Popdose - Latest Comments in CD Review: “Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison”

Re: CD Review: “Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison”

Smitty — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:20:08 -0000

I bought "Let It Roll" because I wanted there to be sufficient sales to ensure future releases by George.
According to Wikipedia, the album has sold 250,000 copies worldwide (the 51,000 units in the US hasn't been updated since August and I'm sure it's significantly higher than that by now)...
It spent 13 weeks on the Billboard charts, not too shabby.
Meanwhile, the Ringo comp only spent 1 or 2 weeks on that chart and sold way fewer copies. (That's a great CD, no disrespect meant).
But I think Olivia and their circle of close friends had too much input into the track listing. She was interviewed about these being their favorites. What about the fans and what about the hits? There is no way that Dark Horse, You, This Song and Crackerbox Palace should be omitted. And there are many other worthy tracks, too many to mention here.
I had hoped for a 2-disc Wingspan release, which would have solved a lot of problems. But until a label that cares about classic artists (Rhino) comes forward, this is the crap we're going to get.
Don't get me wrong. The music is wonderful and I love the packaging. But Harrison deserves much more.
Now, hey Dhani, why not put out a harder-edge comp to show folks he wasn't just about love and religion? Start off with Taxman and include Think for Yourself, Old Brown Shoe, I Me Mine, Not Guilty and Sour Milk Sea (White Album outtakes), Wah-Wah, Art of Dying, Awaiting on You All, live Bangla Desh, Living in the Material World, Sue Me Sue You Blues, Maya Love, You (since it wasn't on Let It Roll), This Song (diitto), If You Believe, Devil's Radio, Heading for the Light, 1993 version of This Guitar (with Dave Stewart) and Brainwashed...

Re: CD Review: “Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison”

iHeartGeorgeHarrison — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:14:29 -0000

Ah..George.
I wish only everyone could see your greatness..its such a shame.
Too sad.
At least I know your brilliancy. R.I.P.
<3

Re: CD Review: “Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison”

Tim Connelly — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:11:48 -0000

I think this new CD is awesome. There's no doubt that there are plenty of other Harrison tunes that would be fine inclusions but when you're limited to 80 minutes- you've got to draw the line somewhere.

I think the songs from Brainwashed were great choices. I think the Bangla Desh Beatles songs represented a vitally important part of his solo career. He chose to do those Beatles songs for the Bangla Desh Concert. He did all 3 of them again when he toured in Japan. This CD isn't just for all the people who know and love his solo work. Many (younger) fans may have no idea he wrote and sang those 3 Beatles classics so it's providing them a better look at his body of work.

I thought Giles Martin did an amazing job. Phil Spector and Jeff Lynne brought a very different sound to the table but I feel like his work balanced that out enough where it was never an issue.

With the sequencing, we were introduced to 2 of his #1's to start the CD, the 3 Bangla Desh songs were spread out (5,14 and 17), the two movie tunes were very late (16 and 18), 5 of the first 6 songs were very early and the CD closed with Isn't It a Pity- a song that was so important he included it twice on ATMP.

Re: CD Review: “Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison”

el bandito — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:41:03 -0000

If the original "Dark Horse" is not there then it is not worth anything. I feel the same as you on this disc. "Why" is all I kept saying. I'd include the live "Here Comes the Sun" because it is really cool and different than what most would have heard. Or get the Paul Simon version...something that connects to the Beatles isn't all bad...but there is more than enough to NOT include any. Shame...this could have been nice.

Re: CD Review: “Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison”

Dennis — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:23:45 -0000

"Doesn’t George Harrison deserve at least one pass at a truly career-spanning two-disc package, if not a box set?"

Agreed. I'm dissapointed that songs from Dark Horse were omitted. The title song, "Ding, Dong, Ding, Dong", and "Far East Man" were worthy of inclusion.

Re: CD Review: “Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison”

fhc — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:47:25 -0000

EMI Capitol has made a freaking career out of screwing up hits packages and re-issues. This one doesn't surprise me at all. They looked at the chart hits, probably asked a few people around the office or on a street corner which songs they even remembered by George, and included the live Bangladesh cuts to make it look like they'd done some "real" homework. I loathe this label because of that and a few more reasons that don't really matter here...

fhc

Re: CD Review: “Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison”

Brett Alan — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:33:51 -0000

Olivia Harrison says the tracklisting was "all about flow". Not that that explains anything.

I agree with pretty much everything you said. They get some points for picking "I Don't Want To Do It" and the excellent "Any Road", but other than that, it's a mess. Maybe I could take one live version of a Beatles song, but given George's feelings about The Best of George Harrison, even that's questionable. No "Crackerbox Palace", "Dark Horse" (the Live In Japan version is wonderful, if they wanted to avoid the hoarse voice), or "Bangla Desh"? Indefensible.

Re: CD Review: “Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison”

Jack — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:09:48 -0000

I can't defend the tracklisting. Was EMI trying to limit the number of songs they had to license from another company? I'm torn. Without a big PR campaign, I think this collection will come and go pretty quickly, which is a damn shame. I read somewhere that his son Dhani was compiling unreleased tracks for a possible release, but sales figures of a best of might certainly impact that ever seeing the light of day.

Gosh, on one hand, I find myself compelled to buy a copy of this to show posthumous support for a great artist and help expedite future releases of more interesting material. On the other hand, I feel bad rewarding whoever did this shoddy choice of songs. It's like they had only select Harrison CDs on an iPod, hit shuffle, and picked the first 19 choices. Bizarre.

Re: CD Review: “Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison”

MichaelFortes — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:49:33 -0000

I completely agree, this collection falls far short of expectations.

BTW, the "Porky's Revenge" soundtrack was reissued by Columbia/Legacy in 2004. Good stuff!