September 04, 2014

George Harrison's Apple Years Box Set To Be Released


                                                                           





George Harrison’a Apple years will be released in a new box set gathering and expanding Harrison’s six albums recorded for Apple Records between 1968 and 1975. 


The Apple Years 1968-1975 will be out on September 23 via Capitol/UMe.
Great video here.

Here are some stills from it as it appears to be unavailable for embedding:

                                                                 




More information at the George Harrison site.   
                                                           
And some still shots - with many thanks.



               
       

Included in the set are remastered and expanded versions of Wonderwall Music, Electronic Sound, All Things Must Pass, Living In The Material World, Dark Horse and Extra Texture (Read All About It) along with a DVD with several video pieces including a new seven-minute film with previously unreleased footage.

Harrison’s son, Dhani, who assembled the project, said “I am so happy that what we started a decade ago by releasing The Dark Horse Years is now complete with the release of his first six albums as The Apple Years. Some of these records have long been out of print, and so I cannot wait for music lovers to get their hands on these newly remastered versions. It’s a very proud moment for us, and I would like to thank everyone who has helped us in any way to achieve this.”

The six albums have been digitally restored and remastered at Lurssen Mastering in Los Angeles by a Grammy Award-winning team of engineers including Paul Hicks, Gavin Lurssen, and Reuben Cohen. Wonderwall Music, Living In The Material World, Dark Horse, and Extra Texture (Read All About It) are all newly expanded with previously unreleased or rare additional tracks. All Things Must Pass includes the five extra tracks first released in 2001.
Max Hole, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group International, said: “George Harrison is a musical icon and one of the most imaginative and influential artists of all time. It’s been great for us to work with Dhani and Olivia Harrison and all of the team behind The Apple Years project, a vital part of his legacy.”

                                                                  


                                                                  

Included on the DVD:
George Harrison – The Apple Years Feature (2014) (Directed by Olivia Harrison)
All Things Must Pass (bonus feature in 2001 album package)
The Concert for Bangladesh EPK (2005)
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) (video from Live In Japan, 1991)
Miss O’Dell (alternative version from 2006 deluxe edition of Living In The Material World)
Sue Me Sue You Blues (acoustic demo version from 2006 deluxe edition of Living In The Material World)
Living In The Material World (feature from 2006 deluxe edition of Living In The Material World)
Ding Dong, Ding Dong (original promo video, 1974)
Dark Horse (original promotional clip, 1974)


Along with the box set, each album will be available as single albums.


The descriptions of the albums from the press release:

Wonderwall Music

“The album was a film soundtrack but as a standalone vision it embraces a glorious multiverse of sonorous vignettes like nothing I’ve ever heard. It speaks of a fearless heart.” – Nitin Sawney

Released in November 1968, George Harrison’s Wonderwall Music was the first solo album released by a member of The Beatles and the first LP to be released by Apple Records. The soundtrack music for director Joe Massot’s debut feature-length film, Wonderwall, the predominantly instrumental album is an intricate, vibrant tapestry of Western rock music and compositions in an Indian classical style. In 1992, George recalled, “I decided to do it as a mini-anthology of Indian music, because I wanted to help turn the public on to Indian music.” Three bonus tracks have been added to the remastered album: “In The First Place” by Liverpool group The Remo Four, who played the rock elements of the recording sessions, a previously unreleased alternate take of “The Inner Light,” and the previously unreleased “Almost Shankara,” a raga that was not used in the film or for the soundtrack LP. The booklet also includes a new essay of appreciation by the acclaimed musician, producer and composer Nitin Sawney and newly written historical notes by Kevin Howlett.

