Better Guitar

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George Harrison

by Tony Dehner

George Harrison is, quite simply, one of the greatest guitarists in rock and roll history. Not the most technical musician, and certainly not the flashiest, but when it comes to being in a band — playing precisely what the song asks for, contributing ideas, and acting as one voice among several, he has been only occasionally equaled, and never surpassed. While capable of some impressive soloing, Harrison’s true talent lies in his creative lead playing and strong songwriting.

As a member of the Beatles, Harrison did no less that help define the modern rock band and the lead guitarist’s role within it. Joe Perry, guitarists for the band Aerosmith, said quite accurately, “I don’t think there’s any band out there doing anything that the Beatles didn’t at least try at some point.” Although Harrison was frustrated somewhat by the overwhelming presence of the legendary John Lennon-Paul McCartney songwriting team, he typically contributed two or three songs to each record that easily measured up to the standard set by his higher-profile bandmates. Additionally, his interest in Indian music and culture led to new directions in the band’s own music, as he began to experiment with the Indian sitar and other concepts such as single-chord songs. Other Harrison ideas, such as intentional use of feedback and dissonance, were a breath of fresh air in a form of music dominated by blues and rockabilly influences.

Following the Beatles’ breakup in 1969, Harrison and his former bandmates pursued solo careers. Although still overshadowed by them, he was the first to score a Number One hit in Great Britain one year later, with My Sweet Lord. He would have another Number One with Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth), and a Top Ten hit with What Is Life. In addition to his solo career, Harrison enjoyed success as a member of the Traveling Wilburys, and as a producer for a album by sitar legend Ravi Shankar.

Essential Recordings

Rubber Soul

The Beatles

This album marks the beginning of the Beatles’ transition from pop sensations to the band that changed rock and roll. Stronger lyrics, more complex arrangements, and ear-catching guitar leads show a band that had matured greatly in a short time. Although Harrison’s original songs, Think For Yourself and If I Needed Someone are impressive and enjoyable efforts, his greatest contribution may be his use of he sitar on the Lennon-McCartney composition Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), giving the song a unique flavor. And this was before Harrison even really learned how to play the sitar!
The Beatles (White Album)

The Beatles

Recorded under a blanket of tension that eventually led to the band’s breakup a year later, this album finds the Beatles showcasing their individual musical talents and acting as backup bands for each other. This doesn’t mean it’s a bad record — quite the contrary, in fact. This fragmentation of the band is what makes the album so powerful and intriguing. The record is worth buying just to hear the George Harrison’s signature original, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, featuring Harrison’s good friend Eric Clapton on lead guitar. Easily the album’s best track, it has gone on to become one of the most well-known songs in rock history.
Abbey Road

The Beatles

Although Let It Be was released a year later, this is the last album the Beatles recorded together, and to say they went out with a bang would be a ridiculous understatement. This magnificent album transcends the confines of rock history and holds a place of its very own in our culture. The highlights are numerous: the rousing opening track Come Together; Harrison’s definitive love song, Something; the quirkiness and silliness of Octopus’ Garden and I Want You (She’s So Heavy); the gorgeous Here Comes The Sun, another Harrison composition; and, of course, the famous “medley-o-rama” that closes out the record, capped off by The End, featuring a trade-off guitar solo by McCartney, Harrison, and Lennon, in that order. All in all, breathtaking and beautiful.
All Things Must Pass

George Harrison

A sprawling three-LP (or two-CD) set that fully realizes the potential hinted at during Harrison’s tenure as a Beatle. Backed by an impressive collection of musicians — Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Billy Preston, and Ringo Starr are just a few — the album capitalizes on Harrison’s ability to write poetic, melodic songs with rock, folk, and blues influences. You’ll be surprised how many songs you’ll recognize — the hits My Sweet Lord and What Is Life, as well as the Harrison/Bob Dylan collaboration I’d Have You Anytime are merely the most recognizable. The third LP in this set, entitled Apple Jam, is an impromptu jam session at the Apple Records studios, which were founded and put to such good use by the Beatles. This portion of the album contains the most pure rock and roll music, with some excellent, hook-laden music by Harrison and Clapton. This is a very emotional, revealing, and powerful statement by the so-called “quiet Beatle” that puts him in a league of his own. This one belongs in your collection.