King George

King George – Volume 14

The world is full of bastards. The English have historically been heavy weight bastards. Their allochronic thinking is dangerous and affects all English-speaking nations to this day. Their sense of superiority and their need to dominate the “children” of the world with their religion, government, and education allowed the British Empire to reach “Romanesque” heights under the baronage of the House of Hanover, beginning with King George in 1714. Imperialism exploded around the middle of the 18th century. Having tea in India, teaching Bible stories to the Igbo people in Nigeria, marrying women in Trinidad, and pretty much impressing themselves on every culture they would come into contact with. Do not think this was peaceful. No, the British Military backed up the tea parties, Bible Stories, and weddings with plenty of murder, brutality, and intolerance. Oh, and all along they continue to treat the Irish as less than human, an inferior race, to be raped repeatedly and devoured for all they are worth. Now the Irish, the real bastards here, can hardly ever win against the English, but somehow they hang on. And there was a famine and the English made it worse. King George the VI passed on in 1952, when at nine years of age, King George VII was offered the throne.

English had spread like a virus, but it would run its course. After WWII, Russia and the English spawned USA took over as world powers, the Empire was falling apart, the centre unable to hold, as Yeats once kinda said. Countries were claiming their independence left and right, the Brits were becoming obsolete, except for their friendship with the US, it had been some time since one of the Georges lost America. In 1960 Nigeria would become independent and the “Silver Beats” changed their name to “The Beatles” and King George was about to change the “direction” for the House of Hanover forever, despite the pleas from Elizabeth. The world was fractured and splintered and needed guidance in how to cope with this new modern life.

By this time many colonized countries were dealing with “post-colonization” issues. How do we get on now that we have been stung and impregnated like a fat caterpillar by a fierce wasp? Do we wait to be devoured by the spawn or do we figure out a way to co-exist? You can ask Derek Walcott, Paul Simon did (Capeman), but I do not think you will find any concrete answers.

Post-colonization, eh? As if imperialism is over, huh? As if that’s it from England. Not quite. I propose that England began a new period of “re-colonization” switching from wasps to Beatles. I wanted to present King George in this manner for a few reasons. One, we all know a bit about George anyway and I thought it might be interesting to take a stab at “The English Condition.” Another reason was to highlight this idea of English Culture and its presence of power in our lives. To that end, the conflict that we might share with regard to merry ole England is not unique to England (see Germany, as an example), but it is closer to us. We are in its language. Brought up in it. Speak it. Think it. Dream in it. England itself was attacked by Saxons, Germanic tribes, and Nordic tribes, and was once part of the Roman Empire, and even ruled by France. It absorbed many cultures itself before it went on its quest for World Domination. The foundation in our country contains a certain “Englishness” – how could it not?
And yet another reason, the “Luxury of England.” What do I mean? Sure 1789 scared the French, it was their revolution after all, and the monarchs were killed –anybody see the new movie, I haven’t but will probably rent it – well it also terrified the English, anything resembling a democracy, from America to Nigeria, sent shivers up the spines of English royalty. BUT…I propose that the English people as a whole believed in King Arthur, or the ideal Kingly figure, to such a degree that even the lower classes did not want to see the complete end of the Royals. Now there are plenty of examples of English Royalty being exiled and executed throughout their history, usually associated with changing between Catholicism and Protestant Faiths – how about that – think of the bloodshed in England because a King wanted a divorce and decided to change the religion of his country!!! If his wife had only been able to supply a son…So England, unlike France and unlike dictatorships and other empires, was able to back down, but still keep the line. Sure they are obsolete and leave the governing to Blair and that bitch before him, but they survive---why…because deep inside every Englishman there is a hope for a return of an “Ideal King.” This is a luxury, and in the modern world – an amazement!

One last point to hopefully pull together the reason for this approach, it would take such a context to enable such an overwhelming outpouring of fantastic art. I can be disgusted by England, but I love England. Dearly. I love the Hobbits and the Harry Potters. The Narnia and the Tommy. The Accents and the Blakes. Madonna and Princess Leia, of course. The Beatles and the Zeppelins. The Pythons and the Adders. Actually I haven’t watched much Black Adder, yet; anyway, perhaps England is just that right mix between comprehension and alienation, that appeals so easily to our ideas of art. In keeping with the Pop Culture realm of this CMC offering, let me also add that maybe it was artists being influenced by what they saw as incredibly “bad” that inspired them to such wonderful artistic heights. If so, be prepared America, you may be experiencing an artistic renaissance very, very soon.


