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2.27am
1 November 2012
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George wrote some great songs —
(and, of course:)
As for his post-Beatles work, I only really like:
Photograph
Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond)
His quality output simply wasn’t as prodigious as John and Paul’s, and while he was uniquely talented on the guitar, he wasn’t quite as accomplished as John and Paul on guitar (let alone piano, bass, etc.).
Faded flowers, wait in a jar, till the evening is complete... complete... complete... complete...
7.12am
3 October 2012
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Inner Light said
George was an excellent guitarist. I have said this many times on these blogs. He was very underrated do to his lack of flashiness and lack of ripping out fast solos. His strength was playing to the songs and adding just what they needed like adding icing to a cake or a few ingredients to make it sound better.
George for me was a major force in The Beatles, standing between two huge egos and was kind of a calming factor being the humble one. I love a lot of his older solos from 1962 to 1966 when he played the Gretch Country Gentleman and Tennessean.
Very well stated…Flash and/or speed do not MAKE a great guitarist…Taste, individuality and musicality do.
4.40pm
20 December 2010
Offline Funny Paper said
His quality output simply wasn’t as prodigious as John and Paul’s, and while he was uniquely talented on the guitar, he wasn’t quite as accomplished as John and Paul on guitar (let alone piano, bass, etc.).
Have to disagree with you on this one. George was a very good guitar player, much more accomplished than John and Paul. As a matter of fact, George taught John how to play. Watch the ‘Living in the material world’ documentary. Paul talks about George’s guitar playing. He mentions that they needed a really good guitar player and that’s why George was accepted in the band. Keep in mind also that George could play 26 different instruments.
The further one travels, the less one knows
7.40pm
1 November 2012
Offline Inner Light said
Funny Paper said
His quality output simply wasn’t as prodigious as John and Paul’s, and while he was uniquely talented on the guitar, he wasn’t quite as accomplished as John and Paul on guitar (let alone piano, bass, etc.).
Have to disagree with you on this one. George was a very good guitar player, much more accomplished than John and Paul. As a matter of fact, George taught John how to play. Watch the ‘Living in the material world’ documentary. Paul talks about George’s guitar playing. He mentions that they needed a really good guitar player and that’s why George was accepted in the band. Keep in mind also that George could play 26 different instruments.
Sorry, I meant to say I think Paul was better on guitar, but John was not. But George could do things Paul could not do, for lead guitar. However, Paul’s learning curve on the acoustic guitar was amazing, and I think he outstripped George in that department, as well as being a more inventive and flexible rhythm guitarist on the electric guitar.
Faded flowers, wait in a jar, till the evening is complete... complete... complete... complete...
8.15pm
18 November 2011
Offline George was a really solid rockabilly player, the problem was that he got tired of that style between “Beatles For Sale ” and “Help !” but he had trouble breaking from it and finding a new style.
It’s kind of funny how he could struggle with an easy solo like “I’ll Follow The Sun ” but flawlessly pull off something more intricate like “She’s A Woman ” or “Run For Your Life ” (You can tell that he’s really having a good time on the latter). I think this demonstrates that it wasn’t a lack of skill, he was just struggling to come up with his own unique style, and wasn’t quite sure of what to do, apart from the Chet Atkins/Scotty Moore rockabilly stuff.
Of course, by the time of the last three “real” albums (Sorry “Yellow Submarine “), he’d obviously developed his own sound and become comfortable with it (Though you can kind of hear the genesis of George’s later style as far back as “You’re Going To Lose That Girl “).
If he hadn’t become so disheartened with The Beatles in 1965/1966 and hadn’t “escaped” into the sitar, I think we could’ve seen it even sooner.
8.18pm
20 December 2010
Offline Funny Paper said
Inner Light said
Funny Paper said
His quality output simply wasn’t as prodigious as John and Paul’s, and while he was uniquely talented on the guitar, he wasn’t quite as accomplished as John and Paul on guitar (let alone piano, bass, etc.).
Have to disagree with you on this one. George was a very good guitar player, much more accomplished than John and Paul. As a matter of fact, George taught John how to play. Watch the ‘Living in the material world’ documentary. Paul talks about George’s guitar playing. He mentions that they needed a really good guitar player and that’s why George was accepted in the band. Keep in mind also that George could play 26 different instruments.
Sorry, I meant to say I think Paul was better on guitar, but John was not. But George could do things Paul could not do, for lead guitar. However, Paul’s learning curve on the acoustic guitar was amazing, and I think he outstripped George in that department, as well as being a more inventive and flexible rhythm guitarist on the electric guitar.
Paul’s main instruments which he excelled in was the bass guitar and piano. As far as his guitar playing, he is moderate but not very technically accomplished. George on the other hand was very innovative with his style of playing from the early days to his slide playing and ukulele. Speaking of his slide playing, check out ‘Marwa Blues’ from the ‘Brainwashed‘ album.
