After listening, for the first time in a while, to the album 33 & 1/3 (George Harrison's musical offering from 1976), a few thoughts came to mind.My first thought was how frustratingly easy it is to forget what a great album it is. The funky energy of "Woman Don't You Cry" and "It's What You Value"; the joyfully exuberant "Beautiful Girl"; the celebratory reverence of "Dear One"; the haunting contemplation of "Learning How To Love You"; the moody soulfulness of "Pure Smokey"; the biting sarcasm of "This Song" (buoyed on a sea of good humor, lest it become simply mean spirited); the swinging, subtle tempo changes that allow the harsh reality check of "See Yourself" to go down smooth as candy-coated medicine; the unexpectedly cheerful rendering of Cole Porter's "True Love"; the childlike playfulness of "Crackerbox Palace" – all combine to make 33 & 1/3 one of the best solo albums by any ex-Beatle. (And I highly recommend listening through some good headphones, because there is a lot of cool – and often subtle – stuff going on.)
For some reason,this album has never gotten the respect I've always felt it deserves. Perhaps because it is the first of his more pop oriented albums – and sitting, as it does, between the comparatively dark and sombre Extra Texture, and the light and airy George Harrison, it is too easily overlooked or dismissed by folks who prefer his more “serious” efforts (e.g., All Things Must Pass, Living In The Material World). But he really sounds fully engaged on 33 & 1/3 – more so, I think, than on any subsequent album (until, perhaps, Cloud 9). There is that sense of urgency that is so important, no matter what kind of music you're making. I think George kind of started to coast after this one, but he definitely wasn't coasting here.
And, unfortunately (due in some part, no doubt, to his lack of enthusiasm for self-promotion), it is also too easy to under-appreciate his skill as a guitarist. I still sometimes forget what a great slide-guitar player he is (in fact, I think his slide playing far outshines his regular lead playing). His slide playing on 33 & 1/3 is impeccable. His regular lead playing is top notch, too (just listen to the exquisitely tasteful acoustic solo on "Learning How To Love You". I first heard this album in 1976, when I recorded it off the radio (yep, WPFM played the whole thing). I used a K-mart tape recorder, which I set in front of the radio. The quality of the music was in no way compromised, nor was the enjoyment of it diminished, by the sub-standard recording conditions through which it was acquired. Which only goes to show that it must take a lot to ruin great music (the Sgt. Pepper movie – starring the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton – comes instantly, and painfully, to mind).
Now, nearly thirty-five years later, 33 & 1/3 still hasn't lost any of its original shine. Heck, even digital technology and a better stereo haven't hurt it. Ain't life grand?!?!?!
If you haven't listened to it in a while – it's been too long.
If you don't have it – shame on you.
Happy just to dance,
Ricky
