"Brainwashed"-A year later.. [Archive]

joelcrowservo

Oct 12, 2003, 12:32 AM

So, nearly a year after its release, how does Georges "Brainwashed" hold up for you? Personally, its difficult for me to be objective about it, since its so associated in my mind with my life a year ago. I hear it, and its like I'm transported back to where I worked (I played it over the intercom speakers most every night), to the long rides up here to Oklahoma City to see my then girlfriend (now wife) Steph...I played it a LOT! So tracks like "Looking For My Life", "Any Road" and "Pisece Fish" ( never can remember how thats spelled!) really struck a chord with me.
Currently, I can say "Brainwashed" is STILL the only CD thats ALWAYS kept in my car. When I wanna hear it, I WANNA hear it!! So yes, its aged very well to me. I still love it, in spite of all the flashbacks it provides...but doesnt ALL good music do that? images/icons/smile.gif

FPSHOT

Oct 12, 2003, 12:37 AM

Amazing ... Hari's Chick and I have been recently discussing to start a topic like this graemlins/thumbsup2.gif

Cool !

I'll start writing on it and be back.

Magill

Oct 12, 2003, 12:50 AM

"Brainwashed" still is one of my absolute favorite cds I own. I adore each and every track. If I'm feeling overly stressed, I pop it in and let its healing powers wash over me. Yes indeed, it still holds up. At least in my book! images/icons/smile.gif Marwa Blues, Rocking Chair & Devil/Deep Blue Sea, remain my top faves on it. Wow! It's hard to believe it's been nearly a year since its release.

joelcrowservo

Oct 12, 2003, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted By FPSHOT:
Amazing ... Hari's Chick and I have been recently discussing to start a topic like this graemlins/thumbsup2.gif
Well, thats what you get for leaving me out! Come to think of it, most people leave me out, hmm... graemlins/images/icons/rolleyes.gif
Cant wait for your response. I always gathered you thought out your responses, and this seems to comfirm it. Good on yer. images/icons/smile.gif graemlins/images/icons/rolleyes.gif

joelcrowservo

Oct 12, 2003, 12:56 AM

Originally Posted By Magill:
If I'm feeling overly stressed, I pop it in and let its healing powers wash over me. Yes indeed, it still holds up.Magill, this is an excellent point I also made upon living with the LP (CD?) a couple of weeks. There is something very spiritual about this album. Now, music itself cannot be secular or Christian or whatever, but it can be touched by the Divine. And this LP is. It is very theraputic, for a word. And catharctic as well, theres another word! images/icons/wink.gif

beatlemad

Oct 12, 2003, 01:21 PM

I've said this before but Brainwashed IMO is the best album ever including all the beatles albums.
I still listen to it everyday and it still feels as fresh and exciting to me now as it did the first time I heard it.

LittleDarlin909

Oct 12, 2003, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted By joelcrowservo:
And catharctic as well, theres another word! images/icons/wink.gif just the word i was thinking, lol. the best kind of therapy images/icons/grin.gif

i'll admit that when i bought the brainwashed , my main motivation was that it was george's farewell. i figured that as a fan, it was my duty to own the cd. i had no idea how much i would love it. i think i left it in my cd player for about 2 solid weeks. it's amazing how much i was able to identify myself and my life in that album.

a year later, brainwashed is still one of my favorite cds. it's just a stunning album! even after having heard it literally hundreds of times, i listen to it and become completely absorbed. if i need to cheer up, i pop in brainwashed. if i want to remember certain points in my life (or forget others), i listen to brainwashed . it not only reflects my life, but george's as well. kind of a reminder of him and everything he was (at least for me!)

a year from now, 10 years from now, i think this one will always be one of my favorites.

