The point of comparing the number of George's songs to other contemporary writers was solid, great thought.
@will2741
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah not sure about mentioning those five songs on the first Byrds album as being by Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. Gene had five credits (2 co writes) and Roger McGuinn just had the two co-writes. Also, the lack of Gene songs on the album is more to do with management choices and the fact the'd had a huge hit with a Dylan cover, rather than lack of available songs on his part.
@LeafInTheStream
3 жыл бұрын
And how much more prolific might Harrison have been if either John or Paul had condescended to take him on as his main collaborator?!
@tonycardona579
2 жыл бұрын
@@will2741 p⁰
@cameronlewis1218
2 жыл бұрын
Totally agree with you James Smith…
@garettjeff
3 жыл бұрын
I’m not sure I would agree that Rubber Soul was the Beatles 1st masterpiece. The British A Hard Days Night was a masterpiece. The peak of Beatlemania and arguably a peak for John Lennon who was creating magic with almost every song during this period.
@chelmsfordroad50
2 жыл бұрын
I think the early Beatles in general is somewhat overlooked in favor of the post Revolver stuff.
@mannyruiz1954
2 жыл бұрын
@@chelmsfordroad50 I agree. The pre-Sgt. Pepper era is still my favorite era of the Beatles.
@matthewashman1406
2 жыл бұрын
@@mannyruiz1954 Yes , they had life and fun
@Gorilla.Guitar
Жыл бұрын
any one a masterpiece?... i prefer to say their catalog of songswere a complete catalog of masterpieces.
@guyincognito5706
3 жыл бұрын
0:53 Cry For a Shadow is credited to Harrison/Lennon
@TheNeonRabbit
2 жыл бұрын
Just my opinion but I think it would have been helpful to include a short clip of each song as you mention it. I kept having to pause the video and look 'em up. I doubt you'd get hit for copyright for 5-10 second clips and that's long enough for people to go "Oh yea, THAT one". None the less, interesting video.
@kentlewis987
3 жыл бұрын
As much as I love the sound of an electric guitar, I think it was important for George’s artistic growth to try new things. It would be easy to compare him to other guitarists of the era and think he wasn’t as progressive but not when one considers his overall contributions as a musician. I really respect the fact that he didn’t follow the trends but instead became a pioneer of world music within a pop/rock context. He continued that growth by becoming a distinctive slide guitarist in his solo career and embracing the ukulele in his later years.
@caster3283
3 жыл бұрын
I absolutely agree. George was a fine guitar player. I think it’s important to think of him as an overall musician and songwriter, not just a guitarist.
@kentlewis987
3 жыл бұрын
I also forgot to mention that it was he who introduced the Beatles to the Moog Synthesizer.
@johndeggendorf7826
3 жыл бұрын
Right on, bro. 🎩
@petercohen4157
2 жыл бұрын
My understanding from watching the Anthology is that the ukulele was always present at George's house and used quite frequently - it wasn't something they picked up. in later years.
@TheNoisylover
3 жыл бұрын
I had the impression that George got equal lead singing status until the John and Paul thing reached critical mass. Ringo and George were equally important to what the Beatles were
@brianwolle2509
3 жыл бұрын
just think... george's family did not have indoor plumbing... 15 or so years later he's writing a masterwork like living in the material world and that amazing song give me love (give me peace on earth). it's just mind blowing.
@davecostello560
3 жыл бұрын
Yes, their evolution was phenomenol.
@grahampaulkendrick7845
3 жыл бұрын
Lots of people still did not have indoor plumbing in '58. George bought his first car (a Ford Anglia) on HP in '62 tho', which is also pretty remarkable.
@martinfenton1275
3 жыл бұрын
My grandparents were roughly contemporaneous with Harrison's parents. My grandmother refused to have a toilet in the house. She thought it was unhygienic.
@boellinger
3 жыл бұрын
It's All Too Much is greatly underrated. Not only one of George's best but a highlight from the Beatles catalog.
@blackfinjrblackfinjr3555
Жыл бұрын
Agree. It’s just fantastic!
@raulmacias6146
Жыл бұрын
@@blackfinjrblackfinjr3555 George plays Organ on "It's All Too Much". It is still a mystery as to who plays that Psychedelic Guitar. I personally believe it's Jimi Hendrix!
@marksc1929
3 жыл бұрын
... George wrote , Here comes the Sun , While my guitar gently Weeps , and Something ....these are not just great Beatle tunes ...to me they're several of the best songs ever written .
@garychambers5850
3 жыл бұрын
I agree 1,000% just listen to _All Things Must Pass_ ... Mind blowing songs! To me, still the best out of all the other _Beatles_ solo albums.. Back in 1970, when my older brother came home with this album, opened it up carefully put the album on the turntable and the needle hit the vinyl I was in awe! From " _I'd Have you Anytime"_ , to " _Hear Me Lord_ ".. I played the _Apple Jam_ a few times but, I was never into long instrumental jams. And for *Christmas* , I got my own copy of " _All Things Must Pass_ " Loved that poster that came with the album! 🚶🏽♀️🚶🏽♀️🚶🏽♀️🚶🏽♀️🌞 🎸
@ronaldolaquidara64
3 жыл бұрын
@@garychambers5850 cool... i didn't know a poster came with that great album "All Things Must Pass" what did the poster look like?? 🤔Was it a picture of Harrison or something?? ✌
@senseichess8688
3 жыл бұрын
@@ronaldolaquidara64 yes it was
@jeperstone
2 жыл бұрын
Take Clapton's guitar out of WMGGW and it's a fairly average song. Here Comes the Sun by any other artist would be considered good but not great. Something is of course 'world class' but 1 song in 40 years? Not great. He was an average songwriter and an average guitarist. The least talented of the Beatles
@victorarena23
2 жыл бұрын
@@jeperstone listen to the acoustic WMGGW it's a beautiful song. here comes the sun is the highest downloaded beatles song so really re think your statement
@KennethDillard
3 жыл бұрын
Excellent comparison of George to his contemporaries with regards to the number of song being written.
@MrDirtybear
3 жыл бұрын
What surprises me is that when George got comfortable with playing guitar. It was after The Beatles split-with his slide guitar which became his calling card through out the 1970's. I am trying to imagine what The Beatles would have been like with Georges slide guitar being more prominently placed in the mix.....
@martifingers
3 жыл бұрын
Did he ever play slide on a Beatles recording?
@hammer44head
3 жыл бұрын
I dont think they (john or paul) would have tolerated it for more than a few songs. They were always looking for new sounds those two. I think it was really the main reason the broke up, they had done pretty much all they were going to do or wanted to do with each other.
@garychambers5850
3 жыл бұрын
You never know. Even though George was excellent playing the bottleneck Slide, there might times when Paul might say, Thats great slide George but can you play a regular guitar for this part? 😭
@snowfiresunwind
3 жыл бұрын
@@martifingers There is slide on two songs on Rubber Soul - Drive My Car and Run For Your Life - presumably George is playing slide on those. Also Strawberry Fields has some slide although it is used fleetingly.
@martifingers
3 жыл бұрын
@@snowfiresunwind Thanks! Yes there it is, in early mid period Beatles. I think a lot of the solo on Drive My Cars is fretted but the last few notes indeed sound like a slide. On RFYL it sounds to me almost like an effect rather than the way he used it post-Beatles. And isn't there an alternative version of Strawberry Field that has a very prominent slide part?
@Fantumh
3 жыл бұрын
George's lead guitar work on songs like Dear Prudence, Happiness Is a Warm Gun, Sexy Sadie, Everybody's Got Something to Hide is so fantastic, so minimalistic yet so perfectly conceived and played, that I really love him as a guitarist. It is strange thought how reticent he could be at times to let it rip. I guess his natural style is more measured and deliberate, while Paul was better at playing faster and more carefree, so he was the better choice to play certain solos.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, as I dig into George, it seems that he was a bit lazy during this period. An interesting thing he said during the Let It Be sessions was referring to the White Album as the "first album in some time I really asserted myself." So I don't know what he was thinking but he could have pushed for more and been more aggressive. Apparently that is not his style but that's why he has less representation instrumentally and composition-wise. Thanks for the comment!
