Dark Horse George Harrison

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CD

  • Release Date: 12/15/2007
  • Original Release: 1974
  • Label: TOSHIBA EMI JAPAN
  • UPC: 4988006780330

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  • Overview
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  • Editorial Reviews
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Track List
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Dark Horse

1LISTENHari's on Tour (Express) 1974 4:44
2LISTENSimply Shady 1974 4:38
3LISTENSo Sad 1973 5:01
4LISTENBye Bye Love 1974 4:08
5LISTENMaya Love 1974 4:24
6LISTENDing Dong, Ding Dong 1974 3:41
7LISTENDark Horse 1974 3:54
8LISTENFar East Man 1974 5:52
9LISTENIt Is "He" (Jai Sri Krishna) 1974 4:51

About this Artist

Editorial Reviews

With his first solo tour looming ahead in November and December of 1974, George Harrison felt impelled to rush out a new album, and even a steadily worsening case of laryngitis wouldn't stop him. Would that it did, for the appallingly weak state of his voice would torpedo this album and the tour, to his great embarrassment. "Hari's on Tour (Express)" -- with Tom Scott's L.A. Express churning out all-pro L.A.-studio jazz/rock -- gets the doomed project off to a spirited start, but it's an instrumental, and Harrison's vocal distress becomes obvious to all in the next track, "Simply Shady." Some of George's tunes -- particularly the title track and the exquisite "Far East Man" -- might have benefited from waiting for a better time to record, while others probably could not have been saved. The recording quality, like the voice, has a raw, coarse-grained sound that belies the impeccable musicianship. Dark Horse is perhaps most notorious for Harrison's bitter, slipshod rewrite of the Everly Brothers' hit "Bye Bye Love" -- referring openly to George's wife Pattie running off with Eric Clapton and, for good measure, having both of them on the session! Dark Horse would also be the name of Harrison's soon-to-be-formed new label, as well as a metaphor for the underestimated Beatle who leaped artistically and commercially ahead of his three colleagues immediately after the Beatles' breakup. Unfortunately, this album -- despite its humorous Sgt. Pepper parody on the cover and outright plea to critics on the margins of the inside jacket to go easy on its contents -- would only undermine Harrison's hard-fought campaign for respect. Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Overlook since its releaseby Anonymous

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June 23, 2002: This album was released in 1974 and it was the third solo album by George Harrison (excluding the ''Concert for Bangladesh'') after the Beatles' breakup. Although some critics have said that this was a very bad album and perhaps the worst solo album released by Harrison, I have a different opinion. I think this is indeed a very good album and it has been continuosly overlooked since its release. It is true that it did not reach the #1 in the US like his two previous albums (''All Thing Must Pass''; and ''Living in the Material World''), but it climbed as high as #4. The opening track is a very good instrumental song: ''Hari's on Tour'' (I am sure you will enjoy it). Other good songs of this album are ''Simply Shady''; '' So Sad''; ''Maya Love''; ''Ding Dong, Ding Dong'' and the exquisite ''Far East Man''. I am not including in this list the title track ''Dark Horse'' because George voice was terrible (due to a laryngitis). Another good thing of this album is the very high quality of the personnel: Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Ron Wood, Alvin Lee, and Billy Preston and others. In summary, I recommend this album.

This review was written about the CD edition.

The lighter side of Dark Horseby Anonymous

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April 30, 2002: It was a different concept: Release an album to support a tour (usually artists hit the road to support an album). But with 'Dark Horse' (released in 1974), this is what George attempted to do. What came out of it was not exactly award-winning stuff, but it was interesting in a way. Unfortunately for George, critics hated the effort (George seemed to listen to critics even though he probably didn't admit to it). Everything about this album seemed hurried - the arrangements, the vocals, even the liner notes. And even though recording vocals with laryngitis may add a bit of vocal 'edge' for some artists, for George it sounded downright uncomfortable (check out the strained vocals in the tracks 'Simply Shady','Ding Dong, Ding Dong', and the title track). There are highlights however: 'Maya Love' is an incredibly infectious track - one of George's best. The guitar work on it and 'So Sad' is exceptional. (George always played a great guitar). And even though the title song has strained vocals, it is a well-crafted tune. George tried really hard this time around to show critics that he wasn't always so serious (his previous album 'Living in the Material' was blasted by critics for the 'holier-than-thou' attitude it was thought to possess). As a result, George sprinkles humor throughout - 'Bye Bye Love' was written for Eric Clapton and George's new 'ex'-Patti Boyd. 'Far East Man' is dedicated to Frank Sinatra with a little message in its intro for Frank not to 'get carried away' (Frank at that time called George's 'Something' the greatest song Lennon/McCartney ever wrote). The liner notes are filled with humorous references. And comic Peter Sellers appears within the album photos. Overall, not as bad as critics called it. On his next release in 1975, 'Extra Texture', George tries to take on the critics for their lambasting of his solo work. That album also has its faults. But if you took the best of 'Dark Horse' and 'Extra Texture', you've got music that rivals anything rock artists put out during that time.

This review was written about the CD edition.


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