darkhorse

Oct 12, 2003, 06:51 PM

I think it passed the test of time, with flying colours even. It's on my list of favorite George albums, of course... and some songs ("Marwa Blues", "Rising Sun", "Pisces Fish", "Stuck Inside A Cloud", "Any Road") make it to the list of my favorite George songs of all time... The guitars seem to feel this album made up with sincerity and simpleness, "not too posh", even with Jeff's post-production which I think it's just great. images/icons/smile.gif

friar-park

Oct 12, 2003, 07:20 PM

This is the CD I come back to most often.
Lately I've been trying to listen to all four Beatles, either by a group cd or a solo mix cd that I've made myself (I've made tons!). But when I tire of that I put in Brainwashed and I still get goosebumps, chills, and tears throughout the album. I do wish, however, that the cover art was the photo that's under the cd in the tray. I love that photo!

friar-park

Oct 12, 2003, 07:24 PM

A side note:
I'm finally no longer a Little Child and have graduated to Apple Scruff. Strange, I've always thought that I WAS an Apple Scruff.

bobdude

Oct 12, 2003, 08:37 PM

One year on and Brainwashed is even more brilliant every time I hear it.At one point when it was first released I listened to this for 3-4 months straight. I've learned to play the songs because they are just sooooo good. What I get out of this album is Love. George seemed very content and most appreciative of the things around him. I also get a great sense of Spirituality. George also has a way of getting the spiritual side of himself into his music. But most of all these are just GREAT songs. This album will be in the Top 5 solo Beatle releases. Now George will have 2 in the top 5. Ah another topic for another time.

old_moon_shining

Oct 12, 2003, 09:35 PM

When I first brought this album home I listened to it with trepidation. I was just so nervous wondering if it would be good, excellent or just plain 'stink'. The first time I played it I think I was so uptight that it stopped me really listening. I wasn't so impressed. Probably took about three weeks to come together for me. Now after literally hundreds of listens I just don't know where it slots in. Is it his best? Very close, but maybe not quite. I have a 6CD stacker in my car and it is still taking one place. It has been there for over 9 months. At this stage I cannot think of any possible reason to remove it.

FPSHOT

Oct 12, 2003, 11:13 PM

I can write a book on how the album is to me after a year.

It's like a saga, because in some songs George is saying goodbye in his way and also is looking back on his life, whilst for instance taking us along on a bike ride through Henley.

Never before did we hear so much Ukelele on an album or even on a few songs, nor the Hawaiian Slack guitar style. Things that were so important in George's life but before were not brought forward so much.

Then the cooperation between Dhani and George, which had come to us already via Horse To The Water, is all through the album, but to me is best heard on Stuck Inside A Cloud.

The amazing details we can here in this Jools Holland interview, like that George wrote cello and violins parts, whereas probably every one thought that was Jeff being posh.

With Run So Far he shows the fans that recording George's songs, even by a close friend as Clapton, is very hard to do and only George himself gets the true quality from his writings. I always liked the song on Clapper's album, but now ...

Best album? Oh that is so hard. It's a very special one, that's for sure, but 'better than ..' name one .... all so relative. I would not list it 'better' than All Things Must Pass, yet.

They have similarities though, these two albums;
ATMP was the first, so the revelation, the genesis.
Brainwashed to me is the farewell album, so far. His salute to this world.

braddale

Oct 14, 2003, 01:55 PM

A year ago after buying this album and playing it a few times, I said to my wife " I have found my favorite album of all time". There is not weak track on the whole album. I never could have imagined that it would be a good as it is.
It is one album that I can put on and let play from start to finish.

It just makes me a little mad, when the album was not given that much exposure, at least not here in North America. There is so much crap that is put out as music, and then comes this beautiful piece of work.

[ Oct 14, 2003, 01:56 PM: Message Edited By: braddale ]

Magill

Oct 14, 2003, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted By braddale:
It just makes me a little mad, when the album was not given that much exposure, at least not here in North America. There is so much crap that is put out as music, and then comes this beautiful piece of work.I sincerely believe that George put this out for us, his fans. This is how I see it. He knew the envitible was coming and wanted to say farewell to us with this last gift of his music, which illustrate how he was feeling during the last years of his life. I doubt if George, Dhani or Olivia really cared if the whole world knew about it. We all know he wasn't much on fanfare. Brainwashed will just remain what it is. The Hari-fans special little secret. graemlins/sssh.gif Being a longtime Hari-fan myself, that's ok with me. images/icons/wink.gif

braddale

Oct 14, 2003, 02:55 PM

The only songs I ever heard on the radio here in Toronto were, Any Road and Looking for My Life. They only played them when the album first came out, for a few weeks.