@gilbertramos6039
3 жыл бұрын
Wow, that was thought provoking. You stated a few things that I never heard or considered. Excellent analysis. I don't think you mentioned 'Sour Milk Sea' in your presentation but you close out your video with it. Fantastic. It would have been great to have seen see Sour Milk produced and released on an official Beatles album. Love that song.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, Gilbert. I have a full band version of that song that I included on my _Albums That Never Were_ podcast here: bit.ly/3kE33ML
@sherlockholmeslives.1605
3 жыл бұрын
I really like the song 'Do You Want to Know a Secret' which George sang on what I think was The Beatles' best album 'Please, Please Me' ( released on the 22 March, 1963 ). I like the Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas' version too. 1963 is my favourite Beatles era. The likes of 'The White Album' are amazingly out there but the 'Please, Please Me' album sounds like what it is, a rock band playing onto tape rather than overdubs on later albums. And who was writing introspective songs like 'There's a Place' in 1962 other than John Lennon, but yet not overt or strange like later Beatles' tracks.
@sherlockholmeslives.1605
3 жыл бұрын
@@user-oh7iv3ij5x Thanks Ste C.
@paulgentile1024
3 жыл бұрын
unbelievable guitar playing.. just incredible tasteful licks...
@PlanetoftheDeaf
3 жыл бұрын
The Beatles had an odd set up, as in terms of personality, Harrison and McCartney were back to front, as usually the bass player is "at the back with the drummer" while the lead guitarist is the star member of the live show, dominating the stage. This lack of "lead guitarist" personality comes out in his songs, which often are introspective and sensitive, and rarely "rock" with the lead guitar solos you'd expect from a song written by the lead guitarist. Arguably the best guitar solos he did on his own Beatles songs were on Something, a romantic ballad, and Here comes the Sun, on acoustic guitar, as Taxman's solo was by McCartney and WMGGW was by Clapton
@BigSky1
3 жыл бұрын
Savoy Truffle, Old Brown Shoe?
@garychambers5850
3 жыл бұрын
George' Harrison's songwriting equals and sometimes, surpasses that of John Lennon & Paul McCartney.. 🚶🏽♀️🚶🏽♀️🚶🏽♀️🚶🏽♀️🤎
@walkercatenaccio
3 жыл бұрын
George was a very good melodic writer for the guitar; in the early Lennon-McCartney tunes his solos played off the catchy melodies. But he wasn't a gifted improvisatory soloist. As he stated a number of times, he felt he'd been left behind by the great players who took off in the later sixties, and as a consequence switched to slide guitar, which he eventually made his own. And, needless, to say, in the Beatles he always had Paul breathing down his neck. Paul played many of the most distinctive lead parts, from "Another Girl" to "Taxman" and on.
@hammer44head
3 жыл бұрын
Paul didnt "Breathe" down George's neck, whoever wrote the song directed the others after Revolver, the big conflict was when George wanted to "call and answer" each lyric on Hey Jude with Guitar to Pauls vocal. Paul didnt want that approach he wanted the song to build into an "anthemic" tempo. The next big row is filmed and recorded on Let it Be movie during Two of Us and calling that a big arguement is a bit of a joke after hearing and viewing it. George just was thin skinned and resented Paul and John, he just never said anything public about jOhn because as Paul found out the hard way, thats a losing effort against John "stiletto tongue" Lennon.
@paulgentile1024
3 жыл бұрын
you don't need to be improvising to play rock and roll.... In the context of a song George Harrison is one of the greatest rock and roll guitarists ever..if you want to hear a guitarist improvise then listen to jazz
@stickman1742
3 жыл бұрын
@@hammer44head I don't think it is just George being thin-skinned. Seeing the way both John and Paul can act, I think most anyone would get sick of some of that shit after a while. John and Paul both had the ability to act like an arrogant jerk when they wanted to.
@hammer44head
3 жыл бұрын
@@stickman1742 - I'm am pretty positive after reading numerous quotes that George wasnt no pushover, he was pretty cocky his brothers both say. I read numerous quotes by George crapping all over Paul and Pauls music. They were like brothers love and hate and could be pretty vicious to one another.
@andrewadams841
3 жыл бұрын
@@hammer44head Paul resorted to having a left-handed guitar handy once four-track recording techniques were first available to them as early as Rubber Soul, to use at times that Harrison’s solos weren’t up to Paul’s liking, according to Normal Smith.
@edwardmulholland7912
3 жыл бұрын
If I had to choose my favorite Beatle it would be George, he was always cool and I like all his songs from “Rubber Soul” onwards. “If I needed someone” was inspired by The Byrds who started their thing being influenced by The Beatles. “Within you, without you” is along with Paul’s “Fixing a hole” are my favorites from Sgt Pepper. “The inner light” is brilliant and relatively unknown by the public which I think is a shame. George was great and in my view the equal of the others. He had to go through his sitar period and it was his thing. I saw an interview with him saying that when he visited Lennon in the late 70’s, Lennon had loads of Indian music and that Lennon grew into that music. George was a big influence within the group and no softie. I really enjoy your videos, Would you have any interest in doing some videos of The Byrds/Gene Clark? Their first 6 albums are all great and in my mind they the closest to being “The American Beatles”. Greetings to you from Sweden.
@MrThedonhead
3 жыл бұрын
I love George but to compare him to Lennon/McCartney the most successful innovative songwriters of the generation with 180 songs written which shaped and drove the Beatles is kind of absurd.
@edwardmulholland7912
3 жыл бұрын
@@MrThedonhead Each to their own
@promerops
2 жыл бұрын
I strongly support your request for videos on The Byrds.
@jonvought700
Жыл бұрын
@@MrThedonhead I think inarguably Lennon and McCartney were more prolific by far. And quality-wise their best songs were as good as Harrison's. But Harrison's were consistently excellent albeit fewer in number. But that's me. As Edward Mulholland says, to each their own.
@lucyfuir6386
3 жыл бұрын
George DID bring Eric in on that song because The Beatles were not producing in studio. They were bickering and no showing. George did the same thing with Billy Preston during the let it be sessions.
@timothysullysullivan2571
3 жыл бұрын
Agree. Also there is a pattern of each guy setting aside his primary instrument for certain of his own songs. I think it's a workload thing- IE, focusing on the song, vocal and arrangement and intentionally letting others do things. Like Paul didn't play bass on Hey Jude. George letting Clapton play lead on WMGGW. It would be a lot more work and time to do all key parts yourself. Notice how much stronger John and Paul's backup vocals are on many of the mid period George and Ringo songs- the capacity to focus on a narrower front.
@mjt5576
3 жыл бұрын
George's strength as a guitar player was his taste and creativity within a song. He never had the chops to be Hendrix or Clapton. That wasn't his thing. But his slide playing was exceptional. Soulful, musical and as good as any slide player I've ever heard.
@Deebz270
10 ай бұрын
Agreed. Though I would hardly compare Hendrix with Clapton... Who (IMHO) was always overated, both as a songwriter and guitarist and, all said and done, Harrison was still a better guitarist than Clapton.
@ricknorris1466
Жыл бұрын
You make some very valid points but it is also important to note that George’s Indian influences were completely accepted by John and Paul during the Rubber Soul, Revolver and Pepper Sessions. There would probably not be the excellent Indian Scale Guitar Solo by Paul in Taxman. Tomorrow Never Knows wouldn’t be the same without the Tanpura drone and single chord Indian trait. Don’t forget the Tanpura on Getting Better as well. That verse coupled with the Harmonies by John and Paul singing “I used to be cruel…” is one of the finest moments on Pepper. (IMHO) I guess that’s what Lennon meant when he said that they “went Indian” for a period. I would say that the Indian influences during that ‘65 through’67 period definitely expanded their palate. After that it was time for, as Macca said, “More Guitar”.
