Tags
Side 2 of Extra Texture (Read All About It) opens with a brief reprise of the first song on the album:
Clocking in at an economical 45 seconds, it sets a pleasant tone, and perhaps for this reason I found myself enjoying this side of the album more — even though the next three songs are all morose and downbeat. Here they are, with annotations from Wikipedia:
“Can’t Stop Thinking About You”: A love song in the style of a soul/R&B ballad, it was written by Harrison in December 1973, towards the end of his marriage to Pattie Boyd and while he was having an affair with Maureen Starkey, the wife of his former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr.
“Tired of Midnight Blue” : Written after a night out with music-industry executives in Los Angeles – an event that Harrison found particularly depressing. The recording includes contributions from Leon Russell, on piano, and Jim Keltner, who plays drums and percussion.
“Grey Cloudy Lies”: Harrison wrote it in 1973 during a period that he characterised as his “naughty” years, coinciding with the failure of his marriage to Pattie Boyd and his divergence from the ascetic path of his Hindu-aligned faith.
The side and the album end with a bit of light relief: a song called “His Name Is Legs (Ladies and Gentlemen).” Wikipedia again:
A tribute to “Legs” Larry Smith, the drummer with the 1960s satirical-comedy group the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and one of many comedians with whom Harrison began associating during the 1970s. Smith appears on the recording, delivering a spoken monologue, while Harrison’s lyrics similarly reflect the comedian’s penchant for zany wordplay. The song serves as a precursor to Harrison’s work with Monty Python members Eric Idle and Michael Palin, including his production of the troupe’s 1975 single “The Lumberjack Song” and films such as Life of Brian (1979) that he produced under the aegis of his company HandMade Films.
It’s also important to remember that without George’s financing, Withnail and I would never have been made. For that reason alone, he deserves to be remembered fondly, however many less-than-stellar albums he made.
For what it’s worth, “Legs” is still alive at 81, and his website is still active. Under “Happenings” it says “Watch this space.” Which I probably won’t, but I wish him all the best; we only have a few Beatles and Bonzos left.
Speaking of which, I keep hearing things about Paul and Ringo touring together… possibly with Eric Clapton (gag)… but my research is inconclusive. I see items saying it is supposed to happen last year, this year, and next year. In any case, I shan’t be paying money for such a thing, but I wish them Godspeed. As Ringo would say, Peace and Love for now.
Thanks for sharing these. All new to me. All interesting but I want a bit more of a Bit More!