King George

It was in the basement on Easton Avenue when listening to Cloud Nine that I exclaimed, “George is for real.” It was in the porch on Easton Avenue where I had my Beatles Rocky Raccoon moment, but I had wondered about George. There is Lennon and McCartney, but how can there be George as well. After the dust had settled, George Harrison ended up being a pretty neat artist and a wonderful songwriter. But I would repeat, “George is for real,” mostly because I am nutty in the head. Why? Because I have been digging Nutella lately. Damn you Mixdorf. For many moons the seeds you planted lay dormant…and then, rich hazelnut…nutty I tell you. Nutty!!

I do love George Harrison and this collection, along with 10XPATXU2, and a third secret idea, comprise three collections that I have been longing to assemble and share for some time. I love George Harrison and his brand of Englishness.

I am pleased to present, all the way from our native, magical England, King George!




The Songs

1-Rocking Chair in Hawaii

This song is from Brainwashed, 2002. I love this song. A simple blues song that evokes the final days for King George. I have a vivid picture in my mind (partially inspired by an excellent picture of George in the liner notes) of George in a robe clutching his favorite rocking chair headed down to the edge of a Hawaiian River. The steam from the humidity looks like fog, blurring distant mountains and waterfalls. I love the idea of Hawaiian rivers, one mostly thinks of the ocean and beaches, but I gotta believe they have some very nice rivers as well; the ocean has to get the water from some place, right? His voice sounds thick, but a joy comes shining through. I love the play on “rock.” On one hand, he is feeling weak and must sit down and contemplate the end, on the other he is rocking musically, because he is George Harrison after all.

I love the line, “I love those sideways glances, your shoulder and your thigh.” Brainwashed was finished tastefully after he had passed away, but the concept was a little loose among some of the songs. This was an opportunity for me to select some of my favorite songs and elements from Brainwashed. I was really intrigued by a basic connection of water among some of the songs and “Rocking Chair” was one of them. A great song that embodied many Harrison qualities yet was presented in such a way as to inspire me to begin this collection with this wonderful, bluesy little song. Happy Blues working on levels that only the blues can do. His Rockabilly sensibilities are evident with his singing style between the stanzas. Almost a slow and more easy-going version of “For You Blue,” but with more interesting lyrics.

I love the little train-like whistles at 2:32 and 2:41, perfect little emotional cherries to top off this uplifting song. This song makes me so happy. A Happy Acceptance of Things.



2-Ski-ing

So the King strips off his robe revealing his youthful chest, makes love to the woman walking by, tears off the rockers off his rocking chair, straps them to his bare feet, throws a rope to a river dolphin or two and flies off into the humid fog. Ski-ing takes on a biologically violent spin on the “rocking” from song number one. A blast from the late sixties, I consider this and the other three songs from 1968’s Wonderwall pure gems. There are a number of great songs from that album, but the three presented here are my favorites and I mixed them in at strategic points on this collection. We jump from his last album to his first solo album, a soundtrack album to the film, “Wonderwall.” I love the rocking intro and the Indian texture underneath the guitar as well as the Hendrixy sea-gull sounds at the end.

Who played on the song? I am not sure exactly. Sources do not seem to agree. Could be some Harrison, Clapton, and Starr, among others. The instrumentation on the Indian songs was performed by Indian musicians and recorded in Bombay – post-colonial of course. Speaking of an old colony as a spot for an ex-Beatle to record, Paul did a little record in Nigeria.

Ski-ing rocks and I love it!



3-How to Know God

This was extracted from the song “Brainwashed” from the album Brainwashed. That song didn’t really fit in with the vision for Volume 14, but I really like the sounds in this bit. The accent, of course, but I also like the balance it represents. I do not wish to repeat too much of what we’ve already heard about George, but he was well-humored and able to take most things in stride, of course things got ugly around the break-up, but George may have been the most balanced of the Beatles in terms of his convictions and how he perceived himself. Examples include his Ruttles bit and the very odd connection to the movie, ‘Time Bandits.”

