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'George Harrison: The Apple Years' Box Set
8 September 2014
6.52pm
Liz
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From the http://www.adriandenning.co.uk…..eorge.html, I copy and paste an appreciation of Dark Horse which mirrors COMPLETELY my thoughts and regrets on that album which contains much first rate material:

Dark Horse ( 1974 )
Did George have layringitis? Was his voice shot because of the rehearsals for his first solo American tour or shot from the tour itself?….. That doesn’t however excuse the appalingly weak production this album displays. We’ve got impeccable musicianship beneath the vocals, yet musicianship buried by a thin, murky sound. Players such as Clapton, Ron Wood, Jim Keltner, Steve Winwood and Ringo Starr join George here. Much more could have been made from these songs, had they only been recorded better. Even George’s slightly wayward vocal chords could have been recorded and brought out better. A good producer and engineer will make the most of what they are given. 

Unfortunately, George Harrison was both the producer and sound engineer!

The question is could this be improved nowadays? The answer is, it definitely could. Things like that are being done everyday. Unfortunately, I’m afraid it won’t /and hasn’t, because the George Harrison Estate will not want to tamper with George’s work without his approval,  which of course cannot be granted, now. 

8 September 2014
6.56pm
Liz
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Liz said

From the http://www.adriandenning.co.uk…..eorge.html, I copy and paste an appreciation of Dark Horse which mirrors COMPLETELY my thoughts and regrets on that album which contains much first rate material:

Dark Horse ( 1974 )
Did George have layringitis? Was his voice shot because of the rehearsals for his first solo American tour or shot from the tour itself?….. That doesn’t however excuse the appalingly weak production this album displays. We’ve got impeccable musicianship beneath the vocals, yet musicianship buried by a thin, murky sound. Players such as Clapton, Ron Wood, Jim Keltner, Steve Winwood and Ringo Starr join George here. Much more could have been made from these songs, had they only been recorded better. Even George’s slightly wayward vocal chords could have been recorded and brought out better. A good producer and engineer will make the most of what they are given. 

Unfortunately, George Harrison was both the producer and sound engineer!

As for “Simply Shady”, I’ll quote what I have read on Wikipedia:

…..according to L.A. Express,  bassist Max Bennett, had “developed a rapport” with both Scott and the band’s current paymaster, Joni Mitchell.[24] After catching their show at London’s New Victoria Theatre, Harrison invited the five band-members to record at his Friar Park studio, FPSHOT, the following day.[24] The instrumental “Hari’s on Tour (Express)” – which would become the opening song of both Dark Horse and Harrison’s live shows with Shankar[25] – was recorded on the same day,[26] the first track they worked on, according to Scott.[21]

“Simply Shady”‘s ….. “melancholic guitar/piano leads” were supplied by Robben Ford and Roger Kellaway, respectively, with Scott’s sweeping horns arriving on the choruses.[21] Apart from Kellaway overdubbing an organ part, only backing tracks were recorded on the day, states Bennett, who admits he enjoyed the visit but did not feel they had “accomplished much musically”.

8 September 2014
7.02pm
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Inner Light
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Expert Textpert said

Ron Nasty said

@Expert Textpert I didn’t mean to suggest that ATMP  hasn’t been remastered this time around. I have no knowledge one way or the other. When I commented about that being the version used in this box I was referring merely to the tracklisting. Though it wouldn’t surprise me, as George’s last major work on his catalogue, if very little work had been done on it.

I hope there has been work on it. I hope they return it to the Spectorized version.

I hope someday they will bring out a naked version of ATMP without all the reverb and ‘Wall of Sound’

The further one travels, the less one knows

8 September 2014
8.30pm
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They could do a 4-CD set with the “naked” version and the original Spector version.

"If you're ever in the shit, grab my tit.” —Paul McCartney 

9 September 2014
10.35pm
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bewareofchairs
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In case someone hasn’t mentioned it already. the Dark Horse bonus track isn’t actually the booted demo but an unheard Early Take.

I want to believe that they’re planning on releasing a rarities box set next, now that they’ve got the rest of his discography taken care of. According to Dhani’s message on facebook, there’s more George-related things which are going to be announced this month, but “have to remain secret for now”. 

