“Isn't It A Pity" & "Run of the Mill" George Harrison (Drummer Reacts)

[@L33Reacts]

Jesus H Christ, George and Phil Spector is just a winner every time. This had so much melancholic laden atmosphere with peaks of sunshine peaking through the wall or atmosphere of sound Phil goes for. George and Gary Wright work together beautifully, as well. Isn't a pity indeed.... Any other great tracks like this by George ? leave them here.

[@barbarjinx3802]

@@L33Reacts ART OF DYING

[@Vrealita]

Beware of Darkness, Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp

[@marystager8604]

Beware of Darkness

[@akadros310]

Almost any song off this album... but also "All Those Years Ago" - A song dedicated to John after his death "When We Was Fab" - Obviously about the Beatles

[@genegarrett3372]

Listen to some of his later albums. 33 1/3, Cloud Nine, and his last Brainwashed. This was really a double album the third disc was a bonus addition of jams and noise. The best part of the third disc was the label "Apple Jam" . He like the other Beatles had a great sense of humor.

[@JB-Deadskins]

Isn't It a Pity is a beautiful song. But this whole album is great.

[@Vrealita]

This, the best post-Beatles album by anyone. Every song is beautiful!

[@doriwiljt]

Agree. This album really brings the emotion.

[@vincentschmitt7597]

For me its Band on the Run. This is up there though. Along with Cloud 9 are Harrison's best imo.

[@titusho2]

Agree its a fantastic master album and having Ringo playing for George wow! I love it..🪲🪲🍏

[@lizze490]

It's hard to describe the excitement when a new album was released. All Things Must Pass was golden in 1970- what a revelation! We played this one all night the day we bought it.

[@Jonni1027]

Yes! That’s what my 2 sisters and I did when it just came out…PLUS we could follow along with the lyrics that came with it❤

[@lizze490]

​@@Jonni1027Yes, what a great time it was, sharing new music, reading all the liner notes and lyrics and the beautiful album artwork. The music was a great soundtrack to life's ups and downs. 🎭

[@jumperking368]

Concert for George is worth checking out. All star band singing George’s songs.

[@listentoherwhydontya]

Totally agree! I think Lee would love watching this concert - Paul, Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Ringo, Dhani Harrison, Billy Preston, and more! A gem

[@wjl2601]

Billy preston doing this song in this concert for George is really something: very emotional and beautiful. During this whole concert you can see how much George (and his work) was loved.

[@ScottDeBerg]

And the version of "Isn't It A Pity" is almost perfect. The whole show is amazing.

[@kimberelyanngunter6341]

Isn't it a Pity makes my heart ache and swell at the same time...I adore this song so much ❤

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

Some research shows that George was writing "It's it a Pity" back in 1966. He presented to the others, without acceptance. He tried again in 1969 during the studio sessions. So, in 1970 - it became a focus of George's first album, with epic sound!

[@boris10008]

"Behind That Locked Door" is another song from his album All Things Must Pass. Harrison wrote the song in August 1969 as a message of encouragement to Bob Dylan, who was making a highly publicized comeback to the concert stage, accompanied by the Band.

[@Kerazen123]

I miss you George 😢

[@L33Reacts]

I just met him in the past year musically and I miss him too.

[@wjl2601]

When the Beatles were in their prime just a few saw the immense importance of Georges contribution. In their last year it became more and more evident that there was a third brilliant 'singer song writer' in this fabulous band. Billy Preston did a fantastic live rendition of Isn't it a Pity at the Concert for George goodbye benefit in 2001. An emotional performance, especially if you think that Billy also isn't there anymore. Time flies.

[@vpardi1]

George has a gift for evoking a sense of longing or yearning. And doing it with such beauty. Very difficult to put into words. His songs tend to transport me somewhereand envelope my entire mind more than almost anyone else. Run of the Mill is like a longing for Paul' affection and sadness of the loss of it. But like a lot of Gorges work it seems to soar and dive. Wonderful.

[@L33Reacts]

you put it into words better then me! it is very difficult to describe what exactly this music does but it calls to me in a way that I can't really explain. George was tapping into something truly deep with this album. All that pent up musical aggression and creativity being "stifled" (compared to paul and john's song output in the beatles) led to one of the best albums ever, it seems. George is one of a kind.

[@Coquinagirl]

I’ve heard of Isn’t It A Pity, but this is the first time I’ve listened to George sing his song. His sorrow seems sacred, expressed from a deep place. Beautiful and meditative. Thank you, Arnie P and Lee.

[@DawnSuttonfabfour]

George outdid himself with these 3 albums; lush is the word that comes to mind. Getting lost in the sauce is easy to do. Beautiful.

