George Harrison
"Cloud Nine"
1987
US pressing (Dark Horse records W1 25643)
Here we have audio for "Cloud Nine" taken from a sealed US pressing. Having broad-based
appeal, this was probably Harrison's most commercial sounding LP since "All Things Must Pass".
I find it to be a very enjoyable release.
From wikipedia:
Cloud Nine is the successful 1987 comeback album by George Harrison, recorded and released
after a five year hiatus from his recording career. Including the hit "Got My Mind Set on You",
Cloud Nine re-established Harrison as a critically-acclaimed and commercially-significant
recording artist. It was to be George Harrison's final solo studio album released during his
lifetime.
Frustrated with the changing musical climate, George Harrison suspended his recording career
in the early 1980s. He opted to pursue his other interests, such as film production with his
own company, Handmade Films. The odd soundtrack or charity song would surface during this
period, but otherwise it was a musically silent period for Harrison.
By late 1986 — after a substantial break — Harrison felt the desire to make music again.
He asked former Electric Light Orchestra leader and fellow musician Jeff Lynne to co-produce
the album with him. After having composed a round of new songs, Harrison entered his home
studio, Friar Park, in Henley-on-Thames on 5 January 1987 to begin recording his first new
commercial album in five years. Besides Harrison and Lynne, other artists involved in the
recording sessions included Jim Keltner and Ringo Starr on drums, Eric Clapton on guitar,
and on piano both Gary Wright and Elton John. With new-found enthusiasm, Harrison actively
promoted the album, even appearing with Starr at the Prince's Trust Concert that June to
perform "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".
Harrison's cover of Rudy Clark's obscure song "Got My Mind Set on You" --- which Harrison had
wanted to record with the Beatles in the 1960s --- quickly reached #1 in the United States
and #2 in the United Kingdom. It was a surprising hit for the former Beatle, who hadn't
enjoyed a mainstream #1 hit in nearly fifteen years. A few weeks later, Cloud Nine was released
to very high anticipation, and it was promptly lauded by many critics as Harrison's best work
since All Things Must Pass. The album went to #10 in the UK, also achieved #8 and platinum
status in the US. The success of the single "Got My Mind Set on You" and its accompanying
video re-introduced George Harrison to the mainstream.
The Beatles tribute song "When We Was Fab" also proved a successful follow-up single, reaching
the Top 30 in both the UK and US. The next single, "This Is Love", was a minor hit in the UK.
While the success of Cloud Nine was not enough to spur Harrison into a tour (the ill-fated 1974
Dark Horse jaunt in North America was still fresh in his mind), it inspired him to continue
making music. In the spring of 1988, along with Lynne, he would call up friends Bob Dylan,
Tom Petty and Roy Orbison and begin recording a project ultimately released as the Traveling
Wilburys.
Personnel
The following personnel are credited in the liner notes.
George Harrison – Vocals, guitars, keyboards, sitar
Jeff Lynne – Guitars, bass, vocals, keyboards
Eric Clapton – Guitar
Elton John – Piano
Gary Wright – Piano
Ringo Starr – Drums
Jim Keltner – Drums
Ray Cooper – Percussion, drums
Jim Horn – Baritone and tenor sax
Bobby Kok – Cello
The tracks included are:
1."Cloud 9" – 3:17
2."That's What It Takes" (George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Gary Wright) – 4:00
3."Fish on the Sand" – 3:24
4."Just for Today" – 4:05
5."This Is Love" (George Harrison, Jeff Lynne) – 3:49
6."When We Was Fab" – (George Harrison, Jeff Lynne) - 3:56
7."Devil's Radio" – 3:55
8."Someplace Else" – 3:52
9."Wreck of the Hesperus" – 3:33
10."Breath Away from Heaven" – 3:35
11."Got My Mind Set on You" (Rudy Clark) – 3:52
Bonus tracks:
12. “Lay His Head” from a US 7-inch 45rpm pressing – 3:51
Though released in 1987 as the B-side of "Got My Mind Set on You", this track was originally
slated to be included on the “Somewhere In England” LP. With the exception of being released
on a 3-inch Japanese disc and on the EP disc included with the very limited (and expensive)
Genesis Publication’s book “Songs By George Harrison”, this track has not been officially
available on CD. This track could also be found on the Vigotone boot “Pirate Songs”.
13."Got My Mind Set on You" extended version from the UK 12-inch single – 5:20
This extended version has not been officially released on CD. Previously it could be found on
the Pegboy boot “12 Arnold Grove”
14. “Lay His Head” from the UK 12-inch single – 3:51
I’ve included “Lay His Head” from the UK 12-inch single because I found there was a notable
difference in the mastering of this track from what you’ll find on the US single that’s
included here. This track, as found on the UK 12-inch single, seems to have a more open feel
to it. That said, I found the US single to possess a more “cozy” feel which has its own appeal. Since there were aspects I enjoyed on each pressing, I decided to include both here.
The setup used:
-Technics SL-1900 direct drive turntable running an Ortofon 2M Black cartridge
-Underwood/Parts Connexion performance-modified PS Audio GCPH phono preamp
-E-MU 1212M sound card
The audio was captured at 192/32-bit (float)
All pops & clicks were removed manually in Audition. No EQ or NR has been added.
Sample rate conversion to 96kHz & 44.1kHz and down-converting to 16-bit audio was accomplished
via iZotope RX Advanced.
Artwork is included for those who care for it.
Enjoy,
-DLedin