Your are right though, it was meant to be enjoyed by the people who really appreciated his music. When it first came out I thought this had to be the album of the year.

Magill

Oct 14, 2003, 03:07 PM

I know what you mean, Braddale. I think all I've ever heard on the radio is Rising Sun & Stuck Inside A Cloud. I always felt it was a shame that the name Paul McCartney has always been more marketable than George Harrison. Not fair, really. Considering the quality of songs George released. *sigh* Makes you wonder if we're the only ones on the planet with taste. graemlins/images/icons/confused.gif

LuvLennon

Oct 14, 2003, 03:37 PM

Brainwashed really is one of my favourite cds! One of the reasons it is so wonderful, is so wonderful is that it suits whatever mood you are in, you can lay back, close your eyes and just let the songs wash over you, or you can sing out loud joyfully (Devil and the Deep Blue Sea always has this effect on me!) I love albums that are so versatile that they suit what ever mood/mode you are in and Brainwashed is definatly one of those albums

MaccaOnTheRun

Oct 14, 2003, 04:38 PM

Now I may be a McCartney fan.. But I have to say, "Brainwashed" is probably my favorite CD. Each song seems to have so much meaning to me, and makes me think so much of George, especially during that time. The songs are so relaxing, and really play with my feelings, qualities of a great CD..

And hey, I got a new guitar pick out of it.. So its gotta be cool. images/icons/wink.gif

Oh by the way.. Don't tell Sir Paul "Brainwashed" tops 'is "Flaming Pie". Only by a little though. graemlins/laugh6.gif

old_moon_shining

Oct 15, 2003, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted By braddale:
There is not weak track on the whole album. I have remarked on this many times myself. Very consistent quality from beginning to end.

FiendishThingie

Oct 15, 2003, 10:30 AM

There's really so much I could say about this collection of music, thoughts, experiences, moments, spiritual messages...

I think this album will always be special to me (like a few others of his) for the spiritual reminders it gives me. The message comes through loud & clear for me.

Thanks George, Jeff & Dhani! It's nice to know that George will never be gone from my life & even though he may not be in the material world with us, he will never cease to remind me of what's true & real. All I have to do is slip that CD on!

FT images/icons/wink.gif

Hari's Chick

Oct 15, 2003, 09:20 PM

At our house we have a copy for the house and one for each car! This is the only CD we own multiple copies of, too. There is just absolutely nothing in this world like getting into my hubbie's jeep, with the top down, and listening to 'Any Road'~ top volume~ with the wind in my hair!

Every song is wonderful. From 'a splendid Michaelangelo' to 'your shoulder and your thigh'....the words slide along...like the perfect guitar in Stuck Inside a Cloud, the Werlitzer, which I love...

And Pisces Fish is a wonderful song, with the baratone vocals beyond compare!! And how Dylan inspired is Rising Sun? Run So Far...no words ring truer, except maybe Looking for My Life. And Brainwashed...perfection...and my very favorite off the whole CD.

Oh, yeah...this is George at his Georgiest. And the Georgier the better. graemlins/thumbsup2.gif

braddale

Oct 16, 2003, 12:43 AM

Before it went on sale, I used to listen to snippets from the internet, and I thought man oh man this is going to be good!
The day I bought it, they were playing Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea in the record store, I could not wait to listen to it.
That song cannot help but put you in a good mood.

Savoy Truffle

Oct 25, 2003, 11:16 PM

I agree. And there have been so many great comments here.

For me too Brainwashed is a must listen. I love it as much today as I did a year ago.

I'm afraid I don't have multiple copies of it so it's kind of a Have Disc Must Travel. When I'm at home it resides in my CD player and I listen to at LEAST one track of it almost daily.

