When most think of the Beatles, they are immediately drawn to the dynamic songwriting duo of Paul McCartney and John Lennon. A team that created a whopping twenty number-one singles, this dominating made it easy to overshadow that another member of the band also had a talent for writing songs, like George Harrison.
Often referred to as ‘the quiet Beatle,’ Harrison first had an opportunity to showcase his own songs in 1963 with the track “Don’t Bother Me,” which appeared on the band’s second album With the Beatles. From here, it became more apparent in the years to follow that Harrison was an exceptional songwriter, and this was solidified with 1965’s “If I Needed Someone” off Rubber Soul, 1966’s “Taxman” off Revolver, 1968’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” from the self-titled double ‘white’ album, but also “Here Comes the Sun” and “Something” both from 1969’s Abbey Road.
These are just some examples of his ability to craft thoughtful, introspective songs with exceptional melodies; these talents only blossomed away from the Beatles. In fact, Harrison would become the first member of the band to put out a solo album. Doing so in 1968 with the largely instrumental Wonderwall Music film soundtrack, from here, he dished out 1969’s Electric Sound. Then, in 1970, months after the Beatles’ Let It Be and the band’s break-up, Harrison put out the stunning All Things Must Pass.
A new chapter in Harrison’s life, All Things Must Pass, was a massive effort that encompassed seventeen songs and would hit number one in various parts of the world. Again, being the first Beatle to put out a solo record post-breakup, in hindsight, it seemed that mounds of ideas had built up after years of his songs being secondary to McCartney and Lennon’s.
Attribute to a calm, relaxed, and egoless demeanor, each Beatle had a fantastic solo career, but perhaps the most compelling of all was Harrison’s. Proving there were plenty of songs tucked deep inside, Harrison followed up the hit album All Things Music Pass in a massive way in 1973 with Living in the Material World.
His fourth solo studio album, Living in the Material World, also arrived after The Concert for Bangladesh, a successful benefit concert organized by Harrison and Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar to aid those affected by the Bangladesh Liberation War. With that in mind, Living in the Material World further exemplified Harrison’s yearning to find meaning in something deeper. Right in the title, the album is a translation of the human soul navigating through what society deems important, as opposed to what truly is important.
Different for everyone, enlightenment is not a parallel line, and Harrison’s songs on Living in the Material World are indicative of this. Featuring the stunning “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth),” the topical “Sue Me, Sue You Blues” about the Beatles’ legal conflicts at the time, the very personal “The Light That Has Lighted the World” and the catchy, yet thought-provoking title-track, this is an album that stood out as one of Harrison’s best.
Hitting number one in the USA, among other places, Living in the Material World historically remains an epic collection of songs years later. Recently turning fifty years old in 2023, several new editions emerged in 2024 to celebrate the anniversary. Not the first reissue of Living in the Material World; it was first done as a remastered edition in 2006 and again in 2014.
Now there is this fascinating new edition that finds the album completely remixed by Paul Hicks (who has worked with everyone from Paul McCartney to Coldplay) while George’s son, Dhani Harrison, and widow, Olivia Harrison, handle the production. Adding comfort to the listener that the material is handled with care, Hicks, the son of The Hollies’ Tony Hicks, has worked on Harrison’s albums in the past but also works closely with Dhani. This is while Olivia has played an intimate part in keeping George’s philanthropic causes going strong.
Taking everything into consideration, the 50th-anniversary edition of Living in the Material World arrived on November 15, 2024, through Dark Horse Records / BMG in various formats. Breaking it all down, there is the super deluxe edition, which contains 2 CDs, 2 LPS, a Blu-ray of Dolby Atmos, twelve unreleased Harrison recordings, and a 60-page booklet. The highest quality, the collection is a must-have for Harrison fans of all ages. However, if you want other options, you can also pick up the album as a 2 LP or 2 CD deluxe edition. All of these are very worthy additions to your collection, each including the new mixes of the original album and outtakes. Furthermore, there is a 12-page booklet in the gatefold deluxe vinyl sleeve as well as a 20-page booklet and poster in the deluxe CD set.
If this was not enough, the album is also available as a single CD or single LP, both with the re-mixed original album or a limited-edition single LP in purple (through the official George Harrison online store), clear (through Amazon), or orange (through Barnes & Noble).
All matters of each listener’s personal preference in terms of format, the 50th-anniversary edition of Living in the Material World can also simply be streamed. Still, whatever the choice, you should listen. Focusing on the remixes, there is a distinctive clarity in them that almost feels as if a blanket was taken off in sections. What this means is you hear the music with plenty of separation, and that works perfectly since Living in the Material World was not originally a very crowded recording in the first place.
Beyond everything, it is also recommended to check out the never-before-released 2024 mix of “Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond),” which features George Harrison on vocals. Refreshing your memory, this is a song written by Harrison but was performed by Ringo Starr for his 1973 album Ringo. Now, giving you a chance to hear Harrison himself sing it is quite exciting and adds new meaning.
Overall, fifty years is a long time, but Living in the Material World is an album that stamps a legacy that will last a lifetime. That is why Cryptic Rock recommends picking up any one of the newly remixed albums and gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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