10 September 2014
9.27pm
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meanmistermustard
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This box set feels to me like gathering together all of George’s remaining albums as well as getting them onto the shop floor so to tie that loose end. Following on somewhere down the line we will get an box set of outtakes and rarities collecting together tracks like Horse To The Water which are floating around unattached to any George release.

I believe the ATMP reissue is a straight new remaster of the 2001 edition but with the original cover art tho my memory could be impaired. I’d love to hear a stripped down ATMP – tho not the same as ‘Double Fantasy Stripped’ which was pretty average.

Bonus tracks appear to be a non-event on Beatles releases and nothing to get excited about on the solo Beatles releases, even the bonus tracks on Paul’s archive collections aren’t that exciting considering whats available. Apple wont contemplate additional tracks on the original Beatles albums and even the idea of expanded sets consisting of the original albums with a couple of cd’s of outtakes is not entertained. Sadly it appears that Apple and all those related are nowadays incapable or, even worse, unwilling of putting together such collections and prefer reissues, greatest hits compilations and crappy merchandise. 

"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)

12 September 2014
11.01am
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Billy Rhythm
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meanmistermustard said
Apple wont contemplate additional tracks on the original Beatles albums and even the idea of expanded sets consisting of the original albums with a couple of cd’s of outtakes is not entertained. Sadly it appears that Apple and all those related are nowadays incapable or, even worse, unwilling of putting together such collections and prefer reissues, greatest hits compilations and crappy merchandise. 

The rationale behind these business decisions reflected in the content is consistent with George Martin’s philosophy when compiling the ‘Anthology’ tracks which, of course, was more than just “a couple of cd’s of outtakes”.  He said that he wanted the compilation to appeal to Beatles’ fans, not just Beatles’ collectors, which is why we got many tracks that had all ready appeared in various forms, such as ‘Ticket To Ride ‘ where different versions can also be found on the ‘Live at The Hollywood Bowl’ or ‘Live At The BBC ‘ albums.  Seems they aren’t as confident about releasing outtake exclusive projects for even the ‘Anthology’ featured a considerable amount of “familiar” window dressings, such as the mashups with conventional takes like ‘Yes It Is ‘, or instrumentals like ‘Eleanor Rigby ‘.  I can see why they stick to a certain formula for business reasons, not saying I agree with it, but understand the logic and they wouldn’t be the only ones to spread out the nuggets over a broader landscape for the sake of earning more, it’s all but an accepted part of the industry and has been for some time…:-)

12 September 2014
11.44am
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meanmistermustard
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I get why they do it, to make money and lots of it whilst maintaining the Beatles legacy and brand, but they would make money from box sets aimed at the collectors and it wouldnt come at knocking away at their greatness or brand. No one thinks Elvis is any less of a Icon because we can listen to takes 4 – 8 of Heartbroken Hotel and whatever else out there or ‘Elvis At Stax’. Elvis’s catalogue is an utter mess.

How many casual Beatle fans got excited by On Air Volume 2 and rushed out to get it?

They are so damn hesitant to release material that they let outtakes, live performances and bbc tracks fall into the public domain!! Where is the business sense in that? They could easily have released a very limited big box of everything from 1957 – 1963 which is known to exist instead of the half-assed incomplete rush job that was the 1963 Official Bootleg Recordings (or whatever it was called). No one can tell me that their lawyers didnt have at least the smallest idea that the recordings could fall out of copyright or that none of their staff thought it might possibly happen and put something together.

And to tie it back to George’s Estate unofficial word is that they vetoed issuing takes 10 – 13 of Don’t Bother Me and the demo that have all been heavily booted.

It all comes over as little more than useless and incompetent.

"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)

12 September 2014
11.57am
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Billy Rhythm
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In the case of “a very limited big box”, there’s usually the added expense of lavish packaging which shrinks the profit margins considerably, not to mention that “very limited” also applies to less sales.  I think they milked the BBC recordings for all they could, there was all ready duplicate tracks and even myself who rates the BBC recordings as some of their best ever has trouble listening to both volumes from start to finish as is, there’d be a “very limited” market for such an expansive volume as a “big box” I would think, especially when compared to a remastered classic work which would appeal to quite a bigger demographic than something designated for just collectors, in my opinion…:-)

16 September 2014
9.00am
johnnymain
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To celebrate the release of The Apple Years 1968-1975 box set, Olivia & Dhani Harrison are giving filmmakers the opportunity to make a music video for one of George Harrison ‘s most loved songs, “What Is Life “.?