@mikechurchill1071
3 жыл бұрын
The lead on taxman is actually written by Paul and I think played by him as well on the album!!! That’s amazing. A great George song so Paul’s like hey swap me out and let me play lead ;)!!
@RaulGomes91
3 жыл бұрын
I'd say George considered himself more a musician and less a guitarist, at least from '66 on. The more I learn about the details of the recordings, the more I get to know that some guitar solo was played by Paul or John and not by George (like on Taxman!). He was brave doing that. Not caring about competing with Hendrix and Clapton, with the responsibility of being in the biggest band in the world was a huge thing. I'm enjoying your beatles related videos! If you made a channel focused on the Beatles, no doubt it would get a lot more views.
@TheNoisylover
3 жыл бұрын
George Martin said the guitar skill in "Till there Was You" was what interested him in The Beatles. George Harrison was admired by his contemporaries (Clapton, et al) He was perhaps the greatest slide player ever on hit records. From behind Paul and John, He's written classic pop songs
@RaulGomes91
3 жыл бұрын
That's a great one. He recorded that when he was what...18, 19 yo? In 1963! The time when people had to cross the town to learn a single chord (what they actually did in the 50s)
@Peter-um3dw
3 жыл бұрын
All things must pass masterpiece album
@jackdemolay3545
3 жыл бұрын
You are right about Taxman and Paul on Taxman and Good Morning, Good morning. But the solo that is totally John is his song You Can't do That. John did the solo on get back maybe Paul gave it to John cause like john I hate get back. And John did the slide solo on for you blue but nothing else comes to my mind. Do you have Anything? You can't include the end all 3 played on that one. " Go Johnny! "
@RaulGomes91
3 жыл бұрын
@@jackdemolay3545 the ones I recall right now: Get Back, For Your Blue, I Want You, The End (but it's a jam of him, Paul and George doing solos. The sequence is Paul->George->John in circles)
@paulcollins7185
3 жыл бұрын
Listen to Fixing a hole for some very neat subtle lead guitar.
@steveliberty
3 жыл бұрын
Not taking anything away from your comments about how While My Guitar Gently Weeps might have been different if Harrison did the lead work....but....Clapton's work on that song is among the most beautiful rock guitar playing ever recorded. What he did is similar to what Paul and Ringo did all of the time - he created guitar parts that just work perfectly in the song. His fills during the verses and bridge, and especially his solos, are just haunting and gorgeous. In a lot of ways, they are defining moments for Clapton's studio work (the solo in Badge, and the dueling solos on Had to Cry Today are in that category too, as is the nylon string work on Can't Find My Way Home). I can't say Eric "made" the song, because that would take too much credit away from George and the rest of the "lads", but his contribution was one of the keys to how great the song turned out (IMHO).
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
I agree Clapton's contribution is mammoth, but passed on an opportunity for George to totally own that song! He could have pulled something off that may have been his signature solo. I know Clapton tried to make the soloing sound "Beatley" and he succeeded, but it would have been more Beatley if a Beatle had done it. The 3 Beatles could have traded licks like on The End. Anyway, we are left with a classic, so I'm satisfied. Thanks for the input, Steve.
@searcher57
3 жыл бұрын
@@popgoesthe60s52 i totally agree, i have felt like that for years that he should have made it his own , he was too self conscious playing it on the concert for bangla desh , Lennon always said he was too wound up to really let it go and so it proved. The truth is he was not a great lead guitarist and got left behind by others at that time , which may explain why he did not want to play live. he also played way too much slide guitar on his solo albums also stories of him spending days perfecting a two second lick during the seventies.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
@Mark Schultz I'll have to check out the version by the Main Squeeze. Thanks for the recommendation.
@gerrysongs4170
2 жыл бұрын
I think it’s interesting how George seemed to give up on the Indian sound after his pop songs started to take off. His competitive notions towards the other two may be underrated especially during his solo career.
@popgoesthe60s52
2 жыл бұрын
He gave up on the indian stuff first in 1968 and then he blossomed as a song writer.
@antoniodalfonso
2 жыл бұрын
once again your analyses of George Harrison are inspiring as well as illuminating. And if I can say: exactly as I see it. Don't bother me is a greater song than most care to admit. It was that song that convinced me of the quality work of The Beatles. Harrison injected wisdom to the pop Beatles. Yes, I am a Harrison fan, have always since day one! Which is 1963! Again thank you for these videos.
@petersuson7958
Жыл бұрын
Yes I too love the song "Don't bother me". I wonder George didn't like that song that much.
@Ziraffe2
3 жыл бұрын
Okay, , , but no words about the 2 biggies - Here Comes The Sun and Something, , , not to mention Old Brown Shoe. Apart from that there must have been a LOT of titles piling up over the years. You don't just walk out of a band and deliver the All Things Must Pass-catalogue by a snap of the fingers. I think Harrison was suppressed, shy and sometimes proud too. There's a limit to how many times an artist (and sensitive soul) wants to be turned down.
@stickman1742
3 жыл бұрын
Some of his songs had to have been suppressed because Lennon/McCartney weren't going to give up their slots and money that goes with it. Harrison wasn't as prolific, but he still had good songs that should've been on Beatles' albums that he used later. And if he had a songwriting partner and more support from the others including Martin, I'm sure his output would have been better. For the percentage he was given, I think his songs were on par with Lennon and McCartney. Too bad we didn't get to see more out of it. Tough when there are 3 really good songwriters in one group.
@Ziraffe2
3 жыл бұрын
@@stickman1742 Harrison became one brilliant writer, but never had the same level of singing voice. That fact plays in too. All in all everything is OK. We got the big wave with All Things Must Pass - some sort of poetic justice came true. He couldn't have asked for a better way to establish his position as a solo artist.
@TheAerovons
3 жыл бұрын
@@stickman1742 It's so much more simple than that. Songs like "All Things Must Pass" and "Isn't It A Pity" are nice but really not Beatles like at all. They don't fit whatsoever. Draggy and often morose, and I know many people love them, but I feel like they are OK tracks that belong right where they are....not on a Beatles album. The simple "What is Life" fits the most, where it would have been like "Savoy Truffle" on the White Album or something. After the "ATMP" LP there was very little I can see anyone making an argument for to be on a Beatles album.
@FiremanSam60
3 жыл бұрын
I tend to agree. I'm not convinced Lennon & McCartney passed up on great songs. They worked like maniacs on All Things Must Pass and Not Guilty and Harrison imself wasn't satisfied. Isn't It A Pity I could have seen as a Beatles' song - written in 1966, I think it anticipates later Beatle song form with the see saw chord intro, and the long play out, but I can see why others think it's a bit dirge like.
@Ziraffe2
3 жыл бұрын
@@FiremanSam60 I follow oceantracks when he says ATMP and Pity aren't real Beatles-tracks. To low-gear 'hippiesq' but then again in the later phase anything could happen. The 2 might have worked on the White Album, but Pity would have been too laid back for Revolver - dirge-like as you say. Lennon saw things clear there. What an important song (or pair of songs) it turned out to be though.
@hugobombok9391
3 жыл бұрын
Within You Without You might be my favorite Beatles song. I would loved to know how far George could have gone with more self confidence, more support from Martin and more space given on albums. Weird decisions had been took about his music, like not putting the perfectly fitting Northern Song on Pepper, or not putting the astonishing It's all too much on mmt. Indian music is seen as an acquired taste and we basically sees it as "exotic". But it isn't exotic per se. It's written with various emotions and intentions in mind like any music style. George wanted to put Indian music in the forefront so westerners could learn to hear it for what it is. I love the intention. I hope that the future holds a lot of merging different musical cultures, even though nowadays the music trend is heavily set up by the West and most east countries modern music comes from here. Really different music from what we are used too will first be considered Weird, but they aren't weird per se. One of my favorite albums ever is Rdha Krsna Temple, produced by Harrison, recording original Hare Krishna devotees, who are mastering their voices and their instruments beautifully. I will take the time to dive into Indian music one day, and I will only have Harrison to thank for the treasures I will surely discover
@rolandjustice9860
3 жыл бұрын
George Martin obviously never got over that insult about his tie upon meeting George.
