George Harrison solo compilation, Let It Roll, released (posted June 16, 2009)
George Harrison: Let It Roll: The Songs of George Harrison features digitally remastered tracks in deluxe packaging, including an extensive booklet featuring previously unseen and rare photos. The collection will also be available for download from all major digital service providers. iTunes exclusively offers the digital album with a previously unreleased bonus track, Harrison's earliest demo version of "Isn't It A Pity."
Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison is the first release that spans his entire solo recording career, including the #1 Billboard Pop singles “My Sweet Lord,” “Isn’t It A Pity,” “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth),” and “Got My Mind Set On You." The new title will also feature live recordings of three Harrison-penned Beatles songs, “Something,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and “Here Comes The Sun” from his 1971 all-star Concert For Bangladesh benefit at Madison Square Garden.
The CD version includes a 28-page booklet featuring previously unseen and rare photos, and newly-written liner notes by Warren Zanes. The collection's 19 tracks have been digitally remastered by Giles Martin at EMI's Abbey Road Studios.
"Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison is a gathering of material that takes us far into the territory that was ultimately a place unique to George Harrison," writes Warren Zanes in his liner notes essay for the new collection.
"The keyhole into the world of George Harrison is the music itself. Yet his songs and the accomplishments for which he's remembered are inextricably bound - and those accomplishments are, without question, eclectic in scope," Zanes writes.
George Harrison is a twice-inducted member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a solo artist and as a member of The Beatles, and an 11-time Grammy Award winner for his recordings with The Beatles, Traveling Wilburys and as a solo artist.
George Harrison gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (posted April 15, 2009) by Trina Yannicos
On April 14, 2009, George Harrison was posthumously given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This was the 2,382nd star dedicated by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The star is located right in front of the Capitol Records building at 1750 Vine Street just a few steps away from the star of Harrison's former bandmate, John Lennon.
(Photos by Noel Craig)
Hundreds of Beatles fans gathered to hear tributes to George Harrison given by his friends and family. Eric Idle of Monty Python and Spamalot fame called George "a most remarkable person with a great sense of humor." Eric Idle wrote and starred in the 1978 Beatles-parody film, "All You Need Is Cash" featuring The Rutles, which George Harrison not only loved but also made a brief cameo appearance in.
(Photos by Lester Cohen/WireImage)
Eric Idle joked that he asked Ringo Starr what he should say at the dedication ceremony and Ringo said, "What about me?" referring to the fact that Ringo does not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Neither does Paul McCartney, who was in attendance at the ceremony, with girlfriend Nancy Shevell (pictured in photo on the left). The Beatles as a group were given a star in the 1990s which is located on a special sidewalk corner at the intersection of Hollywood Blvd and La Brea next to Elvis Presley's star.
(Photos by Noel Craig)
Tom Hanks described the The Beatles' impact on America in the 1960s: "That's when we escaped the doldrums and moved into the future." He explained that the first guitar Geroge Harrison ever bought when he was a teenager only cost the equivalent of 75 cents. "75 cents made this" he said, pointing to the Capitol Records building, the home of the Beatles' record label in the U.S.
Other guests in attendance included Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne who were in the Traveling Wilburys with Harrison in the 1980s. Jeff Lynne put an ad in The Hollywood Reporter (April 14, 2009) celebrating George Harrison's star which said, "George Harrison's Star, It Just Sounds Right. Love from Jeff Lynne."
(Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage)
The Counsel General from Bangladesh was also in attendance bringing attention to the famous "Concert for Bangladesh" that Harrison organized in 1971 to raise money for the relief of refugees in Bangladesh. It was the first major rock concert for charity and raised almost $250,000 at the time. Today, sales of the album and DVD benefit the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.
(Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage)
Harrison's widow, Olivia, and son, Dhani, were both in attendance to accept the award. Olivia described George as "a beautiful, mystical man living in a material world." She concluded by saying, "George, this day is for you." And she was right -- it was announced at the ceremony that April 14 was proclaimed "George Harrison Day" in Los Angeles.
While George Harrison was honored for his musical achievements with The Beatles and as a solo artist, his contributions to the film industry through his company HandMade Films were highlighted by his widow, Olivia Harrison. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Olivia listed George's film achievements including the 1974 film of the sociopolitcal stage play "Little Malcolm" starring John Hurt, the cult favorite "Withnail & I" (1987) and the legendary "Life of Brian."
(Photos by Noel Craig)
Throughout his post-Beatles career George Harrison shied away from the limelight and preferred to spend time in his garden at his home in England. Olivia remarked, "Although George would probably place his star in a garden, I think the Capitol Tower near one of his closest friends is a pretty good spot."
Dhani Harrison's band, thenewno2, releases debut CD
Dhani Harrison and his band, thenewno2, perform live in Los Angeles
Photos and Story by Pat Tyson
(posted September 2008)
I attended the performance of Dhani Harrison and his band (thenewno2) at the Key Club in West Hollywood on September 9, 2008. The title of the band was derived from a British television series that aired in 1967 entitled “The Prisoner” (a favorite of Dhani’s!) , created by and starring Patrick McGoohan.