[@ronbock8291]

George was the first Beatle to visit America. His sister lived in Illinois and he came to visit her in 63, before Beatlemania hit. Probably the last time in his life he was ever anonymous.

[@michaelbeckwith6177]

"Isn't it a pity" was the flip side of "My Sweet Lord" and like many Beatles singles I don't know which one I like more and "Run of the mill" might be the best song on the album!! Great recommendation!!

[@thoru4367]

imagine having this talent as a sidekick

[@-R.Gray-]

The version of "Isn't It A Pity" that concert organizer Eric Clapton did on the 2003 release The Concert For George is pretty touching, given their history together. That whole concert was great. Besides George's music being played by his old friends, there was an Indian music section with a piece by Ravi Shankar, and one with his daughter on sitar, and also a Monty Python segment. Especially good on the DVD release are the behind the scenes interviews with the many participants with their Harrison anecdotes. One highlight was the Clapton and McCartney version of "Something".

[@Marlenefanclubsimone]

2002

[@-R.Gray-]

@@Marlenefanclubsimone The Nov.29 2002 concert was released in 2003, which is why I said "2003 release", because that's date the record company would use as the date on their product.

[@YN97WA]

I still remember when I bought this album in 1971 and played it over and over again. It was just brilliant. I still have it in my vinyl collection. My favorite song on it is "Beware of Darkness;" however, "Run of the Mill" is a very close second. Like you said, the lyrics make George's music so moving. RIP George and John. 💚

[@JohnLancaster-fh3oc]

same here.

[@scotstevens5263]

All I can do is listen to this. George was a true lyricist. It’s a pity he’s no longer writing. ❤️🎸😎👍

[@jrsinsf]

I'm sure he's penned a few eternal ballads for Saint Peter.......

[@poptart4260]

L33 , think of it , after all that went on in the 60 s now the 70 s spring up and this opens up the decade , here we go again !!

[@glenndespres5317]

George made us all take a look in the mirror. In such a musical and deep way. This was a damn fine work. By George.

[@johnpbh]

I know what you mean about the sound L33 - He does sond "American"... but that was because he was the one who nipped bacwards and forwards to the US and picked up lots of new influences... ESPECIALLY with the Band... And you couldn't get more Americana than that. Stayed to the end of course so digital signature is made for you. My favourite on this album changes from day to day.. so can't choose i'm afraid. All I will say is that I can still remember calling across to my mate as we saw each other in the record store to tell him I had just bought this... I can remember where and what store it's that important to me...!!! And he was pleased for me despite being as much a Stones freak as I was a Beatles freak. And we were still friends... LOL... Keep on Rocking young sir. Oh yes, the change in the settings means I am getting all the notifications now..!!

[@bobholtzmann]

I saw a video of George and Clapton jamming on stage at a concert in Sweden by Delaney & Bonnie and Friends. Clapton was with the band, and so was Dave Mason, and all of them were on the All Things Must Pass album, except Delaney and Bonnie.

[@corawheeler9355]

Two lovely heartfelt songs. I enjoyed that ... thank you

[@KayHerbert-z2v]

I loved this triple album. One we played over and over in the 70’s . George was an amazing artist. Thanks for reacting too the music of my teenage yours. You make this old lady very happy x🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ROUGHSEES]

This entire album is a triumph. You should play the whole thing.

[@deancarter9210]

Thumbs up for this because it's my favourite of George's songs and terribly under-appreciated, i think. Just love the chord changes, one of those classic 'static chord with internal chromatic changes' like 'Strawberry Fields' and 'Hey Bulldog' and, of course, 'Something'.

[@robotronrichard]

Thanks Arnie and L33 for these great songs! Perfect fit for my melancholy morning! Great commentary as always L33, you’ve got my vote! ☮️❤️🎶

[@stevenwitt1812]

That is such a great album from beginning to end. Time to listen to it again! So, so much great music.

[@johnathanstruble1064]

Na na na Na na na, isnt it a Pity...brilliance.

[@davidhanson8681]

"Wah Wah", also on this album, is a great George rocker as well as a kiss off to John and Paul.

[@ednieto05]

Check out “The Art of Dying” and “Behind That Locked Door” off All Things Must Pass! Often overlooked classics! “Isn’t it a Pity” has been often referred to as George’s answer to “Hey Jude” and is more commentary on George and Paul’s growing estrangement. The two songs are also just one second apart in length after the long fade-outs. I have also seen video of live performances where they add Hey Jude’s “Na na na na” lyrics to the fade-out of Isn’t it a Pity.

