George Harrison Cloud Nine Album Review

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

This album brings back wonderful memories of happy times. Amazing to hear you met George.

[@chronomatt6990]

Nothing wrong with a rock-based pop album from an ex-Beatle. I couldn’t stop smiling when my local FM radio station played Cloud Nine fully as a sneak preview before it released two weeks later. The next time I smiled as big from track-to-track while listening to an album was the first Traveling Wilburys album the day it was released. Then after that, Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever.

[@andyelton9714]

One of my favourite albums of all time. 'Fish on the Sand', 'This is Love', 'Devil's Radio', 'Wreck of the Hesperus'' Just for today' and obviously 'Got my mind set on you' are all highlights. I particularly love the message of the song 'Just for today'. When you're struggling, just get through today.

[@MikeVernonProd]

This Is Love is one of my absolute favourite George Harrison songs. The opening guitar part alone makes the song for me. Cloud Nine is a great album, that basically everyone I know loves. It’s George’s third best album in my opinion.

[@SirRelkinstein]

This album is very good, much better than Somewhere In England and Gone Troppo, bringing in Jeff Lynne to produce was one of George’s best decisions he ever made. Probably the best produced George album. My personal favorite is the Beatles tribute When We Was Fab, but I also love That’s What It Takes, This Is Love, Devil’s Radio, and of course, Got My Mind Set On You.

[@wisamh1976]

Someplace else is in my opinion one of the best ballads I have ever heard . Really a masterpiece

[@lookylookhere71]

One of the first cds I owned after my parents bought me a cd player in 87 I used to listen to this a lot😄

[@pauljackson8354]

Got this in 1987 the same day as I bought All The Best by Sir Paul.Cloud Nine was a brilliant comeback musically as Double Fantasy was for John.Terrific production by Jeff Lynne,excellent songs and musicians.

[@norrisnonkin5283]

Hi John, always enjoy your videos. I like "Cloud Nine" more than you do, but giving it an "8" or "on a good day, 8 1/2" is fair. Yes, it's "poppy", but that's OK for me. It is interesting just how Jeff Lynne (I'm a BIG ELO/Jeff Lynne fan!) got hooked up with George and just where in their respective careers this was. They were a mutual admiration society and sort of down on their careers at this point. I think the "failure" of "Gone Troppo" (an album I've warmed up to over the years) left a sour taste in George's mouth and he felt that he needed to take a break. Jeff was a little burned out from doing ELO, so he was focusing more on producing and however their hooking up came to be (maybe you can speak on that a bit), Jeff jumped at the chance of producing a former Beatle with the attitude of "Alright, Harrison, I, Jeff Lynne, Master of the Pop Song, will make an album with you that'll put you right back on the charts!" This was indeed accomplished and I feel it reinvigorated both of them to get back (ooh, musical pun there!) into being recording artists again. (Not to mention the fortuitous happenstance of the Traveling Wilburys formation. . . )

[@aidanlynn]

Fish on the Sand is one of the most underrated songs ever.

[@paulwheatley141]

Be interested to hear your review of the 2 Wilbury albums

[@wisamh1976]

Someplace else is a beautiful ballad. My favorite song of his in this album

[@DJ-bj8ku]

I’m surprised All Those Years Ago didn’t chart well in Britain. Thanks for the review.

[@MeanMrMayo]

You read my mind, John.. I was just thinking of reviewing this album! I want to save my thoughts mostly for when I do my own video, but I'm always happy to see another review by you. It was such a joyous time in Beatles history when George made his comeback in 1987 (even though he'd always say he'd never really gone anywhere). Still not sure that I understand critiques that some folks use such as "too '80s" , "too 60s", or "too 70s", when of course a song is going to sound like the year in which it was recorded. Hey, I never really knew the exact meaning of "Dark Horse".. interesting.

[@johnheaton5667]

MeanMr Mayo thanks joe..yes 80s albums sound like 80s but that guitar sound is timeless

[@lennon_9dream133]

Pedazo de album de George. Está dentro de sus mejores trabajo en solitario.

[@GAFloppa]

Have to disagree RE Cloud 9 (song) - embracing more of a blues guitar style and letting Lynne sort his guitar tone out was pivotal for George

[@hansmagnusmalcolmsen9354]

Love that album and 33 1/3 too, the two Harrison solo albums I'm familiar with. Yes, it sounds very 80's, so what? - It was the 80's after all. Just like 33.. sounds very 70's.