@dogol284
3 жыл бұрын
He never forgave him...
@BaconTomatoCheese
3 жыл бұрын
Haha! Funny… But I don’t think George Martin was actually insulted
@mariocastro3558
2 жыл бұрын
If there had been another Beatle album, I'm pretty sure All Things Must Pass, Wah-Wah, What Is Life, and maybe Isn't It a Pity would've been included. Perhaps John and Paul would've objected to My Sweet Lord, or perhaps they would've told George to change a chord or two so it wouldn't sound so much like He's So Fine, and then they would've included it. John would've probably contributed Jealous Guy (or Child of Nature or whatever he called it in those days), Isolation, Love, Look at Me, and perhaps Oh Yoko. Paul would've included Another Day, Maybe I'm Amazed, Teddy Boy, and maybe The Lovely Linda. Ringo definitely would've participated with It Don't Come Easy. All those songs and others from their solo careers sound pretty Beatley to me. It would've been fantastic.
@az8999
3 жыл бұрын
Old Brown Shoe has a pretty good Harrison solo and, though some debate who played it, he does a nice one on Hey Bulldog also. Geoff Emerick says it was George. In any case I never felt George's guitar playing ever fell off as a result of studying sitar. If anything it got better in my view anyway.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
Yes - excellent solo on Old Brown Shoe, though I've never heard of any debate as to who played it. His work on Abbey is clearly superb. I don't believe his guitar playing fell off, quality-wise. I just wish he had utilized guitar more in those 1967-68 years. Thanks for the comment!
@maxcuthbert100
3 жыл бұрын
@@popgoesthe60s52 If you have Hendrix and Clapton(not to mention Beck/Green,et al) waiving the rules,it's possible Harrison felt too much pressure to measure up,coming from a band where there was NO extended soloing and time tended to be measured in three minute bursts.after '66 it was a different school of playing and George was steeped in Jazz (Wes Montgomery) and country( he was no stranger to people like Carl Perkins/Cliff Gallup).Blues entered his vocabulary with Clapton's friendship, it would seem.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
@@maxcuthbert100 you're exactly right. It was such a competitive musical landscape, I don't know how any guitarist on the scene wouldn't be intimidated.
@maxcuthbert100
3 жыл бұрын
@@popgoesthe60s52 Practice......a lot !
@mplant1999
3 жыл бұрын
@@popgoesthe60s52 I think E A is talking about Hey Bulldog (ie debate as to who played the solo). I agree with you and others: I don't think his guitar playing fell off at all (though he is quoted as saying as much himself in interviews). Re:feeling intimidated, he WAS best friends with Eric Clapton and on more than one occasion jammed with both him and Jimi Hendrix. I don't think someone who felt intimidated would have been confident enough to jam with those two!
@stuartshire
Жыл бұрын
Totally agree with you re bringing Clapton in for While My guitar . I don’t think Eric’s playing is particularly great 💁♂️ I wish George had just done it himself .
@andrews527
Жыл бұрын
There isn't a single George song (original or cover) on a Beatles album that I dislike or find inferior to L & M. Can't say that about Ringo, though that's not always his fault ("What Goes On," e.g.). George's songs are always an intriguing change of pace. Oh, all right - "Only a Northern Song" is a bit boring. Otherwise, George is king of the minor key in The Beatles.
@leegeddyfan
3 жыл бұрын
Harrison brought in Clapton because he needed backup to deal with Lennon and McCartney at the time. When he came in with Clapton he was truly in charge and eventually got the song done, where as a session or two earlier the band struggled with it and almost nixed the song from the White album
@MichaelFontana081153
3 жыл бұрын
If you'd consider what George was dealing with at the time - Paul actually got away with putting crap like "Wild Honey Pie" on the white album, and John with "Revolution #9", he had every right to bring Eric in and have his contribution recognized. It is also a SIN that "Not Guiity" was never released on the White Album or any other Beatle record until 1995!
@BigSky1
3 жыл бұрын
Paul played the guitar solo on Taxman
@KariKauree
3 жыл бұрын
I thought every serious fan would know that by now
@BigSky1
3 жыл бұрын
@@KariKauree Me too!
@duffbaker9554
3 жыл бұрын
@@KariKauree But since the topic is George's Missing Guitar, I thought Matt would have mentioned that fact, but he didn't. There are probably quite a few casual fans out there who assume it was George playing that awesome solo.
@KariKauree
3 жыл бұрын
@@duffbaker9554 Yeah that's what I meant, I thought Matt would know and mention that :)
@duffbaker9554
3 жыл бұрын
@@KariKauree Now I see. :-) I'm assuming he knows but he just forgot to mention it. However, I'd be really surprised if he didn't know.
@BenjaminFuller71
3 жыл бұрын
When talking about George Harrison's songwriting contributions, there are a few other factors to take into account: 1. Lennon & McCartney sneakily organised a publishing deal just for the two of them rather than including George 2. George was an enormous contributor to Lennon & McCartney songs in terms of the occasion lyric but certainly in the arrangements and final sound... for instance the 'Fiddler on the Roof' feel to We Can Work It Out was all George ... BUT, he doesn't get the credit for any of that critically or financially. In many was I wish he's pushed harder for his own songs as they were ALWAYS innovative and interesting.
@204richie
3 жыл бұрын
10:06 it's all too much was apparently played by John Lennon while George Harrison was on Oregon
@rpkietur
3 жыл бұрын
i liked georges original style.too much slide guitar later.
@leecoulson4224
3 жыл бұрын
When George did bring his own songs to the table, these were nearly always top drawer-very few throwaways in his Beatles based catalogue, even Only A Northern Song has a certain mordant charm to it. His songwriting was usually far more personal and introspective than even John’s were.
@TheLenaweeTrekker
3 жыл бұрын
I don't think George really cared about the contemporary trends of music in his days with the Beatles. I think he was more about what the possibilities were in music. I sometimes wonder if the concept of being celebrity rubbed George the wrong way. Let's face it The Beatles was a monster of their own creation, and that creation brought some expectations with it that may have been unrealistic.
@jw3363
3 жыл бұрын
I think a great Beatle song would be To Many People by McCartney.
@Roberto_Ricciardi
3 жыл бұрын
Amongst famous musicians and guitarists, George has never been underrated. People should just stop thinking of music as a competition, with all that "Harrison was no Hendrix" going on. Every musician worth of the name has something that makes him/her unique: Clapton was no Hendrix because he was Clapton, as Bloomfield was Bloomfield, and so on. I've studied George's style for years, and he was one of the most versatile guitarist of his era. Never flamboyant, always spot on and melodic; he isn't known as an improviser because there was no need to improvise on the records he was playing on, simple, but it doesn't necessarily mean he could't. And, to all the people who don't belleve in George's own abilities, and talk about Clapton playing on Something or Paul playing on Old Brown Shoe etc.: please, don't try to rewrite history. Try and have a listen to George's playing on the coda of While my Guitar Gently Weeps live in Hiroshima with Clapton, or on Thumbin a Ride by Jackie Lomax.
@mplant1999
3 жыл бұрын
Holy crap! I've been watching George's live performances of WMGGW obsessively these last few months but had been skipping over the Hiroshima video. What a great outro from George! As a point of interest, if you watch (well, listen to) the 1974 LA performance he blows Robben Ford out of the water on the outro. That's probably not fair. There's just no chemistry there - not like he had with Clapton. Incredible. Anyway, great comment and thank you for the pointers to WMGGW live and Thumbin' a Ride!
@johnheaton5667
3 жыл бұрын
Good thought provoking video Matt nicely done...sorry I am late to the party!
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
Welcome, John! I've been a watcher of your channel for quite some time, and I really like your content. Thank you for saying, hello!
