SOMEWHERE IN ENGLAND

SOMEWHERE IN ENGLAND : After producing the excellent self titled "George Harrison," album in 1979, George again falter on this rather mediocre album. There were quite a bit of problems surrounding the making of the album. Least of which, four of the songs were rejected by his recording company, Warner Bros. Ironically, three of the songs that were rejected were included as the most popular George Harrison songs in a 2006 survey. Further tragic was the news that his former band mate, John Lennon was murdered. That led George to rewrite a tune that he have and in return he was rewarded with his mo'Give Me Love.' which was quite a long time ago. Still, other than the above mentioned track and another good track, this was an album that is quite hard to go through. I got this cheap from a Beatles pal of mine.
st successful single since

Blood From A Clone ( Harrison ) : As was customary from each of his album, an uptempo track starts off the album. Not terribly arresting but still doesn't warrant pressing the skip button.

Unconsciousness Rules ( Harrison ) : Sounds better than the first time I heard it. The intro, ironically kind of reminds me of The Chiffons' "He's So Fine,' the song that gave him a lot of problems.

Life Itself ( Harrison ) : The great one here. The kind of religious songs that George is so fond of doing and when he does gets it right, it is simply awe inspiring. Ironically, it was only in latter years that I've discovered this gem, for I've been ignoring his albums even after I've bought them.

John Lennon

All Those Years Ago ( Harrison ) : This big single here started life as a track for Ringo Starr but after John Lennon's senseless 1980 murder, George took it upon himself to rewrite the lyric and make it his heartfelt tribute to his fallen ex colleague. As icing on the cake, Paul & Linda McCartney and Denny Laine were rounded up in the recording which made this the closest thing to a Beatles recording since Ringo Starr's 1973's "Ringo" which featured John, George and Ringo on 'I'm The Greatest.'  An uptempo and jovial tribute that John would have been proud of.

Baltimore Oriole ( Carmichael ) : An average song at best. Wonder why he covered it. George could have written a better song.. The song was over even before I realised it.

Teardrops ( Harrison ) : The next single and understandably it didn't score like the first one. It wasn't really a bad track. Just not the stuff that single are made of. Bad choice for a single.

That Which I Have Lost ( Harrison ) : A nice and quiet track that seems rather lost here. A nice surprise on a mediocre album.

The alternate cover

Writing's On The Wall ( Harrison ) : Boring this. When I was younger, so much younger than today, I just do not have the patience to sit through these kind of yawn inducing songs. Now that I am much older, I can give it another spin but it is still boring.

Hong Kong Blues ( Carmichael ) : When I was younger, it always gives me a kick to see anything Chinese mentioned in a white man song but somehow this doesn't have me jumping up and down the first time I heard. Other than the title and the gong during the intro, there's nothing Chinese about this tune. Hearing it again now after so many years, it's more acceptable.

Save The World ( Harrison ) : Another boring track that made me glad that we've come to the end of the album. Yawn.

DOP : 8th December 2000.