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View Full Version : The Dark Horse years album reviews - Gone Troppo


FPSHOT
Apr 25, 2004, 02:02 PM
Another review, this time - after consultation with Legs - I do the kick off.

The album as such is maybe not on top of everyone's play list, so let's try to do something about it by talking about it. To me it also took some time before I got used to some of the songs, but yeah I do love the album, each song again has it's speciality.


Wake Up My Love

yeah from the first introduction, Mike Moran’s keyboards/synths fly in, but then also some very good guitar riffs.

Have a listen to George playing bass on this one http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

It is a direct call to The Lord and a request to wake up George’s Love .... “Here I go again”, “Yes it’s me here .. ring, ring, ring” a quite popular way of writing huh http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Like “Blood From A Clone” on the previous album, really an uptempo ‘busy’ opener.

That’s The Way It Goes

Yes George, this is more how I love it http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Guitars !!!!

And the way I love them best.. the finger picking, absolutely magnificent sound, combined with his slide guitars, yeah yeah yeah this is my George, my favourite track of the album, which had an updated version on the When We Was Fab single.

The song title is this English expression, also known maybe as a song title from a very famous early 1970’s Fleetwood Mac song which had parts one and two http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
“Passive acceptance of unfairness or failure”. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

It seems like the lyrics are written in a “A Day In The Life” sort of way and probably relate to the financial matters from the Thatcher years in the UK, and I can see George sitting at Friar Park, listening to the radio, hearing all this crap about finance, then stand up, putting his garden hat on, walks out to his gardens and on the way passes Dhani, giving him a hug and a real Harrisonic smile saying “Oh well, that’s the way it goes, I’m in the gardens” http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I Really Love You

Now we had a discussion some time ago, with people saying “Is George singing on this one? “ well I can still not understand that and maybe it’s the same thing which Rellevart brought up in the musicians forum topic “I can hear the bass”.

I dare to say that I recognize George’s voice at any time and on this song, I do hear him quite well.

His Ry Cooder period made him go for these backing singers and also give the album a touch of this Tropical sound which goes along with some songs on the album.

This is a good example, a cover from someone I never heard of before and after. So be it.

Trivia question – is this the only Harrisong without a guitar on it?

So, George brought us to the Hoagy Carmichael sounds on his previous album and now makes us go back to early 60’s doo-wop vocal groups. Okay, cool and Going Troppo
It’s a bit of fun, no musical highlight maybe when it comes to people expecting guitar riffs and slide solo’s, but that’s George, it’s all Crackerbox Palace http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Greece

An instrumental with some Idle words alongside, I love this, I really love this http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It’s is such a blissful tune, especially for someone who loves guitars and a singing bass.

This time the keyboards form a welcome additional sound to these wonderful melodies offered to us.

George tried out various guitars from his collection for this tune, a dobro, slide, electric guitars, a mandolin.

“Greece” reminds me on the “Dark Horse” intro and if you listen well, you do hear some reminiscing parts to “Hari’s On Tour”

Gone Troppo

Great Caribbean sound, it makes you think of going on vacation.

It has the Hawaiian Slack guitar technique used on the guitars, very nice.

Jim Keltner, Ray Cooper and George add some nice percussion sound to it like via the Jal-Tarang (Indian bowls filled with water)

Vicky Brown ad Dad Joe add backing vocals and it has Victor (brother of Henri) Spinetti on drums

A reference to local smoothy ingredients, like the Papaya love by many http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile1.gif and other references to his life in Hawaii, as well as the “Yahoo” cheer at the end of the song proves George really loves this song and was in a very good holiday mood when writing the song.

Mystical One

The slide guitar returns to the scene in this beautiful, beautiful song which would have made a good single.

The Mystical One here is Eric Clapton .... (so says Olivia) .. and he seems to be in his garden again, saying to his mate “ oh and er….. they say I’m not what I used to be…. all the same hahaha”

A great song to his dear friend

I like this song very much, it again has a tropical or Greek sound especially with the mandolins by George and Joe Brown.

A bit of what would become Jeff Lynne’s contribution sometimes is the way of adding echo at the end to the song title in the background.

Unknown Delight

One of his most beautiful love songs, both musical as lyric wise.

It’s often been said when this one became song of the day, that these lyrics are such a wonderful way to express love and the combination with the music and backing vocals make it so special.

The guitar solo with the “Something” melody breaks the song in two.

A masterpiece

Baby Don’t Run Away

http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif a nice one after that declaration of love is the somewhat scaring ‘Baby Don’t Run Away'

Personally I would have put this second ballad in a row in a different order, maybe Dream Away first.

