Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 25, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Koch Records
• ASIN: B000087DTV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,755 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hopefully there will be more Tributes!, March 6, 2003

By 

Michael Mcgrath "troppo67" (macondo) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison (Audio CD)

This tribute album has some worthwhile covers of Harrison's songs; however i have to rate it down on far too much focus on his songs with the Beatles and less focus on his solo work

ALL THINGS MUST PASS considered by many to among Harrison's best solo album is only represented with one tune; the liner notes also leave something to be desired; whilst deeply personal they reflect little about the project itslef and the participating musicians. Having said that, there are some rewarding moments on this disc.

The album kicks off with an energetic rendition of WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS by Todd Rundgren-it reminded me in part of the version by Jeff Healey that is worth finding and even has particpation by Harrison himself.
DEVIL"S RADIO sounds powerful and rocked up-in my opinion a good song to release as a video and as a single-powerful rendition by Master's Of Reality.
Marc Ford's "I ME MINE" alternates between slow and rocked up tempo with a result that lends power to this often overlooked Harrison composition.
Dave Davies "GIVE ME LOVE" is so good that i had to stop and think why they did not continue so far the powerful course the album was taking-alternating between fab/solo songs
HERE COMES THE SUN has a jangly feel butisses the mark with it's vocals. It's here where the album starts to drop.
WITHIN YOU WITHOUT YOU picked me up again and held my interest with it's meandering mystical feel-wish they could have covered THE INNER LIGHT
SAVOY TRUFFLE is another dismissable selection although the arrangement sounds promising; but the flat vocal does not help this composition any.
I WANT TO TELL YOU would have benefitted if it had been done in the manner as RAIN was done with backwards guitars and all; here we have a straightforward version neither here nor there
Leslie West with OLD BROWN SHOE reminds me why i love to listen to cover versions in the first place-the song is delivered with a rocked up bluesy vocal-this track alone justifies this album
Bill Wyman's rythm Kings deliver a nice version of TAXMAN, but i recommend the listener to seek out Wyman's version of LOVE LETTER which features Harrison himself.
IT"S ALL TOO MUCH is delivered here with almost the same flat feel of SAVOY TRUFFLE; the backing track sounds great-listen to some interesting effects towards the end- but it will be the remixed YELLOW SUBMARINE SONGTRACK version that i prefer best.
ISN"T IT PITY is one of my favorite Harrison songs. JAy and edward deliver an interesting version which ends the album nicely with playful vocals that border on acapella-ended almost in a way like Harrison BRAINWASHED which ended with chants.

Considering that the I AM SAM soundtrack offered 17 Beatle covers, i think this album could have offered more than the 12 selections found here and certainly more from the solo period. But the subtitle says that it is "a tribute to Harrison' hopefully there will be more.

Julian lennon is thanked in the liner notes; i know he was rumored to have a version of My Sweet Lord for this project- i wonder what happened.

Anyroad, the album has very much the overall feel of what some may call "alternative music"-whatever that may mean.
Is it ultimately worth the price of admission? To Me, it definitely is- at least until we get some kind of release on what appears to have been a wonderful tribute concert for george...

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some GREAT songs, some "not so great songs".Still enjoyable!, July 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison (Audio CD)

Not surprisingly, this is really only of interest to George Harrison fans. Sure there are plenty of recognizable musicians on this CD (Todd Rundgren, Dave Davies (of THE KINKS), John Entwistle (of THE WHO, duh!), and Bill Wyman (of THE ROLLING STONES, double duh!), but these guys may only be impressive to people who were true fans of THE BEATLES or 60s/70s rock & roll.
I was glad to see really well done songs by newer groups.

THE SMITHEREENS' version of "I Want to Tell You" is excellent, actually quite better than the mid-sixties original. BIG HEAD TODD AND THE MONSTERS provide a very interesting version of "Within You, Without You" that is definitely worth a listen. The last two songs are probably the only other true notables. "Its All Too Much" is performed with appropriate "cool guitar" sounds, and "Isn't It A Pity" is done with similar positive feelings like George's classic. It is nice to know that others like me who didn't grow up in the 60s can still appreciate the wonderful, soulful music by brilliant people like George Harrison. I couldn't be more sorrow that he died at an early age but hearing this special tribute makes me realize what great songs were left behind to be enjoyed again, and again.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Steppin' Out, August 5, 2003

By 

Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison (Audio CD)

While this Harrison tribute CD may not be consistently great, it does highlight with even this small smattering of George's work what an excellent and enduring songwriter he was. While I'm sure we could all come up with SOMETHING that we wish had been included, what is here yields some diamonds. While it wasn't my favorite of George's tunes, Leslie West from the band Mountain positively smokes on "Old Brown Shoe." When West screams, "Baby, baby, I'm in love with you," you can feel the love to your toes! Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, here with the Rhythm Kings, adds a throbbing bass line to Harrison's classic "Taxman" that gives the track a soulful makeover. Dave Davies from The Kinks lays down an aching vocal with George's gorgeous classic "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)." Todd Rundgren's version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" may be very similar to the original, but why toy with perfection? He smokes on this one. Wayne Kramer from MC5 tries hard with "It's All Too Much," but his voice takes some getting used to. Former-Wilco Jay Bennett lays down a good version of the beautiful "Isn't It A Pity" which builds into a glorious choir crescendo. Smithereens on "I Want to Tell You" are excellent and Big Head Todd does an interesting version of Harrison's Sgt. Pepper track "Within You, Without You." The only track that makes me reach for the skip button is They Might Be Giants odd version of "Savoy Truffle" which is a much better song than its treatment here. While not everything here works, Harrison's music shines through. I think the true test of music is when others bring something to the spirit of the piece. In that, this set succeeds. Harrison & Beatles fans will enjoy most of this disc. Pick up the "I Am Sam" soundtrack, the Lennon "Working Man's Hero" tribute, put the 3 discs on shuffle play, and enjoy a diverse Beatles tribute evening! Happy listening!