@joshuaross4644
3 жыл бұрын
Great video 👍 Ravi was the one that told George he should go back to being a guitar hero plus at the same time George spent a night out in NY hanging out with Eric Clapton & Jimi Hendrix which solidified his decision
@pgroove163
3 жыл бұрын
forget about being aguitar hero ( whatever that is)... It's about being a guitarist..
@CBrolley
3 жыл бұрын
Was that Ravi’s way of saying “You’re not exactly breathing down my neck on the sitar, George.”
@jimcooney4537
3 жыл бұрын
Your overall analysis shows us that his band mates were indeed supportive of George in any direction he wanted to go in ..this is contrary to popular myth...also that his guitar playing did languish during the Indian period..so he was very insecure about his guitar playing..so he brings in Eric to solo.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
Yes George took a very odd turn, which worked in many ways but may have hindered his musical growth with the other 3. Thanks for the comment!
@drutgat2
3 жыл бұрын
"...George Harrison actually was the first Beatle to legitimately have a compostion released on record" ('Cry For A Shadow') - NOT TRUE, 'Cry For A Shadow' was CO-WRITTEN by George and John. Please research this stuff properly.
@wspann1967
3 жыл бұрын
The point still stands. He may have not been the only first one but he was one of the first
@johndeggendorf7826
3 жыл бұрын
I took up the sitar because of George Harrison. The man who introduced sitar, and the sound of Indian music, to the western world, was George, not Ravi. George was a musician at heart, and the guitar was just his instrument. Music is born in the human mind and heart, and the instruments come after the fact. If he had been born in another place or time he would have played whatever instrument was laying around. A musician’s mission is to get the song out of his/her head and into the air...by any means available. I’m glad he followed his own muse. Walt Whitman said: “I am large, I contain multitudes.” Sounds like George. ✌️🍷🎩🎩🎩 Thanks for this insightful discussion, made my day.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
Very good point about _who_ introduced the sitar to the west. I was also interested in it because of George. Thanks for the comment.
@LSU01
2 жыл бұрын
George should have had S our Milk Sea on the White album! Great tune!
@drutgat2
3 жыл бұрын
I think it is ridiculous to state that there was a "schism" between, on the one hand, Lennon and McCartney, and on the other hand, George because of "the Indian music". First, there are many examples of John saying at the time that he was glad that George had become interested in that music (one of the quotes goes something like, "George himself is no mystery, but the mystery inside George is fantastic"); second, Ringo and (was it John or Paul?) gathered with George, at Kinfauns to meet Ravi Shankar and Allah Rakha; third, The Beatles stopped off in India and went to Rikhi Ram where George bought a sitar - if, as you say, people don't travel with people if they do not like them, then why didn't everyone make themselves scarce - fly back to England, rather than go to India with George, after the Phillipines disaster? And when they got to India, why accompany George to RIkhi Ram's shop? I would have no problem if you presented what you say as opinion, but to state it as fact is ridiculous and irritating.
@marksvideochannel3592
3 жыл бұрын
While I get your point, isn't it a bit of a high horse to be on.....How do you know your "opinion" is more factual than his?
@raulmacias1311
3 жыл бұрын
I think George Harrison came to the fore as a Harmony Vocalist between 1965~1968. George's very cool "High Tenor" enhanced John and Paul's creations. Help! ~ George contributes some wonderful call and response Vocals! I'm Down HELP! Album ~ Another Girl You're Going To Lose That Girl ~ George's Harmony Vocal is really hip on this track. That Means A Lot ~ Outtake. RUBBER SOUL ~ Album Drive My Car You Won't See Me ~ I've always thought this song is too long! Nowhere Man The Word Paperback Writer Rain REVOLVER Album I'm Only Sleeping Here, There And Everywhere She Said She Said ~ My all~time favorite track on Revolver! George helped John arrange the song, plays Lead Guitar, Bass/Burns Nu Sonic, sings Harmony Vocal and call and response Vocal during the end to fade-out! Whew! Psychedelic Bliss In '66! And Your Bird Can Sing Doctor Robert Penny Lane SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band With A Little Help From My Friends Getting Better When I'm Sixty Four Quote by PAUL MCCARTNEY ~ "George wasn't very involved in that album. He just had one song. It's really the only time during the whole album, the main time I remember him turning up." Quote by GEOFF EMERICK ~ "A weak track [Only A Northern Song] we all winced at. George Martin simply said, 'I'm disappointed George didn't come up with something better." Quote by GEORGE HARRISON ~ "Sgt. Pepper was the one album where things were done slightly differently. A lot of time...we weren't allowed to play as a band so much. It became an assembly process ~ just little parts and then overdubbing. After [the India trip, September,1966], everything seemed like hard work. It was like doing something I didn't really want to do and I was losing interest in being "fab" at that point." In my opinion, Paul ruined "Only A Northern Song" with his grade school obnoxious Trumpet playing! All You Need Is Love MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR E.P. ~ Your Mother Should Know Hello Goodbye Lady Madonna
@philharrisson7738
2 жыл бұрын
George’s vocal on All my lovin !
@philharrisson7738
2 жыл бұрын
And of course, the 3 part harmony of Because
@dmichaelelkins1
3 жыл бұрын
With all due respect to George, with some exceptions, most of his sitar playing seemed to be him playing guitar riffs on a sitar as opposed to playing like a true sitar player.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
That's a great observation. I still feel a little cheated that he didn't work harder on the guitar. He could've done both! Thanks for the comment!
@silasmarner7586
3 жыл бұрын
It's Only A Northern Song is one of my all time fave Beatle songs. Great Psychedelia. It's All Too Much Right behind that, then The Inner Light, Blue Jay Way. He had a lot to offer I think.
@Turtle152
3 жыл бұрын
Ironically it was Ravi who talked George into getting back into the guitar. Ravi told him, "You must find your roots."
@bruland2000
3 жыл бұрын
Good coverage of the topic! There is also Sour Milk Sea, 1968. Not necessarily for the White Album, but given to Jackie Lomax. kzitem.info/news/bejne/04qwto2Vk6mqopg is a nice full version, with Eric Clapton and George (no sitar) playing electric guitars
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
Yes, great version - thank you Jeffery.
@ricknbacker5626
3 жыл бұрын
George Harrison was piqued over George Martins rather open disdain for Only A Northern Song. Is it possible this is the reason The Beatles chose to record Its All To Much (the week Sgt. Peppers is released) at De Lane Lea Studios? A not so subtle Fab 4 middle finger to Mr. Martin? Maybe. The Recording of Only a Northern song was abandoned after 2 days in February,1967. In the 10 weeks before they returned to complete the song, Within You Without You was recorded. From what I understand, these were grueling sessions for both Georges. Probably a good thing ( for both Georges) that De Lane Lea Studio was available. George Martin did not appear at either of the 2 recording sessions needed to complete Its All To Much. When you compare the chord structure of While My Guitar Gently Weeps to Creams Tales Of Great Ulysses, Georges invitation to Eric Clapton's does make sense RNB
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
These are great points. I hadn't put together that the recording of It's All too Much was done without Martin. Thank you for the comment.
@manolokonosko2868
3 жыл бұрын
Regarding "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and why Eric Clapton was brought in to perform the guitar solos instead of George - it may be that George DID perform a solo, but Eric's was superior. There is this video of a "lost and newly rediscovered" George guitar solo for the song "Something" (I hope I got it right) that was left unused for the final product. if you watch the video you will understand why. Same with George's insistence on answering Paul's verses with his twangy guitar on "Hey Jude", which was rejected. In other words, George's guitar playing was great in some songs, but he wasn't the guitar god that Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix, Ace Frehley or Jimmy Page were. George was a good guitar player, but when you watch him with Carl Perkins, for example, he is not in the same league.
@noternunstoned
3 жыл бұрын
I followed along until the Ace Frehley reference reared it's ugly head.
@flewawayandaway4763
2 жыл бұрын
Ace frehley?? lol clearly you 've seen a fretboard form afar
@manolokonosko2868
2 жыл бұрын
@@flewawayandaway4763 I’d advise you, Sir, to grant the respect Mr. Ace deserves. Please take this friendly warning seriously. We, hardcore KISS fans are not people you’d want to mess with.
