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Remembering George 2014

9AM

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The Beatles - Long Long Long - The Beatles

(Harrison) Lead vocal: George

George, Paul and Ringo ran through 67 takes of George’s “Long Long Long,” then titled “It’s Been A Long Long Long Time,” on October 7, 1968. John Lennon was not at any of the sessions for the song. Harrison provided the lead vocal, accompanying himself on his

Gibson J-200 acoustic guitar, Paul played Hammond organ, and Ringo played drums. George has said the “you” he is referring to in the song is God, and admits that the chords were taken from Bob Dylan’s “Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands,” which is on

Dylan’s 1966 album “Blonde On Blonde.” Chris Thomas: “There’s a sound near the end of the song which is a bottle of Blue Nun wine rattling away on the top of a Leslie speaker cabinet. It just happened. Paul hit a certain note and the bottle started

vibrating. We thought it was so good that we set the mikes up and did it again. The Beatles always took advantage of accidents.” The rattling sound is best heard in the

right channel of the stereo version. George Harrison – Hear Me Lord - All Things Must Pass ‘70

Again written during the “Let It Be” sessions, this was the perfect ending to a master class of George Harrison compositions before entering the Apple Jam

sessions.

9.13 BREAK

George, tell us about the first song you ever wrote…

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(Hit it)

The Beatles - Don’t Bother Me – With The Beatles

(Harrison) Lead vocal: George

George Harrison’s first recorded original song. While some may see it as a misfortune that Harrison was surrounded by two of the most gifted songwriters in history, this

proximity gave him great insight into the mechanics of writing a song from scratch. His first attempt was more than a throwaway composition. He called “Don’t Bother Me” an “exercise” to see if he could write a song, and it was written while George was sick in a

bed at the Palace Court Hotel in Bournemouth where The Beatles were playing six nights at Gaumont Cinema in mid-August of 1963. It was during this engagement (on August 22) that photographer Robert Freeman took the iconic “artsy” cover photograph of the band in half lighting that would grace the cover of both the British “With The Beatles”

album and the American “Meet The Beatles!” album.

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Using the basic Lennon-McCartney song structure George crafted a “Beatles song” that was on par with the material the band was currently working up for their second album.

Getting the other Beatles and producer George Martin to take his work seriously was another matter, and it would take years for Harrison to finally be given his due. Normally

he was relegated to one or two songs per album.

Aside from the financial windfall George received from having an original composition on albums selling in the multi-millions worldwide, George said, “It showed me that all I

needed to do was keep on writing and maybe eventually I would write something good. It did, however, provide me with an occupation.” Recorded on September 11 and 12,

1963. On U.S. album:

Meet The Beatles! - Capitol LP

The Beatles - You Like Me Too Much - Help! (Harrison)

Lead vocal: George Recorded in eight takes on February 15, 1965. The introduction features Paul and

George Martin on a Steinway piano and John playing an electric piano. On U.S. album:

Beatles VI - Capitol LP

George’s 2nd song from the HELP! LP

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The Beatles - I’m Happy Just To Dance With You - A Hard Day’s

Night (Lennon-McCartney) Lead vocal: George

Written by John and Paul specifically to give George a song in the movie “A Hard Day’s Night.” Completed in four takes on March 1, 1964, with filming slated to begin the next

day. The b-side of “I’ll Cry Instead” in U.S. On U.S. album:

A Hard Day’s Night - United Artists LP Something New - Capitol LP

George sings the words & music of L&M

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The Beatles - I Need You - Help! (Harrison)

Lead vocal: George Recorded in five takes on February 15, 1965, the first day of recording for what was to

become the “Help!” album, with overdubs completed the next day. It is the second original George Harrison song to be recorded by the Beatles. Harrison wrote “I Need

You” for his future wife, Pattie Boyd. The track is notable for the first use on a Beatles record of what is now known as a “wah-wah pedal.” George achieved this by playing his 12-string Rickenbacker through a foot-controlled volume pedal. Ringo provides cowbell

percussion. On U.S. album:

