George Harrison

LIVE in Japan

George Harrison: LIVE In Japan

George Harrison: LIVE In Japan

In December 1991 George Harrison embarked on a short tour of Japan backed by Eric Clapton & Clapton's touring band. It was George's first tour since his ill-fated "I'm-no-Beatle, I'm-a-Hare-Krishna" USA tour of early 1974 when Beatle reunion rumors were picking up steam.

Away from the glare of the American media, George performed a thorough retrospective of his work, including surprising Beatle tracks like:

Taxman
Piggies &
Old Brown Shoe

...and most of the more expected ones like:

Something &
While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Here's a brief chat with a Japanese journalist about the tour

He pays respect to All Things Must Pass with:

What Is Life
My Sweet Lord &
Isn't It A Pity

Then his mid period with:

All Those Years Ago &
a superb Give Me Love (see review of Living In The Material World for video)

And more recent tracks like:

the hit single Got My Mind Set On You
Cheer Down (from the Lethal Weapon 2 soundtrack) &
Cloud 9

...ending with the Chuck Berry / Beatles number:

Roll Over Beethoven

The band is great, certainly of its time, and, of course, Clapton shines. The female back-up singers change the dynamics of some songs a bit too much for my taste...but that's just a small grumble. George sounds relaxed and happy, but seldom playing LIVE, he's not unexpectedly a little strained at times.

LIVE In Japan: George Harrison

"...This is such a delightful collection and people ranging from those just becoming familiar with Harrison, The Beatles and Clapton, to inveterate fans. Be sure to check this out - it is excellent!..." Amazon reviewer Beatle Bangs 1964

"...I look at Harrison's LIVE In Japan as more than a collection of music played LIVE. Taken with Brainwashed and Concert For George, this album is the first of an epic trilogy in which George first says good bye to us, and then we say goodbye to him..." Amazon reviewer Boiz O' The Books

"...Jesus H. Krishna - where did this forgotten gem come from?...Sharing the stage with Eric Clapton and taken from his last, very abbreviated, solo tour in 1991, LIVE In Japan...brilliantly showcases a reinvigorated Harrison in top form - ripping through his Beatles and solo canon with a delicate ferocity that is both moving and completely unexpected. The Beatles chestnuts are all here however, it is on some of his lesser-known solo compositions that his enthusiasm for the material really shines - in particular Devil's Radio and Cheer Down. The "quiet" Beatle delivers a landmark performance that is worth every penny..." Amazon reviewer Michael Neiss

If George hadn't died, there mightn't be much need for boomers to give LIVE In Japan a listen...but mortality changes many things...and you may find that this is one album that you just have to have.