A Real Guitar Superstar
George Harrison may have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, have been inducted to the Rock n’Roll Hall of Fame Twice and won 11 Grammys, but this is the first career-spanning collection of this work.
The Beatles are still as popular as ever, as proved by the tremendous amount of people who flooded Abbey Road on the 40th anniversary of the album cover’s creation. The 19 songs on this album show why Harrison’s solo work is so important, and should still appeal to the new generations finding themselves captivated by The Beatles. From the upbeat, glorious glee of ‘Got My Mind Set On You’ and ‘My Sweet Lord’, which go all out with 60s ecstasy, to the more introspective ‘The Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll)’, which has a more recognisable indie sound, and the tense ‘When We Was Fab’, there’s plenty to enjoy about this compilation.
A live version of ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ from Bangladesh is a special addition, capturing the full passion of the track and even the rapturous applause of the crowd. Earlier and more contemporary material blend seamlessly as they all sport Harrison’s characteristic vocals and trippy, catchy guitarwork.
George Harrison is probably especially well known for his fondness of Indian culture, which does come across on several of the tracks here. George’s own guitar expertise is demonstrated by the beautiful instrumental ‘Marwa Blues’, which won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental; it’s dreamy slide guitar and glossy sound make it a modern treasure.
The “quiet Beatle” released over a dozen albums in his lifetime, so there’s plenty to celebrate from his 1970 album ‘All Things Must Pass’, through to 2002’s ‘Brainwashed’. ‘Let It Roll’ is a very good collection of Harrison’s work that flows far better than the average compilation and should remind everyone why Harrison’s solo material should never be overlooked.