Search - George Harrison :: Living in the Material World

Gorgeous George

Joseph Kimsey | Pac NW | 06/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Living In The Material Word is, to me, the musical essence of what George Harrison was all about. Unfortunately, it also provided a handful of ammunition to Harrison's detractors and inaugurated George's status as a musical piñata for the critics. Rolling Stone did give it a good review, though. George was definitely on a role during this time, and Living In The Material World was a commercial blockbuster. But LITMW was quickly forgotten, which was (and is) undeserved. Some of Harrison's most beguiling melodies and his most soulful slide playing are present on this masterpiece, and his often-criticized vocals are in great shape. But it would be a mistake to assume that "Living In..." makes for an immediately infectious listening experience; many of the best songs require repeated listening to be fully appreciated. Frankly, it took me a few years to fully appreciate the beauty & mastery of these songs. "Give Me Love" is the song here that everybody knows. Criticized in some quarters for being "preachy" and redundant, it actually boasts an attractive melody and some inspired guitar work. "Sue Me, Sue You Blues" is the sole diatribe on LITMW. Apparently aimed at Paul McCartney, it's not as nasty as Lennon's "How Do You Sleep" or as goofy as Ringo's "Early 1970". The dobro work on the tune is excellent, and George really doesn't come across as vindictive, merely resigned."The Light That Has Lighted The World" is one of those tunes that took me forever to appreciate. To those who don't like introspective tunes, it comes across as dull as dishwater. But if one relaxes & allows the Zen-like melody some room to breathe, it can be very therapeutic."Don't Let Me Wait To Long" is the most Beatle-esque tune on here. Why George didn't release it as a single is beyond me, as this shining example of polished pop would have definitely made the top-ten. "Who Can See It" is truly a gorgeous song. With some incredible singing and a majestic melody, this piece is truly a highlight of Harrison's career. A beautiful song. The title track is an eccentric hybrid of rowdy romp & mystical confessional. I'm not really big on "rock sax", but it works in this context. The "spiritual sky" refrains are lovely, and George's voice is really strong on this one. "The Lord Loves The One.." is a funky song that leads the way to Dark Horse & 33 1/3. The lyrics are perhaps a teeny bit hectoring and Bible-beating (or Bhagavad-Gita-beating, if you will), but I'm sure that the believers would happily sing along. The rest of us agnostics can enjoy the fantastic guitar work. "Be Here Now" is another one of those songs on here that people seem to love or loathe. If you're into Fairport Convention folk, you'll love this. The musical atmosphere is of gentle calm & reflection, and the piece absolutely radiates warmth & grace. "Try Some, By Some" is a return to the Phil Spector sound world of All Things Must Pass. The production seems jarring compared to the low-key sound of the rest of the album, and, to be honest, I have to wonder why George included it. The song isn't bad by any means, but it's definitely LITMW's sore thumb.

"The Day The World Gets 'Round" is a melodic protest song that bemoans man's inhumanity to man. George caught a lot of flack for this tune's lyrics, and they can come across as pretty self-righteous. I really don't think that they were intended to sound that way. Frankly, George was entitled to his feelings since it took his Bangla Desh benefit concert to finally make people aware of the appalling poverty of underdeveloped nations. "That Is All" is a gorgeous song that forms the perfect eulogy for George's life. With chiming guitars and a soaring vocal performance, this is the jewell in the crown of Harrison's career. A great performance! I hope Capitol gets around quickly to remastering this masterpiece soon, as well as the rest of George's catalogue."