George Harrison - What Is Life (REACTION)

[@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.

[@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.

[@mariaportengen2959]

George was my favorite Beatle. ❤

[@freebirdtony]

Ditto.

[@julietate7806]

@@freebirdtony me2

[@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

[@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..

[@tec52]

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

[@peggylovato8720]

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

[@PauTay942]

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

[@garyhearn2025]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@danhill5619]

Beatles were huge Motown fans , for good reason

[@angelav9377]

One of my favorite songs by my favorite Beatle!

[@destinyreelly2974]

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

[@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.

[@darkmagus64]

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

[@Thejazzfan66]

This is the best solo album of all four of them

[@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.

[@RazzleDazz72]

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

[@scottcoleman9710]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@christinawoolley6206]

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

[@ronaldelliott4373]

Must own album. 👈

[@doriwiljt]

This whole album is beautiful

[@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!

[@michaele9751]

Sublime slide player

[@polopopolo2197]

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

[@rjaraneta913]

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

[@freebirdtony]

The official music video to this song is pretty cool.

[@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.

[@williamHmusic2023]

Beware of darkness is another good one

[@olly8]

Absolutely!!

[@ReJoyce456]

✨River Deep, Mountain High ~ TINA❕✨💖✨

[@kristinemckee9279]

Such a ray of light

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@willowvee5844]

This song uplifts me every time. The chorus!😁

[@jonicantrell7849]

My favorite George Harrison song

[@timrobinson100]

Loved George

[@suesebree8670]

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

[@donnadubyak6504]

Seen Ravi but not George.

[@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!!

[@Irockthere4]

Jim Gordon on drums. What a story he was.

[@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!

[@franksullivan1873]

I like the horns too.

[@ziggy107]

this song so says 70's

[@DML575]

Great tune from the quiet one.

[@karenwalsh1143]

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

[@timrobinson100]

That riff 💖

[@EvanWeber1234]

Deep tracks ❤❤

[@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.

[@lawrencesansone4451]

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

[@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.

[@annephillips8494]

One of my faves from George.👏👏👏

[@Bekka_Noyb]

One of my fave Harrison songs! ♥

[@daddyguerrero]

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

[@charlottedixon6628]

Makes me smile❤ RIP George😇🙏

[@markhaus5441]

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

[@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.

[@StuartBearden]

Great choices guys, keep it up

[@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.

[@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.

[@KelE-mq8bv]

Happy Father's Day, La and Che 😊

[@ReJoyce456]

✨Absolutely Loved This First Time Hearing it Back in The Day❕BANGER❕✨💖✨

[@zolch5771]

Once again, great reaction guys!

[@jeffrubinelectronics]

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

[@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.

[@edphs75]

One of my favorite George songs! Great tune!

[@jdzube2933]

The crazy thing about George's first album after the Beatles is that the these songs were written by George while he was in the Beatles but they never made an album. This is a masterpiece album! Its insane

[@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.

[@shaundikes]

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

[@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.) 🎷🎹🎵🎤🎧🎚🔊 ... 🛡🔗🏛⚖🔒 ... 🎭

[@tonybarwick5248]

This was on the radio a lot back then !

[@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.

[@timrobinson100]

My favourite non Beatles track period

[@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.

[@markharbin9945]

My favorite Beatle😮

[@denisepoole5838]

George was the BEST, always my favorite Beatle. Ge was very underrated, he wtote many of the Beatle hits.

[@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.

[@wendyt7958]

Great percussion right there!

[@jamesneary3425]

George was the greatest Beatle...

[@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.

[@oberaberg5283]

Love this! Every day my favorite Beatle changes😊

[@colleentrygg7376]

Forgot how much I love this song:)

[@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!

[@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.

[@dcg4mn]

Great song as it is. it’s also super easy to hear it should have been done by the Beatles too: it would have fit perfectly in Abbey Road. I think theirs would have had more clarity, variation, and as you’ve said - some elegance. An important layer here: the great, and knowing, homage by these musicians to Motown comes from love and gratitude.

[@elisaabolafia9542]

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

[@vicprovost2561]

Such a great triple album, though the jams at the end are just a bonus as far as I'm concerned, every finished studio tune on that album is a classic song, including this. Do the Art of Dying for more George Harrison brilliance. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎸🎹🎻🎷🎶

[@petertsioropoulos1890]

Great song

[@JoeandAngie]

Still have my lp. 6th grade. Great poster of George came with it. Went to Concert For Bangladesh movie at same age. Front row in a theater full of hippies. All my friends were seeing Uncle Remus in The Song of the South lol Soundtrack of that is really good. Dylan does a great set.

[@501625abc]

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

[@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

[@curtquarrick3024]

george will always be the best beatles, if they would’ve had george sing a lot more often they would’ve been an even bigger band