All Things Must Pass
“It is both an intensely personal statement and a grandiose gesture, a triumph over artistic modesty, even frustration. In this extravaganza of piety and sacrifice and joy the music itself is no longer the only message.” – Ben Gerson (excerpt, 1971 Rolling Stone review)
All Things Must Pass was released by Apple Records in November 1970. Co-produced by Harrison and Phil Spector, many musicians contributed to the album, including Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Pete Drake, Gary Wright, Klaus Voormann, members of Badfinger, players from Delaney and Bonnie band, and John Barham. The triple-LP topped charts around the world and earned universal acclaim as a rock masterpiece. George became the first Beatle to have a solo number one single in both the UK and America with the album’s lead single, “My Sweet Lord,” which introduced his signature slide guitar playing. George co-wrote the album’s opening track, “I’d Have You Anytime” with his friend Bob Dylan, who also wrote another song on the landmark album, “If Not For You.” The new package includes the five additional tracks added to the album’s 2001 reissue: “I Live For You” (outtake), “Beware Of Darkness” (demo), “Let It Down” (alternative version), “What Is Life” (backing track), and “My Sweet Lord (2000).”

                                                                


Living In The Material World
“What we need isn’t material, it’s spiritual. We need some other form of peace and happiness.” – George Harrison (1967)
In May 1973 came the release of George’s second studio album of new songs, Living In The Material World. He was joined in the studio by several musician friends who had also played on All Things Must Pass and others like Jim Keltner, with whom he had worked during The Concert for Bangladesh concerts in 1971. The album and its lead single, “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)” both reached number one in America and on charts around the world. The spiritual nature of Living In The Material World, described by Rolling Stone as “miraculous in its radiance,” is also reflected in the inclusion of an illustration from the Bhagavad-Gita in the artwork. The new release adds a remix of the single version of “Bangla Desh,” which has previously been available only on The Best Of George Harrison (1976), as well as two B-sides included on the album’s 2006 reissue, “Deep Blue” and “Miss O’Dell.”

Dark Horse
“To write a song is, to me, more a case of being the vehicle to get over that feeling of that moment, of that time.” – George Harrison
Released in December 1974, Dark Horse capped a prolific year for George, during which he had established his own Dark Horse record label, built a recording studio in his Friar Park home in England, and completed an ambitious tour of North America. Throughout the year, Harrison produced albums for several artists while also recording his own. The songs on the LP document both George’s fallibility, in “Simply Shady,” and his spirituality, in “It Is ‘He’ (Jai Sri Krishna).” Dark Horse reached the top five in America, sounding a high note at the end of Harrison’s rather frenetic year. The new release adds “I Don’t Care Anymore,” a sought after B-side making its CD debut, and a previously unreleased early, acoustic take of “Dark Horse.” The CD booklet includes newly written historical notes by Kevin Howlett.

Extra Texture (Read All About It)
“The songs on Extra Texture are as introspective as any of George’s albums. The first track is what he would call a pop song and the last song is an eccentric homage to Bonzo Dog “Legs” Larry Smith. But in between are tracks with strong melodies and thought-provoking lyrics. They are moody and personal and some of my favourites.” – Olivia Harrison

In late 1974, George returned to California to record his next album, the soul-tinged Extra Texture (Read All About It), his final album to be released through Apple Records. Leon Russell played piano on “Tired Of Midnight Blue,” and for some of the sessions, Harrison was joined by guitarist Jesse Ed Davis, plus Jim Keltner, Paul Stallworth, and David Foster from new band Attitudes, who were later signed by George’s newly formed Dark Horse label. Two of the LP’s songs date from 1974 sessions for Dark Horse at George’s home studio: the soulful love song “Can’t Stop Thinking About You” and the backing track of “His Name Is ‘Legs’ (Ladies & Gentlemen).” 

The new release adds “This Guitar (Can’t Keep From Crying),” a song Harrison rerecorded in 1992 as a demo for Dave Stewart, who plays electric guitar on it. More than ten years later, the track received overdubs by Ringo Starr on drums, Dhani Harrison on guitar, and vocalist Kara DioGuardi. The CD booklet includes newly written historical notes by Kevin Howlett.
more from vvnmusic.com

With many thanks to Noise 11

Below: George Harrison and Eric Clapton - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".
Too good not to post!
                                                                       
                                                                         

                                                                    



                                                                        






                                                                      


                                                                
Above: in celebration of George Harrison's birthday - February 25th.
He would have been 72.


                                                                   


                                                                               

                                                                 

                                                                      


                                                                  

                                                                    

Related:
George Harrison Makes Guest Appearance On Eric Clapton's New Album





























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