Extra Texture [LP]

by George Harrison

Overview

Despite George Harrison's reputation for solemn, lugubriously paced albums in the early '70s -- and this one is mostly no exception -- the jacket is full of jokes, from the eaten-away Apple logo (the Apple label would expire at year's end) to the punning title, the list of non-participants, and the mischievous grin of the ex-Beatle above the arch caption "OHNOTHIMAGEN" ("Oh, not him again!"). The record gets off to a great start with the instantly winning single "You" -- a bit of which is then repeated to open side two. But here, the basic idea and instrumental track come from February 1971, during George's most fertile period, dressed up with vocals and string synthesizer four years later. One of George's most beautifully harmonized, majestic, strangely underrated ballads "The Answer's at the End" -- whose inspiring lyric was based upon an inscription on George's home by its builder, Sir Frank Crisp -- comes next, followed by "This Guitar (Can't Keep from Crying)," an attractive sequel to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." At this point, the devoted fan's hopes go up; could this be an unsung masterpiece? But George has fired off his best stuff first, and the record slowly and inexorably tails off, closing with a baffling salute to ex-Bonzo Dog Band member "Legs" Larry Smith. Yet despite its stretches of treadmill material, Extra Texture has worn better as a whole than its Apple neighbors Dark Horse and even much of Living in the Material World, for even the lesser tunes reveal a few musical blossoms upon re-listening and the front-loaded songs are among the best of his solo career. ~ Richard S. Ginell

Product Details

Release Date:	02/24/2017
Label:	Capitol / Universal
UPC:	0602557090352
Rank:	66915

Tracks

1. You
2. The Answer's at the End
3. This Guitar (Can't Keep from Crying)
4. Ooh Baby (You Know That I Love You)
5. World of Stone
6. A Bit More of You
7. Can't Stop Thinking About You
8. Tired of Midnight Blue
9. Grey Cloudy Lies
10. His Name Is Legs (Ladies and Gentleman)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

George Harrison   Primary Artist
Tom Scott   Guest Artist
David Foster   Guest Artist
Jim Horn   Guest Artist
Leon Russell   Guest Artist
Legs Larry Smith   Guest Artist
Gary Wright   Guest Artist
Carl Radle   Guest Artist
Billy Preston   Guest Artist

Technical Credits

George Harrison   Composer