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Thirty Three & 1/3

George Harrison - Thirty Three & 1/3 Audio CD

A fair review of the George Harrison "Thirty Three & 1/3" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all George Harrison reviews here, or go back to the George Harrison tabs.

Band: George Harrison
Title: Thirty Three & 1/3
Rating:

Release Date: 2004-02-24
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Woman Don't You Cry For Me 2: Dear One 3: Beautiful Girl 4: This Song 5: See Yourself 6: It's What You Value 7: True Love 8: Pure Smokey 9: Crackerbox Palace 10: Learning How To Love You 11: Tears Of The World (Bonus track)

One of his best second-tier albums
This album is a gigantic step up from his previous one, the beyond-horrible 'Extra Texture. I waited a long time to finally find a copy of this album, and while it hasn't become one of my top favorites of George's solo albums, it was well worth the wait. ' The difference between these two albums is like night and day! After a couple of commercial failures and sinking popularity, George finally came back into his element and began making consistently solid and high-quality music. And while I greatly enjoy his spiritual songs, since I share many of his spiritual and philosophical beliefs, I know that a lot of people don't like his songs in that genre. Here the songs that deal with matters of the spiritual, like "Dear One," do it much more subtly, not so obvious and detailed. By and large, this is a rock record, not a spiritual journey like ATMP or LITMW. And since it was made during such a happy and positive time in his life (starting a new record label, a new love relationship, more secure in his religious beliefs and no longer in the throes of the convert's zeal), the mood of the album really reflects that sense of peace and happiness.

While most of these songs aren't what I would personally consider my favorite from George's solo catalogue (and thus why I don't hold it as one of my personal top favorites of his), they are still very polished and high-quality, reflecting diverse subjects (such as his love of Formula One racing in "It's What You Value," love songs such as "Beautiful Girl," and "This Song," making light of the "My Sweet Lord" plagiarism charges after enough time had passed for him to see the humor in it). It also contains one of his signature songs, "Crackerbox Palace," which really expresses beautifully his whole outlook on life, summing up his philosophy, in the same vein as, e. g. , "Any Road" or "ATMP. " It also shows that he could write very good rock songs and wasn't totally about spiritual songs. My favorite song on the album is the absolutely gorgeous "Pure Smokey. " Not only is it a well-deserved tribute to Smokey Robinson and his beautiful voice, but it also conveys the message that we should show thanks and gratitude while people are still with us, instead of waiting till they've passed on to start praising them and talking about all they mean to you. I like how it also has a nod to his belief (which I share) that we should ultimately thank the Divine for Smokey, since his voice and talents are really gifts on loan from the Divine, and thus sings, "I want to thank you Lord for giving us pure Smokey. "

I would recommend this album to anyone who's already gone through George's best albums and is interested in exploring his second-tier efforts. It's also something I'd recommend to someone interested in hearing a more rock-type record from him and not just an album composed primarily of spiritual songs.

George Harrison Thirty Three and a third
My goal is to
obtain all that I can. George Harrison's music is to be appreciated and revered.

PURE GEORGE!!!!!!!!!!!!
A must have for all. I wore this lp out when it first came out, Now I'm trying to do it to the cd.

The Comeback! Sort of...
The career of this x-Beatle had gone somewhat sour in the middle of the 1970's. Intended, at the time, as George Harrisons comeback, 33 1/3 (his age as well as the speed of lp's) had a lot riding on it. Just like the other two members who hadn't broken up the Beatles, his solo career had a stellar start. Soon after however, things started going down hill. He was sued for My Sweet Lord, he spent his momentum on the consert for Bangladesh, returned to dwindling interest with gradually less inspired records, his voice went during his one attempt at touring the US, and on top of all of that and divorce, he found it harder to write, and tougher to care. By the time he released Extra Texture things were supposed to look up. Free of the Apple contract, he signed with a new record company and set up his own label, Dark Horse Records. And then he set about recording the record that would bring him back where he belonged, on top.

33 1/3 is a great piece of work. It is far more optimistic than the last offerings, and a lot more coherrent. I personally think the record is quite sweet at times, with love being a recurring theme. Some songs are supposedly leftovers from the last days of the Beatles, but is still feels like a grown up George Harrison record. The guitarwork should be mentioned, it is simply lovely. There's also humour here. 'This Song' is a wonderful kick towards everyone who ripped into him during the 'My Sweet Lord' debacle. It shows a George who might be a bit bitter, but has taken a page from Monty Python in delivering his 'revenge'.

The production is also good, perhaps flawed by todays standards, but you know, I like the production from the 1970's. It's far more timeless than the production done on many records of the 80's, and flawed sounds more human that the production done today, where records are inundated with everything but the kitchen sink and are so loud you can't make out any nuanses.

When it came out, 33 1/3 was quite well received, but people didn't care to find out. The record did better than the last two, but George did feel dispondant about it all. The record company complained, relationships were ended, and George went to the racetrack and didn't pick up a guitar much for a couple of years.

This is my favourite George Harrison record. I find it a bit hard to explain why, but it just feels so complete.

Warmly recommended! .

I am not surprised
This album was. I am not surprised regards to his magical work of art and music. . . . . . SIMPLY MAGICAL. I NEVER get sick of it listening over and over and over everyday, I am getting healthier calmer and happier daily. Thank you George, and his magic continue on.

You can see a complete list of all George Harrison discography, or go back to the George Harrison tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.