Post by Panther on May 6, 2012 4:35:02 GMT -5
Wiki seems to have a really nice, updated article now on Living In The Material World, which is really worth reading: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_in_the_Material_World
Lots of info there!
I regard this album very highly. As referred to in the article, Simon Leng wrote about how this album is almost a "forgotten blockbuster", having spent longer at the top of the US charts than Band on the Run. Amazingly, George twice had both the #1 single and #1 album in the US simultaneously.
Leng also described the album as being like a last-gasp of the 60s' ethos, which I sort of agree with. I mean, when John recorded songs like "Mind Games" and "Freeda People" just after these songs, they sound like a now old guy trying to unsuccessfully revive the 60s, whereas George's album sounds very heartfelt and contemporary.
It's also notable that George plays ALL of the guitar on this album. George detractors go on about how George can't play his own leads, etc., but this album clearly gives the lie to that.
"Give Me Love" is such a great song, and its arrangement is really unique. Jim Keltner later said that the intro to it was begun kind of suddenly, or without any warning, and consequently it's impossible to replicate exactly, and that he doesn't really know what they played! I also wasn't aware that Paul McCartney, in 1973, had commented on this song; apparently he said it was "very nice", and added: "The guitar solo is ace and I like the time changes."
I'm a big fan also of "Sue Me, Sue You Blues", "The Light That Has Lighted The World" (which is a very unique-sounding song, but lovely), "Don't Let Me Wait Too Long", "Be Here Now", and "The Day The World Gets Round" -- all first-rate songs, I think. Actually, "The Lord Loves the One" is pretty great, too.
It's a mystery as to why "Don't Let Me Wait Too Long" wasn't issued as a second single. Surely, it was at least a guaranteed top 20 hit?
I do think "Try Some, Buy Some" was a poor choice for a revived song as it doesn't mesh with the other songs. This album is probably one great song short of being a classic, but I still think it's George's 2nd-best album and a rather outstanding effort.
Thoughts?
Lots of info there!
I regard this album very highly. As referred to in the article, Simon Leng wrote about how this album is almost a "forgotten blockbuster", having spent longer at the top of the US charts than Band on the Run. Amazingly, George twice had both the #1 single and #1 album in the US simultaneously.
Leng also described the album as being like a last-gasp of the 60s' ethos, which I sort of agree with. I mean, when John recorded songs like "Mind Games" and "Freeda People" just after these songs, they sound like a now old guy trying to unsuccessfully revive the 60s, whereas George's album sounds very heartfelt and contemporary.
It's also notable that George plays ALL of the guitar on this album. George detractors go on about how George can't play his own leads, etc., but this album clearly gives the lie to that.
"Give Me Love" is such a great song, and its arrangement is really unique. Jim Keltner later said that the intro to it was begun kind of suddenly, or without any warning, and consequently it's impossible to replicate exactly, and that he doesn't really know what they played! I also wasn't aware that Paul McCartney, in 1973, had commented on this song; apparently he said it was "very nice", and added: "The guitar solo is ace and I like the time changes."
I'm a big fan also of "Sue Me, Sue You Blues", "The Light That Has Lighted The World" (which is a very unique-sounding song, but lovely), "Don't Let Me Wait Too Long", "Be Here Now", and "The Day The World Gets Round" -- all first-rate songs, I think. Actually, "The Lord Loves the One" is pretty great, too.
It's a mystery as to why "Don't Let Me Wait Too Long" wasn't issued as a second single. Surely, it was at least a guaranteed top 20 hit?
I do think "Try Some, Buy Some" was a poor choice for a revived song as it doesn't mesh with the other songs. This album is probably one great song short of being a classic, but I still think it's George's 2nd-best album and a rather outstanding effort.
Thoughts?