LIVING IN THE MAT (LP) Vinyl Record

Personnel: George Harrison (vocals, guitars); John Barnham (strings); Jim Horn (saxophone, flute); Nicky Hopkins, Gary Wright (keyboards); Klaus Voorman (bass); Jim Keltner, Ringo Starr (drums); Zakir Hussein (tabla).
Additional personnel: Jim Gordon (drums on "Try Some Buy Some").
Recorded at Apple Studio, London, England
All songs written by George Harrison.
On his first studio album since the artistic and commercial triumph of his 1970 solo debut, Harrison opted to produce himself rather than continue his association with producer Phil Spector. Boasting an intimate, organic sound that is far-removed from Spector's wall-of-sound production of ALL THINGS MUST PASS, LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD shows a more reflective, acoustic-oriented side of the ex-Beatle. The album opens on a high note with Harrison's number one hit "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth)," a gorgeous, soaring pop song that is a perfect showcase of Harrison's earnest vocals and distinctive slide guitar playing. Though none of the other songs on the album are quite as spectacular as "Give Me Love," there are many excellent tracks, including the Beatlesque "Don't Let Me Wait Too Long" and "Sue Me, Sue You Blues," a biting commentary on the Beatles' business problems circa 1973, which features Ringo Starr on drums and some exceptionally potent slide guitar from Harrison.

• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: Rock