaged vocal is the elephant in the room.

I'm not a huge fan of the album in general. I love the title track, and God help me, I even like "Ding Dong," but oy, those vocals.

[JJ88]

^The weirdest thing is opening the album with a tedious, repetitive instrumental. Didn't auger well.

Extra Texture isn't much better but 1976's 33 1/3 is a much more upbeat album. His eponymous one from 1979 was his best since All Things Must Pass, IMHO.

I'll post this here for those who may have missed the thread I started a few days ago:

There was a similar one by Howard Goodall about Sgt Pepper broadcast last year, BTW.

[Mister Triscuits]

His eponymous one from 1979 was his best since All Things Must Pass, IMHO.

That's a good one! But I'd rate Living in the Material World probably a bit higher.

When George died there was a request that everyone should meditate for one minute at noon in his memory. I chose to meditate on the words "Give me love, give me peace on earth."

[JJ88]

^...Material World has a couple of songs I personally find 'preachy'. I also think it can't help but suffer in comparison to the studio album which preceded it. 'Be Here Now' is lovely, though.

I fear the moment has passed but I'd like to see the version of Somewhere In England which he initially planned for release to come out. For some reason the remaster used that cover but none of the 4 excluded songs! The version which was released does little for me really, other than 'Life Itself'.

[Buddhabreath]

Yes, it's hit or miss for me for much of George's work as much as I love him, but still there are many fine moments. I don't care much for the song Material World, but I absolutely love the break when he's singing about the "Spiritual Sky" with the tabla sound there and all. I even have hit and misses within a single Harrison song I guess!

<edit>

'Be Here Now' is lovely, though.

Absolutely agree, in fact it although rather repetitive, it is one of my fave Harrison songs.

[Mister Triscuits]

I don't care much for the song Material World, but I absolutely love the break when he's singing about the "Spiritual Sky" with the tabla sound there and all. I even have hit and misses within a single Harrison song I guess!

I love that too, as well as his lyrical nod to John, Paul, and "Richie."

[JJ88]

I always felt Harrison needed producers. Some of his solo stuff sounds a bit bland, IMHO (especially his early 80s stuff). His biggest albums were All Things Must Pass and Cloud Nine, and I don't think that's a coincidence. You may like or dislike Spector or Lynne's production styles, but they make an impact.

[Jerjo]

Harrison rushing that album and tour was a really disastrous set of decisions. I suppose we'll find out all the real dirt in 2035 with the publication of Lewisohn's third volume. Oh who am I kidding, it'll be 2040.

[ronmac]

He had better luck on the 1991 Japanese tour with Clapton--at least musically. I think the resulting Live in Japan album is really excellent, although sales-wise it bombed mightily.

That was a no-brainer for George. It was Eric's invitation to use his band, so George didn't have to deal with the headaches.

I suppose Best would have been adequate in the clubs but not really for records.

Pete Best was a lousy drummer who had one fill (a drum roll), couldn't keep time and simply wasn't like the others. Even in Hamburg, he kept to himself.

I suppose we'll find out all the real dirt in 2035 with the publication of Lewisohn's third volume. Oh who am I kidding, it'll be 2040.

I'm dying for the second, but it's still a long way off. He took a break after volume 1, too.

[JJ88]

Yeah I'm amazed that there was ever a controversy about Best being ditched. The recorded evidence doesn't lie; for a band wanting to make it, he just didn't have what it took. The Decca audition has him playing the same pattern all the way through, just in different tempos. Again, maybe OK in clubs at loud volume but on a record? No way.

[Jerjo]

Pete was definitely not ready for the next level. Ringo was a far better drummer and certainly a far better fit with the lads. I always get ticked at people who complain about his drumming. I'd take Ringo over Ginger Baker any day.

[Mister Triscuits]

I just heard that a 50th anniversary expanded version of the White Album has been confirmed. Wonder if it will be as lavish as last year's Pepper box!

[Fracktured]

I never paid any attention to George’s solo work. I’m aware of the hits I guess but not even sure of how many he had. Can I get a few suggestions of his best songs?


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