@flewawayandaway4763
2 жыл бұрын
@@manolokonosko2868 ok boss lol you have the musical mind of a 8 yr old
@Julio.H.P.
3 жыл бұрын
Very interesting you mentioned something I did noticed for a long time, and that is George's role as a lead singer in the beginning of their career. And I've noticed this when listening to the Decca sessions where George sings as much lead as John and Paul. Literally equal sharing of the spotlight in that regard.
@andrewadams841
3 жыл бұрын
Yes, that stemmed from playing in clubs, the vocals would shift equally between them. First the song-writing gradually altered this out of Harrison's favor, next I believe when they stopped touring it adversely affected Harrison's role [or really the role of all members not named Paul were reduced].
@peterporker7803
3 жыл бұрын
George inner search helped his music grow outwardly and I agree his music kept improving until he finally he gets his due with something this song was so good both John and Paul said it was the best song on the album surprised you didn't mention that on the video. So George gets the recognition he deserved what would have been interesting is if they made another album how many of Georges songs are on the album. Georges song writing talent just came later and he learned under Lennon and McCartney how to craft a song. You could make a case that George was now writing at just as a high level as Paul and John.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
You're right, I should've mentioned John and Paul's love for that song. One of the reasons I did a series of Albums That Never Were allowed me to add two more Beatle albums after Let It Be & Abbey, which gives George equal number of songs. By then, he was equal in songwriting ability.
@brucelee9528
4 жыл бұрын
George Harrison loved his sitar....and his butter chicken ;)
@wtclifford
3 жыл бұрын
Great video! But I do wish you had talked at least a little about ‘I Want To Tell You’. Probably my favorite pre-psychedelic George song. But I realize it’s not very guitar heavy.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
It actually has some nice guitar work in it, I like the riff. Thanks for the comment.
@jconwell84
2 жыл бұрын
How did I miss this episode? If I Needed Someone and I Need you are two of George's best songs. I Need you has always been under rated. Too bad for George that Paul and John didn't act better towards him. I think things would have ended better.
@stevecarrero4120
2 жыл бұрын
I never skipped over within you and without you and inner light either. Even songs like blue jay and long long long. I love those cuts even though it wasn’t what I was necessary there for. For me it was a quick step in a different direction or dimension that I really appreciated then and now. It’s hard to explain, but I hope you understand. Again, thanks for all of this material.
@popgoesthe60s52
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment, Steve.
@brendancronin3796
3 жыл бұрын
I'll be honest I wasn't keen on George's sitar playing because it's an instrument that takes a lot of time to become musically fluent in....I love " is first Indian tune on revolver ...is it ' luv u too ".... brilliant. I think if I needed someone is a bona fide classic .
@days9apnattyheroes816
3 жыл бұрын
Always liked "Sour Milk Sea". "Savoy Truffle" was my favorite Harrison song.
@markjamesmeli2520
3 жыл бұрын
You forgot "Don't Bother Me" from WITH THE BEATLES. THANK YOU for mentioning The Hollies. Also, I initially heard that Eric Clapton and George Harrison did a "swap" deal in the works. Notably that Eric played lead guitar on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and George played most all the guitar, except the solos, on Cream's "Badge." I guess I'd forgotten that, like Paul and John, George was a multi-instrumentalist too, and could play the six string bass / baritone guitar and rudimentary keyboards, as well as the sitar.
@jimmybonar2566
3 жыл бұрын
Don't Bother Me was ,mentioned in this video where George said he 'wanted to see if he could write a song'.
@lscossar
3 жыл бұрын
Good job on this one. I've watched several and this is my favorite in terms of content, style and tone. The subject or hook, Harrison putting down his guitar for two years is a good one too. Keep them coming and I'll keep watching.
@SophiesDriver
3 жыл бұрын
How do you talk about Harrison's songwriting and not even mention Something, and Here Comes The Sun?
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
Because I was focusing on the years when he put down the guitar (1967-1968) not when he picked it up again.
@briang768
3 жыл бұрын
No mention of George's work on the backward solo on "I'm Only Sleeping." WTF???! Shame on you good sir. Just kidding. I love your channel as I work my way through your content.
@TheNoisylover
3 жыл бұрын
Northern Song is the coolest song about class consiousness . It"s All Too Much" is a song I like to play for the youngsters who think they've heard everything
@FiremanSam60
3 жыл бұрын
You know Northern Songs was the publishing company? As far as I know, Harrison wrote it as a joke based on his frustration with the terms of the publishing deal Dick James tied them to.
@martifingers
3 жыл бұрын
@@FiremanSam60 Yes, I think that is so, but as with any art (and especially that of The Beatles) part of the power was in conjuring multiple reading into possibility. Thus Taxman can be seen as a rich grumpy (young) man complaining about a socialist government but can also be read as a lament for the materialism we all fall victim to.
@jimcooney4537
3 жыл бұрын
And this continues as Eric is brought in again on the All things sessions to do the heavy lifting...but after the Summer at Big Pink his real style emerges as we hear the melodic slide playing emerge.
@johndowling5850
3 жыл бұрын
You said that in 1968 George wrote 5 songs for the White Album but you omitted Sour Milk Sea. . .
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
You're right, I missed that one. Thanks for the correction.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
@@lucasoheyze4597 you are correct sir! Thanks for the addition.
@davecostello560
3 жыл бұрын
Sour Milk Sea is a great song, but it was probably rejected from the final list because it was sonically very similar to Savoy Truffle. There's a great mash up on KZitem with the Jackie Lomax backing track and George's Esher demo vocal. It gives you a sense of how good it could have been!
@johndowling5850
3 жыл бұрын
@@davecostello560 fair point. I just wish they had rejected Savoy Truffle because it was similar to Sour Milk Sea!
@johnr5312
3 жыл бұрын
Love George Harrison's songs. Thank you for the nice vid.
@jimmybonar2566
3 жыл бұрын
Another enjoyable and informative video Matt, thank you. I have a possible controversial statement/question here: Is it possible that George's antipathy and reluctance to do a concert for the 'Let it Be' film (disregarding the rooftop gig) was because his guitar playing wasn't up to speed? As much as I love George, I always seem to hear a moan moan moan vibe which constantly permeates his sayings and interviews over time.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
I've thought of that. John took the lead on Get Back and he got the leg up because George was gone for that short time. Once they moved the sessions to Apple, Lennon got it together. George could've had a couple live songs but I guess he hated the performing.
@marksvideochannel3592
3 жыл бұрын
I think you might be on to something with this thought. He definitely comes across as reluctant for some reason or other....I wondered if in the end, he didn't want to use up his favorite songs in a band he intended or knew was ending....in a commercial sense I mean. But the guitar playing ability (feeling out of practice) could easily be it.
@brianwolle2509
3 жыл бұрын
well... maybe this is why paul took that great break on good morning, good morning... but hey, he also took a great break on taxman. story goes george couldn't come up with anything. i didn't think he stopped playing guitar. he said he had nothing to do during sgt peppers. george was my fav from the first and i always loved don't bother me. don't know why no one else likes it. it is one of the 2 best on the album (with not a second time). meet the beatles itself has a very different sound than any other album. almost like peppers. very english, it is. i felt it then and i still feel it. one thing i did notice about bbc vol one -george is smoking on it. in other words, his playing is better in 63 than in 64. i think it's very obvious. he slacked off. no doubt.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
That's a good observation. Few would admit George slacked. He had more opportunity than he leads on.
@stevebunovsky7739
3 жыл бұрын
McCartney played the lead on Taxman.
