George Harrison

Experimental &

Production Work

George Harrison completed a number of little-known SOLO projects in 1968 & 1969:

1 George also released the soundtrack to the movie Wonderwall, which I haven't seen yet...but was tarted up and re-released a few years ago.

Wonderwall trailer

Wonderwall DVD

"...A plain synopsis doesn't do it any justice. Yes, it's about a daffy old guy who peers in on a lovely young woman living next door, but there's nothing creepy or pathetic about it. In fact, he's actually quite a bit of a dashing and romantic figure in his own detached, weird way. One of the most notable things about the film is the art direction by the Dutch band/art collective The Fool..." Amazon reviewer E. Steven Fried

"...Unlike similar "psychedelic" films of the 60s, Wonderwall is one of the few to successfully capture the look and feel of what now appears to be a mythic time when creativity and freedom in cinema was not only new and exciting - but mainstream..." Amazon reviewer Jim Yoakum

George Harrison: Wonderwall Music

Recorded soon after The Beatles came back from being with The Maharishi in India and just before the sessions for the White Album sessions, Wonderwall Music is a fusion of Western and Indian styles that's better heard via than described.

George Harrison: Wonderwall soundtrack

"...The first official solo album by a member of the Beatles, the first album released by Apple Records...George Harrison composed and produced nearly 46 minutes of mostly instrumental tracks for this movie soundtrack. Released on November 1, 1968, the eight tracks recorded in England feature Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Tony Ashton and Peter Tork, while the 11 songs recorded (in) India highlight musicians from that nation..." Amazon reviewer Mr. Richard D. Croreno "Mr.C"

"...Beatlefans should note that this is not a collection of pop songs, nor are there any vocals except chanting at the end. Instead, it is an eclectic group of little ditties of varying lengths, which make full use of some fascinating sounds - both Indian (tabla, shenhai, sitar, etc.) and western (tapes played backwards, tapes cut up and edited together, jangle pianos, searing electric guitars, gentle mellotron, etc.). Harrison's studio prowess is quite evident throughout, and it is a lot of fun waiting to hear what is going to happen next..." Amazon reviewer kennedy19

"...This is the best experimental and/or soundtrack album put out by a Beatle period!....the music is exotic and not overdone or polished...it is a minature masterpiece..." Amazon reviewer Michael Mcgrath "troppo67"

2 Released on Zapple, Apple's experimental label, so there would be no confusion that it could be construed as a SOLO album, George released the bizarre Electronic Sound, a year later.

George Harrison: Electronic Sound

Try to remember, the Moog synthesizer was not commercially available yet and these sounds were revolutionary and exciting for those who had yet to get their hands on this new technology.

George Harrison: Electronic sound

"...When it comes to the so-called 'synthesizer wizards', one would not usually think of Beatle George as being one of them. For a brief time in 1969 however, he was just that...He purchased a Moog synthesizer and assembled Electronic Sound. Shortly afterwards, The Beatles were using the Moog for the sessions which became the Abbey Road album. Amazon reviewer Louie Bourland

"...With nearly 44 minutes of ambient music, George Harrison explores the emerging potential of the Moog synthesizer in producing atmospheric sounds...pop art at its most impressionistic..." Amazon reviewer Mr. Richard D. Croreno "Mr.C"

"...This was George's attempt at weirdness...he stated: "There are a lot of people around, making a lot of noise, here's some more."...directed at John & Yoko...I give this 1 star for being unlistenable but 5 stars for being part of Rock'n'Roll history..." Amazon reviewer moviesmusicfan

"...Listening tip: Wear headphones or have your speakers on either side of you to get that nice "surround" effect. Many of the sounds jump from side to side and it's much more exciting to listen to this way (as is pretty much anything recorded back when stereo was still a new thing)..." Amazon reviewer The Man On The Flaming Pie

3 George also produced Is This What You Want? for fellow Liverpudlian, Jackie Lomax. Although it was tragically under-promoted because of the ongoing chaos at Apple (see: Beatle Books, #11, Richard Dilello's The Longest Cocktail Party), it's still hard to explain why Lomax didn't break through. The guy can really sing!

Jackie Lomax: Sour Milk Sea

The band: Paul, George, Ringo, Eric Clapton & Nicky Hopkins

Jackie Lomax: Is This What You Want?

"...There really isn't a bad song on the album but the true classic is the Harrison-penned Sour Milk Sea, featuring a back and forth guitar solo by George and Eric Clapton, a driving beat and a Get Back-like fade out...." Amazon reviewer B.B.McGuire

"...Jackie Lomax is a great, Beatle-esque artist who for some reason never made it big..." Amazon reviewer Ben Swofford

"...A unique voice full of soul and passion along with a "one of a kind" sense of phrasing..." Amazon reviewer Robert Zilli

4 George also produced most of the tracks on Billy Preston's album for Apple, That's The Way God Planned It.

Billy Preston: That's the Way God Planned It

Session musicians included:

Eric Clapton
Keith Richards &
Ginger Baker (Cream)

5 George also produced an album (which I actually owned!) for the London Hare Krishnas with the single reaching the Top 10 in the UK and several other countries (now deleted).