Of course, I agree with Neal that the self-titled album the preceded them is better, in terms of sound, production, musicianship. Certainly the songs are of higher quality, George clearly on it and the 33 & 1/3 album reaches a peak in terms of quality of the songs themselves (though there are good songs on all of George's solo albums).
"Flying Hour" has to retain some of the most profound lyrics in any Beatle/solo-Beatle song that I can think of: "What was and what will be, is not here, it is not clear to me. Right now is the one thing that I can feel, the one thing real to me". Absolutely truthful! I think at the end of the day the future of George Harrison archival releases is going to boil down to the prospects of the forthcoming ATMP box set. If it performs reasonably well, then Capitol might have interest in exploring the Harrison catalog further. Harrison does have this reputation though of being the quintessential Greatest Hits artist where you can certainly compile a two disc collection of hits and deep cuts on his solo career but anything else? I'll put it this way: one of the persistent rumors of the past twenty years is that Olivia and Dhani have been very interested in pursuing George's back catalog but they have been repeatedly unable to find enthusiasm from a label that matches their own. Which if true, tells me that perhaps they have been made offers in the past from labels but they have been so-called low-ball offers perhaps because labels don't see the viability in George Harrison's solo career as they do the solo careers of Lennon and McCartney as well as other contemporaries.
Thanks for this great review, John! It really is an excellent album. One I return to frequently, and each time, it’s like discovering it for the first time. Cheers!
My favorite songs from that album are Life itself and That Which I have lost. Love George’s music! Will you be reviewing Ringo’s new EP Zoom in Zoom Out? It’s quite good actually!
i love somewhere in england , album, [both the original and released, [i actualy listen more than self titled, ] , writings on the wall, is a classic , [and flying hour , i love ], [i also love gone troppo, album , [ [reminds me of ry cooder, [who i love as well, in parts , [by the way my very fave is dark horse , album, [and i think georges , [horarse, voice suited the songs], i love maya love, , so sad, simply shady, ding ding /dark horse /it is he [actualy i love all georges solo albums
Although there are uneven moments on this album, still find myself returning to it regularly. The original four tracks removed are compelling for a variety of reasons. “Sat Singing” is a personal favorite. ( lyrically describing a moment(s) while meditating- my take on that special track. Though, W/B wanted changes to the album- we did get; “Blood from a Clone” a biting song that resonates today. “ Teardrops” a delightful track that has Ray Cooper all over it. Appreciate the return to review & give it another spin.
I dig Somewhere in England, especially the Hoagy Carmichael covers......! I love "Flying hour" i cant understand why that wasnt included, its very catchy...
I truly hope the George Harrison estate is working on some sort of release sets even if it's not All Things Must Pass at the top of the list. I find it difficult to listen to George's '80s recordings because of that canned production even if songs are well written. We'll see what happens or doesn't happen as the case may be. Thanks for revisiting this record.
All Things Must Pass remix is coming out this year and it's rumored (maybe confirmed, I don't know) that throughout the decade we'll see other remixes. I agree that it would be great if they got to the 80s stuff. I also think that Extra Texture really needs it. I love Extra Texture despite what some people say, but the production is trash.
LIke you, I was a big fan of the 'self titled' album, and when this came out it was bit of disappoint for me. And over the years I still haven't warmed up to it that much, even perferring Gone Troppo most of the time. I will have to give this a fresh listen. And I hope they release a deluxe edition of this record someday, maybe it will strike a different cord with me. Great review as always John.
All Those Years Ago (1981) is a timeless classic. It wasn't McCartney on bass though sounds like it. Lennon deserved an upbeat song in passing. If you want a tear jerker see Here Today (1982) by McCartney or Empty Garden (1982) by Elton John.
Great review. I really wish George had stuck to his guns and just put it out as it was recorded. He was an ex-Beatle for goodness sake. I was hoping it would be reissued in its original form this year for the 30th anniversary. That said, the 4 newer tracks were all really good. In my opinion they would have made a better starting point for Gone Troppo and made that album stronger. I wonder whether George's mind was more on Handmaid Films at this time than his music which he had started around the time self-titled was released in order to fund Life of Brian.
Nice revisit John. Are you revisiting every George Harrison album post the 1979 self titled? You need to revisit Cloud Nine and give it another listen. Maybe your opinions might change on that album
Professor Heaton; Really enjoying your focus on Harrison material... Though SWIE definitely has its share of moments, particularly my favorite, “Writings On The Wall”, it would have most definitely benefitted by the inclusion of the dropped tracks (particularly my favorites, “The Flying Hour” and “Sat Singing”), but nonetheless would have still remained inferior to eponymous lp because the bar had been set so gloriously high... Are you familiar with the Splinter lp, THE PLACE I LOVE? To my taste, it is second in the whole of the Dark Horse catalogue only to George’s self-titled...
