It is a once in a life-time thing it seems—to have George Harrison on Tour in any form or fashion. At the risk of being marked weird, he only came out on tour sporadically throughout his career and this was one of those times. What we’re reviewing today is the album of the 12-date Japan tour that Harrison did with long-time buddy and guitar hero Eric Clapton and his backing band. Harrison had played with the idea of going out touring, doing the yes-no-yes-no in his mind before originally turning things down. Then, at the last moment, he changed his mind and that is why we have this wonderful live collection. It spans 26 years of hits from songs written during his Beatle days, all the way to music he had recorded on his 1987 album “Cloud Nine.”
Who of course, cannot be in love with the Beatles songs like “Taxman,” “If I Needed Someone,” “Piggies,” “Here Comes The Sun,” and “Something” among others. Then there’s the solo hits “Got My Mind Set On You,” “Cloud Nine,” “Isn’t It A Pity,” “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth),” and of course a personal favorite, “My Sweet Lord.” Top it off with the fantastic “Roll Over Beethoven” cover and it is a very fabulous tour.
These concerts were done over a stretch of two weeks in Japan. I believe this concert was recorded (or much of it anyway) from the concert held on December 14, 1991. I could tell from the recording of “My Sweet Lord” (the finest live recording of that song to date) is from the 14th of December. Most of the other live takes, which could be seen on Youtube are lackluster to this particular version.
My favorite songs are “Give Me Love,” “Isn’t It A Pity,” “My Sweet Lord” and “What Is Life,” much of which is from his first spectacular album All Things Must Pass. This two disc set displays some of the most relevant rock music of the late sixties and seventies. Most people granted George a recluse in the 70’s as if his work from the 70’s was not relevant. When compared to groups like the Eagles dominating the airwaves, Harrison’s songs like “This Guitar Can’t Keep From Crying” seemed like a far cry away from the norm. But Harrison’s 1974 tour and this one speak otherwise. George looks and sounds as if he is happy playing songs new and old from top to bottom. Japan was the perfect place to start touring and it’s a shame that he didn’t continue on into the nineties doing short tours around a section or two of country for his fans.
