Customer Reviews

Live in Japan (Hybr)

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Some 10 years ago, I wandered into a junk store in San Antonio and picked up this CD for $5. What a bargain! Often seemingly a sideman for Paul & John, George was in fact a respectable singer, good songwriter, and remarkably versatile guitarist. This album bears witness to that.

Harrison toured Japan with Eric Clapton and his band, and "Live" aptly reflects the set he played. Given the song selection, it could just as well be called "The Best of George Harrison, But Played Live". The album opens with a rousing version of "I Want to Tell You" (from Revolver), then moves energically through a list of songs carefully selected from his Beatle and solo eras. Interspersed, of course, are featured guitar and keyboard solos from Clapton and band. As you would expect, the backing band is high-powered and first-rate. Additionally, there's lots of good acoustic guitar work, well played even if the sound from those earlier guitar pickups is a bit brittle.

"If I Needed Someone" (Rubber Soul) is beautifully nailed, and is a prime example of the Beatles' transition into 4-track recording and more complex music. "Piggies" (white album) gets points for sheer audacity, and is actually quite well played. "Taxman" (Revolver) gets a political facelift. "Something" (Abbey Road) is nice, but Clapton should have mimicked the original guitar solo, instead of exploring. "Got My Mind Set on You" is a clone of the radio hit -- that's a compliment, by the way, although this always seemed a strange song coming from a guy who urged us to shun worldy possessions. "Here Comes the Sun" (Abbey Road) and "My Sweet Lord" are, in my mind, the true highlights of the entire set, and "All Those Years Ago" ranks highly. Although "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (white album) is the album climax, I found the guitar licks somewhat unfulfilling. Clapton is in much better form on the new Tribute CD. Finally, the album exits with an enthusiastic version of "Roll Over Beethoven" (Beatles' Second Album), a staple from the Hamburg and Cavern Club days.

This is a wonderful album in terms of song selection, musicianship, and recording quality. And purists won't have to worry about the songs having been significantly changed. In my opinion, it's the best "best of..." George Harrison album out there. Thank goodness it's being re-released. With all due respect to the current "Tribute" CD, "Live in Japan" is an even better tribute.

Harrison didn't perform much live after his Dark Horse tour. Honestly, touring didn't hold much attraction for him later in life I suppose. Luckily, we have this fine collection that covers his career from The Beatles to his Dark Horse Best of collection from over a decade ago. Back by Eric Clapton and his band, Harrison turns in some terrific performances. It's a bit slick with all the rough edges removed which is where Harrison was at the time.

Opening with I Want to Tell You (a great opening song and so appropriate) and working his way all the way back to Chuck Berry's Roll Over Beethoven, he touches on the major songs from his career. In reality, this is a greatest hits album recorded live as it concentrates mostly on his singles and Beatle album tracks at the expense of some lesser known material.

Some songs work better than others. I Want To Tell You is spirited and Old Brown Shoe has always been a Beatles favorite of mine. It's an underrated minor Harrison classic that receives a nice reading here. If I needed Someone and What Is Life roar out of the stable but it's the unusual selections of Dark Horse and Piggies on the first disc that make this interesting.

Disc Two starts with the rousing Cloud 9. The sublime Here Comes The Sun captures your attention next. My Sweet Lord benefits from an expanded arrangement. The only song that doesn't work for me is All Those Years Ago. I never cared for it when it was first released and still don't. Still, it's a good performance. Devil's Radio features Harrison's humorous take on talk radio and talk TV. Isn't It A Pity (which I've always felt recalls Hey Jude beyond the dirge like arrangement)is downright majestic. Harrison closes with the whiplash snap of While My Guitar Gently Weeps which rocks out the house after the preceding dirge. Roll Over Beethoven brings him full circle; it was his first hit single in America with The Beatles. Interestingly, Harrison doesn't play any of his music and guitar playing idol Carl Perkins' tunes. I would have loved to hear George do a cover of Honey Don't (which Ringo sang with The Beatles and John performed for a BBC performance) or even his interesting arrangement of John and Paul's In My Life.

