George Harrison released his fourth studio album Living In The Material World in 1973, and this 50th Anniversary Edition brings us the original with a new mix thanks to Paul Hicks, plus a bonus album of previously unreleased studio outtakes and demos. Also included are a 12-page book and poster.
The original album opens with the warm acoustic strumming of “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth),” where Harrison’s gritty voice is met with fluid piano thanks to Klaus Voormann. “Sue Me, Sue You Blues” follows, and is a brighter moment that welcomes Eastern influences, and “Don’t Let Me Wait Too Long” has Harrison hitting some pretty high notes in a busy delivery of rich folk-rock ideas.
Side B leads with “The Lord Loves The One (That Loves The Lord),” where Jim Horn’s well-timed horns and the crisp drums provide much diversity, though it’s the darker spirit of “Try Some Buy Some” that makes the LP worth the investment thanks to the mesmerizing and distinct droning. The aptly titled “That Is All” exits then with an emotive presence that’s gorgeous and heartfelt.
The extra LP is primarily the same songs in different versions. “The Light That Has Lighted The World (Take 13)” offers a piano-led moment of insightful wordplay, and “Living In A Material World (Take 31)” is a frisky tune of scrappy rock’n’roll that touches on Harrison’s full-band work. “Miss O’Dell,” a track not on the original, arrives late, and is percussively strong, rhythmic and even uses harmonica alongside a playful vocal delivery from Harrison.
Harrison plays all rhythm and lead guitar on the album, and Ringo Starr contributes as well. Paul McCartney is generally considered to have had the most successful solo career of the Fab Four, but it would be difficult to discount this album as one of the greatest from Harrison’s fantastic solo output.