[@cheerdown87]

Love your review, and understand your points (even where I differ). Personally, this album is solid. I was exactly twenty years old and "Got My Mind Set On you" was the soundtrack to my first kiss, so there is a heavy nostalgia attached to this album as well as 1987-88 in general. I loved all the songs in the album with the possible exception of "Breath Away from Heaven." I also loved your other reviews, Brainwashed & Egypt Station; you have excellent taste in music!

[@johnheaton5667]

michael mcgrath-muñiz cheers Michael!

[@mikeysaint4368]

Fortunately, by having Got My Mind Set On You at the end it doesn't dictate the overall feel of the LP. It's a decent throwaway bit of up-tempo pop, but it's far from the best thing on the album.

[@astoriakid41]

The Bottom line with Cloud 9 is that it is George Harrison singing with E.L.O. Listen to the Orchestration and the song styles. Jeff Lynn Produced it and proof is in the song "If that's What it takes" as an example*

[@soulsin97]

Great album he put out 31 years ago! Sure where she was still around today!!!

[@timshearn3792]

Hi John, great review as always. I think I am with you on your views of Cloud 9. When its good, its very good and when its bad, its bad. My highlights have to be This is Love, Fish on the Sand and Devil's Radio. Agree competely about Got My Mind Set On You, always skip that track. However the 12" is worth having for the song Lay His Head which I think is fantastic. Keep up the good work John.

[@johnheaton5667]

Tim Shearn thanks tim yes agree about lay his head! poor little girl is also superb...played it loud the orher day

[@robbrown6934]

You know Ray Cooper?!? Me too I see him on the 4 train here in the Bronx. Gets off at Fordham Rd. Then gets on Bx 12 towards City Island. Then gets on a fishing boat, and what he catches he throws back.

[@patgibbons1011]

Can’t believe there is actually an extended version of GMMSOY. Great discussion !

[@nowhereman6496]

Nice Review of a fine record John. If you get a chance Mean Mr Mayo just put up a fine review of this album as well. I would have to rank this as my 3rd favorite George albums behind "George Harrison" and "ATMP". Although I agree with you about it's production and it sounding like the 80's I do feel by this time George's musical style and the sound of his albums had became a bit tired and stale after the releases of "Somewhere in England" and "Gone Troppo". As much as I've come to appreciate both these albums in later years he needed a fresh, sort of "in your face" sound. I really think Jeff Lynne's production really made the difference with this album. Just the way he recorded the drums and guitars as well as George's voice really gave this album some punch that was lacking on the previous two albums. Certainly there are typical Jeff Lynne, ELO sounds sprinkled throughout the entire album but I think they're, for the most part, kept in check. I have to admit, I immediately liked the sound of "Cloud 9" when it was released in '87 , and I still like the sound. It's not his best but it's better than quite a few of his other releases. Certainly, as you put it, the album just sounds as if George really wanted to have a "hit" album. And he did. Still, I agree with you about the opening title track. It lacks that upbeat feel. This song has always received praise, but, to my ears it just clunks along with George and Clapton trading off guitar licks which is ok. After that tho, the album I feel is just an enjoyable listen. "Devils Radio" "That What it takes, "Wreck of the Hesperus", "Fish on the Sand", This is Love" all really upbeat solid songs along with the beautiful "Someplace Else". "Just for Today" reminds me more of "Isn't a Pity" rather than anything off of Plastic Ono Band. Still, it's one of my favorite tracks. About, "Got my mind....", I agree with you that it somewhat sticks out as sort of out of place on this album but it seems George always threw odd cover tracks on his albums such as "I really love you" on "Gone Troppo", "Hong Kong Blues" on "Somewhere in England", and "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" on his last, "Brainwashed". Still, It was catchy and for some odd reason became a #1. Strangely, the last #1 for any of the Beatles in the states. Never quite understood the two videos for this song cuz they were both bad in their own way, whereas, the "When we was fab" video was,.....fab. Again, thanks for the enjoyable review. By the way, what's your view on the re-releases of all of George's albums on vinyl in a boxed set?? Amazon is asking $466 for the set. YIKES! Kinda surprised that the Harrison estate is okay with this.

[@johnheaton5667]

nowhereman64 thanks for your detailed comment...review on the box to come!

