Electronic Sound [IMPORT]

George Harrison

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 10, 1996)
• Original Release Date: May 26, 1969
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Emd Int'l
• ASIN: B0000070RC
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #91,210 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Reissue of George's second non-Beatles album. Self-produced,it contains two lengthy experimental electronic tracks & wasfirst released on the Apple label in 1969. Also includes theoriginal cover art. 1996 EMI release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars George Harrison's Moog Masterwork!!, May 30, 2003

By	Louie Bourland (Garden Grove CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

When it comes to the so-called 'synthesizer wizards', one would not usually think of Beatle George as being one of them. For a brief time in 1969 however, he was just that. Following a recording session for Apple artist Jackie Lomax, George expressed a high interest in what was then a relavtively new instrument. Immediately following this, he purchased a Moog synthesizer and assembled "Electronic Sound". Shortly afterwards, The Beatles were using the Moog for the sessions which became the "Abbey Road" album.
Originally released in May 1969 on the Zapple label, "Electronic Sound" was dismissed as uncommercial rubbish. Over 30 years after its original release, it's amazing to see just how far ahead of its time this album really is.
"Under The Mersey Wall" is the first of the two tracks which comprise this album. It begins with a series of racecar-like noises and various other sounds. At about the half-way mark, the piece shifts into a surreal meditative mood which floats like a strange unknown planet.
"No Time Or Space" is a 25-minute masterwork which goes all over the place. There has been a long-running controversy surrounding this piece. Synth-pioneer Bernie Krause has claimed in numerous publications that it was he, not George, who created this track. Indeed, Krause is credited as an assistant on this track but it is still a mystery as to who is actually creating the noises on this track. Either way, there is no denying that this piece is extraordinary. It begins with what sounds like a plethora of shotgun blasts. This then transforms into a series squaks, squeals and bursts of white noise. After several minutes of this, a giant galeforce wind of white noise comes in which leads into roughly 15-minutes worth of what sounds like aliens taking over a galaxy in a sci-fi cartoon. As the piece draws to its close, the chaotic space sounds turn into random belches, farts and crackles (No kidding). Then it's all over.
I must say that I was ecstatic when I found my original vinyl copy of "Electronic Sound". When it was made available on CD, I jumped at the opportunity as well. This is a genuine Beatles collectors item. If you only like George's melodic stuff and don't have an ear for experimental music, you may want to skip over this one. However, if you're a die-hard Beatle fan/collector and love something out of the ordinary, check this one out.
Electronic music has certainly grown and matured over years as well as the technology being used to create it. It certainly is fascinating to add George Harrison to the list of many musicians who helped pioneer the genre when it was just starting. Little did George know that we would have an evergrowing list of artists building upon what he did back in 1969.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The most un-"Harrison" recording ever..., December 18, 2002

By	The Man On The Flaming Pie (The Foothills of the Headlands) - See all my reviews

OK, we all know what this album is, right? For the benefit of those who don't already know, this album was originally released in 1969 and was George Harrison's experiment with nothing more than a moog synthesizer. It's not what you'd call "music"...as the title suggests, it is "sound." That does not mean that it's in the same category as John Lennon's "Revolution 9" or his other experiments, however. This is 40-some minutes of sound created with a moog synthesizer--there are no vocals or voices in it whatsoever. You will also not hear any of George's guitar talent or even any actual rhythms.
This is a good album to listen to if you need some far-out background sound for whatever reason. You will not be able to memorize this like you would with regular songs, so the album sounds almost new every time you listen to it. If you like more modern industrial music, you might really enjoy this album, if not solely for its historical signifigance.
Listening tip: Wear headphones or have your speakers on either side of you to get that nice "surround" effect. Many of the sounds jump from side to side and it's much more exciting to listen to this way (as is pretty much anything recorded back when stereo was still a new thing).

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Curiosity, July 6, 2000

By	Astrid Slomova (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

If you are about to begin a collection of the solo output of the Beatles, this is not the place to start. This album was originally released in 1969 on the Zapple label (a subsidiary of Apple, which only released two albums) as an experiment in sound. It is George Harrison tinkering on a Moog synthesizer for three quarters of an hour. It does get old. I have this in my collection only for the sake of having a complete collection, and for that, it is essential. Understand, however, that I have listened to the CD once (the same is true for my original vinyl copy). If you want everything Beatles or George Harrison, buy it. If you want to listen to George Harrison's music, start with the absolutely brilliant ALL THINGS MUST PASS.