“How to Know God” is a short bit, a return to song number one sonically, and by referencing a page number, I see a healthy ounce of humor regarding the search and documentation of man’s eternal and ultimate search.



4-Wah-Wah

The first of three songs from the album, All Things Must Pass, released in 1970. A triple album that I have on two CDs, the black and white version – a newly re-mastered version with colorized artwork appeared shortly after. I love the cover and the album in general, though as a triple album, some of the instrumentals seem a bit tedious at times, especially when compared to the fine craft of most of the other non-instrumental songs. “Wah-Wah” appears as song number three, following “My Sweet Lord.”

I LOVE the song; the sprinkles arrive at 1:45 with the first of the “horny” sections that continue to alternate throughout the rest of the song. A pure joy is emanating here. The song just romps through. I love the idea of the guitarist referring to crying in the form of a guitar pedal, and I really dig the harmonic structures as the “wahs wahs” build upon themselves. Do you hear a vehicle driving off at the end of the song?

“And I know how sweet life can be
If I keep myself free from the wah-wah”

This line more or less summarizes the song for me. There is a suggestion that this song is a dig at Paul McCartney, and indeed, I suppose you could build a fine argument for it, if you really wanted to. I have never had that feeling when I hear this song. Songs intended to dig at fellow musicians are nothing new, but often over emphasized and largely misunderstood. Inspiration can hit at any time and certainly the “break-up” supplied ALL the Beatles inspiration for songwriting. Inspiration and meaning are connected but do not have to perfectly correlate. For me, the song works this out perfectly, consider this interpretation of the two lines: how sweet life could be if we all just stopped whining about minutia. This is why I adore this song, because “wah-wahing over the small stuff gets in the way of the bigger stuff. Sometimes details start spinning you round and round a charity hole at a city zoo. Down and down, deeper and deeper – only to be lost to darkness. Keep your pennies in your purses? No, by all means, let them go, just pennies anyway. But no wah-wahing, please. So is it about Paul, to an extent, but when he is singing, he is singing about the minutia, not the man



5-Pisces Fish

My favorite song from Brainwashed. I LOVE it LOVE it LOVE it. The last GREAT George Harrison song. Again we have that “watery” connection as alluded to in the discussion about “Rocking Chair.” I love the words and the chorus. This song gave me pause when I first heard it in Minneapolis. I really think it is amazing, and truly the sum of its parts. It may sound like a fairly regular song at first listen or two, but there is a feel that strongly tugs your heart. Nothing extraordinary, musically, is necessarily going on here, but the King really caught something for us with this one. The rhythm is easy-going and meshes perfectly with the chant-like chorus of low notes that lead ultimately to “soul.”

Jennifer Love Hewitt is also a Pisces and part of me truly loves her. Beautiful, like this song. It’s great that George aligns himself with the zodiac, embraces it, and why shouldn’t he, it’s just like a mystical and godly tune anyway. And I like what he’s saying…

My very favorite part of this song, which drives me nuts, is the harmony section beginning at 2:40.

“And I’ll be swimming until I can find those waters
That one unbounded ocean of bliss
That’s flowing through your parents, sons and daughters
But still an easy thing for us to miss”

Sprinkles and all. I LOVE this section. It reminds me of my own “water place.” The harmony is fairly simple, I think, and fairly loose, and according to the liner notes all sung by George, but it is pure musical magic – the blending of sound, rhythm, and voices is superb and carries with it an emotional charge. It isn’t even that it is sad, and I do not think it is, it is nothing short of overwhelming for me.




6-Party Seacombe

So the youthful chest of George Harrison shines again, glistening with sweat in the Hawaiian sun. The dew heavy on his brow as he scans the sands for more lovemaking opportunity. He is patient and will wait for the arrival of the dark-haired native girls. “They will come.” He is as confident as a giraffe is about the length of its neck and the polygonish nature of its spots. He takes time to roast pineapples for his dolphin friends; they have pulled him far and are in great need of nourishment.

Another gem from Wonderwall. Speaking of wah-wah – God I love this song. The guitars, the entrance of the bass, the drums (got to be Ringo), the organ moments – the overall arrangement is spectacular. I so enjoy the stops and rebirths and love the Beatle George guitar and organ build-up at 3:48, before it crashes magnificently back into the main idea, slightly intensified and still grooving. Listen and like me, you may hear the guitar repeating “She’s Pretty Strange” – a major influence or inspiration – whichever the case may be.