The further one travels, the less one knows
9.08pm
3 September 2012
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The problem with stating Paul was a better guitarist brings up a couple problems.
- During Wings and sometimes solo albums, he would have session guitarists or bandmates play guitar, and he would stick with bass; why? Well, because he was a much more proficient bassist. He would have played the Too Many People solo himself if he were..
- George, as far as I know, played all of the guitar parts from his solo career himself. He would have others playing bass like Klaus Voorman and pianists and the like because he was primarily a guitarist. John brought George in to play guitar on Imagine (specifically the slide on How Do You Sleep), as well as others. He still played piano and guitar, as well as obviously providing all the vocals. Paul was even more of an all-around musician and he could use any instrument pretty well. You can say he was a better bassist, pianist, drummer, or maybe acoustic guitarist, but I give electric and acoustic guitar to George for a couple reasons. All of Paul’s solos are sort of the same technique. It’s evident in Taxman , Good Morning Good Morning , Back In The USSR , Helter Skelter , or even Drive My Car ; aggresive. George was more all around proficient in guitar. It leads me to wonder, does Paul even play slide at all?
Please don't wake me, no don't shake me, leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping~.
10.27pm
20 December 2010
Offline Holsety said
The problem with stating Paul was a better guitarist brings up a couple problems.
- During Wings and sometimes solo albums, he would have session guitarists or bandmates play guitar, and he would stick with bass; why? Well, because he was a much more proficient bassist. He would have played the Too Many People solo himself if he were..
- George, as far as I know, played all of the guitar parts from his solo career himself. He would have others playing bass like Klaus Voorman and pianists and the like because he was primarily a guitarist. John brought George in to play guitar on Imagine (specifically the slide on How Do You Sleep), as well as others. He still played piano and guitar, as well as obviously providing all the vocals. Paul was even more of an all-around musician and he could use any instrument pretty well. You can say he was a better bassist, pianist, drummer, or maybe acoustic guitarist, but I give electric and acoustic guitar to George for a couple reasons. All of Paul’s solos are sort of the same technique. It’s evident in Taxman , Good Morning Good Morning , Back In The USSR , Helter Skelter , or even Drive My Car ; aggresive. George was more all around proficient in guitar. It leads me to wonder, does Paul even play slide at all?
Great points above. Paul does not play slide and you are correct about George playing all the guitar parts on his solo albums with a few exceptions. Sometimes he would bring in Clapton but not that often. George had such a wide range of chords he used in his albums. Even Jeff Lynne has stated that as well. you can find some of his interviews about the ‘Brainwashed‘ album on youtube. As I have said before, if Paul was a better guitarist than George, he would have been the lead guitar player in The Beatles and of course, Paul used really good players for his albums such as Jimmy McCullough, Robbie McIntosh, Laurence Juber and Rusty Anderson and could have done the solos himself but he has always said that he doesn’t feel he is a good player, especially live. I believe he talks about that in the ‘Living In The Material World ‘ documentary.
The further one travels, the less one knows
12.57am
3 September 2012
Offline I should probably state I have great respect for Paul as a bassist. He is madfingers on stage, especially playing stuff like All My Loving and Long Tall Sally ; he could have been plucking one note and it wouldn’t have made a difference.
Please don't wake me, no don't shake me, leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping~.
1.21am
5 November 2011
Offline I
Inner Light said
As I have said before, if Paul was a better guitarist than George, he would have been the lead guitar player in The Beatles.
That is wrong, because they needed a bass player, which nobody else was willing to become, and Paul was a better bassist than George anyhowdy. 
All living things must abide by the laws of the shape they inhabit
2.03am
20 December 2010
Offline unknown said
IInner Light said
As I have said before, if Paul was a better guitarist than George, he would have been the lead guitar player in The Beatles.
That is wrong, because they needed a bass player, which nobody else was willing to become, and Paul was a better bassist than George anyhowdy.
Here is a link where McCartney talks about Harrison’s guitar playing and how they wanted a good guitarist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..20SoS2Z9dI
Also, it’s interesting how many fans especially on this tread try to make McCartney the best guitar player of the four. Does it really matter. I only support George because he is my favorite and I truly feel he was a great guitarist, songwriter and musician. This topic could go on and on but let’s just say that John, Paul and George were all pretty good guitar players.
The further one travels, the less one knows
2.09am
1 November 2012
Offline I gave a listen to Harrison’s album “33-1/3” — and let’s say I was rather underwhelmed. Also, I didn’t hear any particularly virtuoso guitar playing. Sure, he has a nice touch with the slide guitar, a signature sound no one else has. But that album doesn’t establish he’s better than Paul at guitar.
Faded flowers, wait in a jar, till the evening is complete... complete... complete... complete...
