George Harrison's "Brainwashed" - A Labour of Love

Anyone who has wondered what George has been up to musically all these years will have ample evidence that George didn’t spend all of his time gardening. He continued to work and perfect his craft up until his final days.

“Brainwashed” harks back to Harrison’s mid to late 70's albums on Warner Brothers. There’s a personal connection to this album that I haven’t felt since George’s 1979 self titled album. On “Brainwashed,” there are lyrically powerful, thought-provoking songs with the welcome return of George’s distinctive guitar work, including an otherworldly, emotionally evocative instrumental, “Marwa Blues.”

"Brainwashed" is an inspired work. Since 1991, George recorded mainly for his own pleasure and did so when he had something to say. It wasn't a question of fulfilling record contract obligations. Even towards the end of his life, George left detailed instructions on how "Brainwashed" would be completed. George called the shots and said what he wanted to say in the manner of his choice.

There are elements of George's Monty Pythonish humour ("concrete tuxedo") woven throughout the lyrics which deal with George’s world view, love, spirituality and his quest for inner peace. Yet, in spite of its sometimes heavy subject matter, “Brainwashed” has a gentle ebb and flow musically. It’s a pleasant, heartfelt album which mixes pop, folk, blues / R&B and east Indian leanings yet remains thoroughly consistent and very much a George Harrison album.

Anyone who felt that George’s last studio effort, Cloud Nine, was a bit too polished and slick sounding will be relieved by the tone of the new album. Jeff Lynne’s presence is felt but on “Brainwashed,” he shows impressive restraint and good judgment. For the most part, Lynne’s production beautifies and adds tasteful embellishments to an already strong selection of tracks. There are a few songs that are a little too sweetened for my liking but there are no signs of production overkill.

“Brainwashed” begins with “Any Road,” a jaunty, energetic tune with a strong guitar lead which could easily be mistaken for a Traveling Wilburys song. This song was originally aired in rough demo form on a 1997 VH1 broadcast promoting "Chants of India," an album that George produced for Ravi Shankar.

For me, “Brainwashed” really kicks in with the 4th track, “Looking For My Life.” In this song, George implies both the 1999 knife attack and his battle with cancer without making direct reference to either, resulting in a powerful effect on the listener. Like some of the lyrics on “Brainwashed” what doesn’t get said is often as stirring as what is directly stated. But then George has always practiced excellent economics - both as a guitarist and a songwriter.

Avid listeners and Harrison fans will pour over the lyrics for “Brainwashed” looking for a glimpse of George’s mindset during the final years of his life. Certainly, “Brainwashed” shows Harrison in a reflective mode.

References to his childhood religion emerge in “P2 Vatican Blues (Last Saturday Night)’ and “Pisces Fish”. On “P2 Vatican Blues,” Harrison decries those who only observe the more superficial aspects of their faith. However, in “Pisces Fish,” George seems resolved, even amused, with life’s quirks and contradictions. The lilting “Rising Sun” deals with moral accountability, while the engaging “Stuck Inside A Cloud” provides an analogy of life’s confusion.

Lighter moments are provided by “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” and “Rocking Chair In Hawaii”. George obviously had great fun recording these songs. “Never Get Over You” is an affectionate love song to George’s wife, Olivia. One of the most direct, effective love songs that has ever appeared on a Harrison solo album. In some ways, it’s reminiscent of  “Something”.

“Run So Far” finally makes it’s appearance here. Longtime fans will recall this Harrison composition which was first recorded by Eric Clapton for his 1989 Journeyman album.

In summation, “Brainwashed” is an excellent album without a bad track on the whole disc. The quality and attention to detail in the production is warm and inviting. The sequencing of Tracks 4 -7 is particularly striking ("Looking For My Life" ; "Rising Sun" ; "Marwa Blues" and “Stuck Inside A Cloud”).

On this album, George is active, engaged and involved in making some of the best music he’s ever made at a time when he certainly had enough distractions. “Brainwashed” is a highly appropriate follow-up to the 2001 reissue of  “All Things Must Pass.”

“Brainwashed” concludes with the title track, a final opus which starts out as a litany against all the elements of life that “Brainwash” society and distract us from spiritual fulfillment, concluding that God should “Brainwash” us too. In this context, this comes across more ironic than confrontational. This is counter balanced by a spoken piece and Indian chant which elevates the track and serves as a fitting coda to the album. Hearing George and Dhani Harrison’s voices harmonize on the chant which closes the album has a sweet, reassuring, hopeful feel in what is also a bittersweet moment.

According to an interview with Dhani Harrison in the January 2003 issue of "Guitar World" magazine, George had booked studio time to complete "Brainwashed" in March 2002. Four months after he died, Dhani Harrison and Jeff Lynne decided to use those pre booked sessions to complete the album. In effect, Dhani and Jeff kept the same timetable for "Brainwashed" that George had originally intended.

The song "Any Road" was written during the video shoot for "This Is Love" (from Cloud Nine). "Rising Sun" was written during the Live In Japan tour in 1991. The song, "Brainwashed" is an example of something written more recently.

In a MSN web chat held on the release day of “Brainwashed,” Dhani Harrison indicates that George’s out of print albums and an Anthology type box set is still intended for future release.

Dhani further elaborates in USA Today, that priority will be given to George's back catalog because George really wanted his music back in circulation. According to Dhani, the task of completing "Brainwashed" was cathartic but difficult. Further projects will take more time to materialize: "This was taxing for our family. I can't see us rushing back into the studio." Unreleased music and out takes "won't be looked at for a long time."