Nice video Mr Heaton. I have to admit that, overall in comparison, I prefer the original album. I just never cared for "Unconsciousness Rules" or "Blood from a Clone" from the final version released. But, I do like "Teardrops. So, add "Teardrops and "All Those years Ago" to the original line up and take off the two tracks I mention and I think it's a damn good album. Not great, and yes, a bit lackluster, but not bad. I also prefer the original album cover for some reason. I just find it more interesting to look at. "Lay His Head" was also the b-side on the 7" single. Speaking of album covers. I always thought that the photo of George for the single "Got my mind....." would have made a better cover for Cloud 9. Still, you take the albums, George Harrison, Somewhere in England, and Gone Troppo and play them all as a random mix on a summer's evening and it's not a bad listen. I know because I've done it. Anyway, great video.
Insightful as always John! Any chance you could do a bit of a deep dive on Lennon’s “off” years ie 75-late79. The narrative is that he stopped writing music but an inquisitive fan can see otherwise if they track his moves. Would love to see you cover this topic as you have a great way of phrasing things :)
I second that emotion! 😂 Excellent point about being able to track John’s moves during that strange period and realizing the man never stopped creating. He was a good lad, John of Bag.
The album cover photo on the back of the sleeve shows the point level with Georges head quite low to the floor of the gallery, too low for him even to be on his knees when the front cover pic was taken
I think the album as originally configured was a better album. It has a really nice mellow flow to it. The reworked album doesn't work as well, with the "rockers " out of place. I have the same bootleg copy as you,which I much prefer to the issued one. There's a cd out there which has the tracks speed corrected as well. Thanks for the wonderful videos.
i like the details you use and as a fellow creator your notes and your references with comments by you to create the time of the making of the album - can i suggest lyric sheets at the end or in the corner
I actually don't like the original cover either. I thought it was just me. I think the cover they used was a huge improvement. As always, I enjoy your videos!
Nothing to truly dislike about this album, but nothing truly great either. Having said that, the philosophical "Life Itself" is very good, and a highlight. I like "All Those Years Ago" but it is difficult for me to put it among George's very best, excepting of course its subject matter. "Teardrops" was chosen as a second single, and although catchy, it wears thin pretty quickly. "Writings On The Wall" is more serious in tone, reminding me of the themes of George's early solo work, and while not a classic, it is something to dig your teeth into. "Blood From A Clone", while pretty critical of more contemporary music, is probably the most modern sounding song on the album, and especially the bass playing. George's slide guitar, while still a significant feature, is not as prominent or impressive as on his previous self titled album. I am not sure the four tracks originally pencilled in would have made this a significantly better album. George seemed by this time to be making albums simply out of habit, than having anything significant to offer, but that doesn't make it a bad listen. Mildly recommended and enjpyable, but hardly essential.
Hi john , hope your well......DoDo you know if any of the Beatles ever got into prog rock like yes geneses or Pink Floyd and made reference to such in interviews ....cheers..
i prefer the original version of Somewhere in England because fore me it flows and my favorite track is Flying Hour.. I feel the released versions to disjointed and i feel I am listening to 2 different albums., I listen to the original version more often then released. To me , it is a better album..
Not a great album, especially in comparison with a number of other George albums, but a great single in All Those Years Ago which I remember playing on the radio much of the summer of 1981. I like your suggestion John of deluxe treatment for this album with remastered/ remixed audio and presenting both versions of the albums for easy comparison.
I don't know that Geoge, even as an ex-Beatle, could override WB's rejection of the original album. Maybe he had signed a contract that gave them final say-so.
I'm surprised there was no mention of the track "Life Itself" which to me is the best song on the album. Although Somewhere in England is far from being a great album, there are still a few good moments that would make a good 12" ep (All Those Years Ago, Life itself, Hong Kong Blues and The Writings on the Wall), the rest to me is forgettable, even the 4 songs that were taken off. I remember buying the album when it came out and being slightly ashamed of it, if only for the fact Harrison was so uncool for school [but then again was he ever cool post All Things Must Pass?]. His heart never seemed to be that much into music after his superb self-titled album, and I always considered his "come back" in 87 with the rather awful [Lynne-produced] Cloud Nine was only trying to cash in on the back of the celebration of Sgt Pepper's 20th anniversary which put the Beatles back on the 80s map (and people's mind) temporarily.
Denny Lane was an early working title for the Rutles' track Doubleback Alley (see rutles.fandom.com). I would like to think GH was continuing the joke.
