George Harrison - What Is Life (REACTION)

[@themadcow71]

It's like when the younger brother starts beating the bigger brothers in hoops. It's hard to accept. George was a musical wizard.

[@martinrenzhofer8241]

right, sure.

[@franksullivan1873]

Underrated

[@patrickdutton6056]

Amazing writer and musician

[@julie5310]

Phil Spector.

[@stephaniemarx9162]

John and Paul kept George down. Once he was free of the Beatles he just exploded. Got in a couple pals with a little tallent themselves to play along. Bob Dylan, Billy Preston , Eric Clapton. I bought this on vinyl when it was new and no one saw me for a couple days after.

[@ws3764]

Paul and John were so dominant in the Beatles. After the breakup, it was so great that George finally got to show the world what he could do.

[@mariaportengen2959]

George was my favorite Beatle. ❤

[@freebirdtony]

Ditto.

[@julietate7806]

@@freebirdtony me2

[@danmayberry1185]

The most Harrison song ever.

[@RadCenter]

Or maybe "Give Me Love"?

[@danmayberry1185]

@@RadCenter Yes, long before benefit concerts were in vogue, George put Bangladesh on our radar. And those songs do bring out his essential character. I'm changing my vote.

[@neillenet291]

George wrote such great songs. He's only underrated because he was in a band with paul mccartney and john lennon.

[@danmayberry1185]

I've always thought that. Harrison's problem was, he was in The Beatles.

[@keithharris6442]

​@danmayberry1185 which is the reason we know his music today

[@impudentdomain]

Thats what made the Beatles so great, three world class composers and even Ringo wrote a couple of hits.

[@paulprendergast3184]

Fair point, but some of his songs were the best the Beatles ever put out. Something and Here Comes the Sun are greats on Abbey Road, While My Guitar Gently Weeps on the White Album for example

[@neillenet291]

@@paulprendergast3184 I agree.

[@itcouldbeclark]

I just realized that I've loved this song for over 50 years.

[@robjohnson5872]

Time flies by when you're having fun! IMHO, 60's, 70's and 80's - a great time to be alive for the best music.

[@ericskivers6643]

Same . I was 10

[@Tj-ho2fs]

You guys are the best reactors. You start immediately, you don’t try to be funny or overdramatic, you’re intelligent and informed and choose terrific songs.

[@trespatines8698]

Totally agree. These guys are great reactors. No BS.

[@ThomasFamily-jh8tu]

Right on

[@stephenhuber1219]

Personnel This legendary recording session had so many superstars George Harrison: vocals, guitar, slide guitar, harmonica Eric Clapton: backing vocals, guitar Peter Frampton, Dave Mason: Guitar Pete Drake: pedal steel guitar Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Joey Molland: acoustic rhythm guitar Billy Preston: piano, keyboards, organ Gary Wright: piano, electric piano, keyboards, organ Gary Brooker, Tony Ashton: piano Bobby Whitlock: backing vocals, piano, organ Klaus Voormann: guitar, bass guitar Carl Radle: bass guitar Jim Price: trumpet Bobby Keys: saxophone Ringo Starr: drums, tambourine Alan White, Jim Gordon, Ginger Baker: drums Phil Collins: percussion Mike Gibbins: tambourine Mal Evans: vocals Eddie Klein: vocals Uncredited: xylophone, harmonium

[@56music64]

Yes and wow wow wow. How lucky have we been!

[@marcribe6483]

It should be mentioned that many of these names were somewhat unknowns for the great majority in 1970.

[@davidhattman7649]

Peter Frampton was asked by George to come and play, but he never made it on the albums official release.

[@darrellwhitman4756]

He had Derek and the Dominos and Badfinger on this record.

[@RazzleDazz72]

Henry Hill all coked out getting chased by helicopters in Goodfellas! 😅

[@peggylovato8720]

I LOVE GEORGE! Cried so hard when he passed, all things must pass ✌🏼💕🌞

[@billadkins5150]

Phil Spectors production was called the “Wall of Sound.” I always thought it was too muddy. I wish George Martin would have produced this album.

[@johnmcbarron7282]

I too find it hard to listen to.

