George Harrison

Live In Japan

Buy it for the band's sound, not for George's vocals

Review Score:

(8/10)
George hadn't performed live for many years until this trip to Japan in the early 1990s, or just two or three years before the Beatles Anthology was put out. Never a great vocalist, George nevertheless managed to sing decent enough, especially for the last Beatles period and his early solo career. Still, he was at his best in supporting than leading roles, and indeed, in "Abbey Road" he sang "Something" as Paul would have and "Here Comes the Sun" as John would!

Unfortunately, after a long absence from touring, by this time his voice had faded a great deal, and in this CD, it sounds hoarse, nasal, slightly whiny, not particularly melodious or attractive. From "Give Me Love" to "Something" to "Piggies" to "Cloud 9" to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," the Quiet Beatle simply doesn't deliver. Sad to say, but perhaps also understandable.

Still, this CD is worth having simply because George is supported by Eric Clapton's very fine band. It plays tight and well, a feat repeated just over a decade later in the "Concert for George." Clapton's guitar solos are especially breath-taking -- the solos in "Something," "Isn't It a Pity," and "While My Guitar..." are only three of the many brilliant takes from George's dear friend. Also, not all the singing is lost, as Clapton's band also provided background vocals, and the best singing comes when there's more band vocals, usually in rocking songs like "Taxman," "Devil's Radio," and "Roll Over Beethoven."

In conclusion, listen to the guitar solos and the band; for better vocals of George's songs, get "Concert for George".

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