[@caryriggs6000]

My favorite George song by my favorite Beatle. Thank you

[@L33Reacts]

I’m glad you enjoyed thank you for watching !

[@thedogwoods5716]

I always loved Run Of The Mill. Such a cool rhythm

[@jefferytheis4157]

"I wish his vocals were mixed higher" - I've always felt that way! The Phil Spector effect I guess

[@davidsnyder8564]

George’s slide guitar is also too low.

[@johnathanstruble1064]

A lot of these songs were the song was trying to share with Paul and John on the Get Back sessions, and was a big reason he walked out and quit for a spell. Isn't it a Pity is so Beatlesque! Beautiful ❤️

[@ronturner9850]

Lovely George strikes again….i bought the original 3 disc set when it came out and not a week goes by that one or more of those discs finds its way to my turntable. Fresh as ever. Love your devotion to It all

[@katearmiger8535]

Totally agree with you about Pau being such a good tunesmith and George and John being great wordsmiths.. I love a lot of their tunes as well.❤

[@Kerazen123]

This is easily the best post break up album of the bunch ❤

[@shirleybhs9zd6li5i]

Love these two tracks and they went well together. Thanks Arnie and Lee. Wish George's voice came through better, also. RIP, George, you are missed. Blessings all.

[@SANPARR1]

Wonderful and exciting album

[@scotstevens5263]

The end of pity is kinda like Hey Jude ending

[@lindalee5866]

Yep. Was waiting for Lee to catch that!

[@ROUGHSEES]

I caught that too!

[@deearnold9547]

I understand George asked for and received permission from Lennon & McCartney to use the chord sequence from the ending of Hey Jude for Isn't it a Pity.

[@MsUrbangirl]

I have this album, I haven’t listened to it in decades, probably. Bc of your channel, Lee. I'm pulling that one out to listen to George's sweet, sweet voice.

[@barbarjinx3802]

Yeah best solo Beatles album. Too many people don’t listen to the third album, the Apple Jam. I think it’s the best thing on the record along with the song Art of Dying. Enjoy!

[@mikefetterman6782]

Isn't it a pity is one of my favs from George.

[@larryzigler6812]

FABULOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bought all his albums

[@gazzap6776]

Run of the mill has always been one of my favourite George tracks. (Even Olivia thinks so too). Thanks mate (GAZ (Melbourne/Australia)

[@ronnie237]

My favorite George song.

[@p-dru2205]

Thank you for these. It is a pity that when John and Paul started writing songs George was SO young, and not a writer. Consequently he was always kinda looked upon as the little brother that couldn't. He definitely learned from their master class, tho. I always felt "Isn't It A Pity" would have been the perfect flip side to "Hey Jude" in a double-A side single. Paul's Hey Jude was a 7-minute long "cheer up" type of song (meant for Julian), with a celebratory 4-minute coda. George's Isn't It A Pity was also a 7-minute long song, and so melancholy - from the lyrics to the use of minor 6ths and major 7ths and diminished chords, to the tempo. And it, too, had about a 4-minute long coda that maintained that melancholy feel throughout. They would have been perfect yin-to-the-yang type of songs.

[@L33Reacts]

I didn’t even hear the hey Jude part till the second listen today! It’s so cool he hid that in there. It’s in your face but I was wrapped up in the song and missed it. George is a fantastic songwriter!

[@p-dru2205]

@@L33Reacts Yes, he absolutely was.

[@Moz1011]

Beautiful songs from George.

[@Annie-hd3jx]

This is so beautiful, glad you’re listening to it 😊♥️

[@hongfang2348]

I listen to All Things Must Pass more than any other solo Beatles member album....by far. Oddly, I cannot say it's the best solo album. I'm not sure. John's Plastic Ono Band album had the biggest impact on me, but it's so intense.

[@randyteta9170]

Great tune

[@DouglasLawrence-wx6oz]

This whole album is amazing

[@doubleDD274]

Run Of The Mill is George's memo to Paul. If you listen to it with that knowledge, it is a very moving song. "You got me wondering how I lost your friendship, but I see it in your eyes."

[@jamescostigan3721]

Nina Simone's cover of Isn't It A Pity is fantastic.

[@richardosgood8059]

Amazing album.

