George Harrison Documentary & Unreleased Music

Earlier this week, Martin Scorecese's documentary was released on DVD and Blue-ray.  George Harrison: Living in the Material World takes you on a journey through George Harrison's life.  A lot of it is told in his own words and of course through the those that knew him.  Also, available is a companion music collection containing unreleased works by Harrison.  The collection, Early Takes Volume 1 offers up demo versions and other unreleased material.

Martin Scorsese’s GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD, which premiered on HBO last October, is getting a proper release on May 1st. Universal Music Enterprises will be releasing the film on DVD, Blu-ray, and a Deluxe Edition that will include the DVD, Blu-ray, special packaging and a 96-page book of photography to accompany the film. 

The film focuses the imaginative and inspired eye of one of cinema’s most pre-eminent filmmakers on one of the world’s most influential men. The film takes viewers on the musical and spiritual voyage that was Harrison’s life, much of it told in his own words. The result is deeply moving and touches each viewer in unique and individual ways.

There is also an exclusive 10-track album called EARLY TAKES VOLUME 1 on CD and LP featuring previously unreleased music from George Harrison coming on May 1st. The album is a pivotal companion piece to the documentary and features previously unreleased recordings from Harrison

Tracklist

• My Sweet Lord (demo)
• Run Of The Mill (demo)
• I'd Have You Any Time (early take)
• Mama You've Been On My Mind (demo)
• Let It Be Me (demo)
• Woman Don't You Cry For Me (early take)
• Awaiting On You All (early take)
• Behind That Locked Door (demo)
• All Things Must Pass (demo)
• The Light That Has Lighted The World (demo)

Trailer: George Harrison: Living in the Material World

Year End Review: George Harrison - Let It Roll

2009 was a great year from fans of The Beatles. Their entire catalog was digitally re-mastered, they are now a Rock Band video game, former Beatle Paul McCartney released a big ol' honkin' live set and a compilation disc from fellow former bandmate, George Harrison was released. Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison was released back in June, the 16th to be exact. This is the first collection that covers Harrison's entire solo career.

I have a love/hate relationship with best of's, greatest hits, retrospectives, collections or whatever you want to call them. They're great when you're being introduced to an artist or you don't feel like pulling out your whole collection. But, inevitably, there's always something I feel should have been included or left off but, wasn't. Everyone feels that way about these types of productions. There are some glaring omissions on this Harrison compilation but, those omissions have made appearances on some of his other compilations. It still would have been nice to see "Crackerbox Palace," "I Dig Love" and "Cloud Nine" on the collection as well as some of his work with The Traveling Wilburys. But, in all fairness, The Traveling Wilburys records weren't solo efforts. I know, someone will point out that songs he recorded with The Beatles are on here but they're not those versions. The versions that appear on this album come from Harrison's Concert For Bangladesh record thus, a part of his solo career.

What we get with Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison is a very nice look into Harrison's solo career. So many people tend to focus on the Lennon/McCartney songwriting machine that Harrison's songwriting is often overlooked and not as lauded as the solo efforts of Lennon and McCartney. The quiet one wrote his own fair share of classic songs and from beginning to end, you're reminded of that with this record.

How do you review a compilation? Heck, I don't know! Well, lets see, it has a good selection of songs. It covers most of the bases with the casual fan, fan friendly, well known songs. It has some not as well known songs to make the more serious fans happy. I haven't given it a spin on a big fancy stereo system but it sounds great on my media player of choice. There's nothing new or radical here, just 19 songs of good ol' George. If you haven't updated your Harrison collection from vinyl or cassette or for some odd reason need to be introduced to the solo music of George Harrison, this is a good overall place to start.

Track Listing

• Got My Mind Set On You
• Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
• Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
• My Sweet Lord
• While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Live At Madison Square Garden)
• All Things Must Pass
• Any Road
• This Is Love
• All Those Years Ago
• Marwa Blues
• What Is Life
• Rising Sun
• When We Was Fab
• Something (Live At Madison Square Garden)
• Blow Away
• Cheer Down
• Here Comes The Sun (Live At Madison Square Garden )
• I Don't Want To Do It
• Isn't It A Pity

www.georgeharrison.com

Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison

For the first time, fans of George Harrison will be able to lay their hands on a collection that spans his entire solo career. Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison will be released on June 16. The tracks have been digitally remastered and the CD, a 19 song deluxe package that includes an extensive booklet containing rare and unseen photos. For those who prefer to go the digital route, the collection will also be available via all of the major digital outlets.

Of course all of the favorites are included. The disc features three of Harrison's legendary Beatles tunes "Something," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Here Comes The Sun" all taken from the 1971 classic all-star Concert For Bangladesh. In addition to those three gems, his #1 singles "My Sweet Lord," "Isn't It A Pity," "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)" and "Got My Mind Set On You" are also featured.

It looks like a good collection. Personally, there are a few songs missing in my opinion. I would have liked to have seen "Crackerbox Palace," "I Dig Love" and "Cloud Nine" on the disc. But, that's just me. If they put everything everyone wanted in the collection, it'd be a box set!

Listen to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Isn't It A Pity" from Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison.

Track Listing

• Got My Mind Set On You
• Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)
• Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)
• My Sweet Lord
• While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Live At Madison Square Garden)
• All Things Must Pass
• Any Road
• This Is Love
• All Those Years Ago
• Marwa Blues
• What Is Life
• Rising Sun
• When We Was Fab
• Something (Live At Madison Square Garden)
• Blow Away
• Cheer Down
• Here Comes The Sun (Live At Madison Square Garden )
• I Don't Want To Do It
• Isn't It A Pity