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Elly Roberts reviews
Parlophone
- Released: September 2006
- Rating: 8/10
In 1967, at the age of 24, George Harrison said,“I think with us having all the material wealth that we need, then youknow, the average person feels that if they had a car and a telly and ahouse then thats where its at. But if you get a car and a telly and ahouse and even a lot of money your lifes still empty because its stillon a gross level.
What we need isnt material, its spiritual. We need some other form ofpeace and happiness.”
His then, recent investigation into Indian music led him to a spiritualpath that he followed until his untimely death. To that end he consciouslyendeavoured to avoid a commercial trend. Produced by widow Olivia and sonDhani Harrison, this newly re-mastered Living In… was Harrisonssecond release after the break-up of the Fab Four.
It now comes with two extras Deep Blue and Miss ODell. Onits original release in 1973 it peaked at No.2, spawning its only singleGive Me Peace, which went to No.8 on the UK singles chart. Theyfaired better Stateside, both chart toppers.
He was the first ex-Beatle to score a solo number one hit (twice over 70 &02) with My Sweet Lord. On this he continued to explore spiritualthemes with his then band, pianists Nicky Hopkins and Gary Wright, bassistKlaus Voormann and renowned drummer Jim Keltner at Apple Studio, 3 SavileRow, London.
Lyrically its a very personal album, with a strong emphasis on reaching beyondsecular issues of the time. It has a strong post hippy, Summer Of Lovethrowback. With the exception of Sue Me , Sue You Blues, written duringthe Beatles demise, where he exhibits a rare bluesy side, its analbum targeting eternal hope, during a time of turmoil.
Ballads The Light That Has Lighted , Who Can See It, The Day Gets Aroundare full of heartfelt lyrics underpinning his global viewpoint with greatarticulation and precision. Try Some Buy Some sounds more like aBeatles leftover from the late sixties. Jaunty full-filled (certainly MissODell where Harrison regular breaks into laughter) and Deep Blue, are albumafter-thoughts, and rather peculiar additions, nevertheless, they blend,even juxtapose, well with the main tracklisting.
Of course Give Me Peace (Give Me Love) is a timeless beauty, whichwas not only a soundtrack to the early ’70s, but one that could also applyto the dangerous state of the world today.
Weblink:georgeharrison.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Give me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
2. Sue Me, Sue You Blues
3. The Light That Has Lighted The World
4. Dont Let Me Wait Too Long
5. Who Can See It
6. Living In The Material World
7. The Lords Loves The One (That Loves The Lord)
8. Be Here Now
9. Try Some Buy Some
10. The Day The World Gets Round
11. That Is All
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.