[@gl2700]

This song always makes me cry, but I love it. Thanks

[@marcribe6483]

I was reading the live chat that happened this morning which I missed and thought there was some confusion as to timeline in 1970. So think of it this way. The Beatles as a living functional group ended in the month of May which is the month the film Let It Be was released. In fact they hadn't recorded together since Abbey Road, which was released in Sept69. Future releases after that were singles associated with material from the then Get Back sessions recorded in Jan 1969. (There is the exception of I Me Mine that was worked on by George, Paul and Ringo in early Jan 1970.) Paul McCartney released his solo album McCartney in April 1970 and Lennon had his John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album released on Dec 1970. The triple album All Things Must Pass was released at the tail end of Nov. 1970 (27-30); however their sessions occurred during the summer with mixing immediately following. In fact, Lennon and Harrison were working on their individual projects at the same studio, which lead to Harrison recording the tune It's Johnny's Birthday for and on Lennon's birthday (9Oct). During the remainder of 1970 after the break-up, relationships between Paul McCartney and the remainder of the Beatles were estranged. Paul and Ringo actually traded punches in a meeting between the two at Paul's house. The incident being the only known physical fight among any of them. Paul would reestablish his friendship with Ringo in 1971 during the wedding of Mick and Bianca Jagger. Paul and John made their peace in Los Angeles in 1974. Only George held a long lasting grudge. It might have something to do with Harrison inviting Paul to contribute artistically at the Concert For Bangladesh and Paul accepting only if George sign agreements about something related to the law suit that was going on. Clearly Paul and George were each in a very different place of mind, one from the other, when they had that conversation. Apparently the frustration between these two very old friends stung in a way that lasted. Paul would finally get his chance to mend their differences when George was already very sick and people knew that he was dying. Various friends came to visit him at the end. Ringo had visited him too.

[@titusho2]

Its a pure Beatle style/track Harrison song ...lovely another #1 hit.. ❤🪲🪲🙏🩵💚🧡 and Ringo is playing! makes it very special, love Ringos drum playing from early on of Beatlemania days... I will die with this band 🙏🕊... 🪲🪲🪲🪲🍏💚🧡+ 🪲 Mal Evens ❤

[@geniousatqw]

Your Music Mirrors your Mind Did no one hear Hey Jude in the chorus? I sure did.

[@ptrlxc]

Isn't It A Pity is my first go-to quick meditation music: I could easily get enthralled each time I listen to it. Plus this song shows George coming up with weird chording, but somehow works so well.

[@hatmanndo]

Run of the Mill one of my favorite George songs. It says a lot in such a short song.

[@pelaronson4086]

This album, is better then some of the Beatles. I bellive You know, Im a huuuge fan..speciali Georgies n Johns ofcorse.🎉

[@ESyshej-gf2eg]

My favourite solo Beatle song and one of my favourite songs of all time is George’s “Be here now” from “living in the material word” album. If you want to feel at peace and connected to the universe, that’s the song for you. There’s something so comforting and reassuring about it and it’s sort of like a mantra to me, it reminds me to be in the present.

[@ESyshej-gf2eg]

Also “Give me love” from the same aforementioned album, it’s gorgeous.

[@mr.macbeevee498]

This was George singing to his former bandmates. And the rest of us.

[@tosh3238]

That last trumpet piece from 'Run of the Mill' da da da da da da da da da, formed the basis of another song, 'Soft Touch' from the 1979 album 'George Harrison'. In contrast to 'Run of the Mill' this track shows George in a really happy and contented mood, one of my favourite songs of his, well worth a listen.

[@markransome7052]

Learning How to Love You from 1976 a very underrated track, as is the 1979 version of Not Guilty.

[@juanfranciscomunozolano8110]

33 & 1/3 is a very good album

[@seerofallthatisobvious1316]

It was Paul or John that told George that his songs were "Run of the mill".

[@matthewashman1406]

Because some of them were. In 67 they were terrible. But he came right 😊

[@ArniePorter]

@@matthewashman1406Think for Yourself and If I Needed Someone on Rubber Soul (1965) and Taxman and I want to Tell You on Revolver (1966) were pretty good Harrison songs.

[@matthewashman1406]

@@ArniePorter yes agreed 💯 but not 67 or help.

[@lathedauphinot6820]

They’re both wonderful songs. “Isn’t It A Pity” seems like George noticed something universal and felt obligated to point it out, and he’s right. Phil Spector did his thing, but it might have been best just with George and his acoustic guitar. “Run Of The Mill” seems elemental, ancient, timeless. You recognize it from somewhere the first time you ever hear it, and it’s so beautiful.

[@graemejones6530]

My favourite solo George song, ‘isn’t it a pity’ makes me tear up thinking about how sad & nasty the Beatles break up was… Got this on 45 off Discogs, pressed in Nigeria !

[@dalemcmillan7231]

Excellent ❤❤

[@page349]

The 'take 27' version of Isn't it a pity is used as the official video on George's site - the vocals are more prominent there

[@joannparker1977]

Agree 100% with everything you said.

[@yankeeboyno7]

Great album!