[@ruypapaleobianchini395]

Maravilha 👏👏🙏

[@Beatgeneration2010]

Hi John, not sure what's happened to the audio on this, sounds like the camera's mic is picking up the sound and not the Mic you normally have above your chest. If you listen back you will know what I mean, it sounds like you are in the furthest corner of the room!

[@fittobetiedyed5315]

Claustrophobic is exactly the right word to describe Jeff Lynne's production. I find that applies to most of the things Lynne produces. I'm not of big fan of his overall sound. Too often it sounds overly muted. I didn't have a vinyl copy of this album until last year. It was one of the first CD's I purchased back in the day. A great, honest review.

[@johnheaton5667]

FitToBe TieDyed thank you sir

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Jeff Lynne didn't always have that sound. He kind of developed it from Cloud 9 onwards. If you listen to say, the Face the Music LP from 1975, that has a great vibey ambience. He had a great engineer back then though, Mack from Musicland in Munich.

[@fittobetiedyed5315]

I think his sound was quite evident on ELO's Discovery, particularly with the drum sound. It's OK but I get tired of it after a while.

[@johnheaton5667]

I think Jeff produced some great records 1975-81 and then lost it for a while in the '80s (Balance of Power from 1986 being the nadir). Cloud Nine production to me is mostly OK but his greatest triumph with any Beatle to me was his work on Free As A Bird and Real Love.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

By his own admission he felt he'd lost his way when digital recording and sequencing came in. George gave him an excuse to get back to basics. I actually enjoy both Secret Messages and Balance of Power though. Given that he claimed to be running on an empty tank by then, he did fantastically well to produce such gems as Stranger, Hello My Old Friend, Getting to the Point, Is it Alright and Without Someone, all of which were good enough as songs to have graced the orchestral albums of a few years before.

[@llewellynGS1]

Hi John I always like listening to your reviews, I think you are amongst the most musically insightful amongst the youtube reviewers. But I was a bit disappointed personally with this review. You seemed quite underwealmed by it, I was expecting a slightly be excited review. Most people I have seen rate this album in the top 3, if not the top. For me, I think its either #1 or 2. I think he really made an effort on this and it sounds very positive. Lots of good songwriting, great production and very concise intelligent pop. I think in these respects, it out-flanks easily over half his other work. If I play this album now to my teenage kids, they hum along and tap the toes. I also like the 1979 album and even Gone Troppo. But there's nothing wrong with well-crafted pop - imho - like the Beatles did. GH back to his best.

[@johnheaton5667]

Glen Smith Well Glenn we can agree to slightly differ here... I do love quite a bit of it just don't play it too often...by the way was listening to the 1989 track poor little girl yesterday and cheer down...sorry they missed being on an album, poor little girl in particular is a masterpiece!

[@llewellynGS1]

Hi John yeah thats OK. I love all Georges stuff, maybe slightly cool on "Extra Texture" and "Dark Horse" though. Yes I agree about those extra tracks. Have you seen "Cheer Down" Iive from 1991 tour? Thanks for what you do, John. Also love your review of "The Wall".

[@babyfir77]

I also think Poor Little Girl is a masterpiece!!

[@johnheaton5667]

Glen Smith yes but i'm a bit cool on that tour as don't think his heart was really in it..saw him live at the albert hall the following year was standing at the front...brilliant..and ringo came on for last two songs 'gently weeps' and roll over beethoven'

[@llewellynGS1]

Hi John that would have been fantastic. I was in NZ at the time so a bit far to go! I have seen bits of that concert on youtube - I think a video from the audience.

[@deanwallis183]

John, I totally agree with Got my Mind set on You. Good to see him do well with the tune, but certainly not the George sound or style that we love. But a pop hit...yes.

[@bazza5699]

hi John, again, sorry for stalking your videos.. very addictive viewing, you mentioned Jeff being with George when you met him, did Jeff speak to you? he's a hero of mine.

[@davidgena2667]

Nice to have a John Heaton review on Inauguration Day. Thanks John. I'm clueless with respect to this album so I can't comment. I've always felt that all I need from Harrison's solo career is "All Things Must Pass" which I'm sure isn't fair. I did buy a few others but never cared for them. Take care, my friend.

