In an earlier blog entry, I posted the handwritten lyrics to Julian Lennon’s song “Valotte.” This post features the handwritten lyrics to George’s son, Dhani Harrison’s song, “The Light Under the Door,” written on Dark Horse stationery.
This set of lyrics was acquired through a promotion that Dhani did when he was promoting his IN///Parallel album back in 2017. Based on the specified payment levels, you were given the opportunity to choose the song you would like the handwritten lyrics to from the album. I chose this one which Youtube posted showing him performing the song live.
Dhani Harrison
Below the posted lyrics of the song is a photo of Dhani as a young lad dressed in a pirate costume. I bought the photo from the UK company Tracks. They stated they believed the photo was taken by a gardener at Friar Park.
Dhani is a great guy, just like his dad, very friendly and personable.
A very Rare 6 cd set that was released to highlight the promotional activities of noted record producer, Mo Ostin. Here are the details of the set which I was able to purchase a signed copy of that was signed by none other than Mo Ostin himself on ebay. Of the highlights of the 6 cd set was the song that George Harrison wrote specifically for the 6 cd set and the track was called “Mo”.
Mo’s Songs CD Set
This song has been posted by several sources on YouTube and features the classic Harrison slide guitar work that had become his signature over the years…..
Full disclosure, David Bedford & friends: while I know that it may be politic to say that I love all of the chapters in the book equally (like our kids, right?), I have to say that the combination of the outstanding song and the wonderful back story of the song to follow are absolutely my favorites. I hope you enjoy it. Tim Hatfield
[Search amazon.com for “Tim Hatfield Beatles,” then download the free App to read on your device]
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” from The White Album
George Harrison had written songs previously for the Beatles, but the Lennon/McCartney duo continued to dominate. After the residence in the Maharishi’s Rishikesh ashram in 1968, however, George wrote a song and fought to have it included in The White Album. It was worth fighting for.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
George was more and more interested in Eastern music and philosophy, and when the group returned to England he decided to do a song based on the Chinese Book of Changes, the I Ching. Harrison described it in some detail in the Beatles’ Anthology:
The Eastern concept is that whatever happens is all meant to be, and that there’s no such thing as coincidence – every little item that’s going down has a purpose.
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was a simple study based on that theory. I decided to write a song based on the first thing I saw upon opening any book – as it would be a relative to that moment, at that time. I picked up a book at random, opened it, saw “gently weeps,” then laid the book down again and started the song.
A simple acoustic version was recorded by George at his country home – one of the several so-called “Esher demos”—when he invited all the Beatles to do some pre-rehearsals of songs before they went to the studio in the summer of 1968 to record The White Album. But when the song, which George knew was a good one, kept getting ignored, he took matters into his own hands. Again, in Harrison’s own words from Anthology:
We tried to record it, but John and Paul were so used to just cranking out their tunes that it was very difficult at times to get serious and record one of mine. It wasn’t happening. They weren’t taking it seriously and I don’t think they were even all playing on it, and so I went home that night thinking, “Well, that’s a shame,” because I knew the song was pretty good.
Eric Clapton
The next day I was driving into London with Eric Clapton, and I said, “What are you doing today? Why don’t you come to the studio and play on this song for me?” He said, “Oh, no I can’t do that. Nobody’s ever played on a Beatles record and the others wouldn’t like it.” I said, “Look, it’s my song and I’d like you to play on it.”
So he came in. I said, “Eric’s going to play on this one, and it was good because that then made everyone act better. Paul got on the piano and played a nice intro and they all took it more seriously.“
They did. Multiple takes later, the song was completed, and it has had a life of its own long past the demise of the Beatles as a group. The Cirque du Soleil Love show has featured it as a dreamy, slow tempo pas de deux:
And the remembrance for George Harrison at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony by an all-star band including Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, and George’s son Dhani (who won’t be difficult to identify) is astounding. Most notably, at the end of the song my fellow Minnesotan Prince plays an unbelievable solo – he absolutely goes off, and symbolically throws his guitar up to George in heaven at the end of his performance:
Regardless of what kind of difficulty or time of trouble you are experiencing at this moment, I hope that there is no weeping for you today.
When We Find Ourselves in Times of Trouble: The Beatles: All Their Songs with Encouraging Words for Challenging Times
KINDLE (OR DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP TO READ ON YOUR LAPTOP)
This book addresses all the songs of the Beatles, from their earliest demos to Abbey Road, in a conversational, accessible format. Special attention is devoted to the band’s creative process and its influence on and synergistic relationship with the culture at large. The book’s genesis was the author’s hope that a daily Beatles song could provide a brief respite from the significant stress and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and beyond that, from the challenges of any personally difficult time – our times of trouble.
With all of the publicity surrounding the “new” Beatles Get Back film directed by Peter Jackson, I have had countless conversations about the new film. The anticipation is at almost fever pitch as the trailers we have seen look incredible.
It made me decide to back and watch the original “Let It Be” film that was directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg. It has been years since I last watched it and through all the discussions over those years, one theme seems to permeate through everything: we were watching The Beatles fall apart. But were we?
Paul and George Argue
The most famous element was always the argument between Paul and George, where George tells Paul that he will play whatever Paul wants him to, or he just wouldn’t play. Fans also refer to Yoko being permanently at John’s side, which she was.
But was it a negative film? Is it too painful to watch?
I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed watching it again, and it was filled with lots of fun scenes where you could see all four of them enjoying what they were doing, especially when they break out into funny arrangements, or the silly voices come out, like in “Besame Mucho”. But, it wasn’t the dark, depressing film that I seemed to think it was.
The Beatles Rooftop Concert
Then of course, we end with that incredible rooftop concert. How Lindsay-Hogg and his team were able to capture that is incredible, with the limited technology and space available. Plus, when you see them performing, I think they were recapturing memories of playing to crowds, which they hadn’t done since August 1966. The Beatles were enjoying themselves and it still such an iconic film.
Apology Needed?
We know Peter Jackson’s 6 hour special series is going to be superb, and it will have been worth the wait. However, I believe we also owe an apology and debt of thanks to Michael Lindsay-Hogg who has probably had a lot of negativity surrounding the film he made. He did a great job with what he had to work with.
Let It Be or Get Back?
Yes.
Enjoy the original, but I can’t wait for the new one too.