Help! - Capitol LP

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George Harrison – When We Was Fab (Harrison-Lynne) -

Cloud Nine ‘87 While attending the Australian Grand Prix with Jeff Lynne in November 1986 – this track started out as “Aussie Fab.” George and Jeff would pull out the song every so often, tinkering with the sound and the now-famous piano riff (Jeff’s concept). “Ausie” was soon replaced with “When We Were,” which was then

refined by Derek Taylor to “When We Was.” To cement the “Fab” concept, Ringo added his first drumming contribution to a George record since “All Those Years Ago.” The song was released as the second single off the album, and did quite

well, reaching the Top 25 in the Billboard charts.

George Harrison – Wah-Wah - All Things Must Pass ‘70 Famously composed during the “Let It Be” sessions. On January 10th, 1969 –

George left the Beatles and wrote the song during this period of estrangement.

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The title refers to the “wah-wah” (headache) he was receiving due to prolonged exposure to Macca-baiting and John and Yoko’s antics during the Twickenham rehearsals. The song obviously had some meaning to George, as he used it to

open his section of the Concert for Bangladesh.

9.43 BREAK

The Beatles - Something - Abbey Road

(Harrison) Lead vocal: George

The Beatles’ twenty-first single release for EMI, and fourth on the Apple Records label.

Although initially crediting Lennon and McCartney as the songwriters, legendary crooner Frank Sinatra called George Harrison’s “Something” “the greatest love song ever

written.” Commonly referred to as George’s first Beatles A-side, some sales chart makers at the time considered the single a “double-A,” as both sides of the record received

significant radio airplay, and charted both “Something” and its flip side (John’s “Come Together”) as one combined chart listing. The song is the first of two CLASSIC songs

George delivered for the “Abbey Road” album, the other being “Here Comes The Sun.” It was a phenomenal one-two punch that had to have Lennon and McCartney wondering

what else Harrison had up his sleeve.

George Harrison – Not Guilty - George Harrison ‘79

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The “forgotten” Beatles song – which the band had slogged over 102 takes during the “White Album” sessions, but ultimately left off the album. Here it is

again, although much mellower than it was in the late 1960’s.

George Harrison – Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On

Earth) This track and lead single would be a massive hit all over the world. This single

version runs a little bit faster than the LP version.

The Beatles - Words Of Love - Beatles For Sale (Holly)

Lead vocal: John and Paul The Beatles idolized Buddy Holly and performed his songs regularly as part of their club act. So it is a little surprising that “Words of Love” is the only Buddy Holly song the band

officially recorded. John and Paul took extra care to make sure their harmonies were perfect, likewise George, in reverence to the material, double-tracked his careful guitar work. This recording was special to the Beatles, and it shows. Recorded on October 18,

1964 in three takes. On U.S. album:

Beatles VI - Capitol LP

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The Beatles - Old Brown Shoe - Non-LP B-Side

(Harrison) Lead vocal: George

On February 25, 1969, his 26th birthday, George Harrison went to Abbey Road Studios and recorded elaborate eight-track demos of three of his latest compositions: “Old

Brown Shoe,” “Something,” and “All Things Must Pass.” All three of the demos recorded this day can be found on the “Anthology 3” album. “Old Brown Shoe” had made a brief appearance near the end of the “Get Back” sessions with a few run-through/rehearsals

on January 28, 1969. The full band revisited the song for a proper recording on April 16, 1969. The rhythm track was finished in four takes, with George on lead guitar, Paul on jangle piano, John on rhythm guitar (which would be erased in favor of a Hammond

organ part played by George on April 18), and Ringo on drums. Overdubs included bass guitar, lead guitar, and backing vocals by John and Paul. In his book, “I Me Mine,”

George said, “I started the chord sequences on piano, which I don’t really play, and then began writing ideas for the words from various opposites… Again, it’s the duality of things - yes no, up down, left right, right wrong, etc.” Released as the flip side of “The Ballad Of John And Yoko” in the UK on May 30, 1969, while the “Get Back” single was topping the charts. The single was issued by Capitol Records in the U.S. on June 4,