[@neilog747]

Spot on. It needs a cleaner, crisper sound. Otherwise its simply wonderful.

[@ChasBeauregarde]

50th anniversary takes Spector out of the mix for the most part. Different listen.

[@fan123casual8]

This does sound pretty typical for Spector. The “everything at once with no space to breathe” is what he was going for. I’m surprised the isn’t in mono, because that’s what he preferred. It makes it even muddier. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But I’ll say this: it sounds good coming over the AM radio into your 1970’s Pontiac (which was an important factor in those days.). Kind of sounds bad though headphones, though. But also, people have said that Spector hardly ever showed up to recording sessions for this album, and when he did, he didn’t do much.

[@goldboy150]

For me, it works on some tracks and definitively not on others. Wah-wah for example is a brilliant track but is suffers under the weight of the production. I haven’t given this a lot of thought as it’s just occurred to me, but I think the more upbeat, quicker tempo tracks do not benefit from the production whereas it works alright with the ballads etc.

[@nets3]

Beautiful song. And amazing musicians playing with George here . This was the dress rehearsal for the future Derek and the Dominos... Clapton on lead guitar, Bobby Whitlock on keys, Carl Radle on bass, Jim Gordon on drums...

[@mr.snicker-doodles7081]

Thee amazing JIM Gordon..

[@TheGodfather4200]

This song hits hard when you have coke-frazzled nerves and are getting tracked by feds in a helicopter 😵‍💫

[@petescabissi5077]

Oh Henry.

[@darkmagus64]

George had a lot to say musically when he was freed from the shadow of John and Paul.

[@backbeat44]

Such a great song. George actually wrote the song in 1969 and originally intended it as a track for his friend Billy Preston to record.

[@garyhearn2025]

I really like you two guy's.....( You understand).

[@stillstanding8286]

Four of the five members of “Derek and the Dominoes” play on this track: Clapton - guitar, Gordon - drums, Whitlock - organ, Radle - bass. Great record, bought it when it came out in 1970. Still my favorite solo album by a former Beatle.

[@ronaldelliott4373]

It’s actually as Clapton said, the first time Derek and The Dominoes were recorded. Also my favorite album of any member post Beatles.

[@kayeragdull217]

Of course. My Sweet Lord

[@elisaabolafia9542]

I saw a video of George and Billy Preston doing " My Sweet Lord" LIVE. Magnificent. I'm sure it's on KZbin also.

[@kennethcamilleri4678]

George wrote so many songs when he was a Beatle….was denied by Paul and John constantly…it was a miracle he had any songs approved….he proved he was a equal writer and musician when he went solo…with so many hits…he continued his greatness with the Traveling Wilbury’s….RIP George

[@22brew80]

George Harrison did his own backing vocals on this one...

[@elisaabolafia9542]

I didn't know that tidbit. Thanks.

[@michaelgray4964]

This album was full of the songs that George could not get The Beatles to record. Now you know why he was so frustrated by "Let It Be". I think it remains arguably the strongest of any of the solo Beatle albums.

[@robertwiles8106]

George clearly and repeatedly was reluctant to play any of his own material in the "concert" planned as the Get Back sessions culmination.

[@michaelgray4964]

@@robertwiles8106 I was talking more about George's frustration at getting maybe one song on Beatles albums. I can't really speak to the rooftop concert.

[@danhill5619]

Beatles were huge Motown fans , for good reason

[@Thejazzfan66]

This is the best solo album of all four of them

[@CANEsPappa]

God, what a fantastic song! News flash - George is not underrated. He may have been at a point in the mid-60’s, but after Something and Here Comes the Sun? No more!

[@williamHmusic2023]

Beware of darkness is another good one

[@olly8]

Absolutely!!

[@destinyreelly2974]

I’m a John Lennon girl but George is a VERY close 2nd. I always loved this song. ❤

[@scottcoleman9710]

All things must Pass; best solo Beatle album of all time. 5 star

[@markbarnwell942]

George was a special artist. Great musician, writer etc. and a very good HUMAN.

[@rjaraneta913]

Great choice! This is from one of the best solo albums from the former Beatles.