@simonlaing7646
3 жыл бұрын
As George said on the Dick Cavett show in 1971, he only talks when he has something to say and by '66, guitar wise, I think he felt he had run out of things to say . He had been saying around then that he had become disenchanted with he's guitar sound, then take into account that by summer 1966 guitar playing had been taken in a new direction by the likes of Hendrix ,Beck and Clapton and it just was wasn't he's style. I still love the sound he had '63-65 it fitted perfectly with the songs they were doing and that style was a good representation of he's influences thus far. As Eric Clapton said Harrison was “clearly an innovator” as he was “taking certain elements of R&B, rock and rockabilly and creating something unique”. Page and Beck also rated him saying his solos were little songs within a song. but I think he lost confidence in that he couldn't compete with the new guys and so opted to forge a new path for himself with the Sitar The Beatles didn't suffer as the sitar gave them another colour to their palette and Paul stepped up and did a great job with the solos in Taxman, Fixing a hole, Good morning Good morning, It's all too much & Helter Skelter showing a surprising talent for the angular and askew. In late '68 when George hangs with Dylan and The Band he is present at the birth of a new musical genre, knowing he will never achieve Ravi Shankers level on the Sitar and encouraged by Robbie Robertson's style which he had more in common with than Eric's (who also took stock at this point) in that the guitar supported the song. He came back to the guitar with renewed vigour which showed in his songs output and quality proving that the guitar was his first instrument The time on the sitar wasn't wasted as when Delaney Bramlett inspired him to take up the slide later that year, he melded his knowledge of Indian scales, pitch etc with his tasteful, expressive touch to create a truly signature style.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the very insightful comment, Simon. I think you are correct in that he tried to forge a new path, but like the Carl Perkins style of 63-65, the sitar would also become passe, which is probably why we don't hear it anywhere on the White Album. I wish George's peers pushed him more because he could've competed with any of those guys in his own unique way. We still him pull back yet again during the Let It Be / Get Back sessions as well. I also appreciate your mention on how the Indian scales aided his slide playing.
@simonlaing7646
3 жыл бұрын
@@popgoesthe60s52 I think he started an attempt towards a new sound when he got the Gibson SG in '66 as up to then other than the 'Rocky' strat all the other electric guitars he played were hollow bodied thinlines. Maybe he realised the change had to come from his hands not the instrument. And yes you would of thought Eric would have given him more support as they were close or was the fact he was a 'Beatle' put him beyond seeming to need help? If only he found the slide style earlier
@wattstax17
3 жыл бұрын
Very nice thoughts. I did wonder myself, why George‘s guitar was missing that much during this phase of The Beatles. Your explanation makes sense. I am not sure however, that George would have been skilled enough do some similar soli on While my guitar gently weeps though. It also seems too me, that during the White Album recordings, George did not much influence on guitar sounds. The White Album is very heavy on guitars, but it is mostly because of Paul or John‘s intentions. Also George seems to prefer quieter songs from this phase on, when I compare his songs to the likes of Helter Skelter or Except Me And My Monkey. On another note: I am always astounded, how often the band members performed on instruments that is usually played by another member, like Paul performing guitar parts often. Sometimes I wonder, how this came to be. (It is logical for the live version of Two Of Us, but why on studio recordings?)
@wspann1967
3 жыл бұрын
The Beatles only picked the instruments they’re typically known for out of necessity. Paul was always more of a guitarist/pianist but opted to play bass live because none of the others would step up. Ringo’s the only one who consistently stuck to one instrument and I think that was a factor in their decision to stop touring. They wanted more freedom to create intricate songs without having to constantly think about how to translate it into a 4 person, 4 instrument live performance
@andrewadams841
3 жыл бұрын
@@wspann1967 Yes! This is why I observe a reduced role in the band for all 3 members not named Paul once they stopped touring. He was the most musically versatile, and also developed the strongest working relationships with the studio engineers. These are the reasons I believe he benefitted the most from not needing to tour anymore. Ironically, I think he was not as strongly averse to touring as Lennon or Harrison were.
@michaelcalegari3534
Ай бұрын
I wonder whether Paul taking the solo in George's song Taxman had more consequences than we thought. For example, after Revolver, George played less lead guitar and focused more on the sitar (even having Clapton play on the White Album) until he played with Dylan and The Band. Perhaps he felt less confident with his lead work around the other Beatles, as John and Paul continued to play lead guitar on several cuts on the White Album and Let It Be. Perhaps this also had an impact on his "argument" with Paul during the Let It Be sessions. Perhaps some of his interest in learning sitar was due to his perception that other Beatles did not value his guitar work (as Paul could play just as well or better) but with sitar he was bringing something that the others could not match? I also appreciate your insight that the lack of Paul, John, and Martin's interest in George's new songs in 1969 may be due to his focus on writing Indian-flavored songs and the decline in his guitar input in 67-68 so that when he regained his interest in guitar and started writing more consistently good songs in 1969, it took time for the others to realize that something new was happening. I think this was finally reflected in John's proposal that the next Beatles album would include four of George's songs.
@ScottLVarga
3 жыл бұрын
Sorry, mate, Paul played the lead guitar on Taxman.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
Paul only does the solo, sorry mate.
@ABDOSPIANO
Жыл бұрын
PS Drop either “ Piggies” or “Savoy Truffle”and add,instead,”Sour Milk Sea” to the White Album mix and you strengthen both George’s contribution and the Albums quality !
@IR-fl2tl
3 жыл бұрын
Dig the Ventures records in the background especially ‘In Space’‼️
@grahampaulkendrick7845
3 жыл бұрын
Look at the Hollies 'Stop, Stop Stop' (For Certain Because') which was an actual album from '66. They wrote the lot. 'Bus Stop' was merely a US compilation.
@wyliesmith4244
Жыл бұрын
But "Stop Stop Stop" was the first album wrote all the songs - or even half of them. The US album reflected what the Hollies recorded. And I LOVE the Hollies ,especially the various sounds that Tony Hicks created, and Bobby Elliott's drumming elevated the Hollies from a mere pop.
@grahampaulkendrick7845
Жыл бұрын
@@wyliesmith4244 They were a great band, especially during the Graham Nash years.
@wyliesmith4244
Жыл бұрын
@@grahampaulkendrick7845 My thoughts exactly.
@LanceHall
3 жыл бұрын
Clapton played the basic track WITH the others. It was always assumed he was brought in AFTER the basic tracks were recorded to add his solo but this is not true.
@jameswheelock1799
Жыл бұрын
hi Mtt. Awesome podcast. Great insight and research. My family had the blue album 1967-1970 and I noticed George had 4 songs. This was around 1974 when i listened to this album but was looking for Yesterday and found it on the Red album 1966-70. But no George songs. Why? Then I bought rubber soul and saw Taxman and wondered why it was not on the Red album. Maybe on the re release ?
@dtchinacat3973
Жыл бұрын
From what I have read: it wasn't George playing that "Awesome Feedback Guitar" on It's All Too Much, but John; George was on Hammond B3?
@groverbaker6404
3 жыл бұрын
George didn't need Clapton...Clapton was top dog and George felt overwhelmed by Eric..but Harrison could play and write beautiful songs
@jameswheelock1799
Жыл бұрын
Revolver i mean and I saw Taxman. I thought Only A Northern Song maybe was not strong enough for Pepper also, but I love that song. Some critics put it down . I loved it too when I heard it on Yellow Submarine.
@ralphgarcia913
2 жыл бұрын
Believe it or not, George Harrison submitted Isn't it a pity during the Revolver sessions. Lennon made fun of it, calling it pitiful. It was John's acerbic wit. Lennon could be mean as Paul McCartney submitted "World without Love" during A Hard Day's Night sessions. McCartney sang please lock me away. Lennon immediately made fun of it saying that he should be locked up. Peter Asher of Peter and Gordon loved the song loved it so he asked if he could have it. McCartney said yes and finished off the song. Peter and Gordon took World Without Love to number one. George Harrison really impressed me with his guitar skills on Abbey Road and All things must pass. Yes and Isn't it a pity was on there. BTW, I loved George Harrison's guitar playing on Yer Blues, Birthday, Dear Prudence, Everybody's Got something to say for me and my monkey on the White Album.
