One last cry for George

George Harrison
BRAINWASHED
EMI Records/Parlophone

Just before his death in late 2001, George Harrison finished some tracks for a new album that he planned to call "Portrait of a Leg End."

Unfortunately, he did not get to see the name-change or that it turned to an impressive gold record in the States just a week ago. He’s too far away for that now.

It is also such a pity that George did not find out that this was going to be his most successful album (commercially and critically) in over 12 years. Oh sure, he would not have given a damn if the thing sold or not, but I kinda know he would have been happy with the results.

"Brainwashed," co-produced by the ex-Beatle’s longtime pal Jeff Lynne and son Dhani, is a moving posthumous work of art — it being accomplished, light, witty, laid-back, and even sorrowful. The album is pure Harrison and it does not disappoint.

It starts off with Any Road, which is reminiscent of his days with The Traveling Wilburys (with music stars Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan) because of the luscious wordplay ("if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there") and the gangling guitar strums. Followed by a nice rocky surprise like P2 Vatican Blues (Last Saturday Night) prepares the listener to a lingering slow jingle with Pisces Fish.

In the album, George then gets kinda serious with Looking For My Life — a ditty still unclear to me if it was about his battle with cancer or the violent attack by a deranged fan inside his mansion in 1999. Whatever it is about, the number comes off sounding good, which I guess is what really matters. Rising Sun follows and is very inspired both lyrically and musically.

The next song, Stuck Inside a Cloud, is my personal favorite in the album. And even if Lynne sometimes goes overboard with his production, he still cannot shake off the track’s natural beauty. Very melodious and packed with lots of George’s original guitar style, it is no wonder it was made the first single. It’s probably his best piece of work since Lethal Weapon 2’s Cheer Down.

Run So Far and Never Get Over You, both solid numbers, blast to the speakers before laying the carpet for Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea — a wonderful ukulele tune which startlingly goes well with George’s natural soulful voice. Rocking Chair in Hawaii, a favorite of many critics then shuffles in. It is again a total Harrison number and sounds really cool but ends too abruptly. The final song is the title track, which may seem like a rocking lecture and complaint about life, but actually only a mere reflection of the artist’s thoughts in modern society.

Musically, George did not shy away from his patented slide guitar. "Give me plenty of that guitar," he mumbles in the opening of the CD, and he does.

Harrison was never a fan of overproduction, and he always tried to make the most complicated musical pieces sound simple. Lynne and Dhani bow down and grant the artist’s wishes (except again in Stuck Inside a Cloud) and let George take over from beyond.

The whole album is clever and upbeat. This proves that Harrison, one of the more gifted songwriters in recorded music, still had much in him when he passed away. It’s also good to know that his swan song didn’t sound like hackwork — something ex-bandmate Paul McCartney has unwittingly gotten himself into. And I’m glad consumers made it quite a successful release (it debuted in the Billboard Top 20) despite virtually no promotion and amid new works by the Shania Twains and J. Lo’s of the world.

This Harrison gem is indeed a sad reminder of how much of an artist the world of music lost. And I’m not just talking about an uneven solo career. But his (and the Beatles’) influence is heard in all of popular music today. So instead of weeping over the loss of a legend, perhaps we should be happy enough to know that we have this last collection of his talents still available in record shops.

Farewell, George, you will be missed.

* * *

(Author’s note: some album info taken from fmsound.com)

* * *

My brother’s band (which includes yours truly) is looking for an attractive female keyboard player (preferably who knows how to play the guitar). Music genres being played are rock (classic and modern), some pop, and alternative. Interested parties may e-mail me at reuben_matthew@hotamail.com or text or call 0917-9155264. Look for Lawrence. Many thanks! And please, no fakes.