It's a pity that Live in Japan wasn't performed all around the world vs. just Japan but it's understandable; after The Beatles, his disasterous Dark Horse tour (where he lost his voice and critics were quite unkind)and Lennon's murder, Harrison was reluctant to be as exposed again. Great performance immortalized for us all (hopefully some video exists of this somewhere). We miss you George!

Clapton convinced Harrison to tour again and the resulting album Live in Japan gives us a great overview of George's career. While George was never as prolific as John and Paul (and some of his material was both deservedly and undeservedly shot down by the others), many of his Beatles era songs are as good as it gets. The album opens with the gem "I Want to Tell You" from "Revolver" and then bursts to full life with the rickty "Old Brown Shoe". The rousing and angry "Taxman" provides a bit of bite and one my fav Harrison singles the melodic "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" makes its first live appearence on record in a faithful but sweet performance. George goes to town on the slide solo. "If I needed Someone" with its Byrds inspired guitar provides a glimpse back to The Beatles in 1965. "Something" and "What is Life" from the end of The Beatles and the beginning of his solo career are also included. The former is ably performed but lacks the power of the "Abbey Road" version while the latter has a nice solo from Clapton that gives it additional kick. The first CD closes with three tunes drawn from three different era's the 60's, 70's and 80's. "Dark Horse" has always been a fav solo tune and it finally gets the performance it deserves with a full bodied vocal from George. "Piggies" is a by-the-numbers live remake of the White Album classic. The final track "Got My Mind Set On You" (written by Rudy Clark)catches all the fire of the studio version. Harrison's arrangement of this marvelous previously unknown single gem sparkles.

The second disc takes off with the beautiful melodic guitar parts of Clapton and Harrison from "Cloud 9". "Here Comes the Sun" peaks out from behind the musical clouds providing warmth and features a nicely played solo as well. "My Sweet Lord" from Harrison's magnum opus "All Things Must Pass" makes a powerful live appearance here, The tribute Harrison wrote to John Lennon "All Those Years Ago" features a snazzy, jazzy arrangement. "Cheer Down" from "Lethal Weapon 2" "Devil's Radio", "Isn't it a Pity" all sound great. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" lacks some of the fire of the studio recording but holds up well. The CD finishes with George reaching into the past with his remake of Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoveen" (from With The Beatles and The Beatles Second Album if memory serves).

While this great little live album doesn't feature bonus tracks, the album has been nicely remixed for SACD with 5.1 sound. The mix is clean and nicely arranged for surround sound although I confess to preferring the stereo version.

I have heard that this CD is due to be re-released in SACD as part of that whole re-relasing of the dark horse catalog. It's hard to find right now, though it often is available here used at a decent price. I play this concert often, seems like he really is having a lot of fun! As for the corporate sound, Clapton had that much of his late career don't you think. His guitar playing is fantastic though, but he always said he gave his best for his buddy George. George's voice is really good too most of the time. I agree with most everyone else that "Isn't it a Pity" and "While my guitar gently weeps" are the highlights. Would be cool if it was released as a DVD and you wonder what a Wilbury's tour would have been like (just before this tour) had there been one.

George didn't tour after his disastrous '74 Dark Horse tour. He had been castigated because he changed lyrics in several Beatles songs and his voice gave out halfway through the tour. He finally played live again in Japan and the result is this fabulous recording, replete with Clapton on blistering guitar. The remarkable thing is, several songs on this two-CD set are superior to the original recordings. Believe it or not, Here Comes the Sun is better than the 1969 version on Abbey Road. I realize it's sacreligious to say any solo effort could top a Beatles effort, but it's true. Isn't it a Pity is also an improvement over the Phil Spectorized 1970 original version.

The only small criticism is that George's vocals are sometimes not mixed correctly. This is especially evident in the closing encore song, Roll Over Beethoven. You can scarcely hear George over the female background singers. But this is a minor complaint. If you love George Harrison, this is a must have set. Enjoy it!