This has George and Billy Preston doing backing vocals, a unique combination. Not to forget Rodina Sloan. Also here the vocals are a bit computerised which is nice to hear, soon to be taken over by Jeff.

Another song with no guitars, which is taken over by the many vocals and synthesizers.

Not my favorite, even though the lyrics are inspiring and beautiful.

Dream Away

Love it !!!!

The first verse has some cool lyrics even though I have not the slightest idea what it means http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Women singing on Harrisongs sounds very cool, this time it’s Syreeta, with whom Billy Preston made some records and hits, and Sarah Ricor

Circles

Another clear example of what can happen to a song which originates from the White Album period and through the years has been picked up by George, until he finally knew it was completed for release.

The additional piano makes me think of Billy Preston on Hear Me Lord.

Amazing lyrics this has.

Mystical One - demo version

Absolute class, what can I say, it is such a bliss to hear George playing on acoustic guitar like this.. a home recording of a beautiful song.

sourmilkpinky
Apr 25, 2004, 02:29 PM
I am glad you started this one. To reply properly, song by song, I will have to listen again. But I wanted to say right now that this was the only one I hadn't heard before the recent release. I wasn't sure I was going to like it after hearing some comments. But I do. It is not Cloud Nine, but I have listened to it a time or two more than the others.

Siobhan
Apr 26, 2004, 05:01 AM
This is one album I don't listen to as much as some others. I don't know why really, because it is pretty good, and has some great individual tracks. It's especially nice to listen to in the summer time http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sun.gif I actually really like Baby Don't Run Away too, which I know is not a favourite among many people. I just like the combination of the different voices.

Legs
Apr 27, 2004, 09:43 AM
Good review FPSHOT, I can see a lot of things I agree on, and had also written down, except for one song and you know which one. I will follow soon with my review, so far I have covered half the album.

C.mon people, isn't George's music one of the important things we are here, why not discuss these albums more.

beatlelover45223
Apr 27, 2004, 10:15 AM
I have nothing bad to say about this album, this has always been one of my favorites, it's different and as said above by FPSHOT, it has some beautiful songs on it. Love It

Legs
Apr 27, 2004, 12:23 PM
If there’s one word to describe Gone Troppo for me it would be a happy,
It shines throughout the album. Once again I say I am thankfull for the boxset release, cause it made me really listen to all the albums. Gone Troppo was one of these lp’s I had stored away somewhere, only listened to it a few times.

I’ve mistaken the lyrics to Wake Up My Love as that of a simple love song, wake up my love, instead of wake up my love. Still George puts the call for his love to be awaken, in a more simple form that it could be mistaken for a love song, my love wake up! Oh well, it can keep you busy. The synths tend to be overpowering, but it’s a great uptempo song that has lots going of thing going that draws you into you into listening, George plays some forcefull bass on the song.

That’s The Way It Goes kicks in greatly with pounding drums and great slide.This is one of my favourites from the album, with the guitar mix I love, acoustic guitars, electric, swirling slide guitars. In this case the music works together with the lyrics. George seems to be at ease, turning away from it all, whatever happens lets make the most of it.


I Really Love You shows yet another style that influenced George, this time thanks to Ry Cooder who brought the doo-wop music to George’s attention. The vocals of Willie Greene, where introduced on the album’s previous track, here the are joined by the remainder of the doo-wop formation Bobby King and Pico Pena.

George was pretty much making music for himself, and I don’t question that, why shouldn’t he? So I am not saying that this song shouldn’t be on the album, but only that I am not really fond of it. There is little for me that makes this a George Harrison song, his voice is there somewhere sure, but not prominent, no beatiful lyrics and no guitars, only the fact that George liked it, and that’s enough to justify it’s presence on the album.For me tho, it puts a stop on the album.

Greece to me is a wonderful relaxing melody, carried by massaging guitars,I don’t know what that’s supose to mean but music is feeling...

Gone Troppo indeed puts one in a holdiday mood, the song features again some great ringing guitar work,from the intro on but especially heard in the instrumental breaks, which I love very much. A happy song that like many others on this album brings a smile to my face everytime I hear it.One of George’s most danceable songs I think.

I will discuss the demo and final version of Mystical One together.I always overlooked “Mystical One”, but the demo version has brought out the beauty of the song, which is a bit lost in the producion on the final mix.Don’t know how I could have missed this song before, the music the words, George’s slide work again brings shivers down my spine. To borrow some of its beautiful words, it answers my deepest prayer in a song, melting my heart away.