[@genegarrett3372]

curious to see if on "Pity" you did the long version (which is best) or the more condensed version. "Run of the MIll" might be George's critique of Paul's "McCartney" album. Georged opined the song "Maybe I'm Amazed" was really good and he liked "That would be Something" but he had no love for the rest of it.

[@genegarrett3372]

Oh Good this is the long version.

[@jpirard]

If you listen closely near the very end, they do the na na nas from Hey Jude

[@thomastimlin1724]

You will hear them singing Hey Jude's "na-na-na, nananana, nananana, oh...." an inside joke on Paul McCartney

[@Bill_Jones.]

George Harrison was one cool cat.

[@guadalupenava5659]

Isn’t it a Pity should be a Mantra and the world would be a peaceful place.

[@ArniePorter]

Love the way you combine other tracks by the same artist with requests Lee. Isn’t it a Pity was a great choice. Definitely melancholic though. This album is a musical and production masterpiece.

[@chitownlee]

You didn't notice that they were singing Hey Jude, na na na, naa.

[@randygray8921]

I went and bought the small new release box set on cd a year or two ago.

[@antifax8434]

"All Things must pass".....uno de los albums más grandes de la música moderna y la demostración del enorme músico que fue G. Harrison. Este álbum fue durante años la envidia de Lennon/Mccartney.

[@robertsaul234]

Both songs were perceived as digs at Paul when this was released. Isn't it a Pity has the Hey Jude fade out and is almost identical in length. Run of the Mill has very pointed lyrics seemingly singling out Paul.

[@doriwiljt]

You need to do this whole album.

[@nasserhafes3021]

I think he's talking of the 4 Beatles and the pain they cause each other in the break up. Also there is part taken from Hey Jude at the end (da da da da da da da)...😊

[@paulwhite7972]

Dude. If you like this, youll love the title track of All Things Must Pass. And yeah. Watching the Concert For George from the Royal Albert Hall is an absolute must. If the last song of that concert doesnt move you youre made of stone, but you have to see it in the co text of the whole thing

[@helenespaulding7562]

Ringo is the most “American” Beatle. George wanted peace and serenity and spiritual searching and eschewed materialism. He wouldn’t have found those here.

[@davidburton9136]

I didn't have a favorite Beatle, but George was definitely my favorite ex-Beatle! I bought this album when it was new, at great expense for a kid with a tiny allowance! I immediately accidentally scratched "My Sweet Lord", and it had a single skip. I actually took it back to the Wherehouse where I bought it and said it was defective. This is the only time I ever did this, but I still feel a little guilty! But "My Sweet Lord" could NOT skip! The Wherehouse didn't believe me but gave me a new copy anyway.

[@ryban1001]

Did you know the 4 gnomes on the ATMP cover represent the 4 Beatles? Also, Isn’t It a Pity was written in 1966. Imagine the song on Sgt. Pepper! The end of the song mirrors the end of Hey Jude where is goes “na, na, na, na na na na, isn’t it a pity.”

[@L33Reacts]

I did know about the gnomes. Such a great album cover lol

[@shneizah]

Best solo album by a Beatles member. IMHO.

[@juanfranciscomunozolano8110]

I do prefer the no spector production version of ATMP. Everything sound clean, as really was George´s guitar, the sound of Cloud Nine.

[@NVprods]

The only criticism I have of All Things Must Pass is the mix. It's George Harrison's masterpiece. Phil Spector produced and mixed it, so he put his "Wall of Sound" on it, but I think he overdid it, this triple album is genius, and my opinion it deserved a better mix. From what I've read, even George was not happy with the mix. I have never heard the remaster mix that they did a while back, maybe they addressed it. Either way, one of the greatest albums of all time.

[@christinemorgen4441]

❤❤❤

[@ottocarson]

Isn’t it a pity was written during the Beatles time. I wonder how would it have sounded with Paul, John, Ringo and the touch of George Martin.

[@ericclaptonsrobotpilot7276]

I think you would enjoy the Earth-347 Beatles stuff.

[@redadamearth]

As beautiful as the album version is, I actually prefer Harrison's much more lo-fi demo of "Isn't it a Pity".

[@L33Reacts]

I’ll have to look that up, thank you for mentioning it.

[@Marlenefanclubsimone]

Next reaction: Cover of Eddie Vedder live Isn't It a Pity 🤘🇮🇹💣

[@JohnLancaster-fh3oc]

Eric Clapton and Billy Preston sing "Isn't it a Pity" in Concert for George.

[@rockitflash]

Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle, Jim Gordon. That’s the keyboard, bass, and drums from Derek and The Dominos minus Eric Clapton and Duane Allman.