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Post by Chippa on Nov 30, 2014 6:20:20 GMT
I had three in mind for my pick, but since November 29th is the thirteenth anniversary of George Harrison's death, I thought I'd go with this one. Plus, we haven't really discussed this one on this particular incarnation of the forum,yet.
Your CD (or in this case, YouTube link) of the week is....George Harrison's 1987 album "Cloud Nine".
Release Date- Nov. 2, 1987 (UK). Nov. 3,1987 (US)
The Players George Harrison – Lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, sitar, backing vocals
Jeff Lynne – Acoustic, electric and bass guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
Eric Clapton – electric guitar
Elton John – piano
Gary Wright – piano
Ringo Starr – drums
Jim Keltner – drums
Ray Cooper – drums, percussion
Jim Horn – baritone and tenor sax
Bobby Kok – cello
Vicki Brown – lead vocals (on "Shanghai Surprise")
Produced by Jeff Lynne and George Harrison.
The Songs Cloud Nine That's What It Takes Fish on the Sand Just For Today This Is Love When we Was Fab Devil's Radio Someplace Else Wreck of the Hesperus Breath Away From Heaven Got My Mind Set On You
Bonus Tracks Shanghai Surprise Zig Zag
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Post by livinthing on Nov 30, 2014 7:45:14 GMT
Great choice. Harrison's solo efforts up to then,not including ATMP,were not that special IMO,but then introduce Mr.Lynne and you get this cracker.
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Post by 88keys on Nov 30, 2014 17:37:49 GMT
This is George's best album, and not just because of Jeff Lynne's involvement. His singing, playing and songwriting are on par with his Beatles period material, in my opinion. He must have been in a really good place in his life.
Cloud Nine.... ****
That's What It Takes.....****
Fish on the Sand....****
Just For Today....***1/2
This Is Love....****
When we Was Fab....***
Devil's Radio....***
Someplace Else....***
Wreck of the Hesperus....***
Breath Away From Heaven....**
Got My Mind Set On You....**1/2
Shanghai Surprise....**
Zig Zag....***
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Post by queenofthehours on Nov 30, 2014 18:24:53 GMT
Fantastic choice Chippa. This CD hardly moves more than a foot from my player. One of the best albums ever made in my opinion, beautiful songs. Looking forward to digging deeper into the music.
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Post by jrmugz on Nov 30, 2014 19:22:42 GMT
Great pick and will give it my review once I get my belated one to JLN.
This one will be easy for me to review, since I've already worn the songs out over the past.
I remember I bought it with John Cougar Mellencamp's "Lonesome Jubilee", bought them both on cassette.
And I remember being knocked to the floor with how great the opening song "Cloud Nine" was when I played it, I knew it was going to be an amazing album and it certainly is.
Jim
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Post by jefflynnenut on Nov 30, 2014 21:23:53 GMT
Great choice! !! I have it on vinyl and c.d. great album and I adore "fab" will stick my bit in properly when I have time! !!!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2014 7:32:01 GMT
I still have this on cassette! God, I'm such a hipster. A few thoughts. Cloud Nine- Blues guitars and sax bursts make a beautiful nose together. That's What It Takes- Spine tingling from start to finish. Fish on the Sand- This is my favorite song from Cloud Nine. It's perfectly crafted pop music. Just For Today- Wistful balladry. This Is Love- The most Jeff Lynne like song on this album. When We Was Fab- Try to catch all of the pop culture references in the lyrics! Devil's Radio- A relentless rocker with some biting lyrics. Someplace Else- A gorgeous love song. Wreck of the Hesperus- "Getting old as my mother.." I love that line! LOL Breath Away From Heaven- George goes to the Orient! Got My Mind Set On You - This song was EVERYWHERE in 1987! An instant classic. Shanghai Surprise - A nice surprise, indeed. Zig Zag - George wears his 1940's influence on his sleeve, without shame.
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Post by Chippa on Dec 1, 2014 20:51:18 GMT
Fantastic choice Chippa. This CD hardly moves more than a foot from my player. One of the best albums ever made in my opinion, beautiful songs. Looking forward to digging deeper into the music. I hadn't actually sat through the entire album in a long time, but man, it holds up well. Probably my favorite Jeff Lynne produced album, aside from his own and ELO.
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Post by 88keys on Dec 2, 2014 22:46:45 GMT
What strikes me about the album, is how "shiny" it is. I don't know if that's the right term, but the music just shines and sparkles. It's so clean and beautiful.
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Post by jefflynnenut on Dec 3, 2014 0:05:10 GMT
What strikes me about the album, is how "shiny" it is. I don't know if that's the right term, but the music just shines and sparkles. It's so clean and beautiful. Couldn't have said it better 88! Thats what a damn good producer brings.......Mr JEFF LYNNE.
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Post by Chippa on Dec 4, 2014 7:47:33 GMT
I guess I should review my own album pick!
Cloud Nine – From the first burst of George’s slide guitar, you know this album is going to be something special. Always loved the saxes and the dueling guitars between George and Eric Clapton.
That's What It Takes – There’s some great vocal work on this song, both George’s lead vocals and the background choruses. The bridge almost reminds me of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys.
Fish on the Sand – Great 12-string guitar sound, on this song. Fantastic melody and very clever lyrics.
Just For Today – Melancholic sadness, as only George can do it. Reminds me of his own “Beware of Darkness”.
This Is Love – Jeff actually gave several different bits and pieces of songs to George, and he picked his favorite bits to come up with this song. I just love the guitar sounds on this song.
When we Was Fab – A nice flashback to his “other “ band. It’s almost like a collage of every Beatles song post- “Rubber Soul”.
Devil's Radio – Bob Dylan’s influence is heard quite clearly on the lyrics to this great rocker. Another searing Clapton guitar solo.
Someplace Else – This song was originally written for the infamous Madonna/Sean Penn flick “Shanghai Surprise”, but George redid it with Jeff, and came up with a great ballad.
Wreck of the Hesperus – A great response to all of those who were knocking George, and his peers, as “dinosaurs”.
Breath Away From Heaven – This song actually bores me. Pleasant enough, but pointless.
Got My Mind Set On You – George’s big comeback song! It’s hard to believe that teenagers in 1987 were loving this song, as much as their parents. Great drumming by Jim Keltner!
Bonus Tracks
Shanghai Surprise – Another one from the Madonna film. Not great, but a nice rarity, for sure.
Zig Zag – This reminds me of something from Monty Python. What a fun track.
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Post by unomusette on Dec 4, 2014 21:53:24 GMT
Yet another album I've always meant to listen to - here's my chance then, nice one! Probably be Saturday before I get chance to review it though
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Post by Helmut83 on Dec 4, 2014 22:36:25 GMT
Yet another album I've always meant to listen to - here's my chance then, nice one! Probably be Saturday before I get chance to review it though Same here, even when it's a very familiar album (a fantastic one, I must say in anticipation) I'll just sit down and listen to it as a whole.
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Post by unomusette on Dec 6, 2014 20:46:29 GMT
Gah! Stupid Real Life has scuppered my plans to review tonight, I promise to do it tomorrow
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Post by PowWow on Dec 6, 2014 20:52:33 GMT
May I do the nest CD of the week please?
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