I'm not sure where I'd place it in George's catalogue. It's in a special category all it's own. A gift to all of us who love George. Just so much warmth, wisdom and so much of George in these songs. I still find it an emotional listen.

At first it bothered me that it did not become a worldwide hit because I thought George was just so deserving. I still think that everyone should hear it. But as Magill said that kind of makes it all the more special,like he did it just for us, those he knew would cherish it. images/icons/smile.gif

beatlewho01-02

Oct 31, 2003, 05:30 PM

Whenever I listen to this album, I always feel the same way I did last year. I feel the excitement of listening to this album. I feel high on this.

beatlebangs1964

Oct 31, 2003, 05:59 PM

For me, the songs on this masterpiece are timeless classics. The lyrics are brilliant; the one instrumental evokes deep feelings. "Music is supposed to make you feel something," Richard Dreyfuss as Mr. Holland said in my favorite film, Mr. Holland's Opus. George's music is that of an emotional virtuoso - Geroge is capable of evoking a wide range of emotions and his music leaves an indelible stamp upon you.

His music also makes you think (like in "Think For Yourself") and is something that keeps giving.

Maxine

Nov 03, 2003, 02:57 AM

It seems everybody really likes this album. images/icons/smile.gif *Personally I don´t own any albums by George graemlins/blush3.gif , YET that is, but I´m planning on getting myself one. Is this the album you would recommend over the others or is there a George-album even better for a first purchase? graemlins/music1.gif

anurag

Nov 03, 2003, 03:45 AM

Originally posted by Maxine
It seems everybody really likes this album. [[Smile]] Personally I don´t own any albums by George [[blush3]] , YET that is, but I´m planning on getting myself one. Is this the album you would recommend over the others or is there a George-album even better for a first purchase? [[music1]]
All Things Must Pass is George`s masterpiece.
I find the spirituality of Brainwashed extremely soothing.

old_moon_shining

Nov 03, 2003, 04:53 AM

Originally Posted By Maxine:
Personally I don´t own any albums by George graemlins/blush3.gif This really surprises me. I would have thought that with a name like that you would be a big George fan. (Maxine is the name of a George song images/icons/wink.gif .)

Welcome to the palace anyway Maxine.

All Things Must Pass, Cloud Nine, and Brainwashed seem to be the most popular albums. Can't go wrong with any of these.

jtal909

Nov 03, 2003, 07:52 AM

I heard one of the slower songs from Brainwashed in the supermarket yesterday so it must be considered somewhat mainstream.

Maxine

Nov 04, 2003, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted By old_moon_shining:
<blockquote>Quote:<hr />Originally Posted By Maxine:
Personally I don´t own any albums by George graemlins/blush3.gif This really surprises me. I would have thought that with a name like that you would be a big George fan. (Maxine is the name of a George song images/icons/wink.gif .)

Welcome to the palace anyway Maxine.

All Things Must Pass, Cloud Nine, and Brainwashed seem to be the most popular albums. Can't go wrong with any of these.<hr /></blockquote>Well, actually I didn´t know about that song...
graemlins/blush3.gif My choice of name has nothing to do with that song. I feel a little embarrased for being so 'uninformed', when it comes to George´s solo production, but I´ve always been more of a Paul and John fan. Now I´m gonna get "informed", though, I´m gonna get myself at least one of George´s albums. images/icons/smile.gif *Thanks for the tips! graemlins/rolling4.gif

FPSHOT

Nov 04, 2003, 04:43 AM

Originally Posted By Maxine:
It seems everybody really likes this album. images/icons/smile.gif *Personally I don´t own any albums by George graemlins/blush3.gif , YET that is, but I´m planning on getting myself one. Is this the album you would recommend over the others or is there a George-album even better for a first purchase? graemlins/music1.gif Hi Maxine, welcome to Crackerbox Palace.