[@marysweeney7370]

When you listen to each of their solo albums (esp. early ones) you can hear how integral each of the Beatles was to the group. There is no doubt, as you say.

[@petertsioropoulos1890]

Great song

[@kristinemckee9279]

Such a ray of light

[@tec52]

One of George's most overlooked gems (although it was used in the movie "Goodfellas")

[@zenpuppy6025]

Harrison's backing musicians on the song include Eric Clapton and the entire Delaney & Bonnie and Friends band, with whom he had toured during the final months of the Beatles.

[@waynemoon5359]

You guys are so spot on with the drum comments. This is a Motown beat and mic mix with the drums all the way. You guys know how much the Beatles love Motown. Paul's biggest Bass guitar influence was James Jameson, the Hitsville, USA (Motown) house bassist. I took photos of the building on W. Grand Avenue in Detroit standing on the sidewalk looking on totally awestruck.

[@lawrencesansone4451]

By this time George was really mixing and engineering the heck out of his stuff lots of layers and players

[@alansmith7626]

I was a US Air Force brat, living in England in the very early 60's, 1st-3rd grade, was there when The Beatles came to America, was there when JFK was shot, I remember riding a school bus and Every single person was singing Neatles tunes as loud aas we could... In the beginning their music was so simple and yet touched people, years later everything got complex and strange and Still touched people! Indeed , what a long strange trip it's been..I love you guys, keep on keepin on!

[@ronaldelliott4373]

Must own album. 👈

[@freebirdtony]

The official music video to this song is pretty cool.

[@polopopolo2197]

By far the best solo career out of any of the Beatles. His music is so spiritual.

[@wendyt7958]

Great percussion right there!

[@danielb2993]

Nice to see you guys going down this rabbit hole. "Isn't It A Pity" (long version) and "Beware Of Darkness" are amazing as well.

[@tonybarwick5248]

This was on the radio a lot back then !

[@EvanWeber1234]

Deep tracks ❤❤

[@scottbaker5998]

George's tasty little slide guitar lick on the last verse is my favorite part of the song. Short, sweet, and pleasing as hell!

[@doriwiljt]

This whole album is beautiful

[@elisaabolafia9542]

" My Sweet Lord" LIVE🎵🎵🎵 with Billy Preston on Keys... is Epic. Hope you do that one.

[@timrobinson100]

Loved George

[@myrdozer]

All mixing aside, you nailed it when you recognized just how deep George went into the Beatles sound. Love Paul, Loved John and the first time I heard George on his own, I knew exactly what you just realized.

[@hongfang2348]

I'm glad you did this version. There's another version where someone put a silly dance video to this song. All Things Must Pass is, imo, the best solo Beatle album.

[@CowmanUK]

You guys are amazing. I watch so many reaction videos, many of which are Beatles/solo Beatles stuff and you guys are just so chill and honest with it, I really enjoy your vibe. I pray to God that you just keep doing this stuff cos' it's mana to me.

[@angelav9377]

One of my favorite songs by my favorite Beatle!

[@nazfrde]

"The mix is kinda weird, huh?" This, my friends, is the Phil Spector Wall of Sound at work. His whole approach over the course of his career was to just throw a bunch of musicians into a studio and have them play all at once so it would all bleed over into one big sound.

[@tago69mago]

When I hear a George Harrison song it fills me with a sense of fun and optimism. Just something so joyful in his music!

[@grahamharley4895]

I think you summed up Spector's 'Wall of Sound' pretty well. It was 'all in, all the time.' George's 'Something' and 'While my Guitar' amongst the best of the Beatles work for me.

[@stephentierney9266]

George had a huge catalog of songs he couldn't get on the last couple of albums with the Fab Four. It was all unraveled on this album.

[@christianmarler2253]

This album was produced by George Harrison and Phil Spector. Spector produced a lot of Motown groups' songs. He is said to have invented the "Wall of Sound" style of mixing, which is what this song sounds like to me. All instruments and vocals are forward in the mix at the same time, creating a 'wall of sound' coming at you. He also produced the Righteous Brothers great classics like "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" and "Unchained Melody" both of which utilize that "Wall of Sound" effect. That sound worked especially well on mono recordings. It also grabbed the listener's attention on AM radio and in your car.

