Brainwashed (+DVD) - George Harrison

...a vitriolic song about being brainwashed by the Dow Jones, FTSE, Brussels, Washington (prophetic or what?), before the mood changes to one of tranquillity with the reading of a passage from 'How to know God', and an impassioned cry to God to put things right. A few chants and an Eastern drone bring the track to a peaceful conclusion. From most other artists, a piece like this would sound pretentious, but given George's history, it makes sense.
...Pass', his first proper solo album (i.e. apart from two albums of avant-garde film and electronic music issued before the Beatles broke up), was his masterpiece, and this probably his next best. Having lived with both side by side for several months, I'd put 'Brainwashed' at the top of my list. 'ATMP' had its fair share of OK-to-middling and maudlin fare, not to mention those rather self-indulgent jams. This doesn't.

Maybe I'm lacking ... more

'Brainwashed' was the album George Harrison, 'The Quiet One' of the Beatles, began working on around two years before his death in November 2001. He had already undergone treatment for cancer, and a violent physical assault on him in 1999 had clearly taken its toll. Yet there's a total absence of self-pity about these songs. Occasionally there is anger at the state of the world around him, but on the whole it's a remarkably uplifting collection of work from a man who had been away from the recording scene for several years – his last previous studio album as a soloist was released in 1987 - and who was determined to leave a real blinder for the world to remember him by.

Left unfinished at his death, it was completed by former ELO man, Traveling Wilbury colleague and honorary Beatle Jeff Lynne, and George's son Dhani, both of whom add backing vocals, guitar and other instruments throughout, while long-term sidekick Jim Keltner plays drums. On release, there were some reviews criticising Jeff for having polished the sound up too much, and not leaving the songs in more or less demo form. Personally I disagree; firstly, I adored both Traveling Wilburys albums, and secondly, I feel that talented as George was, it generally required another producer - initially Phil Spector, latterly Jeff - to act as a catalyst and bring out the best in him.

Track one, the jaunty 'Any Road' is arguably the best. It's certainly the most instantly commercial, quite folksy – think Traveling Wilburys, think Gerry Rafferty - with a singalong chorus rounding off a philosophical yet gently good-humoured lyric. The banjolele gives it a folksy warmth, and there’s no mistaking that slide guitar which still sends shivers down the spine. An obvious choice for a single, it was released thus in May 2003 and not only charted at No. 37, but also gave the album a second wind saleswise.

It's not often you hear George playing the blues, but as the title suggests, 'P2 Vatican Blues' finds him experimenting with the idiom, with mildly satirical lyrics and a more sturdy guitar sound.

'Pisces Fish' is slower, surrounded with ethereal keyboards, courtesy of Mike Moran (whom some of you might remember as Lynsey de Paul's musical partner on a rather nondescript UK Eurovision entry in 1977). The more sprightly 'Looking For My Life' and 'Rising Sun' both have that same folksy soft-rock feel, and the latter is probably musically the closest you'll get to ELO with its restrained use of strings and cello effects.

Resting the vocal chords for a moment mid-way through the album comes a glorious slide guitar instrumental, 'Marwa Blues'. On first listen it may sound a tad dull, but give it time. As an ambient mood piece, it works perfectly as a breathing space.

'Stuck Inside A Cloud' was released as a media promotion-only CD single just before the album. With its mid-tempo mood, trademark slide guitar, and thoughtful lyrics, it's probably the most typical of what people generally expect of George.

The slow 'Run So Far' with its big anthemic chorus and the tender 'Never Get Over You' both hark back to his early 70s sound; in fact, the latter is reminiscent in musical and lyrical mood to 'Something'. No surprises, perhaps, but there is on what follows, ‘Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea' the only track not written by George (it's a pre-war Harold Arlen composition). Recorded in 1991, it's the only one not to feature Jeff and Dhani. Instead step forward Jools Holland, Joe Brown, tuba player Herbie Flowers (onetime member of Blue Mink, CCS and T Rex, and writer of Clive Dunn's chart-topper 'Grandad'). This is knees-up skiffle singalong for the 21st century, and it adds another dimension to the collection.

Equally untypical is 'Rocking Chair In Hawaii'. A touch of the Caribbean sunshine flavour in the Dobro slide, ukulele, and a hint of steel guitar, it's one of the most instantly catchy songs here.

That leads us to the finale and title track. 'Brainwashed' is a 6-minute epic, with stabbing piano chords from former Deep Purple keyboard man Jon Lord, one of George's near-neighbours in Henley, introducing a vitriolic song about being brainwashed by the Dow Jones, FTSE, Brussels, Washington (prophetic or what?), before the mood changes to one of tranquillity with the reading of a passage from 'How to know God', and an impassioned cry to God to put things right. A few chants and an Eastern drone bring the track to a peaceful conclusion. From most other artists, a piece like this would sound pretentious, but given George's history, it makes sense.

Most reviewers maintain that 'All Things Must Pass', his first proper solo album (i.e. apart from two albums of avant-garde film and electronic music issued before the Beatles broke up), was his masterpiece, and this probably his next best. Having lived with both side by side for several months, I'd put 'Brainwashed' at the top of my list. 'ATMP' had its fair share of OK-to-middling and maudlin fare, not to mention those rather self-indulgent jams. This doesn't.

Maybe I'm lacking objectivity, but I have no hesitation in calling this his best ever. And in view of his state of health when he recorded it, it's ironic that his voice sounds stronger here somehow than it did on some of his early 70s solo material. The scan above, by the way, shows the not very attractive initial design. Thankfully, it’s since been revamped – that picture has been relegated to the back cover, and on the front is a shot of George himself. The digipak includes a booklet with lyrics and full track-by-track personnel listing.

Five stars without a doubt, and the record certainly lived up to my (pretty high) expectations. Thanks George, RIP, thanks Jeff, Dhani and everyone else. If you ever enjoyed his work and respected him as an artist, you'll love this album. If you weren't that familiar with him, and wondered why he was so deeply mourned on his death, a couple of listens will surely show you why.

The regular issue is available on Amazon at £11.99. A vinyl LP can be had for £16.99, and if you look hard enough (try Amazon marketplace or eBay), there's also a limited edition in a black box also containing a DVD with footage of the recording of the album.

 

...less