Self-Recorded Cassette by George Harrison
ITEM #915
The self-recorded cassette includes a handwritten label by George Harrison of “Somewhere in England” prior to release.
“Somewhere in England” was released in June 1981 by Dark Horse Records. The album was recorded as Harrison was becoming increasingly frustrated with the music industry. The album’s making was a long one, during which conflicts with Warner Bros. Records arose.
George began recording his ninth studio album, “Somewhere in England”, in March 1980 and continued sporadically, finally delivering the album to Warner Bros. Records, in late September 1980. However, the execs at Warner Bros. rejected the album, feeling it was “too laid back”. Harrison agreed to rework the album and record new material. It is believed that this cassette is one of George’s 1st editions of “Somewhere in England” with all original tracks. It was given to Gary Wright who subsequently gave it to me.
In November, Ringo met up with George at Friar Park to record a couple of George Harrison originals; “Wrack My Brain” and “All Those Years Ago” for Ringo’s new album. “All Those Years Ago” was left unfinished since Ringo felt the key was too high for him to sing. After Lennon’s death, George decided to use the unfinished recording by changing the lyrics to reflect the Lennon tragedy. He kept Ringo’s drum track and invited Paul and Linda McCartney, and Denny Laine, to record backing vocals in early 1981. Along with “All Those Years Ago”, three more songs were added to the new version of “Somewhere in England”.
To make room for the four new songs, Harrison elected to drop four tracks from the original line-up. A CD containing the three songs that Warner Bros. Records had rejected plus a live version of his Beatles track “For You Blue” was made and included in a limited-edition Genesis Publications called “Songs by George Harrison” which was Intended as a luxury item. Each copy was hand-bound and boxed, and available only by direct order through Genesis Publications in England.
“Songs by George Harrison” is a book of song lyrics and commentary by George Harrison, with a stunning set of illustrations by New Zealand artist Keith West, one of the finest botanical watercolor artists in the world. It was published in a limited run of 2500 copies; this is copy #33. Signed by George Harrison and Keith West, it contains an EP or rare or previously unreleased Harrison recordings. The book that George spent two years making, includes a foreword by Jeff Lynne, and a written contribution from Elton John.
“Somewhere in England” became George’s highest-charting album at the time, reaching number 11 in the U.S. “All Those Years Ago”, released as the lead-off single, made it all the way to number 2 in the United States, one of Harrison’s biggest hits.
