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his quest to the top of the international charts when he went solo , earning a # 1 song in 1970 with “ My Sweet Lord ” and a chart-topping triple album with All Things Must Pass . For his 1973 follow-up Living in the Material World , Harrison focused on a single platter ’ s worth of beautifully crafted and evocative material devoted primarily to matters of the soul . Publishing royalties for nine of the album ’ s 11 songs were devoted to Harrison ’ s newly established Material World Charitable Foundation , which still operates today . The jangling pop of “ Give Me Love ( Give Me Peace on Earth )” became the biggest provider , returning Harrison to the # 1 spot in the US . The yearning song is decorated by Harrison ’ s slide guitar , Nicky Hopkins ’ flowing piano , and Klaus Voorman ’ s melodic bass . Material World is more personal than preachy overall , reflecting his post-Fabs experience and unease with fame rooted in the past , among other topics . The songs are overtly reverent without being heavy-handed . Harrison does gently warn those who avoid giving thought to their creator in “ The Light That Has Lighted the World ” ( with its swooping slide guitar solo and Hopkins elegantly assured piano ) and “ The Lord Loves the One ( That Loves the Lord )” featuring Jim Horn ’ s New Orleans-styled saxophone and Hopkins ’ electric piano . With “ Be Here Now ,” Harrison offers himself simple advice to live in the present . “ A mind that wants to wander ‘ round a corner is an unwise mind ,” he sings to gentle acoustic guitar accompaniment and warm harmonium drone . Harrison deviated from his spiritual calm for “ Sue Me , Sue You Blues ,” possibly the most brazenly sarcastic song produced by any Beatle ( yes , including Lennon ’ s “ How Do You Sleep ”). “ Bring your lawyer , and I ' ll bring mine / Get together , and we could have a bad time ,” sings Harrison in his square dance-styled lyrics over a bristling resonator guitar lick and Jim Keltner ’ s pulsing kick drum . Harrison ’ s temptation-resisting “ Try Some , Buy Some ” was a Phil Spector-produced single for Ronnie Spector in 1971 . Harrison borrowed the Wall-of-Sound
backing track for Living in the Material World . David Bowie would revisit the song on his 2003 album Reality . Announced as a 50th-anniversary project , this 2xLP set leads with the main album remixed by Paul Hicks . The results provide a more distinct , balanced , and full listening experience than even the 2014 remaster from the original stereo master tapes . The stereo field has been moderately rebalanced on “ Give Me Love ( Give Me Peace on Earth ),” and special attention has been given to acoustic guitar tones , yielding more clarity and separation between instruments . The heavy-handed piano reverb on “ Sue Me , Sue You Blues ” has been tempered , and Harrison ’ s lead vocal is more distinct .
The set ’ s second platter includes an alternate version of each of the album ’ s 11 tracks . Songs including “ Give Me Love ( Give Me Peace on Earth )” and “ The Day the World Gets Round ” are stripped to their acoustic bones , relying on Harrison ’ s inviting voice and chiming acoustic guitar . Ballad “ Who Can See It ” remains a masterful ballad and statement of identity , available here in its 93rd take ( that ’ s a lot of takes , friends ) without John Barham ’ s lush choral and string arrangements . Relying instead on Harrison ’ s soaring melody and close studio accomplices , the song does not suffer . As a bonus , we get to hear Harrison cracking up through his attempt to record the Dylan-esque B-side “ Miss O ’ Dell ,” dedicated to Apple employee and confidant Chris O ’ Dell . A 12-page book includes photos of Harrison at his home of Friar Park along with essays by Olivia Harrison and John Harris .
– Jeff Elbel 9
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ELVIS COSTELLO King of America & Other Realms ( UMe )
In 1986 , Elvis Costello took a significant stylistic diversion and made his first studio album since debut full-length My Aim is True without his revered backing band , the Attractions . Instead , he followed the trail laid by producer T Bone Burnett through an exploration of American roots music styles and themes . In the process , Costello crafted one of the standout albums of his career . King of America connected with North American fans , earning masterpiece acclaim even