I look at Harrison's Live In Japan as more than a collection of music played live. Taken with "Brainwashed" and "Concert For George", this album is the first of an epic trilogy in which George first says good bye to us, and then we say goodbye to him.

Coming off a five-year hiatus in 1987, George re-enters the limelight with "Cloud Nine". The years 1987 - 1991 were one of those post-breakup golden eras of the Fab Four. The three surviving Beatles were beginning to reconnect with each other, Yoko puts out "Imagine". The ice was thawing rapidly now, and Beatles fans were deliciously treated.

From Cloud Nine to the Traveling Wilbury albums, George is having a blast, and shows that of all rock icons, he has perhaps the coolest and perhaps most numerous group of iconic friends. Everybody is jamming with George these days. In the pantheon of the Beatles legend, 1987 - 1991 were George's years.

The quiet Beatle, who shunned the limelight, agrees to do this concert and album in Japan. His music covers the gamut - only about half love songs, the remainder are his commentary on life, the environment, spirituality, his love for John Lennon and all of his friends. On this album, George Harrison is where he was not often found while in the Fabs: front and center, and he masterfully commands the stage.

To the side, Harrison's devoted friend Eric Clapton treats Beatles music with respect and love.

Live In Japan is released, and within a few years George is first diagnosed with cancer. But in the meantime, he reunites with the Beatles for the Anthology, then records some tracks that are to become "Brainwashed". Each brick of the Harrison edifice is carefully put in place as his career comes first circle.

Finally - the Concert for George closes the final chapter in the saddest and most joyful of ways. But that's another review.

George covers all of his bases as he exits the stage . . . perfect!

This CD belongs in every Beatles and classic rock collection.

This was the first live concert from George Harrison in many years. A gifted guitarist, lyricist and delightful vocalist, Harrison does not disappoint on this collection. Although his voice gets a little husky and raspy on some songs, he comes through in his distinct, Harrison style in fine form!

When you listen to "Piggies," George gives this 1968 gem an added bonus section, which is mentioned in his book, "I Me Mine." The high point of the collection for me was his doing two of my favorite Harrison Beatle classics, the 1969 gem "Here Comes the Sun" and the 1966 gem "I Want to Tell You," wherein he amends one line. This "change" is mentioned in his book "I Me Mine" as well.

Eric Clapton's band does a stellar job of performing with George. This combination works and flows with each other brilliantly and the guitar playing is superb. Just LISTEN to the 1968 magnum opus "While My Guitar Gently Weeps...." that is such a worthwhile treat!

This is such a delightful collection and people ranging from those just becoming familiar with Harrison, the Beatles and Clapton to inveterate fans. Be sure to check this out - it is excellent!

It's actually George who plays the solos on "Something", including the one in the intro...revealed by amateur video I've seen from this tour.

Which does beg the question...where's the commercially-released pro-shot DVD that should be out from this tour? Musically and visually, this tour was a highlight of George's solo career.

Although George's voice was not in very fine shape (remember he was not playing live for quite a while!), he is talented enough to pull it off nicely. There are some great versions of his songs (cheer down, isnt it a pity, what is life, dark horse (glad to hear it without the "hoarse" voice), and something, which is beautifully done). The backing band (Eric's touring band) helps George in a fine way, with the vocals and guitar work). In retrospective ist is hard not to compare it with the "concert of George" tribute, but here we have George's voice and talent and nothing will be able to top that.
All in all, if you like George's music or even if you are a beginner, you will not be dissapointed with this purchase, it is like an improved "best of" compilation, enhanced with a superb sound and at least good renditions of his classic songs.
Oh, the cd-case is nice, but I cant say the same to the way the booklet and the discs are placed.
Thank you George for the good memories.
Good people receive the recognition they deserve when they are no longer with us.....isn't it a pity?

George sounds better on this December, 1991 recording than he ever did with the Beatles. Backed up by Eric Clapton, George has come back to life in this spectacular performance. From the first note on "I Want to Tell You" to the conclusion of "Roll Over Beethoven" he never ceases to come through strong. The only bad news is that this was George's final tour. Too bad he couldn't come through North America and Europe with this fantastic concert.