Thenewno2 is performing songs from their new album "You Are Here" for FREE at the Key Club every Tuesday in September. They are on the roster with several other bands – it was 10:30 PM before Dhani took the stage! Very late for a “school night” for us working class heroes, but we were in it for the long run!
The songs were good but loud….it was hard to hear the lyrics (I know I’m showing my age!!). Dhani used two guitars during the performance and also tickled the keys of some kind of keyboard (see picture above); couldn’t really tell what it was. The band played for about one hour – Dhani spoke to the audience a few times, but not at length (he’s a man of few words – at least onstage - like his father!!). There were some interesting visuals that were beamed on the back wall during the performance.
I was fortunate enough to sit in the VIP area (thanks to Dennis Garling, who handles the phones for KLOS’ 95.5 “Breakfast With The Beatles” starring Chris Carter!). We were also given access to the after party (which was at the downstairs bar) and Dhani stopped by and gave Dennis a big hug! We also saw Jeff Lynne working his way through the crowd.
Needless to say, the resemblance to George is astounding. Even his body language! As George said, “he looks more like George Harrison than I do!” Well put. All-in-all it was a fun night and a pleasure to see the music live on through Dhani!
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Editor's Note: "You Are Here" is currently only available online.
MP3s are available on Amazon for two singles from "You Are Here":
"Choose What You're Watching" and "Another John Doe"
as well as the EP called "Ep001" released in 2007.
Download or listen to TheNewNo2 on Amazon by clicking here.
You can listen and purchase the album "You Are Here" by Thenewno2 on Itunes.
Featuring classic like
"Handle with Care," "End of the Line," and "Heading for
the Night," super-group Traveling Wilburys's Collection
highlights some of the band's most successful hits
through this re-mastered album. Limited edition Deluxe
package includes 40-page booklet and other exclusive
extras.The DVD boasts a 24-minute documentary and five
music videos.
The Wilburys formed in
1988 after Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Jeff
Lynne and Roy Orbison assembled at a California studio to
record a B-side for the Harrison single "This Is Love,"
which resulted in the hit "Handle with Care."
Five years ago on
November 29, George Harrison passed away from
cancer.
On November 11, 2006
in Los Angeles, a concert was held called "Remembering
George Harrison and His Love of Indian Music" at The
George & Sakaye Aratani Japan America
Theater.
In attendance were
Olivia and Dhani. Olivia made the opening remarks and
dedication.
The evening concluded
with Olivia, Dhani, and all the musicians on stage in
a heartwarming tribute to George. The Theater Director
announced they would try to remember George every year
from now on with a tribute each November.
Concert For Bangladesh
35th Anniversary Commemorated at Madison Square
Garden
August 01, 2006
marks the 35th Anniversary of George Harrison and Ravi
Shankar's Concert For Bangladesh. The concert took
place on August 1st, 1971 at New York City's Madison
Square Garden. The show featured performances by
George, Ravi Shankar, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Ringo
Starr, Leon Russell and Billy Preston.
Olivia Harrison said,
"The 30th anniversary was very much on George's mind
back in 2001 and I am honoured to have helped complete
the project on his behalf. We have done our best to
maximize the effort they made all those years ago,
which has not only benefited thousands of people but
became a model for charitable events over the last
three decades. This anniversary re-issue has generated
more funds for UNICEF, as well as renewed the
recognition I think George and Ravi deserve for
responding to the humanitarian crisis of that
time."
Madison Square Garden
marked the day with a permanent plaque commemorating
the 35th Anniversary of the Concert For Bangladesh in
their "Walk of Fame." The plaque was presented to
Olivia Harrison and will be placed in Madison Square
Garden's Walk of Fame commemorating the 35th
Anniversary of Concert For Bangladesh.
Olivia said, "It is
truly heartening that the significance of The Concert
For Bangladesh -- and the pioneering spirit of George,
Ravi Shankar and their friends, still resonates after
35 years."
"In 1971, at the
behest of Ravi Shankar, when George Harrison pulled
together musicians like Bob Dylan, fellow Beatle Ringo
Starr and Eric Clapton to perform at Madison Square
Garden for The Concert For Bangladesh, he created the
template for all of the many music benefits that have
followed," said Jay Marciano, president, MSG
Entertainment. "We are proud to commemorate the 35th
anniversary of the Concert For Bangladesh on our Walk
of Fame. Today, August 1st, the concert anniversary,
George Harrison's wife, Olivia Harrison, is here to
help us remember how music can help create change.
It's events and benefits like these that make Madison
Square Garden such a special place for both artists
and fans."
"The Concert For
Bangladesh - George Harrison & Friends," released
on DVD and CD last autumn, was recently certified 3
times platinum by the RIAA. All artists' royalties
from the sales of the DVD and the CD continue to go to
UNICEF. In commemoration, Ravi Shankar and Ringo Starr
were presented with plaques, in New York and Los
Angeles respectively.