7-All Things Must Pass

A lovely song. I first heard the Harrison demo on “The Beatles Anthology Volume Three” and was definitely intrigued. I loved it and found it interesting that I had not recalled having ever heard the song before. What a treat, when I finally heard his definitive version sometime after 1995. The context is fairly obvious, as is the meaning. Sure there is a heavy sadness to the song, but there is also a hope – if for a day, a season, a storm, a conversation, an illness, a relationship, a cycle. A simple truth of the universe. It cannot be beaten. Here we have the Sad Acceptance of Things.

I love the mix of drums (possibly Ringo again), strings, horns, and piano. The vocals are well done and the weight of the lyric is nicely conveyed. The spacey guitar slides are wild and if you are not a fan, just remember that it too, will pass.

I suppose this song may have a special importance for us all as we find ourselves stuck on toilets, wondering.


8-George on Ringo

This was lifted from an interview conducted by David Wigg in March 1969. It was part of a two disc set of interviews that Chris Brandt gave to me shortly after the famous Augsburg move to the Fifth Street Towers.

He is responding to a question about songs from Abbey Road, which was recently released. Specifically, Octopus’s Garden. I have always found this bit hilarious. The whole darn thing. “Why shouldn’t he do it” and “it’s just like a Country and Western tune anyway.” And then he goes on to quote from the song in an effort to extract meaning – love it! And then let King George explain and clarify for us some CMC Theory and its Practical Applications. Thanks George! Nutella?




9-When We Was Fab

Likely the most recognizable song on “King George,” it comes to us from 1987s Cloud Nine. I have Cloud Nine on tape and as previously discussed, listens to that tape caused my “George is for real” outbursts. The source for “King George” came from Best of Dark Horse, released in 1989. This song concludes a sentimental run of songs, “All Things Must Pass,” “George on Ringo,” and “When We Was Fab.” A great song full of Beatley conventions. The sixties, The Beatles, the last album, yesterday, two minutes ago – whenever it was. As a group of friends – Fab in Waterloo, at ISU, a Feb. Freeze-Off or two, on the basketball court, watching the Nightmare Before Christmas in Ames, cooking mushrooms in New Brighton, scooting around Taylor Falls, huddled around a pizza, Minneapolis, music, girls – whatever it was, whenever it happened – if it was in the past surely it must be Fab. The question is (as Vershard the waiter would say): Are we being Fab now? I would say, Yes.



10-Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

The third song from Brainwashed, and yes, with that “watery” connection. A really well done cover originally written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler. I love the ukulele, the singing, the tight playing by all the musicians, the response at 2:23 and the snappy ending. George did plenty of covers and this one suits him very well and works in well with his Pisces nature and his “Rocking Chair.” A fun, happy little “tough spot” song that was a surprising and pleasant addition to his final album.





11-On the Bed

The British Chest of King George has been opened, as he lay tied to the bed. The wasps have made their incisions and his heart has been revealed. He was caught twelve miles north along the shore, accused of attacking the natives. One of the natives, Indralli Hanuappa, insists that she was not being attacked, but rather loved, as if by a God. Nevertheless, he was taken away and his dolphins shot. He did not resist as they shaved his chest and placed him roughly on the bed. Indralli Hanuappa wept along with the other natives and watched him pass. They could not understand what law had been broken and thought how strange it all was.

At about 1:oo the heart began to beat on its own accord. Indralli Hanuappa pleaded with the guards to take possession of the heart. After much debate, Indralli Hanuappa and the other natives took up the heart and traveled to a river where they thought they saw good things in the steam rising off the water.



12-Isn’t it a Pity

Actually, “Isn’t it a Pity (Version One)”. There is a Version Two, appearing later in the album. The song to close King George. A mantra. I love the words. I love the weight of this song, a compression. Swaddled, but not protected. I love the arrangement, the singing, the instruments – everything. Love the additional vocals around 4:26 – kind of McCartney like, “Wildlife” maybe. The growing wail builds to an excellent end and conclusion to “King George.”


Closing

Isn’t it a Pity what the English have done to the Irish.