1969. On U.S. album:

Hey Jude - Capitol LP (1970)

The Beatles - I Me Mine - Let It Be

(Harrison) Lead vocal: George

It should be noted that none of the Beatles’ rehearsals at Twickenham Studios in January 1969 were recorded on multi-track. Those official recordings took place at Apple headquarters, either in the studio set up in the basement or on the rooftop during their

concert. In the “Let It Be” film George can be heard playing his song “I Me Mine” to Ringo while John and Yoko dance a waltz. He had composed the song the night before in five minutes flat. Unfortunately, George’s song was not one the group recorded when they went to Apple Studios to record the new album tracks. Because the song was being used in the film it needed to be recorded for the soundtrack album, prompting George, Paul and Ringo to return to Abbey Road Studios on January 3, 1970, to record the song. John was on vacation in Denmark. Had he been in London it is doubtful he would have attended the session because he had quit the band in September 1969. Sixteen basic

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tracks were recorded with George playing acoustic guitar, Paul on bass guitar and Ringo on drums. Overdubs recorded that day were electric piano, electric guitar, new lead and backing vocals and a second acoustic guitar part. The original running time was 1:53. To

flesh out the song for the “Let It Be” album, producer Phil Spector cleverly edited the song to repeat a section and extend it by 51 seconds. At the 1:53 mark, just after the line “flowing more freely than wine,” the song jumps back to the :32 mark to the line “all through the day.” This leads back into the hard-rocking “I me me mine” segment

and continues past “flowing more freely than wine” until the song ends. He also added orchestration. The original shorter version of the song can be heard on the “Anthology

3” album.

10.13 BREAK

The Beatles - Think For Yourself - Rubber Soul (Harrison)

Lead vocal: George The fifth original composition by George Harrison to be recorded by The Beatles was completed on November 8, 1965 in one take with overdubs under the working title

“Won’t Be There With You.” The song features Paul playing his bass through a fuzz box to give it a distorted sound.

On U.S. album: Rubber Soul - Capitol LP

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George Harrison – Apple Scruffs - All Things Must Pass ‘70

This was a salute to the girls (and sometimes boys) who stood vigil at Apple, Abbey Road and anyplace a Fab was to likely to be. Upon recording the tune,

George invited the “Apple Scruffs,” into the studio to have a listen.

Quiz: OK…As we know...George favorite # was 7

On his solo albums he would put his favorite songs in the 7th spot…he also had songs in the 7th spot on a few Beatles

albums…name those Beatles albums and the songs….I’ll take UK and US LP’s…so there…

And while you try and figure that out…here is a song George ‘s son Dhani placed in the #7 spot as he assembled his Dad’s last

album Brainwashed.

Answers: White / Weeps Abbey / Sun

Meet / Bother (not Long, Long, Long which is #14)

George Harrison – Stuck Inside A Cloud - Brainwashed ‘02 This is another intensely personal confession as song, relating how tough it is to part from things, alluding to battles with cancer and mortality (yet written years

before he ever learned he was ill) and done in a direct non-maudlin manner.

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George Harrison – Dark Sweet Lady - George Harrison ‘79 A tropical feel dominates this tribute to his lovely soon-to-be-wife, Olivia. The

lyrics were dated February 28th, 1978 – which means this tune was also written in Hawaii.

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Couple of songs in the 7th spot meaning they were George favorites from 1979’s self titled GH LP…

Winner here_______

The Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The Beatles

(Harrison) Lead vocal: George

In his book, “I Me Mine,” George explains that while visiting his parents he decided to create a song from the first thing he saw upon opening a book. George randomly

opened a book and saw the phrase “gently weeps.” He put the book down and started writing lyrics.

