While My Guitar Gently Weeps
The Music of George Harrison
by
Simon Leng
ISBN: 0 946719 50 0 Publication: January 2003
256 pages (illustrated). Hardback.
Price UK £20 US$ 26
Complete track by track account of the man and his music
Features cover illustration by Beatle's collaborator and designer of the Revolver album sleeve, Klaus Voormann, commissioned especially for this edition
George Harrison was an intensely private man who often wrestled with the fame attached to being an ex-Beatle. As a member of the “fab four” he had already demonstrated his songwriting craft with the likes of “Here Comes The Sun”, “Something” – which Sinatra saw as the perfect love song – “Within You, Without You”, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, “Blue Jay Way” and “Taxman”. He had also been almost single-handedly responsible for bringing Indian music into Western pop culture.
By 1970, Harrison was the Beatle most primed and ready to eschew the hefty mantle of “ex mop-top”. He immediately asserted himself as a solo artist with his All Things Must Pass opus, organising the Concert For Bangla Desh, as well as producing and collaborating with a myriad of other artists and starting his own Dark Horse label.
Through a track-by track analysis of Harrison’s solo career, Simon Leng re-assesses Harrison’s contribution to music beyond the shackles of his 60s heritage. He examines Harrison’s championing of Indian music and the affects of his adoption of the Hindu faith. Often lambasted for his spirituality, the picture that emerges is of a humble man often prepared to sublimate his ego in favour of others, whilst remaining dedicated to a belief in the pure creation of music.
Often seen as “serious”, Harrison was far from being without humour, as exemplified by his involvement with Monty Python. He was also generous with his musical gifts - both in terms of songwriting and adding his unique guitar playing to many recordings. It was a generosity that gained him huge respect with other musicians. The Music of George Harrison delves into his complex and highly personal relationship with two other avatars of 60s culture - Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton - and a friendship with Ravi Shankar that spanned four decades.
Drawing on new interviews with many of George’s musical collaborators, including Klaus Voorman, Doris Troy and Delaney Bramlett, this book was originally planned as a celebration of Harrison’s music. Sadly it is a commemoration too, as Beatles fans the world-over mourned the passing of the “quiet Beatle”. Ultimately what emerges is a portrait of George Harrison as a songwriter and musician who retained both dignity and vision. | 
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