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47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Best "best of..." Harrison album out there, February 24, 2004
Some 10 years ago, I wandered into a junk store in San Antonio and picked up this CD for $5. What a bargain! Often seemingly a sideman for Paul & John, George was in fact a respectable singer, good songwriter, and remarkably versatile guitarist. This album bears witness to that.Harrison toured Japan with Eric Clapton and his band, and "Live" aptly reflects the set he played. Given the song selection, it could just as well be called "The Best of George Harrison, But Played Live". The album opens with a rousing version of "I Want to Tell You" (from Revolver), then moves energically through a list of songs carefully selected from his Beatle and solo eras. Interspersed, of course, are featured guitar and keyboard solos from Clapton and band. As you would expect, the backing band is high-powered and first-rate. Additionally, there's lots of good acoustic guitar work, well played even if the sound from those earlier guitar pickups is a bit brittle."If I Needed Someone" (Rubber Soul) is beautifully nailed, and is a prime example of the Beatles' transition into 4-track recording and more complex music. "Piggies" (white album) gets points for sheer audacity, and is actually quite well played. "Taxman" (Revolver) gets a political facelift. "Something" (Abbey Road) is nice, but Clapton should have mimicked the original guitar solo, instead of exploring. "Got My Mind Set on You" is a clone of the radio hit -- that's a compliment, by the way, although this always seemed a strange song coming from a guy who urged us to shun worldy possessions. "Here Comes the Sun" (Abbey Road) and "My Sweet Lord" are, in my mind, the true highlights of the entire set, and "All Those Years Ago" ranks highly. Although "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (white album) is the album climax, I found the guitar licks somewhat unfulfilling. Clapton is in much better form on the new Tribute CD. Finally, the album exits with an enthusiastic version of "Roll Over Beethoven" (Beatles' Second Album), a staple from the Hamburg and Cavern Club days. This is a wonderful album in terms of song selection, musicianship, and recording quality. And purists won't have to worry about the songs having been significantly changed. In my opinion, it's the best "best of..." George Harrison album out there. Thank goodness it's being re-released. With all due respect to the current "Tribute" CD, "Live in Japan" is an even better tribute.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific live album All those years ago...., September 28, 2003
Harrison didn't perform much live after his Dark Horse tour. Honestly, touring didn't hold much attraction for him later in life I suppose. Luckily, we have this fine collection that covers his career from The Beatles to his Dark Horse Best of collection from over a decade ago. Back by Eric Clapton and his band, Harrison turns in some terrific performances. It's a bit slick with all the rough edges removed which is where Harrison was at the time.Opening with I Want to Tell You (a great opening song and so appropriate) and working his way all the way back to Chuck Berry's Roll Over Beethoven, he touches on the major songs from his career. In reality, this is a greatest hits album recorded live as it concentrates mostly on his singles and Beatle album tracks at the expense of some lesser known material.Some songs work better than others. I Want To Tell You is spirited and Old Brown Shoe has always been a Beatles favorite of mine. It's an underrated minor Harrison classic that receives a nice reading here. If I needed Someone and What Is Life roar out of the stable but it's the unusual selections of Dark Horse and Piggies on the first disc that make this interesting. Disc Two starts with the rousing Cloud 9. The sublime Here Comes The Sun captures your attention next. My Sweet Lord benefits from an expanded arrangement. The only song that doesn't work for me is All Those Years Ago. I never cared for it when it was first released and still don't. Still, it's a good performance. Devil's Radio features Harrison's humorous take on talk radio and talk TV. Isn't It A Pity (which I've always felt recalls Hey Jude beyond the dirge like arrangement)is downright majestic. Harrison closes with the whiplash snap of While My Guitar Gently Weeps which rocks out the house after the preceding dirge. Roll Over Beethoven brings him full circle; it was his first hit single in America with The Beatles. Interestingly, Harrison doesn't play any of his music and guitar playing idol Carl Perkins' tunes. I would have loved to hear George do a cover of Honey Don't (which Ringo sang with The Beatles and John performed for a BBC performance) or even his interesting arrangement of John and Paul's In My Life.It's a pity that Live in Japan wasn't performed all around the world vs. just Japan but it's understandable; after The Beatles, his disasterous Dark Horse tour (where he lost his voice and critics were quite unkind)and Lennon's murder, Harrison was reluctant to be as exposed again. Great performance immortalized for us all (hopefully some video exists of this somewhere). We miss you George!
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
George with backing band featuring Eric, February 26, 2004
Clapton convinced Harrison to tour again and the resulting album Live in Japan gives us a great overview of George's career. While George was never as prolific as John and Paul (and some of his material was both deservedly and undeservedly shot down by the others), many of his Beatles era songs are as good as it gets. The album opens with the gem "I Want to Tell You" from "Revolver" and then bursts to full life with the rickty "Old Brown Shoe". The rousing and angry "Taxman" provides a bit of bite and one my fav Harrison singles the melodic "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" makes its first live appearence on record in a faithful but sweet performance. George goes to town on the slide solo. "If I needed Someone" with its Byrds inspired guitar provides a glimpse back to The Beatles in 1965. "Something" and "What is Life" from the end of The Beatles and the beginning of his solo career are also included. The former is ably performed but lacks the power of the "Abbey Road" version while the latter has a nice solo from Clapton that gives it additional kick. The first CD closes with three tunes drawn from three different era's the 60's, 70's and 80's. "Dark Horse" has always been a fav solo tune and it finally gets the performance it deserves with a full bodied vocal from George. "Piggies" is a by-the-numbers live remake of the White Album classic. The final track "Got My Mind Set On You" (written by Rudy Clark)catches all the fire of the studio version. Harrison's arrangement of this marvelous previously unknown single gem sparkles.The second disc takes off with the beautiful melodic guitar parts of Clapton and Harrison from "Cloud 9". "Here Comes the Sun" peaks out from behind the musical clouds providing warmth and features a nicely played solo as well. "My Sweet Lord" from Harrison's magnum opus "All Things Must Pass" makes its first live appearence on record. The tribute Harrison wrote to John Lennon "All Those Years Ago" features a snazzy, jazzy arrangement. "Cheer Down" from "Lethal Weapon 2" "Devil's Radio", "Isn't it a Pity" all sound great. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" lacks some of the fire of the studio recording but holds up well. The CD finishes with George reaching into the past with his remake of Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoveen" (from With The Beatles and The Beatles Second Album if memory serves).While this great little live album doesn't feature bonus tracks, the album has been nicely remixed for SACD with 5.1 sound. The mix is clean and nicely arranged for surround sound although I confess to preferring the stereo version.
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