DARK HORSE

 

DARK HORSE : This 4th solo release by George Harrison could have been big had it not been due to circumstances that George was ill equipped to overcome. After a  trio of fine albums, this was greatly anticipated by his fans and the public nostalgia for his old band was at an all time high. However, as fate would have it, George contracted laryngitis which was an infection that causes inflammation of the larynx which in turn affects the cavity in the throat holding the vocal cords. He went on his first solo tour against better advices and judgement which was also the first time any Beatles have tour in the US since 1966. Because of his insistence in promoting Ravi Shankar so heavily in his concerts, coupled with his hoarse vocal, the tour gathered bad reviewers from influential people and caused a major set back for him..The album itself showed George in his not so fine vocal but however all is not lost here. I have a soft spot for this album because it was released during the Chinese New Year when everyone of our family members were home for the celebration. Listening to it conjured visions of my mother preparing her mouth watering menus for us all and my brother sleeping on the sofa while this album was being played. Yeah, a not so perfect album that somehow evolved a time that was quite close to perfection.

Hari's On Tour [ Express ] ( Harrison ) : George, unlike Paul McCartney didn't do much instrumentals other than this instrumental soundtrack that he did for the movie "Wonderwall," This was a good starter for this album or any other albums for that matter.

Simple Shady ( Harrison ) : A fine song to follow the instrumental. During this time, it was always a thrill for me to hear the ex Beatles singing with reference to themselves or the characters that they've created in their songs. And George's inclusion of 'Sexy Sadie' as part of the lyric did the trick for me.

So Sad ( Harrison ) : I used to skip this track and the following 2 that followed when I first got the record. However time, or maybe the death of George have made me more tolerance of this track. I listen to it now.

Bye, Bye Love ( Bryant / Bryant ) : This was an old Everly Brothers standard venomous rewritten novelty song in respond of his wife, Pattie Boyce leaving him for his good friend Eric Clapton. Like Paul McCartney before him who once did the old Mickey & Sylvia's hit 'Love Is Strange,' the melody was almost unrecognisable. If they have put it under any other name, nobody would have been the wiser but I guess he must have been apprehensive after the problem he had with 'My Sweet Lord.'

Maya Love ( Harrison ) : This one I totally detested. It was horrible and I just can't bear listening to it. However, as always as times passed.....

Ding Dong, Ding Dong ( Harrison ) : A nice cheerful track to open up side two on the record. This was the second single from here and was intended as a perennial favourite for Christmas. One of my favourite on the album.

Dark Horse ( Harrison ) : George sounds somewhat restrained on this fine acoustic track. Still the charm cannot be denied.

Far East Man ( Harrison / Wood ) : Another good track which he co wrote with ex Faces Ronnie Wood. Ronnie did a version of this song on his "I Have My Own Album To Do,'"
which I found not much different from this version.

It Is 'He' [ Jai Sri Krishna ] ( Harrison ) : I know not many people like this chant like song but there are charms aplenty to be found here if you love George like me. I find it interesting and unlike anything I've heard before. The bridge is hauntingly nice.

DOP : 11th April 1998.