[@johnheaton5667]

David Gena thanks david...other than ATMP i would direct you to the self titled album from 1979...but it's very laid back so not sure it would be your cup of tea!

[@davidgena2667]

John Heaton I'm actually having tea at the moment. It's the English in me. You're most likely right about my not caring too much for the George Harrison album. The singles didn't do much for me so I'm guessing the rest wouldn't either. Have been enjoying Queen's "A Night At The Opera" album and Chicago's "Greatest Hits" album lately. Don't know how you feel about either band...just throwing them out there for your consideration.

[@Scoundrel12131965]

Excellent review, on the mark (basically I agree with you) and informative.

[@chrisrees7054]

Who knows where the time goes?

[@lukeshirlaw6731]

Just picked up the vinyl of Cloud 9 the other day :)

[@johnheaton5667]

Luke Shirlaw great hope it doesn't skip!

[@lukeshirlaw6731]

I sure hope so too, haven't gotten around to listening to it yet.

[@lukeshirlaw6731]

Unfortunately the NEW vinyl of Help! on www.thebeatlesonline.co.uk/ skips a lot of It's Only Love & You Like Me Too Much, which i'm quite disappointed about.

[@jldraw]

I've heard "Cloud Nine" over the years described as "Manna From Heaven" for Beatles fans in 1987 and I think there is a bit of truth to that. It's always been one of my favorite solo Beatles albums but to play devil's advocate I can understand your criticisms. The eighties were a rough time for baby boomers who for the first time were adjusting to a marketplace that was not catered to their tastes as a lot of the overproduced pop of that decade failed to find audience with traditional rock and roll fans. So by the end of the decade a bit of a grassroots revolt began to occur in which albums like "Cloud Nine" began to inexplicably chart despite the fact that the artists behind them hadn't had a solid hit in years! In terms of the solo Beatles specifically, Lennon's assassination in 1980 dispelled any hopes of a potential Fab Four reunion, Ringo Starr was battling alcoholism and hadn't been musically relevant since the mid seventies, Harrison went through his own drought as well and by the early eighties by his own admission was "ready for the broom" and McCartney had just baffled his audience with the taxing film "Give My Regards To Broad Street" and the challenging (but not without merit) "Press to Play" LP. So in that context I can certainly understand why "Cloud Nine" was like manna from heaven for Beatles fans. It sounded like the most Beatlesque record that had been released since McCartney's "Tug Of War" back in 1982! But yeah certainly there was a brief period in the late eighties where a lot of acts from the fifties and sixties began to enjoy some inexplicable chart success and "Cloud Nine" was one of those records albeit one I enjoy quite a bit. All the best John!

[@johnheaton5667]

jldraw thanks for your detailed and insightful comment!

[@recordrabbit]

This is a great album and the start of so many George Harrison and Jeff Lynne related projects. I do agree with you in retrospect that he seemed to sacrifice a bit of his personality to have a more commercial album, at least in terms of not writing the big single. I too am more likely to go back and listen to his self titled than this one. But oh well, it's still a great record. "Breath Away From Heaven" is actually one of my favorite tracks and was definitely in the Shanghai Surprise movie. I used to own a bootleg where they had the movie version, it was the audio ripped from the movie and you can hear Sean Penn and Madonna talking. It's a slightly different take, mix but nothing essential.

[@johnheaton5667]

escaperabbit thanks for your detailed comment

[@jamesculton8058]

Great video john

[@johnheaton5667]

James Culton thanks james!

[@RonaldBrown59]

Another wonderful review John. I like this album a bit better than you, and probably because I actually enjoy 'Got My Mind Set On You'. Which I guess is George's most successful solo remake. And I'm not world's biggest ELO fan but I like Jeff Lynne's production here. I think he produced this and Tom Petty's 'Full Moon Fever' back to back in the late 80', but strong albums. And I agree with you that I don't like this as much as 'George Harrison', not even close really, and like you, I was teenager when that record came out, a bit older though, I was 18 in early 1979. But I like this better than 'Somewhere In England' and 'Gone Troppo". Even though Troppo is somewhat of a sleeper, I like much more now than I did when it came out. I call it George's Jimmy Buffett album. Cheers Mate!

[@johnheaton5667]

Ron Brown thanks Ron cheers!

[@starshiptrooper7670]

John, why isn't All Things Must Pass your fav. George album? Just wondering.....