I don’t see the reference to Eric Clapton very much. The reference might be directed to music rather then to a person, “Beautiful feeling im my soul, sounds I’ve heard”, “Shimmering slowhand flowing clear” is rather obvious tho.

Unknownd Delight indeed is a beautiful song musicaly and lyric wise. Sharing the joy of watching a child grow, his song to Dhani. “A treasure of the world, A child watch it grow. And with all the love will bring unknown delight.

Baby Don't Run Away puts another stop on the album.
The song has an amateurish and dated synthesizer sound.I am not really fond of the backing vocals, which sounds very thin to me, especially the “in the seayaee” bit.

I loved Dream Away since I saw the Time Bandits movie for the first time years ago.
From the opening guitar riffs the song had me in my grip, and it still has. Again a song that makes me happy everytime I hear it.In this case the backing vocals are a good thing as they add something to the song. I have the short version on the 12 Arnold grove bootleg, it has the last verse edited out, and some film noise at the beginning of the song and at the end.

Circles had to grow on me, but I am glad that George choise to complete the song, and that he put it on the album. You can clearly hear Billy Preston’s on this song about reincarnation.The music is mysterious I wanted to say lugubrious, but I don’t know if that really is the right word. I really think it is a good song.

After writing this review I can’t come with another conclusion that this is one of my favourite George albums, an album that gives you a good feeling with beautiful words and music.Yes happy is the word.

See you there on cloud nine.

sourmilkpinky
Apr 27, 2004, 05:09 PM
At Legs urging I will try this again. I tried to listen to the album and take notes, but then realized I am not a musician, nor a philosopher and I was having touble picking them apart. It made me not enjoy them and I kept thinking 'no I am not enjoying this song much'. I am pretty sure I like this album, as stated before, but my comments kept turning sour. So I will try this as I listen then write briefly and see if it is any better.

Wake Up My Love;
I know this is my favorite of all, his voice, the upbeat tempo, and the lyrics from his heart and soul, always draw me in.
This is the kind of Gospel that actually 'rocks'.


That's The Way It Goes;
This is my second fave. The guitar blends and especially the slide really is the big part of this one that I enjoy.
The lyrics do not lean towards the 'Save the World' cynical but the everday cynicisms. And he takes my exact attitude on them 'Oh well.... what can you do'
I really enjoyed Rob's 'dream' of how he went to garden to write this one that was cute.


I Really Love You;
This is what I call a fun song!!!! If I didn't know better I would have thought it was written for a movie scene. Love the combination of keyboards and drums. All I can really say if FUN!


Greece;
I have never been a fan of 'listening' to instrumentals. They have to just be background music to me. But I do love the guitars sound here. But hey it IS George.
Do we know what he actually says in this? This kinda reminds me of the bit in 'Carl Perkins & Friends, when Carl is playing his run of 'mistakes' and George just starts throwing words out.

Gone Troppo;
Ok this one I really don't like much. The lyrics make no sense to me and it feels just too poppy? I'm not sure, I like the melody, I think it's the melody. I can't explain why I don't like this one, maybe it seems 'forced'? I don't know.

Mystical One;
This is an enjoyable song. I only wish I could understand the lyrics more when I listen, but that is because of my ears. There is a little too much going on musically for my ears so it gets a bit jumbled and drowns out the voice.

Unknown Delight;
Beautiful lyrics and voice. Give me this one with George on guitar and nothing else (musically I don't mean naked) and I would probably absolutely love this one. The synthesizer? paino and backup voices ruin this one for me.

Baby Don't Run Away;
Again not crazy about this one, I will say the backup voices seem to harmonize a little better on this one. The lyrics are good in this one but I think I would enjoy them more in a more upbeat song.

Dream Away;
Interesting poetry here. I don't dare try to interpret what he means, really. But the way the lyrics flow it reminds me of poetry. I see the lyrics as likeable poetry, at least from where I sit. A more upbeat tempo here but still I would listen to this while doing other things it doesn't grab me.

Circles;
I really like reading the lyrics on this one, I like the way George kind od tells parts like a story rather than drawn out singing. However once again the tempo is too slow for me, I have a hard time staying with this song. That's just me.

Bonus, Mystical One;
And George makes wishes come true (see above).


Ok that's it. I am not going to reread this for fear I may change my mind. This is how I felt as I listened. Overall I like this album. The first three I sing and bop along with and the rest enjoy to some extent, either just listening to (like in the dark) or more than likey while I do my 'chores' or other stuff.