The first proper recording of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” took place on July 25,

1968. Nearly two months into recording the Beatles’ new album, this was George’s first chance to record some of his new material. George: “I always had to do about ten of

Paul and John’s songs before they’d give me the break.” On this first day George recorded several rehearsals and one proper take. At this stage, “While My Guitar Gently

Weeps” was an acoustic song, with George’s solo vocal and some organ overdubbed near the end that ran 3:13 and had a final verse not found in the final version. This

exquisite “take 1,” which was a demo for the other Beatles, is one of the highlights of the “Anthology 3” album. George would continue working on the song at home, and

eventually re-imagined the song as a rocker. On August 16, the full band revisited the song, making 14 takes of a rhythm track.

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The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun - Abbey Road and #7 on

Bangla Desh! (Harrison)

Lead vocal: George The second of two CLASSIC songs George Harrison delivered for the “Abbey Road”

album. “Here Comes The Sun” and “Something” was a phenomenal one-two punch that had to have Lennon and McCartney wondering what else Harrison had up his sleeve. George wrote the song while walking around the sunny back garden of Eric Clapton’s

home, strumming o0ne of Eric’s acoustic guitars. Harrison had skipped out of one of the many Apple business meetings that day. Recording in 13 takes on July 7, 1969, Ringo’s 29th birthday, with George on his Gibson J-200 acoustic guitar, Paul on his Rickenbacker bass guitar and Ringo on drums. John was sidelined for the week due to be hospitalized

following a car accident in Scotland. The next day George overdubbed his lead vocal, and Paul and George recorded their backing vocals twice, rather than simply double-

tracking. Additions continued on July 16 (handclaps and harmonium), and August 6 and 11 (George’s acoustic guitar). George Martin’s orchestral score was recorded on August

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10.43 BREAK

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George Harrison – Beware Of Darkness - All Things Must

Pass ‘70 A stunning composition, this track shows a huge leap George had made with his

song-writing (since “You Like Me Too Much,” five years earlier).

Welcome Gary Wright!

New book which became my Thanksgiving companion!

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MUISC- MEDITATION & My Friendship w/

George HARRISON

Harry – Without You – Nilsson Schmilsson

“To Discover Yourself” co-written with George Harrison in 1971 and recorded by Gary on Nov 29, 2001- the day of George's passing

Gary Wright - To Discover Yourself (Wright-Harrison) –

1971

Paul McCartney – Cosmically Conscious - Off The Ground: The Complete Works ‘93

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Originally written in India in 1968 this fades in after C’Mon People as a bonus hidden track. A hidden song that didn’t make it to the “White Album” (Holy

$%&^)?

The Beatles - Within You Without You - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely

Hearts Club Band (Harrison)

Lead vocal: George George Harrison’s initial offering for the “Sgt. Pepper” LP was “Only A Northern Song,”

but George Martin decided the song was not good enough for inclusion on the new album. Instead, Martin earmarked Harrison’s song for the soundtrack of the upcoming

animated feature “Yellow Submarine,” for which the band was contractually obligated to provide four new songs. Harrison went back to the drawing board and came up with

“Within You, Without You,” and the Indian-flavored song became the final song recorded for the landmark “Sgt. Pepper” LP. Martin recalls Harrison auditioning his

newest song for him on acoustic guitar. “The tune struck me as being a bit of a dirge; but I found what George wanted to do with the song fascinating.” The song was written early in 1967 at the Hampstead, London home of Klaus Voormann, a longtime friend of the Beatles. The song was recorded on March 15, 1967, with the finished basic rhythm track running 6:25. Instrumentation included tabla, dilruba, and tamboura. Harrision is the only Beatle to play an instrument on this track (he covers the tamboura part along

with Neil Aspinall). The outside musicians were from the Eastern Music Circle of Finchley, North London. Stephen Stills dug the lyrics so much he had them carved on a

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monument in his backyard. John Lennon described “Within You, Without You” as “one of George’s best songs.”

Gary Wright – Dream Weaver – 1975 Hit big in `76

George & Gary – All Things Must Pass - `70