The five finalists will receive an Apple Years box, and the creator of the winning video gets $5,000.

More details here: http://genero.tv/georgeharrison/

"Never guess. Unless you have to. There's enough uncertainty in the universe as it is."

 

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16 September 2014
9.20am
johnnymain
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There’s not really a ‘George Harrison News’ thread so thought I’d post this here as it relates to the upcoming box set release:

During the week of September 22nd, Conan O’Brien will feature daily performances by artists including Beck, Norah Jones and Dhani Harrison to celebrate the music of George Harrison by singing one of his songs. “George Harrison Week” coincides with the release of the box set, The Apple Years: 1968-75 – also due out September 22nd – which compiles the Beatle’s first six solo albums. More artists to perform on Conan have yet to be announced.

In other celebratory Harrison news, the Beatle’s legacy will also be celebrated the week after the Conan engagement at an event dubbed George Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of George Harrison . Scheduled to take place at Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre on September 28th, the event will feature appearances by Conan performers Dhani Harrison and Norah Jones, as well as Brian Wilson, the Killers’ Brandon Flowers, “Weird Al” Yankovic and members of the Flaming Lips, Weezer, Heart, Spoon, the Strokes, Velvet Revolver and more. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from ticket sales to the event benefit Sweet Relief, a charity that aids career musicians struggling to make ends meet.

More details can be found here: http://www.rollingstone.com/mu…..m-20140915

"Never guess. Unless you have to. There's enough uncertainty in the universe as it is."

 

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16 September 2014
10.34am
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meanmistermustard
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@johnnymain, the news thread is for all things Beatles, solo and together. Individual threads were discussed but it was felt that it would get too chaotic having 5 threads for posting the news. Thanks for posting the details however, always good to have, and no reason why it can’t go here. 

For folk looking for alternate sources for the above see Parlance’s post here.

"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)

17 September 2014
8.28pm
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Over in the news thread Parlance posted that Rolling Stone have put up the early take of ‘Dark Horse ‘ that is one of the bonus tracks in the box set and on the individual album of the same name as well as a heads up that the same take is also now available on youtube (and below).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..jE2DW9Ya_g

"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)

19 September 2014
12.49am
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parlance
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An alternate take of George’s “The Inner Light ” has leaked.

[x-posted to the news thread]

parlance

Beware of sadness. It can hit you. It can hurt you. Make you sore and what is more, that is not what you are here for. - George

Check out my fan video for Paul's song "Appreciate" at Vimeo or YouTube.

19 September 2014
1.24am
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Again SoundCloud wont work for me but its also on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?…..2fyYrLN9fA

"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)

24 September 2014
6.21pm
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My George Harrison box is in Illinois en route from Canada. Only three more states to travel through.

"If you're ever in the shit, grab my tit.” —Paul McCartney 

26 September 2014
4.34pm
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parlance
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Has anyone listened to All Things Must Pass from the boxset yet? I’m curious to know if the production sounds less muddy than the original.

parlance

Beware of sadness. It can hit you. It can hurt you. Make you sore and what is more, that is not what you are here for. - George

Check out my fan video for Paul's song "Appreciate" at Vimeo or YouTube.

26 September 2014
6.31pm
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parlance
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Rolling Stone interview with Dhani.

parlance

Beware of sadness. It can hit you. It can hurt you. Make you sore and what is more, that is not what you are here for. - George

Check out my fan video for Paul's song "Appreciate" at Vimeo or YouTube.

26 September 2014
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parlance said

Has anyone listened to All Things Must Pass from the boxset yet? I’m curious to know if the production sounds less muddy than the original.

parlance

I should have it by tonight, and will let you know sometime this weekend if no one beats me to it.

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parlance

"If you're ever in the shit, grab my tit.” —Paul McCartney 

26 September 2014
8.32pm
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Expert Textpert said

parlance said

Has anyone listened to All Things Must Pass from the boxset yet? I’m curious to know if the production sounds less muddy than the original.

parlance

I should have it by tonight, and will let you know sometime this weekend if no one beats me to it.

I heard it is the 2000 remaster that George did but with the Black & White cover. When George worked on it, he reduced the reverb that was present in the original version from 1970. Look forward to hearing once you receive it. 

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parlance

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