Magill
Apr 27, 2004, 07:55 PM
I won't put in my full two cents in on this album since it's not really a favorite of mine. Simply because, even though it's George, I'm not big on that heavy electronic synth sound which seems to run rampant on this album. I will say "Mystical One" is my favorite on here. The acoustic demo version is so very intimate. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I like both versions. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Savoy Truffle
Apr 28, 2004, 02:18 PM
Yeah,Gone Troppo is very heavy on the use of synth's isn't it. Is there a song that doesn't have a synth on it? Still it doesn't really hinder my enjoyment of the album in any way. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif In some ways I find them a good addition for these tropical sounding songs.

My favorite song is probably "That's The Way It Goes" with "Mystical One" a close second.

I really love "I Really Love You". I call it a guilty pleasure. Yeah, maybe not a typical George song but I see a lot of George in the humorous arrangement. I bet he had a really great time recording this one. Maybe he just didn't want to be 'George Harrison' for this small moment. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

"Wake Up My Love" jump starts the album quite nicely(I like his direct lyrics) and how can you not love "Greece" with the silly puns! "Gone Troppo" has a great South Sea feel to it.

"Unknown Delight" is a beautiful song. I agree with you Legs about the 'Something' solo breaking the song up beautifully. Very fitting that he includes part of one of his best loved solos in a song about his son.

I like "Baby Don't Run Away" but Legs, I love your comments about it, lol! The lyrics are what makes it beautiful to me.

"Circles" is another favorite of mine. Fantastic lyrics and music; the music is very entrancing.

I didn't really see the beauty of the demo for "Mystical One" when I first listened but now I find it really mesmerising. Really shows the power of George's demos. The difference between it and the finished version is very striking. Both versions have very different moods to them.

The only song I've had trouble getting into is "Dream Away". I don't know why really because I think it's a great little song. Oh well, something to work on!

Legs
May 09, 2004, 02:21 PM
[ QUOTE ]
Savoy Truffle Posted:
"Unknown Delight" is a beautiful song. I agree with you Legs about the 'Something' solo breaking the song up beautifully. Very fitting that he includes part of one of his best loved solos in a song about his son.



[/ QUOTE ]

Actually it was FPSHOT who said that, but I agree. To be honest it wasn't till I had the boxset and really started to listen to this album, that I noticed the first guitar notes of the solo sounded like "Something".

Legs
May 09, 2004, 02:24 PM
[ QUOTE ]
FPSHOT Posted:

Gone Troppo

Vicky Brown ad Dad Joe add backing vocals and it has Victor (brother of Henri) Spinetti on drums



[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ignore.gif

FPSHOT
May 09, 2004, 03:06 PM
[ QUOTE ]
Legs Posted:
[ QUOTE ]
Savoy Truffle Posted:
"Unknown Delight" is a beautiful song. I agree with you Legs about the 'Something' solo breaking the song up beautifully. Very fitting that he includes part of one of his best loved solos in a song about his son.



[/ QUOTE ]

Actually it was FPSHOT who said that, but I agree. To be honest it wasn't till I had the boxset and really started to listen to this album, that I noticed the first guitar notes of the solo sounded like "Something".

[/ QUOTE ]

Like what?

Savoy Truffle
May 09, 2004, 07:07 PM
[ QUOTE ]
Legs Posted:
[ QUOTE ]
Savoy Truffle Posted:
"Unknown Delight" is a beautiful song. I agree with you Legs about the 'Something' solo breaking the song up beautifully. Very fitting that he includes part of one of his best loved solos in a song about his son.



[/ QUOTE ]

Actually it was FPSHOT who said that

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh,...did he? http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif

Legs
May 10, 2004, 05:59 AM
[ QUOTE ]
FPSHOT Posted:
[ QUOTE ]
Legs Posted:
[ QUOTE ]
Savoy Truffle Posted:
"Unknown Delight" is a beautiful song. I agree with you Legs about the 'Something' solo breaking the song up beautifully. Very fitting that he includes part of one of his best loved solos in a song about his son.



[/ QUOTE ]

Actually it was FPSHOT who said that, but I agree. To be honest it wasn't till I had the boxset and really started to listen to this album, that I noticed the first guitar notes of the solo sounded like "Something".

[/ QUOTE ]

Like what?

[/ QUOTE ]

Like "Yesterday" http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinker.gif

FPSHOT
May 11, 2004, 03:38 AM
http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/afraid1.gif