All Things Must Pass is the best to start with, it's being discussed here very often and indeed is the Masterpiece, so far. Maybe Cloud 9 is a good second to buy, but George Harrison or Extra Texture also give a good overview of how George was.

sourmilkpinky

Nov 04, 2003, 05:32 AM

Keep in mind tho Brainwashed is more readily available. It is a good one and much easier to find. At least where I'm looking.

[ Nov 04, 2003, 05:33 AM: Message Edited By: sourmilkpinky ]

FPSHOT

Nov 04, 2003, 06:45 AM

Of course, Brainwashed, yeah that should be part of the collection from the start, it's an historic album for the moment, till Dhani and Jeff returned from their "vacation" and wouldn't I like to know how far they are.

Siobhan

Nov 06, 2003, 04:04 AM

If you are just going to get one album to start off with, I will go with the general consensus and suggest ATMP. It really is a masterpiece. There are many more George albums worth having, Brainwashed especially, but you can't go wrong with ATMP.

braddale

Nov 06, 2003, 01:26 PM

If you really want the out of print albums 33&1/3, George Harrison (I could not wait for them to be re-released) go to www.baltcd.com (http://www.baltcd.com) the sound quality is very good. I recently got Gone Troppo from them and to me it sounds as if it has been re-mastered the sound quality is that good.

beatlesfan2003

Nov 06, 2003, 03:01 PM

The ones from baltcd...are they in good packaging or are they just cd-rs?

FPSHOT

Nov 06, 2003, 03:28 PM

Baltcd.com has very good reviews out here.

I have bought from them and never had a any complaints. It's far from being 'shitty bootlegs' it's good quality, including booklets from what I have seen.

Various Beatlelinkers buy from them and I don't remember complaints about the quality of the CD's.

Savoy Truffle

Nov 07, 2003, 12:33 AM

Yeah, definitely. ATMP really is a masterpiece. And with the remastered version there are some great additions: I Live For You and the acoustic version of Let It Down for two.
But Brainwashed too; the songs and George's vocals can break your heart at times, make you smile at other times.

Cloud Nine and George Harrison will be hard to find at the moment, you would have better luck finding the track list and downloading them. Well worth it though.

Besides Brainwashed and ATMP, the most accessible albums are Living In The Material World(a great one too), Darkhorse and Extra Texture.

braddale

Nov 07, 2003, 08:06 PM

The quality of their CD's is very good, and their service is excellent. I live in Canada and have had no problems ordering from them. The CD's are very well packaged, full of lyrics and pictures. Its hard to tell if they are bootlegs or not. To me they just seem like European versions of albums that are not available in North America.
Give them a try, I found out about them from this forum and for that I am very grateful.

HELTER SKELTER

Nov 08, 2003, 06:56 AM

Brainwashed is one of the best solo beatle albums made. There is no song on the album that I have to skip over, all of the songs are very string. Unlike some of the other post beatle albums (all of them paul,john, ringo and george) seemed to have a few weak songs on them. Brainwashed is something that I could never get sick of.

KENTH

Nov 09, 2003, 07:55 AM

FANTASTIC ALBUM

For me it´s just an fantastic album, maybe the best from George.

I have heard that there is some more songs that should evan be better, that is not yet released.

All the best

Kenth

Hari's Chick

Nov 09, 2003, 09:37 AM

Welcome to the Palace Helter Skelter and Kenth! graemlins/wave1.gif

Hari's Chick

Nov 09, 2003, 09:40 AM

I agree that ATMP is a good first album choice. Brainwashed I prefer to ATMP, personally, so also a great choice. Next, I'd say Cloud Nine or Dark Horse. Dark Horse is a terrific CD, too. images/icons/smile.gif

Savoy Truffle

Nov 09, 2003, 01:43 PM

Oh hey, HC, I really like the Dark Horse CD too. images/icons/smile.gif Despite the 'hoarse' vocals. To me it gives the title track real character. The songs are quite strong and it's held up remarkably well during the years.

But Brainwashed I would say is a definite must. Such a great, great collection of songs and music. My favourite at the moment.

[ Nov 09, 2003, 01:45 PM: Message Edited By: Savoy Truffle ]