5.11am
20 December 2010
Offline Funny Paper said
I gave a listen to Harrison’s album “33-1/3” — and let’s say I was rather underwhelmed. Also, I didn’t hear any particularly virtuoso guitar playing. Sure, he has a nice touch with the slide guitar, a signature sound no one else has. But that album doesn’t establish he’s better than Paul at guitar.
I personally think that the guitar playing on this album is excellent. What makes a great guitarist: playing fast lead solos and having a bit of flash in their playing or playing to the song and adding just what is needed to help the song sound better. I have been playing for fifty years, have a duo in the bay area and work for a guitar manufacturer and have met many great guitar players. It is interesting that so many of them believe in the ‘less is more’ philosophy. That it is not how many notes you play but rather if you can say what you need with less notes, that you were an accomplished guitarist.
I made a comment above that all three Beatles were good guitar players. Why is it so important to figure out which one of the three is the best. It is all up to us as fans to decide who we feel is the best and that is all that matters.
The further one travels, the less one knows
3.48pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Paul plays all the drums on the Band On The Run lp, his most successful, best received and most praised album, but hired a drummer for Wings and rarely plays them live, if ever.
Maybe he should have been the drummer in the Beatles. Maybe Paul could have been The Beatles on his own after all.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
11.08pm
21 November 2012
Offline ^
Can’t tell if sarcastic or not.
I don’t think you can really compare them, they were all good with different styles imo
Also, I always hate to read about ”how one of them was so lucky to be in the Beatles”. They were all lucky they met each other.
1.55am
5 November 2011
Offline Ringo was lucky to be in The Beatles. Sure, you could say they were all lucky to have met each other, but it’s just different. They had a drummer before Ringo, and if George Martin hadn’t minded him, then John, Paul, and George would not have bothered to kick him out. That’s not a dig at Ringo’s drumming, but he wasn’t writing their hits. They could have just the same used a session musician to play the drums on their albums or something like that. Yeah, there are many songs where Ringo’s drumming makes them even better, but if they had a different drummer that wouldn’t matter. Nobody would know.
And meanmistermustard, what are you talking about? Paul is The Beatles!
All living things must abide by the laws of the shape they inhabit
12.55pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline Ringo was just as lucky as the others were in finding each other, its just the timing that makes it look like he was more fortunate. John, Paul and especially George preferred Ringo but they had Pete, Ringo had Rory Storm, loyalty was a big thing and they didnt want to sack anyone themselves. Their hand was forced in George Martin wanting a session drummer in but George H had been trying to get Pete ousted for a while and it all fitted.
And Ringo added something very creative and inventive to their songs. Substitute his drumming on tracks like Rain , Strawberry Fields, A Day In The Life , Something , Please Please Me (just listen to the passive drums Andy White played on the outtake on Anthology 1 ) and the music would be far lesser then they are. Its not just that Ringo is a good drummer but that he was also the perfect drummer for the beatles giving their musicc drive and energy. Its the same as George was the perfect lead guitarist for the beatles (tho Paul did play some great lines (as did John)). So it would have mattered if Ringo wasnt there. Plus if Ringo wasnt the drummer the US girls wouldnt have been wanted him as president. [Image Can Not Be Found][Image Can Not Be Found]
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
5.17am
5 November 2011
Offline meanmistermustard said
Ringo was just as lucky as the others were in finding each other, its just the timing that makes it look like he was more fortunate. John, Paul and especially George preferred Ringo but they had Pete, Ringo had Rory Storm, loyalty was a big thing and they didnt want to sack anyone themselves. Their hand was forced in George Martin wanting a session drummer in but George H had been trying to get Pete ousted for a while and it all fitted.And Ringo added something very creative and inventive to their songs. Substitute his drumming on tracks like Rain , Strawberry Fields, A Day In The Life , Something , Please Please Me (just listen to the passive drums Andy White played on the outtake on Anthology 1 ) and the music would be far lesser then they are. Its not just that Ringo is a good drummer but that he was also the perfect drummer for the Beatles giving their music drive and energy. Its the same as George was the perfect lead guitarist for the Beatles (tho Paul did play some great lines (as did John)). So it would have mattered if Ringo wasn’t there.
You’re right, the timing is what makes it look like Ringo was luckier. That’s why I said it’s just different. Everything just worked out so perfectly, it’s kind of crazy. Ringo was perfect for The Beatles, but they probably could have had any old drummer. Many of their songs wouldn’t be as good, but you can’t even say that because there would be no Ringo versions to compare them with. That’s what I meant when I said it wouldn’t have mattered.
All living things must abide by the laws of the shape they inhabit
7.48pm
Reviewers
Moderators
1 May 2011
Offline The feel of the songs would have been different and very few people can see how the songs could be improved upon from alternate drumming patterns so it would have mattered. Change the drums on ADITL and you get a very different song which i doubt would be anywhere as good.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
