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Released on this day in 1975: Extra Texture (Read All About It), George Harrison’s 4th post-Beatles solo album.
This was a dark period in George’s life. He had split up with his wife Pattie, and his 1974 album (Dark Horse) had not been well-received. During the subsequent tour he suffered from exhaustion and laryngitis; afterwards, he said,
When I got off the plane and back home, I went into the garden and I was so relieved. That was the nearest I got to a nervous breakdown. I couldn’t even go into the house.
Nonetheless, the turnaround between albums was the shortest of George’s career. Apparently he felt a desire to make amends to his audience, along with a need to prove he could still cut the mustard. Also, he owed Apple Records one more album.
I recently picked up a vinyl copy of Extra Texture, and let me say first off that it is beautifully packaged in a textured orange sleeve, with the letters of the title cut out to reveal whichever picture of George you choose to face that way:
Musically, though, the album feels a bit… drab. Not good enough to love or bad enough to hate. I find myself agreeing with Neil Spencer, who wrote in NME, “I’ve played it, I don’t mind it.”
The A side just kind of drifts. There’s a love song, a spiritual song, a sequel to “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” that’s nowhere near as good. There’s a song that’s trying to be lover-man soul; the lyrics go like this:
My baby, ooh
You know I love you
My baby, ooh
You know I love you
I won’t say it’s forever
Right now while we’re together
You’re my baby, ooh
You know I love you
My baby, ooh
You know I love you
I will be where you want me
I will try to keep you happy
If only you say you’re my baby, ooh
You know I love you
You’re my baby
I do anything for you
I’d run around the world for you
I do what you want me to
Ooh, you know that I love you
My, my baby, ooh
Even Paul might have thought twice about putting that one out. I’m getting a strong “contractual obligation album” vibe here.
The side closes with a tune called ”World of Stone.” It’s not bad. I’ll listen to the B side tomorrow.
Agreed, not bad.