@QuoVadis88
3 жыл бұрын
On the excellent song Taxman, George tried to play the solo guitar. After many faulty takes over a long period of time, George Martin directed Paul to play the great guitar solo which Paul nailed in one take. John was once noted to say that George was no good if the solo required more than one or two notes. And on the Let It Be sessions George dragged his feet on his own songs. John got pissed off at George constantly holding up progress. The point is George lost the opportunity to impress John and Paul. There was too much of a gap between the tight team of John & Paul and George. Clapton noticed how tight Lennon & McCartney were during the White Album sessions. At one point Clapton was being considered as replacing George. George wanted out and did not exit graciously. It was a tight-knit team that only operated one way. John was self=conscious about his guitar ability. George learned too slowly to appease John & Paul after a point. If you listen to Something or Taxman, Paul's contributions were significant. John helped too. But after a point, as Lennon noticed, they all got tired of being trained monkeys doing a specific job of being a Beatle. After I graduated high school, I never went back. The same for the Beatles, they definitely graduated, why go back? Paul floated the idea of the Beatles playing small clubs, John bawked. If they all agreed to take a year off might have been a chance to continue. But as it was, one of them or all of them got itchy trigger fingers to pull the pin. The show must go on was too heavy of a burden to bear. What was imploding suddenly exploded. The way an atomic bomb or supernova works. In relationships, where sometimes an idiosyncratic mannerism is endearing, after a certain amount of time that mannerism becomes irritating, and everything unravels fast. You can't "Get Back" to where you once belonged. I have experienced that personally. The Beatles experienced that with the world watching. To get Beatle product out on a Beatle schedule they had to run roughshod over George. It was too much for George to handle any longer. Poor George. Back in 1964 when things were better, George came up with the guitar intro to Paul's And I Love Her. George continued to contribute until Paul said, basically, "F**k off" with Hey Jude, a big hit, with George sitting in but barely there. George was proud of the work he had done but now he was being tossed aside. When I saw Paul's 2001 Back In The US DVD, his band was awesome, but they were all subservient employees who were there to kiss Paul's ass. The show worked because it was something that had taken decades to craft. Paul was good at his job. Even if alive, the others would not be good enough to be in Paul's 2001 band. It was Paul McCartney doing a credible version of the Beatles. From 1962 era to 1970 era the songs came flawlessly on cue. The 2001 version of the Beatles had a 100,000 watt PA system with monitors, giant screen, fireworks and a real Beatle. Recorded in High Definition, Paul finally realized his dream of putting on a fantastic show. But alas, time marches on. Paul's voice is gone now. Covid, Paul may never play live again. I saw him live way back in 1989 in Toronto, Skydome, 45,000 people. The DVD is like a precious gem that captures the magic up close where since I was sitting so far back I could barely see Paul. But I was there and I kept the ticket stub. All those dates so long ago.
@westernnoir4808
2 жыл бұрын
One more thing about George. Ok two. He produced films, and invented the Rock Charity event. His breadth of interest seemed to eclipse the rest. Ringo of course got into acting, John flirted with it, but George mortgaged his house to get Monty Python's film made.(Life of Brian maybe). Not just a guitar player. As a guitar player he seemed more interested in new sounds and guitars. His choice of guitar influenced millions. When Gretsch made the 6120 and got Chet Atkins to endorse it, it was George picking it up and playing it that got it noticed. Underrated cat in many respects. By himself too.
@petersuson7958
Жыл бұрын
2 years ago David Crosby in one of the interviews said that among the 4 Beatles he wants to collaborate with was George Harrison. I am quite surprised he said that because it was George who turned down CSN when they auditioned for Apple.
@yaniratangoart
3 жыл бұрын
The point of comparing the number of Harrison songs to other contemporary musicians isn't the same. Those other songwriters where writing more than Harrison. They just included their strongest writings in their releases. Harrison was only writing and including a single song per LP. So it's not the same. He didn't evolve as fast because he wasn't writing as much between 193-1966. Your point would only be fair from 1966 onward.
@galleribrems
2 жыл бұрын
Good and thoughtful review of George guitar contributions to the Beatles. Nor did he play the solo on Taxman. It was Paul's lead guitar solo.
@chrisgeorge619
3 жыл бұрын
George seemed the most in tune with psychedelic music. Even though they all had their fair shares of musical experimentation, George's contributions during their Pepper/MMT era are so much more in line with what Psychedelic Rock ended up being. Blue Jay Way and All Too Much are easily up there with Walrus. Also don't forget he wrote an "experimental" soundtrack during the same time, then followed with a proto-electronic record!
@BlackStripe789
3 жыл бұрын
Hate to be That Guy, but there were a couple of songs from 1966 that the Beatles *didn't* record. "Isn't it a Pity?" was offered when the time came to record the Revolver album, but apparently John didn't think too highly of it. The Art of Dying and Piggies are from the same 1966 time period as well, but we don't know if they were offered for the band or not. Other than that, fantastic video, by the way! I'm a pretty big fan of the channel, ahahahahah
@MarkBarna1
3 жыл бұрын
The Beatles are my favorite band, now for over 40 years. But when calibrating likes of our youth, we need to think about the bias -- how much of it is habit and a desire to rekindle what we grew up on and the ego wanting to hold that up as better than everything else? We have all been bored by an old man talking about the good ol' days. Having said that, The Beatles hold up, I think. But does George Harrison's music hold up separated from The Beatles phenomenon? Since Harrison's death his personal life has been nearly deified by Depaak Chopra and other Indian spiritual enthusiasts. But a clear-eyed look at Harrison's morality, I think, is found in Clapton's assessment in his autobiography -- Harrison was a saint and a sinner. (I won't list all the evidence.) In other words, he was like most of us. When it comes to his music, I find his Beatles output was hit and miss. His solo albums after All Things Must Pass tail off even further, some hits but mostly misses. By the time of his self-titled album in 77-78, the one with "Blow Away," Harrison is adult contemporary. In another video you talk about the four categories of evolution of Beatles biographies. Since his death, Harrison has been scrubbed of his personal and musical limitations. So has Lennon, though in the past decade people are acknowledging Lennon's personal and musical limitation, not in books but in general comments. It will be interesting if the pendulum swings on Harrison too. And it will be doubly interesting if this makes it into well-researched books. A sober, well-researched biography of Harrison or Lennon, warts and all, that isn't dismissed as a Goldberg trashing of an idol? We shall see.
@ollietsb1704
3 жыл бұрын
I think George realized he wasn't a slick guitarist - his technique wasn't very good. His playing from earliest recordings on show a choppiness of technique, a lack of thoughtful Sustain - his timings were off, his lead-selections weren't great - and he had soooo many other guitarists around him that were far more slick, Clapton, Dave Mason, Brian Jones, on and on. Look at his stage performances later on and his lead work was seldom the main lead.
@christopherhahn6728
Жыл бұрын
I really don’t care for George’s output after Revolver and before Abbey Road. You’re right, it is different from his other stuff.
@maxcuthbert100
3 жыл бұрын
He bought in Clapton because he'd been trying to do lead guitar for the song for a week (lotsa backwards stuff) and could not come up with anything to convince himself it would be up to scratch. Getting the others to behave well was the icing on the cake.
@popgoesthe60s52
3 жыл бұрын
I didn’t know he had tried different guitar parts! Thanks for the input.
@maxcuthbert100
3 жыл бұрын
@@popgoesthe60s52 More than a weeks' worth, the man said. It was threatening to drive him nuts and he had Clapton in his mini,on the way up to London - who was reluctant to help out at first.Clapton later disclosed there were, 'the most cruel confrontations happening within the band at that time' . Many people speculated it was also Clapton on 'Something' (tell me it doesn't sound like him!) , so the influence did rub off, in a positive way.....
@moegreen77
3 жыл бұрын
@@maxcuthbert100 Yes! I haven't heard anyone else bring it up but, I've also speculated that it's Clapton playing the 3rd guitar on the Carry That Weight solos. I sure have never heard George play with such conviction elsewhere (w/ all due respect).
@maxcuthbert100
3 жыл бұрын
@@moegreen77 I suspect Clapton was busy around this time.....maybe it WAS George ?
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