[@johnheaton5667]

Starship Trooper cos i got into the self titled one first when i was 15 and because i hate the apple jam...it's close though :- )

[@starshiptrooper7670]

Thanks. Take care!

[@jordanabel1512]

Hi John, was expecting you to like this album even more than you do considering it is widely loved by most Beatles fans, but i can understand why you see it as poppy and a bit dated as i somewhat agree. But some of the songs on here i think are among Georges' very best and a few underrated gems like Thats What It Takes and Someplace Else. Also what are your thoughts on the new Harrison vinyl box thats just been announced?

[@johnheaton5667]

Jordan's Music Reviews i loved it at the time now i would say i love about half of it...video to come on the box set

[@bibsteenson]

I've always felt this album was overrated following the success of the single "Mind set on you" (did not age well) To my mind it is nowhere as good Harrison's eponymous LP of ten years earlier.

[@beatlegreg07]

Breath away from heaven love that one. For me just for today is the weakest track . I love the opening track too. It's got attitude.

[@Twotontessie]

What? I couldn't understand what you said George said to you. Saving up for some of the new ones?

[@johnheaton5667]

Boiler Room Drums saved us having to use up some of the new ones

[@robbrown6934]

I bet you like it.

[@daytripper9222]

One of my favorite harrison albums. "Cloud nine" should not have been the opener, but still a good song. "If that's what it take's" is brilliant. "Devil's radio" excellent and i could go on. Jeff lynne did a fantastic job on this one and george was really on his game here (My Opinion) only folks. This for me is a good 9 1/2 out of 10 easy. Great review john. Take care.

[@johnheaton5667]

day tripper thanks kregg i agree on your favs...i love most of it you know :- )

[@daytripper9222]

I do know john:)

[@TomCwimpRock]

I loved this album when it was released, - these days I find it to be a bit slick, and too ELO-ish for my taste. But in 1987 George desperately needed an accessible album to revive his career, and it served that function...Between the two Jeff Lynne produced Harrison albums, I personally prefer "Brainwashed" over "Cloud Nine" - Nice review John.

[@johnheaton5667]

Thomas Calden thanks thomas i think i would agree...but the 1989 track poor little girl is a masterpiece...shame it was too late for cloud 9

[@zylbher1]

I think the album should have opened with "i got my mind set on you" it would have been more suitable for an opening because of the drum intro and because it was the hit single. and after that yes: following with cloud nine

[@johnheaton5667]

Hernan Javier Zylbersztein you mat have a point but that were the case i wouldn't be reaching for the album too often personally :- )

[@oldskool731]

cloud 9 a tune wot u going on about every tune on the albums puka best album he done his playing gretch from please please me album and ringos onit its the fucking bolloks

[@jockmctodger]

Proper clobber

[@babyfir77]

I have that album rated a little higher than you, John, at a 9. The ELO influence by Jeff Lynne is strongly heard on the album. Meantime, I thought it was interesting that you skipped Ebony and Ivory on Tug of War, because I do the same thing!!

[@johnheaton5667]

Martin W thanks martin, jeff lynne is a legend

[@stijnrovara]

Nice review John!

[@johnheaton5667]

gekke gast thanks!

[@stijnrovara]

haha no problem, now only brainwashed is left!

[@soulsin97]

What I meant to say is I sure wish he was here today!!!

[@MegaPlexy]

His son is, listen to Dhani.

[@kerrymcmanus9188]

All things was full of super stars so what.s wrong with having mates on this LP. Brilliant effort.

[@johnheaton5667]

kerry mcmanus nothing much just prefer the low key george out of the spotlight i think...he maybe overexposed himself at the time of this album and you could see he wasn't really enjoying it in my opinion

[@kerrymcmanus9188]

Thanks for your reply John,I respect your opinion mate,i just love George & Eric playing together & Ringo too. Can you do a review of Brainwashed.Like you reviews very professional. Cheers.

[@jasonwheeler3669]

Sounds a bit dated now but it's a album I still like great comeback album surprised it only made #8 in America and #10 in the uk.

[@highnumber9494]

I hate Jeff Lynne's drum sound but this album and the Wilbury's one the following year does bring back good memories.

[@BrianR.]

Jim Keltner and Ringo Starr played drums, not Jeff Lynne... lol

[@JonPoolegrandcentral]

I give the album 5....and that is being generous