[@christianmarler2253]

Oh, and later in Spector's career he shot Lana Clarkson in the mouth, killing her. (That has nothing to do with this song, but these are some of the highlights, and the lowlights, of his career.) 🎷🎹🎵🎤🎧🎚🔊 ... 🛡🔗🏛⚖🔒 ... 🎭

[@steveayres49]

The "new" mix they released a few years back is so much better

[@ChasBeauregarde]

50th anniversary edition all the way. Got rid of the Spector compressed crap and actually hear the instruments!

[@christinawoolley6206]

The Beatles loved Motown! Been loving this song since I was a child and now sing it to my husband of forty years 💕

[@NancyMoran-r3b]

Have you heard George’s song Wah Wah performed live on stage by his son, Dhani, Eric Clapton and ELO’s Jeff Lynn? It’s great.

[@sigil5772]

AFAIK The Wall of Sound was just a method of getting the volume up in pre-stereo days, just pack the whole audible spectrum from lowest bass to highest treble with as many sounds as possible, strings+ALL THE SAXOPHONES. Not so necessary by 1971, but you can spot Spectre's sound a mile away, esp when the strings come in with this one.

[@johnathandavis3693]

The "River" song is called "Proud Mary", a Creedence Clearwater song that was a huge hit for CCR, and Ike and Tina lit up again with their monster cover...

[@mottjones2876]

Yeah, there are better mixes available now than the original by Spector. In the 2001 version, George wrote in the liner notes "I still like the songs on the album and believe they can continue to outlive the style in which they were recorded. It was difficult to resist re-mixing every track. All these years later I would like to liberate some of the songs from the big production that seemed appropriate at the time, but now seem a bit over the top with the reverb in the wall of sound.. " That 2001 version was reengineered by Ken Scott(he worked as engineer on the original with Spector producing) and remastered by Jon Astley. The 50th anniversary edition in 2020 was totally remixed by Paul Hicks. I think there was even another remaster in 2014. IMHO the 50th anniversary finally got it right. Or close. And there's an Atmos mix on that one too for those into that.

[@charlottedixon6628]

Makes me smile❤ RIP George😇🙏

[@timrobinson100]

That riff 💖

[@oberaberg5283]

Love this! Every day my favorite Beatle changes😊

[@edphs75]

One of my favorite George songs! Great tune!

[@bradsullivan2495]

Gotta do his song "This Song." It's a great tune and based on his getting sued for plagiarism after doing his song "My Sweet Lord."

[@michaellockhart554]

And do the corney video of it, the judge is the incomparable Jim Keltner aka Buster Sidebury

[@karenwalsh1143]

This is another song I haven't heard in decades! Thanks to y'all, I get to hear it again!!!❤

[@cindysimpson1046]

This is my "banger compliments of George"! This song and his "Give Me Love" (which I highly suggest you do) will both be played at my funeral. I'm 66.

[@scottchapin2323]

Love this song

[@501625abc]

All background vocals on this album were were credited to the George O'Hara Smith singers. Basically, all George.

[@StuartBearden]

Great choices guys, keep it up

[@mr.snicker-doodles7081]

Love this entire THREE album set...not really a bad song on the record!! Phil Spector's Production really gives it that "Wall Of Sound" vibe, which George supposedly HATED haha.XD Relentless is a perfect description! Haa..I think it's just mega Echo right, and reverb up the ying yang!!?

[@Ports2]

“To attain the Wall of Sound, Spector's arrangements called for large ensembles (including some instruments not generally used for ensemble playing, such as electric and acoustic guitars), with multiple instruments doubling or tripling many of the parts to create a fuller, richer tone.” Personally I like its use on a lot of the songs on ATMP although it seems most others don’t.

[@suesebree8670]

Was lucky enough to have seen him in concert with Ravi Shankar.

[@donnadubyak6504]

Seen Ravi but not George.

