CLOUD 9

CLOUD 9 : After a 5 years hiatus from his recording career, George Harrison make a spectacular comeback with this gem of an album. Truly, his best since "All Things Must Pass." This album reestablished George Harrison as a critically acclaimed and commercially significant recording artist right up there with John Lennon and Paul McCartney. For once, George sounds happy and cheerful. Throughout his albums, he struck me as the one who was most unhappy with himself and the world around him but here he sure sounds on top of the world. I must admit, that throughout the album years, this was the album that woke me up to the music of George Harrison again. From "Extra Texture" to his last album "Gone Troppo." I was just playing selective songs which usually was only the hit songs and thus have me ignoring the rest of the album some of which were unjustifiably ignored. This album however gives me no chance to raise the record needle once it was in place. Yeah, it was that good. There was not a single bad track here.

Cloud 9 ( Harrison ) : Not necessary a nice start for the album. He should have use an uptempo number like he always do. Still this is no push over.. Somewhat reminds one of  The Beatles.

That What It Takes ( Harrison / Lynne / Wright ) : A great pop song in traditional of 'Blow Away.' It have a killer chorus. Can't go wrong as a single.

Fish On The Sand ( Harrison ) : An uptempo winner with Jeff Lynne's signature production. This was the direction George was leading The Traveling Wilburys and boy are we gonna be in for some great music.

Just For Today ( Harrison ) : The sort of slow number that George gave so much of in his previous albums but somehow this one sounded so right here.

This Is Love ( Harrison / Lynn ) : Another great pop song from George. If I have heard it from the radio first, thought th
e vocal is unmistakenly George, I would never guess it came from George. It sounded so happy and joyful.

When We Were Fab ( Harrison / Lynne ) : This was actually The Beatles under the guise of George Harrison. This track could fit nicely  in "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band". Great nostalgia track.

Devil's Radio ( Harrison ) : A fast one that impressed. This one could give both John Lennon and Paul McCartney a good run for their money.

Someplace Else ( Harrison ) : A slow but nice one. Honestly, if George have kept this album up with a few more songs, we may well have another "All Things Must Pass" on our hand.

Wreck Of The Hesperus ( Harrison ) : Nearing the end of the album and George is still going strong. Another uptempo gem. Shows there is still some serious rock in this aging rocker.

Breath Away From Heaven ( Harrison ) : There is a sense of oriental feel on this track. Being oriental myself, can I not like it.

Got My Mind Set On You ( Clark ) The last track on this album was also the last No.1 for George and any other ex Beatles. A fast number that you can't help taping your feet or shaking your hips to.

Additional Tracks :

Shanghai Surprise ( Harrison ) : George in his first ever duet with a female vocalist, Vicki Brown in this song from the movie of the same name starring the one and only Madonna. Not a bad track.

Zig Zag ( Harrison ) : This too was from the movie "Shanghai Surprise" and was first released as the B side of 'When We Were Fab.'  This sounds more like an instrumental than a vocal song with George repeating the title again and again.

DOP : 15th December 2005.