[@colleentrygg7376]

Forgot how much I love this song:)

[@willblood7082]

Spector's arrangements called for large ensembles (including some instruments not generally used for ensemble playing, such as electric and acoustic guitars), with multiple instruments doubling or tripling many of the parts to create a fuller, richer tone. Unfortunately IMO, at times it muddied up the sound of the song overwhelming the listener. He handled all of the post production of “Let It Be” as The Beatles went their separate ways and had no involvement whatsoever. When they heard the final cut they weren’t very happy, especially Paul who absolutely hated it but, it went out as is. A real treat is to listen to the album “Let It Be Naked” which is a remix, initiated by Paul and released in 2003. He strips out much of Phil’s orchestral overdubs and embellishments to capture the group's stripped-down, live-to-tape aesthetic intended for the album.

[@ChasBeauregarde]

Great asessment and true about "Let it Be" Naked. Spector had his day in the early to mid sixties with his "mini teen symphonies" but the technology and sophisticated songwriting of the late 60s early 70s made his approach sound dated IMO as well as yours.

[@JJReagan]

My favorite Harrison song! The hook has the ultimate love verse make me always think of my wife and soulmate!! Thanks guys sometimes you haven’t thought of a song for a while and you smack me up my head going to get my love some flowers for no reason!!

[@jenniferfoster1692]

Oh jeez, I recognized it from the beginning but had completely forgotten this was George Harrison!! Such a great song & I agree with all of your observations. Great reaction.

[@zolch5771]

Once again, great reaction guys!

[@dougsusie2319]

This was the first solo Lp released by a Beatle. One hell of a record. George had a backlog of around 150 songs and a lot of those appear on this album. Please check out the first track on this Lp, "I'd Have You Anytime" written by George and his friend, one Mr. Bob Dylan and maybe my favorite track on this great album. The guitar work on it will hit yours soul's. I promise you guy's will dig this track. Also, the title track of the Lp "All Things Must Pass" great song. If you check out Peter Jackson's 8 hr long "Get Back" film you will see the band rehearsing this song during the "Let It Be" sessions. George wasn't happy with it so he canned it until the following year, 1970 and became the title track of this Lp. Also, "Beware Of Darkness" another great track and many more on this Lp. It just hit me, Paul released the first solo Beatles Lp followed by Ringo, George and then John all in 1970. Peace ❤

[@annephillips8494]

One of my faves from George.👏👏👏

[@markhaus5441]

I always thought there should have been more of Georges songs on Beatle albums. My favorite Beatle.

[@franksullivan1873]

I like the horns too.

[@ggwalker55]

The Righteous Brothers "You've lost that loving Feeling" the Ronettes "Be My Baby" and Ike & Tina Turner's "River Deep, Mountain High" are outstanding examples of the wall of Sound.

[@Bekka_Noyb]

One of my fave Harrison songs! ♥

[@DML575]

Great tune from the quiet one.

[@ziggy107]

this song so says 70's

[@TheRokjok]

Through the newer remastering, Phil Spector's wall of sound still prevails. Bobby Whitlock has a channel on YT...he shares lots of info on this project.

[@albertalberico467]

Phil Spector is the only producer other than George Martin that produce a Beatle album he produced Let It Be

[@KelE-mq8bv]

Happy Father's Day, La and Che 😊

[@perrymalcolm3802]

I would hv loved to have heard what this mammoth album could have sounded like, stripped of its overproduction, n in the hands of Motown or Rick Hall and the Swampers!

[@bluesrock1]

Check out the all star roster of performers who contributed to this album.

[@shaundikes]

I love this channel. You guys r the best❤❤😊

[@jeffrubinelectronics]

Essential George. Glad you got into it. Love you guys. Don't stop.

[@timrobinson100]

My favourite non Beatles track period

[@TeresaMount-t9o]

I didn’t recognize the title, but as soon as the song started I knew it immediately. It’s a great song , thanks guys

[@jillwanlin9558]

Today I was looking for a Pink Floyd song you’d already reviewed and somehow ended up on your movie channel, which I had no idea existed. Bonus. Watched The Wall movie review. Fairly new to your channel and it’s the best I’ve come across. Appreciate your knowledge, input and love of all things music. Ty La and Che

[@daddyguerrero]

One of my favorite George Harrison songs. Brings back so many memories. Thanks for this reaction guys.